Tác giả: Phamkhai1093

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HOA LO PRISON MUSEUM HANOI (2022)|Opening Hours–Entrance Fee

HOA LO PRISON | HISTORICAL INFORMATION | TOURIST INFORMATION (Hours  – Map – Ticket)

Top.1 Things to do in House in Hanoi is Hoa Lo Prison. As a Local Tour Guide from Hanoi Free Local Tourrs, I will give you an article about Hoa Lo Prison, And give you some reasons why you should pay a visit to this tourist attraction.

Hoa Lo Prison, also known as Maison Centrale, is a representative of the period of Vietnamese revolutionary struggle against the French colonists.

Hoa Lo Prison
Hoa Lo Prison

Located in the heart of Hanoi Capital and known as one of the most inhumane prison in Vietnam with the most modern equipment at the time for the harshest punishment.

Hỏa Lò prison is a symbol of the Vietnamese patriots’ indomitable will and myriad sacrifice for the national independence.

B. Hoa Lo Prison (Maison Centrale) through the course of time:

B.1. The French Colonial:

This prison was built by the French colonialist on the outskirts of the city, as the central prison city of both Central and Southern part of Vietnam.

It housed a variety of people, including political prisoners, patriots against the French colonial government.

In 1899, even when then construction was not completed, the French used Hỏa Lò for the capture of numerous political fighters against them.

Those years after, the prison was periodically updated with the increase in the number of chambers, the expansion in areas and the importation of up-to-date facilities.

B.2. World War II:

At the time of World War II, when the French lost, the Japanese claimed the victory and replaced the French’s position in controlling Indochina, Hỏa Lò prison was also under the Japanese regulations.

The battle between Japanese and French at the time in this area was a precious moment for the historical prison break which story still anchored until the present time.

B.3. Vietnam War (1954-1973)

As the French colonists left Hanoi as the result of the defeat at the battle of Dien Bien Phu and the 1954 Geneva Accords, Hoa Lo Prison was under the control of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

From 1954 to 1973, Hoa Lo prison was used for the detainment of spies from the South, the political prisoners who were against the Vietnam Communist Party and U.S solders.

Communist soldiers were imprisoned in the Hoa Lo prison
Communist soldiers were imprisoned in the Hoa Lo prison

Notably, the American senator John McCain and Pete Peterson, the first US Ambassador in Vietnam following the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between two countries in 1995.

John McCain was captured in Trúc Bạch Lake
John McCain was captured in Trúc Bạch Lake

The US prisoners sarcastically called Maison Centrale as “Hanoi Hilton.” As there were many US solders kept in other prison, US pilots were detained in Hoa Lo prison right in the center of the city as a way to prevent US’s aircraft from bombing Hanoi, given the two previous cruel bombs that the US dropped in 1968 and 1972.

B.4. Post-War Time:

The prison is continued to be in use after 1973 for criminal prisoners.

In 1994, the government decided to move the prison to the outskirts of Hanoi and built the Hanoi Tower for apartments and shopping mall.

Only a part of the prison remained and were preserved as the memorial of the Vietnamese patriots.

C. Hoa Lo Prison and the untold stories:

C.1. The life in prison:

25 to 30 prisoners lived in a shared room where they were fettered most of the time and had to share one toilet.

It was up to their attitude that their 1 or 2 legs would be fettered. The prisoners had 15 minutes every day for a walk and a bath.

They had to stand naked around the tank built in the center of the yard and poured the water as quick as they can onto their body with the watch of the guards and jailers.

Every day, they had two meals with rotten rice that already had maggot, stunned vegetables, foul dried fish and rarely with tough buffalo meat like rubber or old sow meat.

Further more, prisoners were forced to do sanitation right inside the cells. Those buckets contains the waste and excrement were left for days and weeks uncleaned, causing serious pollution and horrifying discomfort for the life of the prisoners.

C.2. The torture in prison:

When conducting the restoration, the staff met many Vietnamese veterans who spent a part of their lifetime in the prison and asked them to write down their memory of the life in Hoa Lo prison, in which they called the prison as the hell of earth for its cruel hundred methods of torturing

The cachot in Hoa Lo prison
The cachot in Hoa Lo prison
  • The colonists hung the prisoners up or down for beating with electric shock engine at their head or heart.
  • The prisoners were even stuffed with clothes soaked with gasoline to be burned.
  • Some prisoners were put into the water tank, and hit from outside, which seriously damaged the prisoners’ hearing ability and nerve system.

C.3. The fight in prison

During their time in this prison, Vietnamese patriots struggled for a better condition so as not to be killed.

They also organized a secret Communist movement inside the prison to lead the political will and unity.

They even went on a hunger strike to fight for their request to be treat properly as political prisoners

C.4. Series of escape:

  • In 1932, 7 prisoners pretended to be in serious illness and successfully fled on the way of being transferred to the clinic with the help from friends.
  • 1945 happened the miraculous prison break of more than 100 patriotic prisoners. At the time of World War II, taking the advantages of the disorder between the Japanese and the French, political prisoners mixed with common criminals exchanged prison uniform with daily clothes from visitors, walking out decently and escaped.
  • 1951 marked the most famous jail-break when 17 prisoners under death sentence organized the escape from the sewer tube.

The sewer tube’s mouth was small while the grid is stiff and dense; therefore, the mission to go into the tube to cut the grid was horrified since the tube was filled with garbage, toilet’s waste and clinics stinky bandage.

On the Xmas night in 1951, following the broken sewer, 17 prisoners broke out of the prison. Unfortunately, when they open the sewer door and stepped on the street, they confronted a group of patrolmen and only 5 of them successfully escaped and survived.

C.5. Life of the US prisoners:

Despite the ongoing debate about the life quality and condition in the prison, there is a small yet interesting story told by famous Vietnamese writer To Hoai about the Christmas treat of the US POWs (Prisoners of War).

As for the American, Thanksgiving or Christmas’ meals usually had turkey, even turkey was not familiar for or favored by the Vietnamese.

In the Christmas holiday’ treat, dozen of trucks were ordered to supply turkey to the prison.

D. Tour information:

D.1. Opening hour:

Every day, during the week (including holidays or Tet, New Year Eve), from 8am to 5pm.

D.2. Entrance fee:

Ticket price is 30.000 VND/each (≈ 1.2 USD)

D.3. Transportation:

Hoa Lo Prison is located on No. 1 Hoa Lo Street, a part of French Quarter, and is 1 km to the west of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Visitors can easily travel to Hoa Lo Prison either by taxi, bus or motorbike or bicycle. For motorbikes or bicycle, the fee for parking is 5.000 VND. For visitors who want to come here by bus, there are several available lines such as 02, 09, 23…

D.4. Free tour in Hoa Lo:

With the purpose of learning more about historical periods through the diverse perspective of the local and also to experience the unique insight about Hanoi, visitors are highly recommended to place a free tour organized by Hanoi Free Local Tours. Tour guides are groups of young passionate and energetic students, who are trained to have full knowledge about attractions in Hanoi and tour guide skill.

Booking a tour is easy as visitors only have to go to websites and place a tour’s order. Visitors will receive a confirmation from tour director and they will be picked at their hotel or arranged meeting place at time as appointed.

*As a historical site, formal dress up is recommended, yet is not too strictly required.

A. Construction and Architecture:

A.1. Construction:

The construction project started in 1896 and finished in 1899.

The prison was built next to the Court of Justice and Intelligence Department as the combination against the patriotic movement of the Vietnamese.

A.2. Name:

The formal name of the prison is Maison Centrale (Central House) given the French expectation of this as the most secured and solid prison in Indochina.

The other name of the prison, in Vietnamese, is Hoa Lo:

  • “Hỏa” means fire
  • “Lò” means Kiln

Since this area used to belong to a pottery village before the prison construction, the local named the prison as Hỏa Lò as the informal memorial name of the village.

A.3. Capacity:

Originally, the prison was designed to hold only 450 prisoners.

However, the actual number of prisoners was much higher, under the French domination

  • In 1913: 615 prisoners
  • In 1953: 2000 prisoners

Some detention rooms were too crowed that the weaker prisoners were requested to be taken out to avoid the choke.

A.4. Architecture:

The so called ‘unbreakable prison’ was constructed with extra thick bricks and tiles.

  • The besieging wall was built with steel bars and stone 4m high and 0.5m thick
  • The wall is topped with pieces of broken glass and high-voltage electric wire
The highly secured wall enveloping the prison
The highly secured wall enveloping the prison

Despite the varying chambers’ dimensions, all follows an identical design: tile roofs, solid walls, gray lacquered floors.

For the maximization of security, all equipment, from building material such as glass, steel, …to equipment such as doors, lockers, nails, …must be imported directly from France.

