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9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Wednesday, July 25, 2018 0 Comments

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
“Four days is actually more than enough if you plan to visit Hanoi”, this was what the German backpacker said to us, when we met them on our way to Halong Bay. We initially had no intention of visiting this part of Vietnam for a variety of reasons, but it mostly boiled down to lack of time. We simply felt that four days is very short, seeing how cramped and short-lived our visit to Saigon was, a few months back. There’s just so much history to see and cultures to experience in Vietnam, that makes us want to come back and stay longer. But, good thing about meeting random travelers and making friends with them is that you learn a thing or two (or four!) about so many things, including things to see and do while in Hanoi.

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

In case you aren’t fully aware yet, Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, not Ho Chi Minh City. Although the later metropolis is more popular for tourists and for just about anything, Hanoi, being the country’s second largest city by population, is full of cultural and historical surprises that you probably aren’t aware of yet. Whenever I would visit Vietnam, I’d always choose Ho Chi Minh City amongst the other cities, primarily because it’s nearer to Singapore; plus, HCMC is easier to enjoy the sights and sounds on foot, and every street food seems to be more delicious that the last one I tried. However, Hanoi astonished me so much, and it made me realize how much I was sort of “missing out” on other cities in this beautiful country known as Vietnam. It made me think of the countless stories I heard and read about backpackers and travelers touring around Vietnam, and now I realize why – it’s because of places like Hanoi, among many others.

Most of the existing houses and city center reminds me so much about French-inspired. History says that the French built a modern administrative city south of Old Hanoi, with broad, perpendicular tree-lined avenues of opera, churches, public buildings, and luxury villas. Can you picture in your mind French and Vietnamese fusion, well, if you visit Hanoi – that’s an authentic depiction of that! It’s charming and it’s tangible, even locals agree that Hanoi is more attractive compared to Saigon.

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

From points of interests like the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Water Puppet Theatre, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Dong Xuan Market, the Perfume Pagoda, to scenic highlights like Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son, Halong Bay, and the Hanoi Old Quarter, a few days is more than enough for you to explore Hanoi on foot, if you really know which ones you’d prefer to spend more time on and less time with. So, without more ado, let me give you the highlights on what to really explore in Hanoi, Vietnam. In no particular order, here are the good stuff!!

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Hanoi Nightlife – Time to Do Something at Night in Hanoi
Hanoi’s nightlife scene offers a multitude of interesting things to see and places to go well after the sun sets. The city’s lively bars and glitzy nightclubs are conveniently set around Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter, where you can enjoy great tunes and all sorts of booze as well as mix and mingle with fun-loving locals and expats. Read more at: http://www.vietnam-guide.com/hanoi/nightlife/

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

See the 100+ year old Saint Joseph Cathedral
In 1882, after the French army conquered Hanoi, the cathedral was constructed and completed in 1886. The cathedral and Nha Chung area were built on the land formerly belonging to Bao Thien pagoda, which was built under Ly dynasty. The architecture with domes of the cathedral follows the Gothic style and design of Paris Cathedral. It is 64.5m in length, 20.5m in width with two bell towers of 31.5m-height. Though the appearance of the cathedral, from the doors, the colorful window glass, to the religious paintings for decoration follows Western style, the main interior part is decorated in Vietnamese way with two typical colors yellow and red. Outside, in front of the cathedral is the statue of Mother Maria. Read more at: https://www.vietnamonline.com/attraction/saint-joseph-cathedral.html

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Check in at the Aquarius Hanoi Hotel
Nested in The Hanoi Old Quarter, Aquarius Hanoi Hotel is ideally located in a small and quiet Au Trieu street and just 100 meters from the Saint Joseph Cathedral. The hotel is within a walking distance from the Hoan Kiem lake, Dong Xuan market as well as many other tourist attractions. The location of the hotel provides you with an easy access to the public transportations, tour operators, restaurants, bars, and shopping centers. Aquarius Hanoi Hotel offers 30 cozy rooms with modern facilities and nice decorations to suit all visitors need. We are the right choice for business, family and leisure travelers to Hanoi capital. Read more at: http://www.aquariushanoihotel.com/

