Hanoi's coffee culture, like no other

Sai Gon has coffee on high floor, and under ground, etc., whereas Hanoi has street coffee and traditional cafeteria. The competition between Trung Nguyen coffee system, modern Cappuccino coffee and traditional coffee is still equal. This reveals that the Hanoians retain some uniqueness of their ancient lifestyle.

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Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi

Geographical position
The central sector of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi covers area of 20ha, includes archaeological area Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Longat 18 Hoang Dieu Street and relics in Ha Noi Citadel such as: Bac Mon, Doan Mon, Hau Lau, stone dragons in Kinh Thien Palace, dragon house, house D67 and Ha Noi flag tower.
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One day in Hanoi

Hanoi is often, sadly, just somewhere visitors stop off for a night or two en route to Ha Long Bay, mountainous Sapa or a dash down the coast to Ho Chi Minh City. But for those who do want to take a look around, however fleeting, Hanoi can be a fascinating destination in its own right. So, if you just have one day in Hanoi, how do you make the most of it?

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Hanoi Vietnam

Vietnam tours: Hanoi, Vietnam and one of the most visited of the Vietnam tours popular destinations, is the beautiful capital city of Vietnam, sprawling in the banks of the Red River with French colonial heritage. Hanoi has a population of 3 million which is constantly growing. This is a reflection of Hanoi being a metropolitan area of northern Vietnam as well as the country’s political centre. Hanoi has been traditionally a point of convergence of much of country’s talents in arts and culture with a heavy influence of Confucian values among the people.
Hanoi, Vietnam today is a somewhat slow paced city but with a charm and elegance of its own. It has an abundance of lovely landscapes such as lakes, shaded boulevards, and lush green public parks and a touch of French architecture in the streets. Today with Vietnam tourism on a rise, Hanoi, Vietnam readily welcomes visitors willing to have a vacation in Hanoi, Vietnam. 

Hoang Kiem Ha Noi Vietnam tours

Ha Noi VietNam tours

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CNN recommends five coffee shops in Hanoi

In a country as famed for its coffee as Vietnam, how do you choose where to go? We’ve done that for you - take a look at Hanoi’s five best coffee spots.

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Bat Trang Ceramic Village

“I wish I could marry you/ I will buy Bat Trang bricks to build our house” are the beautiful folk words honoring Bat Trang ceramic & pottery quality, the pride of northern Vietnam

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Dong Mo tourist attraction

Dong Mo in Son Tay Town, Hanoi is really an attractive destination for local and foreign visitors who love nature and are fond of golf.

Dong Mo tourist attraction

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Dong Xuan Market, a busy trade center in Hanoi

The renowned Dong Xuan Market in downtown Hanoi has long been a favorite, a busy trade center that attracted buyers from many other places ...


Dong Xuan Market, or Cho Dong Xuan, is the oldest and largest market in Hanoi. It is located at Dong Xuan Street, at the end of Hang Dao Street, on the northern part of the Old Quarters. The original building was constructed in 1889, on the site of one of Hanoi's lakes. It is a street market spreading over a surface of 600 square meters, occupying half of the street. Approximately fifty businesses are operating the forty stands selling food, artifacts, souvenirs and tour packages among others.

Front facade of the Dong Xuan Market

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Duong Lam ancient village

After the recognition of Hoi An ancient town, Hanoi old quarter, Duong Lam village in Son Tay Town (some 60km to the west of Hanoi Capital) is the first ancient village recognised as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Duong Lam ancient village

Two of Vietnam’s kings, Phung Hung (761-802) and Ngo Quyen (896-944) were born in Duong Lam, giving the village its prestige. Both men led resistance wars against northern invasion and after winning national independence, were crowned kings. After their deaths, the local people built temples in their honour.

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Bao Son Paradise

The newly-open Bao Son Paradise Park in Hoai Duc District of Hanoi is the biggest entertainment and tourism complex in the North. Opened to the public in early September of 2008, the park help to quench local people’s thirst for entertainment and relaxation.

Bao Son Paradise

Perspective of the multifunctional complex
The 20ha entertainment and tourism complex, built at a total cost of US$50 million by the Bao Son Investment and Construction Group, consists of four main areas: traditional craft villages of Viet Nam, a replica of Ha Noi’s ancient quarters, the eco-tourism area and a culinary section offering cuisine from all corners of Viet Nam. The park opens up a new world for local visitors with a harmonious blend of both traditional and modern features.

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Hanoi Cathedral

Hanoi Cathedral is famous not only for its architecture but its beautiful scenery as well.

Hanoi Cathedral

Hanoi Cathedral is at No.40 Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. It was built on the site of the former Bao Thien Tower, which was famous in the ancient capital of Thang Long under the Ly Dynasty (the 11th and 12th centuries).


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Hanoi Opera House

Looking down Trang Tien Street, you can see Hanoi Opera House standing strongly, deserving to be one of Hanoi's grandest buildings.