A.5. Map:

Hoa-lo-prison-map-in-20-century
Hoa-lo-prison-map-in-20-century

Hoa Lo Prison’s Map in the 20th centuries

The prison was divided in to 4 sections: A, B, C and D.

  • Zones A and B were for inmates are being considered, criminals or prisoners in violation of prison discipline.
  • Zone C was for the detainment of the French prisoners or foreigners.
  • Zone D was the place where prisoners who were sentenced waited for the execution date.

A.6. Famous artifacts:

The guillotine: known as the “human killer”, was brought by the French since the late 19th centuries.

The instrument is made of 3 parts:

  • A flat wooden surface
  • A cutting steel frame
  • A sharp blade.

When the prisoner is executed, the headman drags the rope and the blade drops down incisively.

On execution:

  • The head of the prisoner fell into the underlining tank
  • The remaining body was transferred into the calameae basket.

Particularly, after the execution, the French even hung the prisoners’ head at public place to threaten and undermine the Vietnamese’s will.

The execution row:

Prisoners who were sentenced to be executed were detained and had to wait for the fixed date.

They were fettered on the cement floor all day and night, and did everything in that one place.

Normally, they were detained in this row for ten months after being sentenced. However, some of them were killed right after three or four days.

The cachot:

Cachot is used to detain those who were punished for violating the rules of the prison. Cachot in Hoa Lo is “hell of hell” where the cell is cramped and dark.

Here, the prisoners are isolated, shackled all day and night and must eat, sleep, sanitate at the place.

The cachot’s custody is subject to death shortly due to edema, blurred vision, scabies for lack of proper hygiene, light and oxygen.

The iron shank:

Leg shank in Hoa Lo prison
Leg shank in Hoa Lo prison

This iron leg shank is composed of two parts:

  • The upper part is made of iron
  • The lower part is made of wood.

In an attempt to escape, the prisoners usually applied a layer of fat and burned coal to loosen the hole.

 

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2022| VIETNAM MUSEUM of ETHNOLOGY| Entrance fee – Opening hour – Map

ALL ABOUT VIETNAM MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY (Entrance fee – Opening hour – Map)

As Vietnam is a multi-ethnics nation composed of 54 ethnic groups, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology plays an important role in preserving and presenting the cultural heritage of various ethnic groups.

This place is a must-see for people who want to have more knowledge about Vietnamese histories and culture.
This place is a must-see for people who want to have more knowledge about Vietnamese histories and culture.

Another place that also contributes a lot in preserving the cultural heritage of Vietnam is Temple of Literature.

Please click here to read

A. Introduction

A.1. Cultural value:

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a convergence of cultures and a scientific ethnological center.

At the present, a high number of collections are highly cultural value, are exhibited and preserved by the Museum

  • More than 15,000 objects
  • About 40,000 photographs
  • Many audio-visual tapes

A.2. Construction:

On 14 December 1987, the proposal for the museum was officially approved.

Construction lasted from 1987 to 1995.

It was opened to the public on 12 November 1997.

Each section are designed by different architect:

  • Exhibition building, in the shape of Đông Sơn drum, is designed by architect Ha Duc Linh – a Tày ethnic citizen.
  • Interior architecture is designed by the French architect Veronique Dollfus.

B. Directory and Division of Sections

B.1. Indoor section – Trống Đồng Building

B.1.1. First floor:

The first floor illustrates the life of 54 Vietnamese ethnics in different residence through series of pictures and model of simulation.

B.1.2. Second floor

The second floor is place for temporary exhibition, is always renewed according to the exhibition’s topics.

Examples are:

  • “Life in Hanoi during the subsiding period (1975-1986)” in 2006
  • The exhibition of students’ life away from home in big cities in 2013
  • The series of photos of life of Tay Nguyen ethnics in the 1950s in 2014 and 2015.

B.2. Outdoor section – The Garden of Architecture

The outdoor exhibition is an interesting attract for presentation of realistic house model of different ethnics.

Coming to this section, visitors can learn more about

  • The diversity of perspectives
  • Tradition
  • Living style
  • Value of various ethnics

Those are still lingering until the modern day and can illustrated through the design of houses.

B.2.1. Giarai Arap tomb house:

As Giarai people hold the deceased in high esteem, the Giarai has the tradition of building large tomb to worship the passed away.

The most prominent decorations in Giarai tomb is large wooden sculpture carved from tree trunks.

The biggest of these tombs are about 45 square meters.
The biggest of these tombs are about 45 square meters.

Even there is some changes as the time goes by, the tombs are considered as a symbol for exemplary architecture of the group.

B.2.2. Cham house

House is the most tangible cultural heritages of the Cham with different physical characteristic:

  • House is built on ground and arranged in ordered rows.
  • Doors open to the south-west or between.
  • Wall made of bricks and mixture of lime and shells, covered with tiles or thatches.
  • Rooms are arranged in a particular order
    1. Sitting room
    2. Room for parents
    3. Children and married woman
    4. Kitchen
    5. Warehouse
    6. Nuptial room for the youngest daughter.
  • Certain rituals must be performed before the building of the house, praying for the Land God and asking for his permission to cut down trees in the forest.
The simulation of house of the Cham
The simulation of house of the Cham
B.2.3. Viet house

As the North and Middle of Vietnam are frequently hit by storms and hurricanes, local residents content themselves with one storey houses. Viet houses often follow an order:

  • Middle bay in main house is the altar of ancestors.
  • Two lateral bays are place for visitors and rest.
Statues in Viet house
Statues in Viet house

In the 20th centuries, 5 bays were joined on the main house to serve initially as a rice loft, and later as where tuition was given.

B.2.4. Ede house

The long house (nha dai) in Buon Don District, Dak Lak, belonging to the Ede ethnic group, is the longest house in the Central Highlands.

A normal long house is 30 meters in length and 4 meters in width whereas the long house (Nhà dài) in Buon Dot is 85 meters in length and 6 meters in width.

B.2.5. Bana Communal house

The communal house, the most important building in Bahnar village, serves as:

  • Meeting halls for men in the village and as
  • The place for rituals
  • Celebrations
  • Preparation for war or defense.

The bamboo, wood, rattan and straw used for the construction were brought from the Central Highland.

B.3. Thủy Đình House

Beside representing the culture through architecture, the folk tradition is also shown through the art of water puppet in Thủy Đình House.

Thuy Dinh House
Thuy Dinh House

As a traditional art form, the story about rural life is told through the combination of wooden puppet and traditional musical playing on water.

B.4. Southeast Asia section – Cánh Diều Building

The Southeast Asia section is built in 2008 with the area of 500ha.

The First Southeast Asia Museum in the region
The First Southeast Asia Museum in the region

With the exhibition of artifacts originated from different Southeast Asia countries, visitors are inspired to learn more about the culture of not only Vietnam but also other countries in the region and around the world.

B.4.1. Văn hóa Đông Nam Á – Southeast Asia Culture
B.4.1.a. Visual Performance
  • The Java play of mask and dance:

The Java people in Indonesia has the tradition of dancing play since the 15th centuries, in which the actors wear mask and are guided the story teller script, with the assist of Gamelan, a traditional musical instrument.

Java-wooden-mask
Java-wooden-mask

The Java supposes that:

  1. Straight nose for wealth
  2. Golden-inlaid for deities
  3. White for king and the great man
  4. Yellow for civilians
  • Indonesia Shadow Puppet:

The art of shadow puppet – wayang kulit – is originated from India, with the play of delicate puppet on a white background.

  • Myanmar String Puppet:

The art of string puppet – yoke thay thabin – was born since the 15th centuries and became popular in the 19th centuries in Myanmar. The play is based on the familiar folk of Budda, the myth of the birth of the world and historical tales. 

B.4.1.B. Daily Life

The daily life of Southeast Asia is deeply entrenched with the culture of rice agriculture, traditional housing, wood sculpture, lacquer, and jewelry making.

B.4.1.C. Social Life

The social life in the region follows various set of rules in marriage, funerals, scripts and betel.

B.4.1.D. Religion
  • Local religion:

Local religion, a popular religion in Southeast Asia, is based on the belief of spirit in relics and nature.

  • Hinduism:

Hinduism was born in India in the 800 B.C then was introduced into Southeast Asia, from Java island to Bali in Indonesia.

  • Buddhism:

There are two groups of Buddhism, Mahayana in Indonesia and Theravada in Myanmar, Thailand, Campuchia and Laos.

  • Muslim:

Muslim started penetrating into Southeast Asia since the 13th centuries from India and China. This is the main religion in Indonesia, national religion in Malaysia and Brunei.

  • Catholicism:

Catholicism was introduced into Southeast Asia since 15th centuries. Nowadays, 80% of the Philippines is Catholicism, a 3rd largest Catholicism country in the world, after Brazil and Mexico.

