HANOI, VIETNAM (2024) | 12 Awesome Things To Do In & Around Hanoi

HANOI, VIETNAM (2024) | 12 Awesome Things To Do In & Around Hanoi

What’s up guys we’re here in Hanoi and  in this video we’re going to show you   our top things to do here as well as  some essential travel tips that will   help you navigate this busy  city. So hope you enjoy it.

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam located in  the northern part of the country. It’s a chaotic   but fascinating city with motorcycles weaving  through bustling traffic and the constant sound of   honking horns. It’s a blend of both old and modern  Vietnam where ancient pagodas and well-preserved  

Colonial buildings stand along tall skyscrapers.  When you add to that an excellent food scene   vibrant nightlife and rich cultural heritage,  you’ve got a captivating city. In this video,   we highlight 12 of our favorite things to do in  Hanoi. Make sure to watch until the end as we also  

Share a few additional things that we learned that  will help you plan your trip. Now let’s dive in. We are Zac and Ine. We make helpful videos about   destinations around the world so you  can easily plan your own adventures.

The Old Quarter is the tourist hub of Hanoi  known for its narrow winding streets and   colonial architecture. Here, you can find  a wealth of hotels, restaurants, bars,   travel agencies, and shops. As you navigate the  streets of the Old Quarter, the sights, sounds,  

And aromas will overwhelm your senses. There  are also a few key landmarks to visit here,   such as St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the  Heritage House. The latter gives you an   opportunity to step back in time as you  visit a traditional merchant’s house with  

Beautifully decorated rooms. We visited  this residence as part of a free walking   tour and we left a link to the one that we  booked in the description below the video. When the night falls, it’s worth checking  out Beer Street, a vibrant hub of drinks  

And entertainment in the heart of the Old  Quarter. Both tourists and locals flock to   this bustling area to immerse themselves in  the electric nightlife scene and enjoy the   cuisine. This busy street is filled with a wide  range of bars, pubs, and restaurants. Go on a  

Friday or Saturday for the best atmosphere with  live music and the streets closed to traffic. Located at the edge of the Old Quarter,  Hoan Kiem Lake holds significant cultural   and historical importance. Surrounding the  lake is a tranquil park where you can enjoy  

A leisurely stroll or simply soak in the  peaceful atmosphere. It’s a great escape   from the bustling streets of Hanoi and  takes about 25 minutes if you walk the   whole Loop without stopping. One of the main  attractions at the lake is the Ngoc Son Temple,  

Perched on a small island and connected by a  small red bridge. Dating back to the 18th century,   the temple is dedicated to the Vietnamese leader  who defeated the Mongols in the 13th century. Train Street is one of the most popular  sites in Hanoi. This small area sees trains  

Pass multiple times per day with homes  and coffee shops lining the tracks. It   used to be possible to sip coffee in one of the  cafes while waiting for the train to pass by,   but unfortunately due to safety concerns,  walking on the tracks is now forbidden. It is  

Still possible to take a picture from one of the  intersecting streets, but the entrance is blocked. Adjacent to train Street you can find Phung Hung  Mural Street, stretching for about 220 meters and   showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Hanoi  through street art. As you walk along the street,  

You can find yourself embarking on a journey back  in time. You’ll be immersed in a beautiful visual   storytelling experience that celebrates  the city’s growth throughout its history. No trip to Hanoi would be complete without seeing  the tomb of Vietnam’s beloved revolutionary leader  

Hồ Chí Minh. Foreign tourists and Vietnamese  locals queue for hours every morning to pay   their respects to his body, which is encased in  a glass sarcophagus. You can easily combine your   visit with the remainder of monuments in the park  such as Hồ Chí Minh Museum, One Pillar Pagoda,  

And Stilt House. The latter is a small wooden  stilt house of two floors where the leader used   to live and work. It’s a great opportunity  to learn about Vietnam’s political history. Make sure to wear something that  covers your knees when you enter  

The mausoleum because it’s not  allowed to come in shorts. I had   the same problem and I had to buy like a  skirt around the corner for 50,000 Dong. For a truly authentic shopping experience,  you should head to one of the markets in  

The city. Dong Xuan is a large indoor market that  offers a wide range of goods and products. Here,   you can find everything from local  foods and fresh produce to clothing   accessories and souvenirs. If you’re  visiting the city during the weekend,  