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Walk around the Hanoi Old Quarter at dusk
Much of the Old Quarter’s architecture are deeply influenced by the French and Sino-Vietnamese. Despite the many wars, the Old Quarter has withstood most damages and has retained much of its original traits. Located near the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter is filled with life from day to night. The itinerary we are about to share is suitable for walking, where eateries and attractions are within <10 mins walk from each other. Read more at: http://thekeepersmap.com/

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Explore the Weekend Hanoi Night Markets vigorously
You have probably heard of different markets that open at 8 am and end around 6 pm. Normally, you would buy what you needed in the market during the day and go home afterward. Well, in Hanoi things are a bit different. Not only are the markets open during the day, they open on a specific time for the public during the night. As unusual as it may seem, this has been a tradition to the unique culture that attracts tourists to Vietnam. Taking the whole region by storm, these successful Weekend Night markets offer extraordinary experiences. Some of these include trying different types of food and buying souvenirs to keep the memories alive. These markets have a great nightlife with different activities. The people in these night markets are really friendly and hospitable. These markets are open only on weekends. They are open on weekdays at the usual time, but at night they are open from 8 pm until 11 pm. Read more at: https://antholagroup.com/sg/hanoi-night-markets/

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Do a Food Trip at the Must-Eat Restaurants and Food Stalls in Hanoi like a hungry animal
For first-time visitors it can be daunting to figure out where to go and what to eat, so we’re here to help with an insider’s guide to the best food in Hanoi (including street food), divided into different dishes. The majority of this good food in Hanoi is located in the Old Quarter, right in the middle of the action. Let’s go. Read more at: http://www.backyardtravel.com/30-best-places-hanoi-street-food

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Take a Leisure Walk around the West Lake - Tay Ho District, Hanoi
While tourists flock to Old Quarter, West Lake is probably the most popular neighbourhood for expats. And while you’ll find an abundance of Western-orientated restaurants, bars and shops here, normal and colourful Vietnamese life filters through all around them, from streetside food joints to fishermen and temples. As well as escaping the busy streets of Hanoi, the lake provides an opportunity to watch fishermen at work, to see some very pretty temples—scattered around the shore—and to enjoy a coffee or beer while enjoying the breeze that comes across the lake (not so good on a cold and windy day, but lovely in summer). And the views across the lake on a sunny day are impressive. Read more at: https://www.travelfish.org/country/Vietnam

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Try the Local Pasteur Street Brewing Place
Pasteur Street started with the simple idea to combine American craft brewing techniques with fresh and exotic Vietnamese ingredients to create amazing craft beer. Using American hops, European Malt, & exotic Vietnamese ingredients, Pasteur Street's experienced craft brewers create award-winning beer in Saigon, Vietnam. Pasteur Street's beers are currently available in select markets in the US, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and across Vietnam. Read more at: https://pasteurstreet.com/

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Splurge a bit: From Hanoi To Ha Long Bay – Enjoy an Overnight Cruise
Is Halong Bay Worth It? The unique beauty of the bay with its karsts make it a natural to be added to UNESCO's World heritage listing. But, it seems the opinions are divided among travelers. There are more than 1,600 islets in the bay, their limestone worn down by 500 million years of tropical downpours, and topped by thick jungle growth. Some of the islands are hollow, creating majestic caves. Some of the larger islands have their own lakes. At the centre of the bay there are 775 of the formations in an area of just 330 square kilometers – an invitation for travelers to board a traditional Vietnamese junk-boat and explore the bay, it's islands, caves, and floating villages. Read more at: http://www.bowdywanders.com/2018/03/maya-cruises-get-ready-for-your-next.html

bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam
bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

[VIETNAM TRAVEL] Read the rest of Explore Vietnam Travel Blog Series:


bowdywanders.com Singapore Travel Blog Philippines Photo :: Vietnam ::  9 Points of Interest, Hanoi: Why You Ought to Visit This Northern Part of Vietnam

Bowdy is an amateur adventurer, a coffee sleepyhead, and a start-up rooter, with a penchant for classic-looking photos. At last count, he has visited some 60 countries, and is now living in Singapore. He's always in search of fascinating routines to exploit, within the edges of after-office hours and (un)limited holidays.

For collaboration ideas, email bowdywanders@gmail.com.

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