B.4.2. Một thoáng Châu Á – A Moment of Asia

A Moment of Asia section introduce the culture of different region in Asia, such as Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, West Asia and South Asia with the majority of artifacts belongs to Japanese Professor Kaneko Kazushige’s collection, from about 400 journeys.

B.4.3. Vòng quay thế giới – Around the world

The collection, as the section’s name, break out of Asia’s border and take visitors to the culture of the world. The exhibition is organized into 4 small sectors, where visitors can learn about different aspect of life in disparate continents:

  • Asia: folk culture, religion, weapons, mask and puppet, clothes and jewelry.
  • Oceania: mask, jewelry and trade, routine objects and man house.
  • America: folk culture, clothes and jewelry.
  • Africa: folk culture, mask, religion, daily relics, clothes and jewelry, trading and exploitation.

C. Tourist Information:

C.1. Opening hour:

Everyday during the week, from 8:30am to 5:30pm.

Closed everyday Monday and Lunar New Year Eve.

C.2. Entrance fee/ Ticket price:

Entrance fee is 40.000 VND/each ( ≈1.8 USD)

For preference only: Ticket price for Water Puppet Show:

  • Adult: 90.000 VND/each.
  • Children: 70.000 VND/each.

C.3. Transportation:

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is located at Nguyễn Văn Huyên Street, Hanoi.

Museum of Ethnology

Visitors can easily travel to Vietnam Museum of Ethnology either by taxi, bus or motorbike or bicycle. For motorbikes or bicycle, the fee for parking is 5.000 VND. For visitors who want to come here by bus, there are several available lines such as 7, 12, 13, 14, 38 và 39.

C.4. Free tour for Vietnam Museum of Ethnology:

Visiting Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, visitors are highly recommended to book a tour with the local to fully understand the tradition, culture, routine and habits of different ethnics.

Free tour is organized by Hanoi Free Local Tour with tour guides are groups of young passionate and energetic students who seek to guide the foreigners as a way to practice and improve their English skills but are trained to have full knowledge about attractions in Hanoi and tour guide skill. Booking a tour is easy as visitors only have to go to websites and place a tour’s order. Visitors will receive a confirmation from tour director and they will be picked at their hotel or arranged meeting place at time as appointed.

 

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Hanoi Where to Go

All Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi [updated 2022]

About the Women’s Museum

The old day goes “ men build the house and women make it home”. It means that men are breadwinners who take charge of earning money and shoulder financial responsibilities in the family, while women are accountable for taking care of children, preparing meals for the family. However, Vietnamese women have to take more responsibilities than those. In addition to being a wife, a mother of the children they are a insufficient millitary source in wars against invaders, especially through the two fights against the French and America colonialism.

Vietnamese women’s museum is located in Ly Thuong Kiet street which is the most ancient and vibrant street in such a cosmopolitan city like Hanoi. The museum was constructed in 1987 and run by Vietnam Women’s union. It is the goal of the site to preserve and display various tangible and intangible historical and cultural heritage of Vietnamese women through the long-standing pathway of the history. Since being inaugurated in 1995, it has held a variety of exhibitions successfully and welcomed millions of international visitors from different nations on a yearly basis.

Vietnamese Women's Museum in Hanoi
Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi

When it comes to the achievements that the museum has obtained, the most outstanding one that should not be mentioned is that it ranks 11th of 25 most popular museums in Asia voted by TripAdvisor with the meaningful message “ worth visiting, touching stories” in 2013. In addition, in continuous years, it holds one of the top tourist attractions of the capital, according to the recent statistics from the Tourism Department.

Vietnamese women’s museum was constructed in such a harmonious layout including two buildings a primary part, an inferior one and a cafeteria.

The first impression that catches visitors’ eyes is the huge glass in front of the main gate. It is a stained glass divided into different cells with attractive colors that show the contents of the museum. Besides, it seems to be an effective way of emphasizing on the nature when the architectures utilized green trees and colorful flowers to take place of metal fence. Just a little detail is able to make tourists feel inspired and comfortable to enjoy quality time in the museum. It has four floors that are full with various books, items and subjects related to Vietnamese women.

If the outside of the museum brings tourists comfort, its interior makes them surprised and even takes their breath away because of its creative design. Standing in the first floor, there is a statue named “Mother of Vietnam” which is the symbol of the museum. The woman is holding her baby on her shoulder and her right hand is putting down at her feet, which means to be a shield to protect her child. This image represents for Vietnamese women with respected characteristics. Being a wife, a mother, they appear to be a flame heating the unconditional family love. Looking up to the ceiling is an interesting fun. There is a great number of the colorful conical leaf hats that are the symbol of Vietnamese women hanging on the ceiling. The museum often is renovated and redesigned accordance with each collection so that visitors feel like they are in a scene of the movie. Furthermore, other floors cover over 1000 items and diverse images. Only by seeing these exhibits can visitors portray vividly the appearance of Vietnamese women with their feats, sacrifice and their loss for our nation’s independence and reunification.

Three main themes in Women's museum
Three main themes in Women’s museum

Women’s museum has three main themes: women in the family, women in history and women’s fashion. On the second floor, we can gain deeper understanding about women in the family ranging from wedding ceremonies, wedding costumes for women of all regions to the local rituals and customs related to women. There are some ethnic groups adapting the parental line of descent while others accept maternal line of descent. Despite the difference between groups in the family system, the procedures of wedding seem similar to some extent. The wedding normally consists of three parts: espousal, wedding and returned ceremony. It is interesting to note that for several ethnic groups, the more the amount of dowry is, the higher level of respect and love in husband’s family is. Next to the room displaying exhibits about wedding, there is a place to display the process of pregnancy with unique things of each group own such as a couple’s bedroom of the Black Thai ethnic and the ring called praying for having child. Additionally, the organization of family also depicts thoroughly through exhibits associated with various activities like hunting, planting, trafficking, and so on.

The third floor focuses on the topic of women in history. it is the site to reminisce the life stories of heroic females who delicated  the whole life to the Resistance war against invaders. You will be surprised to see memorabilia in here that is the most justified proof of creativity, iron willpower and ingenuous romance of Vietnamese women even in the wars, typically the vase from shells, militia platoon, etc… there are also various pictures of heroic Vietnamese mothers whose husband, children sacrificed bravely, heroically. They had to hide countless hurt in the introverted soul and continued to fight. They are so so great!!!.

Vietnamese Women's Museum in Hanoi
Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi

The forth floor is for women’s fashion. It shows clearly percise skills of vietnamese women in the craftsmanship. They produced sewing, art pattern, embroidery, making jewellery art and makeup art deriving from ethnic groups in the north mountainous area.  Besides, it is interesting for tourists to learn more about the unique traditional customs of betel chewing and teeth staining. The museum also holds different exhibitions about various different topics such as “Mau” creed whom the Vietnamese worship for with a view to wishing the best and praying for their family, especially for their children. You have chance of discovering some folk songs, dances and special costumes in the form of worshipping.

Adjacent to the main hall and courtyard, the first floor is also the place to display a wide range of exhibitions according to topics reflecting contemporary life, raising the voice of society and exchanging the cultures between countries, for example, the Japanese doll exhibition with excellent and precise handmade dolls. It brings the museum brand-new leaf and an opening life. Not only taking place some exhibitions and events, does the museum hold traditional musical programs that attract many international tourists as well. Thanks to performing these programs, while tourists outside Vietnam can broaden their horizons about this type of art, Vietnamese people in particular young generations put emphasis on preserving the national conventional traditions and identity. Besides assimilating into multicultural world, they also should protect traditional values and develop them non-stop.

Attaching importance to creativity and practicing, the museum has opened discovery room in the aim of teaching children aged from 7 to 15 years. With modern and quality facilities, this room would facilitate children to nurture and foster their creativity, soft skills and expand their social relationships. There are both Vietnamese and English books, stories about women, children and other diverse topics sponsored from many bookshops, funds. Children are taught to make craftworks, conceal leaf hats and draw pictures of their own.

Vietnamese women’s museum appears to be a colorful magazine vividly replaying all aspect of life of Vietnamese women. It makes a significant contribution to convey meaningful messages to the youth about the respected qualities of women. It also helps to broaden our horizons about national heritage and traditional values of Vietnamese women.

Vietnamese Women’s Museum Information (Hours, Tickets, Address)

  • 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hanoi
  • Telephone Number: +(84)438259937
  • Entrance Fee: VND 30,000

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Hanoi Free Local Tours would love to introduce you women’s museum, one of the top things to do in Hanoi,

hope that you have a bit informative information about this place.

 

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Hanoi Where to Go

Saint Joseph Cathedral Hanoi| Opening Hours – Schedule – Address

Saint Joseph Cathedral Hanoi | Historical Information | Tourist Information

A-corner-of-St.Joseph-Cathedral
A-corner-of-St.Joseph-Cathedral

An Neo-Gothic Cathedral located in the heart of Hanoi Capital, Saint Joseph Cathedral is the representative evidence of the French colonial architecture.