You can also visit the Weekend Night Market  in the Old Quarter. This market starts from   Hang Dao Street and stretches to the edge  of Dong Xuan Market. It’s open on Friday,   Saturday, and Sunday from 7:00 p.m. until late.  The Weekend Market caters more towards tourists  

With traditional Vietnamese crafts, souvenirs,  street food, and cultural performances. West Lake is Hanoi’s largest lake, spanning  about 15 kilometers. It’s a quiet break from   the city where you can go cycling or take  a stroll. There are two pagodas to visit  

At West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda is the  most popular one. This Buddhist temple   is one of the oldest of its kind and features a  stunning seven-story pagoda. It’s free to enter,   but remember to dress conservatively  here. The West Lake area also has  

Many restaurants and cafes where you can  relax and enjoy the serene surroundings. Thanks to its numerous skyscrapers and lakes,  Hanoi is a scenic city when viewed from above.   If you’re short on time, you can enjoy a sunset  from a rooftop bar around Hoan Kiem Lake.  

It’s a great way to end a busy day of exploring  around the Old Quarter. But for the best views,   you should head to Lotte Tower Observation  Deck. This slice of modern Vietnam takes   you up 65 floors for amazing 360 degree views.  When we visited, there was relatively few people  

And plenty of space at the Lounge Bar,  which offers an incredible sunset views. Hanoi is a real foodie destination with fruits,  vegetables, and full meals being sold on almost   every corner, both in restaurants and on the  street. The best way to indulge in the local  

Specialties is to take a street food tour,  especially if you’re not very familiar with   the Vietnamese cuisine yet. Our guide took  us to the best local spots that we never   would have discovered ourselves. We tried  a variety of dishes including summer rolls,  

Egg coffee, bánh cuốn, a bánh mì sandwich,  and a local favorite called bún chả. This   dish of grilled pork and noodles is thought  to have originated from Hanoi. We left a link   to the food tour that we joined in the  description below the video. We also had  

The chance to talk to our guide about what  food you should try first when visiting. One of the most unique things you can do  in Hanoi is attending a water puppet show,   which is a traditional form of entertainment  and cultural expression. The show takes  

Place in a shallow pool of water where skilled  puppeteers manipulate puppets with long bamboo   rods hidden behind a screen. The puppets  glide and dance across the water surface,   which represents the rice fields where  water puppetry was originally performed.   The show tells various stories  from Vietnamese folklore, history,  

And daily life. Accompanied by traditional  music and singing, each scene is intricately   designed with beautifully crafted puppets. We  attended a show at Tong long Puppet Theater,   which is considered to be the original theater  in the city. They run multiple shows per day.

The most interesting in place to  visit was the Hỏa Lò Prison Museum,   an important historic site in Hanoi. It was  originally built by French colonialists in   the late 19th century to jail Vietnamese  revolutionaries. Later, it became a place  

Where American prisoners of war were held during  the Vietnam war. The museum provides an insight   into the harsh realities of war and the resilience  of the Vietnamese people. You can see the original   cells and prison artifacts from the past as  well as hear stories of the prisoners. A visit  

Here paints a vivid picture of the struggles  endured by those imprisoned within its walls. As we promised at the beginning of the video,  we’ll now share three travel tips for Hanoi. First, you need to cross the streets with  confidence in the Old Quarter. In this area,  

The streets can be especially overwhelming  with constant traffic. Instead of waiting   for the right moment to cross, it’s best  to take the plunge and confidently walk   across the street when the vehicles are moving  slow. Locals told us to never hesitate, stop,  

Or walk backwards. You have to trust that  the drivers will predict and adjust their   course accordingly. Looking the driver into  the eyes and raising your hand also helps. Second, we recommend exploring on foot or using  the grab App. Many of Hanoi’s attractions,  

Especially those in the Old Quarter, are  within walking distance. Exploring the city   by foot allows you to soak in the vibrant  atmosphere. However, for longer distances   consider using Grab, a ride hailing app popular  in Southeast Asia. You can book a grab car or  

Even opt for a motorcycle ride, which can  navigate through traffic more efficiently. Finally, you should be aware of common scams.  While Hanoi is generally safe, it’s always wise   to be cautious. Some common scams in the city  include inflated prices, rigged meters for taxis,  

Fake tour operators, or street vendors giving  incorrect change. Always double check prices,   use trusted tour companies, and be attentive  with your money to avoid falling prey to scams.   Additionally, research and be aware of any  new or current scams happening in the area.

