Hanoi is the capital of the country of Vietnam, a southeast asian nation known for its bustling cities, rich Buddhist culture, and lush mountainous areas. It’s a popular tourist destination for a lot of people looking to experience a different culture, unique food, and also those curious about their notable history with the US.
Hanoi is one of the most visited locations in Vietnam because of how much it offers to tourists. With a remarkable blend of Eastern and Western cultures, you’ll be impressed with how rich and booming the lifestyle is in this city. If you’re looking to pay a visit soon, here’s a list of what to do in Hanoi that you may find helpful in your travel.
Pay a visit to the Museum of the Revolution
The Museum of the Revolution is a popular tourist spot for those looking to learn deeper about Hanoi’s history especially during the Vietnam War. It’s located at the Hoan Kiem district and is arguably one of the best museums in Hanoi. The place contains relevant artifacts about the Vietnamese national liberation movements against French colonial forces. It’s also worth noting the level of detail in their translations which helps tourists understand the descriptions in english.
Try eating at the Snake Village
The Snake Village is located at Le Mat, which is around 7 km northeast of central Hanoi. Locals here are employed as snake catchers and would prepare dishes made from snake meat. It’s definitely a unique experience fit for the curious. This lucrative specialty is termed as a “man’s dish” as it is believed to promote virility and strength to those who eat it.
Vuong Tri Binh [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Eating a snake dish starts by selecting a bottled snake specimen found of their shelves. Blood and bile is collected, along with the snake’s heart, then the meat is harvested and turned into several savory dishes you’ll surely love for its uniqueness.
Visit the Temple of Literature
The temple of literature is considered one of the most picturesque tourist attractions in Hanoi. It boasts of traditional Vietnamese architecture and was originally built for scholars, sages, and Confucius. The building is very well preserved and is home to a lake of precious literature, turtle steles, courtyards and passages onced used by royalty. The temple’s beguiling history has attracted thousands of tourists.
The original uploader was Chuoibk at English Wikipedia. [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Explore the night markets
Hanoi is also famous for its vibrant night markets where you can go gaga shopping for souvenirs and trying out popular Vietnamese street food. The weekend night market occupies the busy streets of Hang Duong, Old Quarter, Hang Ngang, and Hang Dao. It’s almost 3 km long which starts at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square and stretches all the way to Dong Xuan market gate. The market opens on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and shops usually open around 8pm until late at night.
Visit the mountain village of Sapa
Sapa isn’t exactly within Hanoi as you need to travel by bus or by train for some 6 to 9 hours. But once you get there, you’ll be greeted by nature like you’ve never been before. The beautiful mountain ranges, terrace fields, the different ethnic tribal groups, and the inviting forest treks offer a one of a kind retreat to tourists that they’ll never see elsewhere.