Familiarly called by the local as “The Big Church”, Saint Joseph Cathedral is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi for more than 4 million Catholics in the country.

Places that also represents French Quarter Hanoi

  • Hỏa Lò Prison (also known as Maison Centrale)
  • Long Bien Bridge (Historical Bridge built by French)

A. History of St. Joseph Cathedral Hanoi

A.1. The Construction:

The construction of Hanoi began in 1886, with the architectural style described as resembling the famous cathedral Notre Dame de Paris.

As an oldest church in Hanoi, St. Joseph was one of the first structure built by the French colonist during the expansion in its colonial empire Indochina.

St. Joseph was built on the site of Bao Thien Pagoda – a well-respected temple as the center of Buddhist practice in Lý-Trần dynasty demolished for the construction of the Church.

A.2. After the French colonial era:

After the retreat of French from North Vietnam in 1954, St. Joseph Cathedral is under the control the Vietnamese Nationalists and suffered decade of persecution, when priests were arrested, church property were seized and expropriated.

It was not until the Christmas Eve of 1990 that the mass was allowed to be celebrated there.

 B. The Architecture of St. Jospeh Cathedral

B.1. Exterior:

Exterior of St. Jospeh Cathedral
Exterior of St. Jospeh Cathedral
  • 64,5 meters in length, 20,5 meters in width, 31,5 meters in height.
  • The façade consists of two towers, square in shape with five bells.
  • The twin bell towers with the resemblance to Notre Dame de Paris.
  • The exterior walls made of granite stone slabs, yet is stained with pollution with the pass of time.
Granite stone wall of St. Jospeh Cathedral
Granite stone wall of St. Jospeh Cathedral

B.2. Interior: 

Interior-of-St.-Joseph-Cathedral
Interior-of-St.-Joseph-Cathedral
  • Gothic style, tall windows with pointed arches.
  • Stained glass windows were produced in France then imported to Vietnam.
  • Rib vaulted ceiling.
  • Weathered nave with shiny sanctuary made of trimmed wood
  • The statue of Virgin Mary kept in palanquin, to the left of the nave.

C. Tourist Information

C.1. Opening hour

  • For Outside visit: all time
  • For Inside visit: visitors can only enter the Cathedral in Hanoi in the opening time of ceremonial practice as the following schedule:
    • Weekday: 5:30 am and 6:15 pm
    • Saturday: 6:00 pm
    • Sunday: 5:00 am, 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm
    • Special ceremony is on 19th March every year.

C.2 Address

Visitors can easily find St. Joseph Cathedral Hanoi, located at 40 Nhà Chung street, as it lies in the connecting corner of Nhà Chung and Nhà Thờ street.

C.3. Entrance Fee/ Ticket Price

Public space and free

C.4. Transportation

  • Bus:
  1. take 01 to Trieu Quoc Dat street stop
  2. 02 to Hai Ba Trung Street stop;
  3. 09, 14, 36 to Hoan Kiem Lake stop and

Then walk to the Cathedral

  • Motorcycle/ Bicycle: park vehicles near Hoan Kiem lake (the parking line is parallel to Cau Go Street) and walk to the Cathedral

Parking fee: 10.000 VND (0.4 USD)

D. What’s next after visiting St. Joseph Cathedral?

D.1. Where to go next?

As a benefit of location in the center of Hanoi, visitors are provided of a variety of choice for the next destinations. Visitors can consider these following:

  • Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple:
  1. Hoan Kiem Lake, the lake of Returned Swords, as the most representative site pertaining the value of Hanoi with famous historical legend.
  2. Ngoc Son Temple as the symbol of educational tradition of the Vietnamese
  • Hoa Lo Prison: also known as Maison Centrale, a representative testimony of the period of Vietnamese revolutionary struggle against the French colonists

Address: 1 Hoa Lo Street

  •  Vietnam Museum of Woman: preserve and display various tangible and intangible historical and cultural heritage of Vietnamese women through the long-standing pathway of the history

Address: 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street

 D.2. Where to eat next?

  • Bánh gối and deep-fried cuisine: 52 Ly Quoc Su Street
Pillow-cake
Pillow-cake
  • Pork Porridge: Ngõ Huyện Street
Pork Porridge: Ngõ Huyện Street
Pork Porridge: Ngõ Huyện Street

E. Free Tour with Hanoi Free Local Tour

Visitors are highly recommended to book a free tour with Vietnamese locals when visiting St. Joseph Cathedral to understand more about its presence in the local’s social life and further fully explore Hanoi with other nearby attractions.

Hanoi Free Walking Tours is organized by Hanoi Free Local Tour with tour guides are groups of young passionate and energetic students who seek to guide the foreigners as a way to practice and improve their English skills but are trained to have full knowledge about attractions in Hanoi and tour guide skill.

Booking a tour is easy as visitors only have to go to websites and place a tour’s order. Visitors will receive a confirmation from tour director and they will be picked at their hotel or arranged meeting place at time as appointed.

Written by Trang Nguyen

 

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Hanoi Travel News

GHOST MONEY – THE SPIRIT OF VIETNAMESE PEOPLE

1. The origin of using ghost money:

Vietnamese spiritual life involves our belief on ghost and life in another world for dead people. The use of Ghost money or Spirit money is deeply rooted in Asian culture.

1.1 The definition of ghost money:

Ghost money (joss paper) traditionally made from bamboo, emits large quantities of carcinogenic chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbonyls and benzene. Contemporary forms of joss money are rather different; they look more like the money from current times. Westernized varieties include copies of Bank notes (Chinese Yuan, Thai Baht, Vietnamese Dong, or even the US Dollar, cheques and paper credit cards. Some people even go as far as offering papier-mâché houses, cars, toilets, servants, passports, flight tickets, rice cookers and even flat-screen TVs. The bank notes are specifically meant for dead ancestors to give as a tribute to the God of Death for a short stay or to escape punishment. The bank note copies are often of outrageous denominations – they can range anywhere between $10,000 and $500,000. These notes carry an image of the ‘Bank of Hell’ on the back. ‘Hell’ in itself is not viewed as a place of torture, but a more neutral realm.

1.2 The belief of ghost money among the Vietnamese:

Burning ghost money and votive paper such as clothes, shoes, hats, toiletries and toys are popular among the Vietnamese. Exceptions to this tradition are Roman Catholics, Protestants and followers of other religions who account for less than 10% of the population.

The paper money is believed to be deposited in an afterlife bank of sorts, from which the deceased spirits can make withdrawals. The ritual is said to be derived from a mix of regional folklore and Taoism. The practice of ancestor worship is largely religious, stemming from the fact that the spirits of the deceased are still interested in the affairs of the world. Keeping them happy brings blessings from them for the living. Another explanation for the concept is that the living is allowed to ask spirits to fulfill their wishes, for which they are indebted. This debt cannot be entirely cleared off while alive, so the ghost money sent after death is used to repay whatever they owe the spirits.

1.3 The uses of ghost money in Vietnam

1.3.1 Symbol of transformation, payment of spiritual debts

Spirit money itself has many different uses; however, it is used generally as a symbol of transformation, payment of spiritual debts. The notes used as “money” are transformed to spirit money when they are used as symbolic offerings to ghosts, gods, and ancestors. The burning of spirit money allows it to be transferred to ghosts, gods, and ancestors to be used as real currency in the other world. Furthermore, spirit money serves a vital role in association with the offering of food to some ghosts, gods, and ancestors.

1.3.2 Bonding tool

The offering of food serves to bring our ancestors and other beings in the other world closer to us. It serves as a bonding tool to bring both worlds together. This can be seen in cultures all around the world where feasts, dinners, and other social events use money to bring the community together. Spirit money on the other hand serves to separate the living world from the world of ghosts, gods, and ancestors. It is not natural to have both of these worlds in close connection with each other. The use of spirit money is very similar to how we use money in our society today. It is generally used as a tool to maintain a certain level of distance between two parties during a transaction. The concepts of food and money correlate directly to the offerings to ghosts, gods, and ancestors. We use food to bring them close to us and money to separate them from us.

1.3.3 Time to celebrate spiritual practices

Locals in Vietnam celebrate spiritual practices on the first and fifteenth of every month based on the lunar calendar. They burn incense sticks and ghost money at home as offerings to Buddha, gods and the dead. They simply pray for good luck and pay homage to ancestors. Such rituals are also regularly performed at funerals and on the anniversaries of the deaths of family members and relatives throughout the year.