This was our top selection of things  to do in Hanoi. But of course there   are many other activities that are  worth checking out if you have more   time in the city. We’ve included a list  of those on the screen here for you.

If you’re planning your Vietnam trip, we  recommend keeping things organized with our   interactive travel planner. Find a discount  code in the description below the video. We also included important links that you’ll  need for your Hanoi trip in the description,   such as a full travel guide  with where to stay and eat.

We’ll catch you on the next adventure.

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam, located in the northern part of the country. It’s a chaotic but fascinating city, with motorcycles weaving through bustling traffic and the constant sound of honking horns. It’s a blend of both old and modern Vietnam, where ancient pagoda’s and well-preserved colonial buildings stand along tall skyscrapers. When you add to that an excellent food scene, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural heritage, you’ve got a captivating city. In this video, we highlight 12 of our favorite things to do in Hanoi.

🔗 HANOI LINKS, ACTIVITIES, TOURS & MORE INFO
☑️ Free Walking Tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter: https://www.freetour.com/hanoi/all-around-hanoi-free-walking-tour?referralID=ZdvRXrkURXUfA7zT&campaign=HanoiVideo
☑️ Lotte Observation Deck Tickets: https://observationdeck.lottecenter.com.vn/en/index
☑️ Hanoi Street Food Tour: https://www.getyourguide.com/hanoi-l205/hanoi-special-street-food-tour-w-expert-tour-guide-t101543/?partner_id=57UJ5GF&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=Hanoi_Video
☑️ Water Puppet Theater Tickets: https://www.getyourguide.com/hanoi-l205/thang-long-water-puppet-theatre-skip-the-line-entry-ticket-t117687/?partner_id=57UJ5GF&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=Hanoi_Video
☑️ Hỏa Lò Prison Museum website: https://hoalo.vn/EN

😴 WHERE TO STAY IN HANOI
Hanoi Traveller House ($): https://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/hanoi-traveller-house-hoan-kiem.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
Golden Sun Hotel Trendy ($$ – where we stayed): https://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/golden-sun-trendy.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel ($$$): https://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/peridot-grand-amp-spa-by-aira-hoan-kiem1.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

✏️ HANOI MAP WITH PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, SEE:
https://www.worldwildhearts.com/post/hanoi-vietnam

🎥 MORE VIETNAM VIDEOS:
Ha Long Bay: https://youtu.be/XRUw6-GoS24
Sapa: https://youtu.be/yILf3qsSvHI
Cat Ba Island: coming soon!
Ha Giang Loop: coming soon!
Northern Vietnam Top Places To Visit: coming soon!

✍️ GET TRAVEL PLANNER AT 50% OFF:
https://www.worldwildhearts.com/product-page/comprehensive-travel-planner

💰 SAVE MONEY ON YOUR TRIP:
– Book cheap flights: https://skyscanner.pxf.io/c/3559813/1027991/13416?associateid=AFF_TRA_19354_00001
– Book cheap accommodations: https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=7936148
– Book cheap rental cars: https://rentalcars.tp.st/czR4KczE

✅ SUBSCRIBE:
https://www.youtube.com/c/WorldWildHearts

😊 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.instagram.com/worldwildhearts/

🎵 MUSIC CREDITS:
In The Front Instrumental Version by Ziv Moran
Rejoice In The Morning by The David Roy Collective
The Mountain Top by Jamie Rutherford
The Southern Lake by Borden Lulu
Letting Go by Sero
Bridges by Shinto

🎥 VIDEO CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
1:19 The Old Quarter
2:19 Beer Street
2:54 Hoan Kiem Lake Walk and Ngoc Son Temple
3:54 Train Street
4:30 Phung Hung Street Art
5:00 Hồ Chí Minh’s Mausoleum
6:07 Dong Xuan Market and The Weekend Night Market
7:16 West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda
7:59 Hanoi City Views
8:51 Hanoi Street Food Tour
10:11 Water Puppet Show
11:20 Hỏa Lò Prison Museum
12:17 Hanoi Travel Tips

#hanoi #vietnam #travelguide