HaNoi Opera House

Built by the French in 1911, and renovated in the late 1990s, this is an incredible building. Hanoi Opera House is an old theatre with French architecture and typical Gothic and Mosaic characters reflected on the door domes and the glassed room respectively. The facade is colonial French with pillars and balconies overlooking the city center. The 900-seat opera house plays host to visiting foreign performances as well as Vietnamese symphonies. The exterior is a delightful mix of French neo-classical design with shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies and tiles friezes.
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Ly Quoc Su Pagoda

Each of the spring, Hanoians often come to Ly Quoc Su Pagoda to wish for happiness and prosperity. Visitors to the pagoda not only for worshipping but also for understanding the cultural and historical vulue of the pagoda...

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda is at 50 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The Pagoda worships a Buddhist Monk of the Ly Dynasty (the 10th - 12th centuries). This Monk, whose full name was Nguyen Chi Thanh, was born on 1066 in Dien Xa Village, Gia Vien District in Ninh Binh Province in the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong.

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Hanoi Capital

Hanoi Capital

As the capital turning 1000 in 2010, Hanoi has within it the finest touch ofwhat a Vietnamese cultural tradition of over a thousand years has to offer. Thecity hosts more cultural sites than any other cities in Vietnam, including over600 pagodas and temples. Even though some relics have not survived afterwartime, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike.

As a city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometimes is called "city of lakes". Among its lakes, the most famous are Ho Guom (Sword Lake), Ho Tay (West Lake), Ho Thien Quang (Halais Lake), Truc Bach Lake, and Bay Mau Lake. Hanoi has famous traditional professional handicraft villages such as Bat Trang pottery village, Ngu Xa bronze casting village, Yen Thai glossy silk... Among Hanoi’s sightseeing highlights are the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum; the National Art Museum; the grisly Hoa Lo Prison (also known as the infamous Hanoi Hilton); central Hoan Kiem Lake, where Hanoians enjoy brisk morning walks or tai chi in a tranquil city landmark that symbolizes the city’s mythical origins; and the Old Quarter, whose narrow winding streets are named after the individual trades practiced here since the
15th century. Hanoi is Vietnam’s cultural center, and the galleries, puppetry,
music, and dance performances are worth staying at least a few days to take
in.

Hoan Kiem Lake ( Lake of Restored Sword )
Hoan Kiem Lake ( Lake of Restored Sword ) is a famous landmark in Hanoi and a centre of the city. There is an interesting legend behind this lake. Apparently in the 15th century, Emperor Le Thai To of Vietnam was supposedly handed a magic sword by a divine tortoise living in the lake, thus helping him to repel invaders from China . After the country has been
liberated, the tortoise snatched back the sword from the emperor and thus the lake is named " Lake of Restored Sword ". This lake was once part of the nearby Red Riber (Song Hung) and a swamp, until the French drained the land in the 19th century thus forming this lake. There are several species of tortoise living in this lake, and you will sometimes see them on the water surface. The area surrounding the lake is very beautiful with flowers, trees, benches, paths etc where both locals and tourist relax. Please see part 2 of this tip

Hoan Kiem Lake is at the centre of Hanoi and a focus point of the city. The lake isnt too large and doesnt take too long to walk around. The lake is central to the locals as well as the tourists in Hanoi . If you visit early in the morning while it is still cool you will be able to watch the locals do Tai Chi. Badminton courts are painted onto the ground all around the lake and sometimes you will see the locals playing this too. The lake is a great place to meet people and see local life. It can be busy at times but this is due to the fact that the locals love and use this lake as much as the tourists. There are loads of shops and coffee bars around and its great to spend the afternoon people watching.

Van Mieu (The Temple of Literature)

The Temple of Literature is Vietnam s historical
seat of learning and is the most sacred place for the disciples of Confucius. It is one of the few remaining buildings from the original city founded by Emperor Ly Thanth Tong in the 11th century and is a well-preserved example of Vietnamese
architecture. It became the site of the countrys first university in 1076.

In the temple there are number of courtyards which separated by wall and gates. In the courtyards you will see pond covered with lilies, bonzai trees. The complex is quite large. The temple is surrounded by picturesque garden,
manicured lawn and large trees which provide shades. The middle footpath with low hedges in both sides will guide you to the different part of the temple. In either side of the temple there are large tortoises engrave with list of people
who graduated with their names, dates and places of birth who achieved doctorates. The Temple of Literature with Chinese architecture is well kept considering it was built in the in the 11th century. After the hustle, bustle and the chaotic of Hanoi traffic, it was quite relieved to visit one of the tourist attractions as it was nice, quite and relaxing.

Chua mot cot (One Pillar Pagoda)
The One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot) is a small and famous Pagoda of Vietnam located at a premise near to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum. The One Pillar Pagoda has become the symbol of Vietnamese rich culture and history. The pagoda was built in the reign of king Ly Thai Tong (1028-1054). Legend has it that in his dream, in 1049, the King saw a vision of Kwan Yin. She led him to a shrine in the middle of a lotus pond. When he woke up, he consulted with his court and decided to
replicate the shrine in his dream to dedicate it to Kwan Yin. The One-Pillar Pagoda, built of wood on a single stone, is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, a symbol of purity, rising out of a sea of sorrow. Today, many tourists
visit the pagoda to worship and ask the Goddess for blessings.

Source: ODC Travel