1.3.4 Others uses of ghost money

Spirit money is used in many differing activities. For example, the critical role of spirit money is to repay the debts of our ancestors. The spirit of the ancestor must obtain a body and a fate to pursue it karmic course. However, in order for it to do so, it must pay its mystical debt that accumulates over a person’s life. This rationale explains why people burn such large amounts of spirit money at funerals, for no one ever complete succeeds in repaying his celestial debt. His descendants must pay for him. The living person attempts to pay off this debt by praying and making monetary donations to the gods and temples. However, no one pays off their debts entirely while alive, so their remaining family burns spirit money which is transmitted to their deceased family member. The deceased family member uses this money to pay down the remainder of his debt and embarks on his karmic journey.

Vietnamese people have been burning money since they were kids. They throw the money into it a big cylinder, heavy, and made of metal or something like that and put that outside the house and burn the paper money and paper clothes. Inside the house they have the altar where we burn incense, and pray to the dead. T

Book tour with us Hanoi Free Local Tours to have interesting experience in Hanoi!

Đặng Tiên,

 

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Hanoi Travel News

8 Best Hanoi Travel Agencies | Top Vietnam Travel Agencies

It is normal for foreign tourists to encounter complex situations in Vietnam even when they are well-prepared. Being unfamiliar to the people, the weather, the food, the traffic, etc. may cause many difficulties and inconveniences. As a matter of fact, a large number opt for tour booking with a local travel agent.

The list of best Hanoi tour agencies in Vietnam below will help you deal with your upcoming trip

Notes: Because lots of travelers asking for Halong Bay Travel Agency and Ninh Binh Travel Agency so we also did some research and give you the list to consider, you also can Google the words “…. Travel Agency ” for example: “Halong Bay Travel Agency”

Yes, there are a bunch of reputable tour companies around Hanoi, which makes it really challenging to decide. Concerning tourists’ worries, we, traveling enthusiasts, are glad to put together a list of greatest holiday agencies in town

Top. 1 would be AZ Local Trip (they offer many tours for more than 100.000 Travelers every year)

List 11 of Travel Agency in Hanoi 

1. AZ Local Trip

AZ Local Trip is Top.1 experienced Hanoi-based tour company producing local package tours (Hanoi Tour Packages from 3- 15 days: hand-picked accommodation, quality transportations, or Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa Tours)

This agency provides an Amazing Free Itinerary Planning service by locals living in Hanoi for years, so you could save much time Planning.

Ask them to give you recommendations on Hotel, Tours or transportation

Remember, you do not have to pay money

  • 150,000 travelers using Az Local Trip
  • 750 Hanoi Tour Packages every year

Website: http://azlocaltrip.com/

Email: Info@AZlocaltrip.com 

Phone:(+84)965192251 (Whatsapp)

Az Local Trip Agency
Why Azlocal trip

As a team of passionate people, AZ Local Trip desires to bridge the cultural gap among international tourists. Visitors are sure to gain insights into Vietnamese people, culture, customs, lifestyle and history with tailor-made tours.

The eight listed travel agents are among the best Hanoi-based tour operators. For further information and details about services, please directly contact the company. We hope that every international visitor to Vietnam will have unforgettable memories with local buddies.

2. Hanoi Free Local Tours

Hanoi Free Local Tours is a non-profit organization providing travelers with many free tours in Hanoi, and Free Itinerary planning for your travel in Hanoi by travel experters living in Hanoi for years.

Hanoi Free Local Tours on CNN
Hanoi Free Local Tours on CNN

Student-led tours: Hanoi Free Local Tours offers a variety of city tours, all led by student volunteers. The group aims to provide visitors a better understanding of the city while giving Vietnamese students a chance to improve their English.

Website: https://hanoifreelocaltours.com

Email: Booking@hanoifreelocaltours.com

Free Tour Guide reviews

3. Hanoi Explore Travel

Hanoi Explore TRavel was launched in 2015, now has become one of the Best, Largest and most Prestigious Travel Agent in Hanoi. The page – Tripadvisor evaluates it as the biggest Travel Service through the world today.

Hanoi Explore Travel mainly provides quality travel services and Package Tours in Vietnam

  • Address: 37 Ngo Huyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
  • Email: info@hanoiexploretravel.com
  • Website: http://hanoiexploretravel.com
  • Phone: + 84 974 805 797

4. Lily’s Travel Agency

Lily’s Travel Agency, established in 2007, has been efficiently delivering customers with quality service. The agent, based in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, provides customized tour packages. It specializes in North Vietnam, yet other tours packages to the South are offered as well.

Lily's travel team
Lily’s travel team took a picture together at their office located in the Old Quarter

Major products:

  • Beaches of Long BayBay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Cat Ba island
  • Mountainous areas such as Sapa, Mai Chau, and Cao Bang
  • Vast complexes of Trang An – Bai Dinh and Hoa Lu – Tam Coc in Ninh Binh

The assistance with different means of transportations such as bus, train, and plane is provided. The agency can also cover the issue regarding visa application of the clients.

Lily’s travel agency receives lots of favorable reviews on TripAdvisor as a top-best travel agency in Hanoi The trustworthy staff is ready to respond at any time.

Address: No. 18 Ngo Huyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Viet Nam.

5. Tonkin Travel

Coming up next in the 8 – best – tour -agency – in – Hanoi, Tonkin Travel, established in 2001, is an experienced family company in tour operating. The agency is known for its professionalism in hospitality and commitment to customers.

Tonkin Travel core team
Tonkin Travel core team

Service includes:

  • Visa on arrival
  • Transportation
  • Accommodation
  • Tour Guides

Destinations include:

  • North/Central/South Vietnam
  • Indochina countries

For accommodation, train and tour booking, clients are charged 10% of total amount for cancellation of 15 days before departure date. The charge is higher and higher when you cancel shortly before the booking date.

Address: 164 Xuan Dieu Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

6. Rose Travel Agency

Rose Travel Agency is a team of young and enthusiastic people who have experience in tourism. This travel agency in Hanoi Vietnam also supplies clients with tailor-made tour packages.

Rose Travel Agency with their customers
Rose Travel Agency with their customers

Products include:

  • Daily tours in the North
  • Tours in the South
  • Halong Bay tours
  • Sapa tours

Customers need to pay30% deposit on tour booking. Flight/train ticket and accommodation bookings demand 100% total payment in advance. You are charged for tour cancellation under cancellation policy of Rose Travel Agency.

Rose Travel Agency accept PayPal, Mastercard, Visa Card, Western Union and American Express as the payment method. Yet, you cannot make a payment for someone else using a credit card (name on the credit card must match the guest’s name).

Address: 15 Ngo Huyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Email: hanoi.rosetravelagency@gmail.com

Website: rosetravelagency.com/

Hotline/WhatsApp: (+84) 1684159586

7. Vietnam Awesome Travel

With 8 years of experience in tour operating, private and customized tour packages are the highlight of Vietnam Awesome Travel. This Hanoi travel agent Company also combines group tours for independent budget travelers to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Vietnam Awesome Travel team
Vietnam Awesome Travel team

The product range in North Vietnam includes:

  • Holiday packages
  • Hanoi day trips
  • Halong Bay cruises / Halong day tours / Halong luxury van&car
  • Sapa Trekking

Vietnam Awesome Travel succeeded in receiving a recommendation from TripAdvisor and LonelyPlanet.

Head Office: 19B Hang Be Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

8. Dao’s Travel Agency

Dao’s Travel, located in Hanoi Old Quarter, is an inclusive travel agency. Speaking both fluent Vietnamese and English gives us the ability to work with you and provide you with the travel experience you are looking for.

Services offered are:

  • Visa services
  • Transportations
  • Customized package tours
  • Private / group tours

Dao’s Travel Agency in Hanoi Old Quarter

Address: 1A Ma May, Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi (8am – 9pm every day).

9. Hanoi Travel Agency

Hanoi Travel Agency mainly focuses on operating tours in North Vietnam. The company takes pride in its Private Street Food Tour of Hanoi, which takes tourists to every corner for Vietnamese authentic cuisine.

Main products include:

  • Vietnam package holidays / Luxury Vietnam holidays
  • North Vietnam: Ba Vi mountain, Halong Bay cruise, Sa Pa tours, Hanoi day trips, Mai Chau tours

10. Hanoi Tours Expert

Hanoi Tours Expert has been operating tours to many parts of Vietnam:

  • North Vietnam: Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay
  • South Vietnam: Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Saigon

Customized tour itineraries enable tourists to explore diverse culture and wild nature of Vietnam.

Address: No 11, Lane 2, Hanoi University, Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi.

11. AZ Hostel

AZ Hostel is your one stop, shop for all your accommodation and specialist travel needs from our organized tour packages to all major destinations from Hanoi, or if you wish to travel independently, we can support all your travels with great advice with bus, train or flight tickets to ensure your experience in Vietnam meets your expectations and more. We want you to love Vietnam as much as we do.

Our Service include:

  • Money exchange
  • Airport Transfer
  • Visa Applications
  • Bus Tickets
  • Train Tickets
  • Flight Tickets
  • Motorbike Rental
  • Laundry Service

Address: 27 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi;  Email: Booking@azhostel.com ; azhostel.com

Hotline/Whatsup (+84) 947 340 847

Halong Bay Travel Agency 

the list of Travel Agency below would help, the more information about them will be updated soon,

  1. AZ Local Trip ( This agency provides the itinerary plan and get advice directly by travel consultants, ask them for any information before booking decision)
  2. Best Price (This is online travel agency sit, offering day trips at the low price that backpackers should think about- see the inclusion and exclusion)
  3. Blue Dragon (the same as best price)
  4. Indochina Junk (Indochina is more about Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise operators)
  5. Lily Travel Agency (if you are in the old quarter, you can go for this agency to get information)

Ninh Binh Travel Agency

  1. Original Hoa Lu Tam Coc:  Best Travel company in Vietnam for Hoa Lu – Tam Coc Tours and other tours to Ninh Binh from Hanoi
  2. AZ Local Trip ( this agency offer tour to Trang An, Bai Dinh, Hoa Lu Tam Coc, Mua Cave... and itinerary plan and get advice directly by travel consultants, ask them for any information before booking decision)
  3. Tommy’s Travel Service (This is online travel agency site for Halong Bay price – see the inclusion and exclusion)
  4. Tinny’s Travel Agency Motorbike tour in Ninh Binh if you think about this
  5. Dao’s Travel Agency (this agency is famous for organizing 3 days 2 nights tour in Ninh Binh)
  6. Lily Travel Agency (if you are in the old quarter, you can go for this agency to get information)

List 11 of Travel Agency in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam

  • 1 Buffalo Tours

The wife and I were going to do it on our own until Buffalo Tours was recommended to us by a friend. It was no mistake going with Buffalo. The guides and drivers were very well educated about the area that they covered and answered all our questions. I would recommend adding a “free” day here and there as they keep you quite busy going to all the best places. If we head over to S.E. Asia in the future, I would select Buffalo Tours to make my arrangements both for quality and price.

Teachtykes on Tripadvisor

  • 2 EXO Travel

We booked a trip through trailfinders who use this company for our own tour to Laos Vietnam and Cambodia.Could not fault them always there at airports.Always on time.Very caring and thoughtful guides with lots of knowledge.Helped you check in to hotels and airports and would not leave until you were happy.Well done very professional company.

Milton Keynes, Vương quốc Anh

  • Innoviet Budget travel agency

I had a fantastic two day tour through the Mekong with Huy. He is energetic, knowledgeable and offers interesting insight into Vietnamese culture. The homestay was clean and the food was delicious. I really enjoyed the boat tour in the morning and enjoying some pho and iced coffee…not to mention the delicious fruit along the way! The trip was packed with diverse activities and offers a real view into normal life in rural vietnam. I would recommend this trip and company to everyone visiting the mekong!

Rachel1111111 on Tripadvisor

  • Kim Tran Travel Day trips

We are very happy with the great tour we did. We visited Cai Rang floating market and Ben tre Island. Our guide Nick was perfect, he explained a lot, speaks good English, and was super kind. We booked the tour on HCMC. The office looked more professional than most of the others in the surrounding. We were picked up at 4am and spent our whole day at Mekong delta. Besides the 2 spots mentioned above, we did a cycling tour, visited fruit farm, coconut candy production , mat production, and brick factory. All the stops were informative and just the right among of time spent at each place. We used different types of boats on different channels of the Mekong. The driver was also good and we felt save all the time. We would always recommend, it’s definitely worth the money!

Laura_Grk tripadvisor

  • Sinh Tourist

Our family made a reservation for Halong bay in 2 days with Stellar of the Seas cruise, we was amazing about all services of cruise, room is so nice. There is swimming pool and mini golf course on cruise. So beautiful!

 

Chuyên mục
Hanoi Travel News

IS IT WORTH VISITING HANOI? | Local View

Is it worth visiting Hanoi? 

Don’t come across Hanoi or rank it as one of spots in your extensive excursion, you should consider it as a true holiday for a couple of days, because Hanoi deserves to be the most impressive destination.

Things to do in Hanoi

Hanoi is really different and unique.  If you are expecting to see the animation of entertainment like Soul – capital of South Korea or the model development of skyscrapers and super-malls like Bangkok in Hanoi, you were wrong. Having undergone over 1000 years dominated under the Chinese invader and over 100 years struggling against the French colonist and the American empire, Vietnam has been developing and improving quickly. Through the length of history, the Vietnamese has still kept the true value of precious tradition and culture. Beside, a wide range of historical monuments or architectural structures were protected and restored with a view to preserving for the future generation. It is the reason why Hanoi puts on ancient and familiar appearance of heart-breaking but glorious past time. In a short interview with foreign tourists about “Is it worth visiting Hanoi?”, 9o percent of them told “Hanoi is really amazing. It is out of my expectation. I love the simple beauty of streets and moss pagoda and the hospitality of the Vietnamese and the nature and weather are great”.

So what makes millions of tourists strong impression on? And which fascinates you?

How many days in Hanoi and Halong Bay 

And what makes Hanoi worth visiting…

  • Culture
  • Traffic

Firstly, I swear that all tourists feel socked with the traffic in chaos and deafening horns. It comes as surprise that the population in Vietnam is more 90 million people whereas the number of scooters and motorbikes accounts for 50 percent of that amount. You might burst into tear when waiting for crossing street for a long time or find it difficult to walk on pavement. Although transportation works in weird and crazy way, they are humane engines and machines. In London or New York, when the traffic lights turn green color, all cars speed up automatically without noticing pedestrian or obstacle. It is very easy to crash or take after accident. But in Vietnam, crossing street is an art and you are brave artists. A tip for you: “Close your eyes – breathe deeply, go straight slowly with raising your hand”, the drivers avoid you cleverly by themselves. So it is not dangerous like you though. Keep calm and win all!

Another reason why you should pay Hanoi a visit is Religion

There is no official religion in Vietnam but Buddhism, Catholicism and Caodaism are the most popular ones. However, the number of Bud and Catholic is too small in comparison with Vietnam’s population. So you are not afraid whether your action is suitable for the rule of that religion or not. It is suggested that you should wear shirt with sleeves and trousers under knees, when you go into sacred places such as pagoda, church or temple. In majority of the Vietnamese’s thought, there are two worlds existing at the same time. It is indicated that when you pass away, you will never disappear or vanish. You only go to the other one and continue living. It explains for weird actions like burning votive paper on special days in a month or setting an ancestral altar in every house. Besides, thousands of pagodas was also built to express the strong belief in the law of causality and optimistic ideas like one good turn deserves another or curses come home to roost.

To have a deep insight in culture and belief of the Vietnamese, I recommend you some appealing sites: The Big Church, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Bach Ma Temple, Ngoc Son Temple. 

besides you can see top things to do in Hanoi recommended by Tripadvisor

+ The Big Church: It was erected by French in 1884 and opened for public in 1888. To build church for French Catholics to congregate, the French destroyed Bao Thien Pagoda – one of the most important pagodas at that time. But nowadays the image of it has attached to routine life of Hanoi residents and become symbol and pride of them as well. Located on 40 Nha Chung Street in the Old Quarter, you should spend a few minutes coming across to enjoy a lemon juice and contemplate its charming beauty at twilight.

+ Bach Ma Temple: It dates back to the XXI century and is considered being one of the oldest temples in the city. With a mysterious story, the temple is known as a sacred place to honor a white horse that guided Ly Thai To king to the site, where he chose to construct his citadel walls. Located right on Hang Buom, Bach Ma Temple attracts many tourists to tranquil space and scented incense.

+ Tran Quoc Pagoda: Going out of the hustle and bustle of city, you come into absolutely peaceful, quiet space with an unexpected spiritual aspect. Not only the oldest temple is but it also the most marvelous is in the city. Moreover, the façade of it directs to the West Lake – the biggest lake in Hanoi and absorbs in first sun lights in the early morning. Because it is quite far from the Old Quarter you should take a taxi to visit it at least one time.

+ One Pillar Pagoda: it is the symbol of Vietnam and ranked with Eiffle tower of France or Liberty Statue of America. Although One Pillar Pagoda isn’t a great structure, its historic meaning and cultural value is invaluable. Taking inspiration from a lotus blossom, it is a Buddhist temple with the origin from the dream of the King. With special architecture, a building stands on only one pillar in Thien Quang lake like transferring vitality and fertile for land. It’s very important for Vietnamese people because Vietnam was still an agricultural country at that time.

The diversity of groups makes a significant contribution to colorful national character. Because of the harmonious combination between Chinese, Indian and French culture and the unique features of Vietnam, it is easy to make visitors a feel curious and interesting. At present, there are 54 different ethnic minority groups inhabiting Vietnam, each of whom has own customs and habits which has still been respected and preserved up to now. Among them, the Kinh people account for nearly 90 percent of Vietnam’s total population. Should you not want to miss precious knowledge of groups, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and Women’s Museum will be the best choices for you.

+ Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: With total area of more 2.000 m2, it is worth for you spending a half day to discover it. Coming here, you will be immerse in thousands of lively exhibits and fabulous information as well as cultural identity about 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Besides, it is very useful for researches and people to want to learn about historic value and ethnography.  

+ Vietnamese Women’s Museum: There are few museums on the world displaying and praising about women. But in Vietnam, the role of women in war as well as the great contributions to build country nowadays is indispensable. To express the gratitude to the dedicated services Vietnamese women have sacrificed for family and nation,  Vietnam Women’s Union decided to build the one. All document is disposed according to each of periods and topics to highlight the role of them as well as serve for  tourists visit more conveniently.

  • Holiday

Lunar New Year: It often happens in late January and early February and lasts for a half of one month. This is traditional holiday of nation because it contains a significant meaning. It is not only a period of transition from old year to New Year but also an opportunity for family reunion. On the last day of the year, everyone is exciting to clean their houses, go shopping to prepare to welcome to New Year. Besides, if you have chance to be invited to stay your Vietnamese friend’s home, you will be courteous about types of cake or fruit they lay on altar. “Chung” cake is the most popular with Vietnamese people because it is symbol of gathering and wealth.  To decorate house becoming colorful, the Vietnamese often buy kumquat or cherry blossom which represent for money and luck. Burning votive paper is also traditional to see 3 saints off returning sky. On these days, adults wish the old long life span and children wear pretty dress to ask for lucky money.

Mid-Autumn Festival – a happy day of children: It is held on August 15th of lunar calendar, corresponding to late September to early October. This is the day any child waits for because it is a good time for them to joy with interesting activities and receive a lot of presents from their parents. Star lanterns, funny masks and colorful toys are indispensable things to decorate street brighter than ever. Mooncakes have appeared in western countries as a form of delicacy on this day. If you are lucky to have chance to visit Hanoi in September, don’t miss joining with us to have funny memories.

Hanoi is worth visiting because of the war

It is sad that many people knew Vietnam as a nation of war or an aggressive country through two resistances against French colonists and American empires producing a stir in world. However, part of the truth is not the truth. There is nothing can compensate for what Vietnam has been through. Those were unjust wars full of blood and tears which dyed the color of national flag red. Do you know the meaning of the yellow star with 5 wings in the middle of flag? It symbolizes for undying confidence in day nation is totally independent.

There are some recommendations for war historical relics:

+ Hoa Lo Prison: Hoa Lo prison was constructed by French colonist in 1896 with a view to detaining Vietnam communists, patriotic soldiers and political prisoners. With the area of nearly 13.000 m2, Hoa Lo was one of the largest and most heavy-duty structures in Indochina at that time. Nowadays, people have known it as the hell on earth or Hanoi Hilton. So Why does it have two contrary names? At the same place, however, how the French treated Vietnamese prisoners and how the Vietnamese treated the American pilots were absolutely different. Two stages, two periods and unknown stories behind harsh war will come out when you spend a little time visiting it.

+ Vietnam Military History Museum: Visiting Vietnam Military History Museum, you contemplate the remains of war like airplanes, weapons, missiles,…on display. Besides, you will fascinate with brilliant tactics and strategies of Vietnam and understand why a poor nation struck against powerful enemies. It’s a shame that you miss such an attractive site.

+ Ho Chi Minh Complex: Including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, presidential palace and historical relics, Ho Chi Minh complex covers the whole of Ho Chi Minh’s life and give us detail information about the process of finding the way to save Vietnam from the yoke of slavery of French colonists and American empires. Through the historic artifacts and document, we will have more understanding of the struggle of Vietnamese people and his great sacrifices for the independence and freedom of Vietnam’s country.

+ The Imperial of Citadel: For more 20 centuries of existing with under control of 13 dynasties, Thang Long Citadel has become one of the longest running continuous seats of power in the world. Have been listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in 2010, the Imperial of Citadel becomes one of highlights in Hanoi. Visiting here, you will discover ancient royal palaces of the King and princesses, the ruins and secret tunnels. Besides, through contemplating exhibits both above and underground, you likely understand about striking strategies and tactics of leaders in the past. I believe keeps you exciting during 1 hour.

+ Flag Tower: It was used to be symbol of the city during the French colonial rule (1885 – 1954). Built in 1806, Flag Tower is a remaining relic without being devastated by French before withdrawing. Nowadays, it has stood there proudly with red flag and yellow star.

See the Hanoi Tours for Free in Hanoi provided by local university students

Worthy city Hanoi to visit – Stunning Views

+ Long Bien Bridge – the oldest bridge in Vietnam: Getting out of the bustle of busy street in the Old Quarter, you will step in space of past and wild nature which makes tourists a strong impression on most. Built by the French at the end of 19th century, it has existed for thousands of years and witnessed the ups and downs of history of Vietnam nation. With the classic architecture of the west, the bridge is compared with Eiffel tower of France but in a different aspect. It may be the most beautiful at twilight when the whole city is lighted up, intensive heat of sun is less and everyone returns home in a hurry. Enjoy a beer can and take some memorial photos.

+ Temple of Literature: Built in 1076, Temple of Literature was the first national university in Vietnam to educate the King’s son and then extended to teach the nobles and royalties. With the peaceful and sacred atmosphere, Temple of Literature’s become an attractive site for both foreign tourists and Vietnamese people who want to learn about the origin of education as well as the fondness of study of Vietnam. If you visit Hanoi, you shouldn’t miss to touch the head of the turtle because it will bring luck to you during that year. Through 5 courtyards, you will feel be delighted as though each of history pages was opening ahead of your eyes.

The beauty of The Constellation of Literature pavilion (Khue Van Cac) – the symbol of Hanoi

+ The West Lake – the largest lake in Hanoi: There is a romantic street dividing the lake into two parts. At night, the lake becomes colorful and mysterious with floating restaurants on the water and entertainment activities. Along this street, there are several pagoda and church opening free for tourists, so you can do sightseeing without paying ticket. You will be in a good mood and fresh with breezing wind when walking with your partners in your trip and enjoy some ice-cream and street food.

Last but not least, AMAZING FOODS. Food Lovers should visit Hanoi.

  • Food
  • Street food

Coming to Hanoi, you will be satisfied the demand for food maximum because Hanoi is known as a paradise for cuisine. All first floors of houses in the Old Quarter sell something from dishes for breakfast and dinner or local specialities to nosh. Don’t worry about the shortage of fresh food since there are always small markets near eating places and residential areas. All ingredients are available and safe for hygiene. Specially, it is such the cheap street food that you can buy and eat many things with a tight budget. Night market, for example, is ideal place which only opens at every weekend nights. Beside the famous food like Pho, Bun Cha, Banh Mi, you can find local food such as mixed sweeten fruit, mixed ill noodle,…and many other unnamed food.

  • Drink  

How diverse beverage is! Just know that the Vietnamese are creative and eager to learn but the ability of creating beverage is surprising. There are some drinks with special flavor out of expectation which you only taste in Vietnam. Egg Coffee is a typical example of an idiom sentence: the difficulty emerges the wisdom. It is invented in late 19th century because of the shortage of sugar. So the makers used egg yolk instead for sugar to decrease strong flavor of coffee. Nowadays, it becomes one of best beverages any tourist should try at least one time in Vietnam.

  • Fruit

As far as you might know Vietnam is a tropical nation with monsoon climate, so there is a diversity of fruit. Having some kinds of fruit you have never seen before in any countries on the world. Each of seasons has typical kinds of fruits. For instance, in summer, we have longan, lychee, custard apple or mango, whereas in winter we have pomegranate, guava and orange. Fruit sometimes becomes a reason for your traveling in Vietnam.

Hanoi Street Food Tours For Free

  • Local Experiences
  • The Old Quarter

With 36 streets designed chess model by French, nowadays the Old Quarter turns into the cultural center and a must-see place in Hanoi. When wandering around the Old Quarter, you will seem separated and exciting as though you went astray in maze of 100-year-old houses and a great variety of products, shops and hotels. Sometime, you are attracted by the dark and narrow alleys with 1 meter wide and wondering that why people can live cramped in such small space and insufficient light. But they don’t know that at the end of those alleys is an absolutely different world and how hard life of residents either. Sometime, you are into the way local people sitting on the short chairs to drink coffee in the morning or interested in routine activities around the lake. Behind houses you see, people you meet are stories interesting and moved which making you astonish.

  • The Sword Lake

The Sword Lake is home to legends dating back to thousands of years ago with aim to connecting people. It will be great if you have someone like a guide to tell you about all stories. They are sensational factors which fascinate you and keep you exciting all the time.  Also, thanks to tour guide you will gain useful knowledge of meaning of architecture, reliefs as well as Vietnamese’s history. It is said that the sword lake is a microcosm of the whole life of Hanoi people and contains soul of the Vietnamese. At the weekend, the street around the lake becomes a sidewalk for pedestrian and no traffic can annoy you. It means you are free to enjoy a good time with your buddies and participate in folk games which students organize to bring people closer as well as protect the cultural value wearing out by the time. Moreover, only in the weekend, night market is opened to welcome everyone to the world of food and souvenir. Join the line of crowded people, you will feel an animated night in Hanoi.

  • Water Puppetry

To end of your tour perfectly, watching a water puppet show is the best suggestion. It is a traditional art of Vietnam dating back as far as the 11th century. By clever hands and creative brain, artists make puppets up of wood or bamboo and control them at their discretion on water with colorful light system. A performance often presents in 2 hours but it reappear lively all activities of peasants happening in routine days. Sometime it gives negative problems in social, sometime praises or satirizes something or somebody. So it is necessary for you to learn a little about Vietnam culture before engaging in stories and rhythm of show.

  • Weather

There are four seasons in a year but fall is the best one. You will allergic to intensive heat of summer days in Hanoi. It is so hot that you will be lazy and only want to stay in your hotel or sweat profusely for walking tour. So it is quite uncomfortable for tourists getting used to cool climate like London or Paris to adapt it in a short time. About winter, it would be good for you if you come from chilly areas because Vietnam winter with wind freezes to the bone. It is suggested to bring several thick coats in order to enjoy your holiday without feeling ill at ease with hash weather. The reason I recommend you to visit Hanoi in fall is at that time both the weather and nature is great. You will feel

THAT’S ALL HIGHLIGHTS IN HANOI

and It is totally worth visiting Hanoi, Vietnam

 

Chuyên mục
Hanoi What to Eat

5 Best Choices for Breakfast in Hanoi Old Quarter

Breakfast in Hanoi, Old Quarter? You don’t know what to have yet, and You don’t know where to eat? Don’t worry, get dressed and head to the best places for a local breakfast around the Old Quarter to enjoy a peaceful morning like a real Hanoian

1, Breakfast in Hanoi with Banh mi (Vietnamese bread)

The first highly recommended food is Banh mi. Since tourists and foreigners have praised about Vietnamese bread recently. It seems that the bread has become the most popular Vietnamese street food. As a local, Banh mi is my preference for breakfast among other food because it is not a picky-eater food but a convenient food which can be easily found and eaten at anytime, anywhere.

Banh mi can be best described as a Vietnamese sandwiches with familiar ingredients such as ham, paté, marinated meat,..The spirit of Banh mi is the sauce which is made from generation secret recipe. It is sure that with just one taste, you will hardly forget this food.

—

See the Hanoi Street Food Tour in the Morning

Where to eat?

  • 38 Dinh Liet Street. Among all the “modern” Banh mi, this shop is best known for the traditional taste of the food.

– Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

– Price: 20,000 – 25,000 Dong

– Rated: 5 .0/5.0

Tips:

✓ If you prefer rich flavor, ask the owner for more sauce. A secret recipe for sauce has been made and kept through generations.

✓ The shop also has other kinds of Banh mi, but the original one (“Banh mi kep”) is still the best.

  • 34 Lo Su Street. The shop is considered as the oldest Banh mi shop in Hanoi, which was first opened in 1979. The owner gets a new batch of bread each 3 hours to make sure that the breads are always warm and crispy.

– Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

– Price: 20,000- 30,000 Dong

– Rated: 4.5/5.0

Tips:

✓ The “best-seller” here is Banh mi with paté (A rich, savoury paste made from finely minced or mashed ingredients, typically seasoned meat and liver) so if you are so confused to choose, get this one.

2, Breakfast in Hanoi with Pho (Noodle soup)

If you have a chance, please try Pho. This dish is one of the most popular traditional food in Vietnam. The steaming hot broth made from meat bones simmered for hours is severed with rice noodles (banh pho) and slices of tender juicy beef or chicken.  A perfect bowl of Pho would be some green onions and herbs on top with 2-3 lime drops for a taste of harmony in the morning.

Where to eat?

  • Pho 10 (Address: 10 Ly Quoc Su street).

– Time: 6:30 AM –10:30AM

– Price: 50,000 – 70,000 Dong

– Rated: 4.0/5.0

Tips:

✓ The place is always crowded and small so there is no service here. Just eat, pay then leave.

✓ Be ready for a surprise conversation because you may have to share table with strangers.

  • Pho Bat Dan (Address: 49 Bat Dan Street) Once you come to this place, you will have to stand in a queue and have self-served instead of waiting for waiters to order.

– Time: 6:00 AM-10:00 AM

– Price: 40,000-50,000 Dong

– Rated: 5.0/5.0

Tips:

✓ This stall is not recommended during high time if you don’t want to wait for too long

3, Breakfast in Hanoi with Bun moc (Vietnamese pork and mushroom rice vermicelli soup)

Another Vietnamese traditional breakfast is Bun moc. The meats commonly include pork paste balls made from “gio song” (raw pork sausauge), “cha lua” (pork sausage). Combine all, this kind of noodle soup has an unforgettable taste with an unique flavor from the light broth.

Where to eat?

  • 57 Hang Luoc Street. The shop has been opened for nearly 30 years with a traditional taste. Bun Moc here has the rich flavor of “wood ears” (one kind of fungus) and fragrant aromatic mushrooms.

– Time: ~ 9:00 AM

– Price: 25,000 – 50,000 Dong

– Rated:  4.0/5.0

Tips:

✓ The shop is in a small alley, so the sitting place is quite limited. You may have to stand waiting for around 10-15 minutes before ordering. But don’t worry, you will have your Bun Moc after 5-7 minutes.

  • 14 Ta Hien Street. Bun Moc here is simple but full flavored with the broth and bamboo shoots and the unique “moc”.

– Time: ~ 9:00 AM

– Price: 20,000 – 40,000 Dong

– Rated: 4.0/5.0

Tips:

✓ You can ask for more bamboo shoots.

✓ Soya bean milk or Green tea is not a bad choice to drink when you are having this food.

4, Breakfast in Hanoi with Chao suon (Ribs porridge)

Porridge is made of rice flour stirred till the mixture becomes creamy and consistent. The taste of pork ribs is in harmony with the sweet taste of rice and the spicy taste from a pinch of pepper. The congee is served when it is still hot with chopped scallion and cilantro.

Where to eat?

  • 32 Hang Bo Street. This place is owned by a street vendor who has been selling Chao suon for over 20 years. The place is always crowded, and a lot of people are into this food. (normally in 2 hours after opened)

– Time: 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM

– Price: 10,000 – 20,000 Dong

Rated: 5.0/5.0

Tips:

✓ To have a perfect taste, please try one bowl of Chao suon with “ruoc” (dried pork) and “quay” (one kind of bread)

✓ If you order when the owner is about to cook one more pot of porridge, don’t hesitate to ask for some last spoon of the former pot. Trust me, that’s the best part of this food.

5, Breakfast in Hanoi with Xoi Xeo (Hanoi yellow sticky rice with fried onion)

Although Pho is well-known all over the world, people can’t tell whether Pho or Xoi is more popular for breakfast in Vietnam, especially for students and laborers because it doesn’t take time to prepare and it is cheap, too. Convenient, right? There are so many kinds sticky rice in Hanoi, but standing out among all distinct types is Xoi Xeo. People are attracted by its bright yellow color made from turmeric powder with mung bean and the crunchy brown color of fried chopped onion on top.

Where to eat?

Xoi Xeo Hang Bai. A street vendor named May, she sells Xoi Xeo on the pavement at the crossroads of Hang Bai and Ly Thuong Kiet streets.

– Time: 6:45 AM – 8:30 AM

– Price: 5,000-7,000-10,000 Dong

– Rated: 5.0/5.0

Tips:

✓ If you don’t want to wait for quite long, you should avoid going here from 6:45 AM to 7:15 AM.

After having breakfast which are the local food, you can treat yourself better with a cup of coffee or hot tea around the Old Quarter to get the full taste of best breakfast in Hanoi.

Here are some beautiful street coffee shops we highly recommend to you:

1, Cộng Café (35A Nguyen Huu Huan Street)

2, Giảng Café (39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street). This place is really famous for “egg coffee”

3, Lâm Café (60 Nguyen Huu Huan Street)

4, Cộng Café (27 Nha Tho Street)

5, Tạ Hiện Café (39 Ta Hien Street).

New experiences, new perspectives! Enjoy your days in Hanoi!

 

Chuyên mục
Hanoi What to Eat

WHAT TO EAT IN HA NOI, VIETNAM?

If you are in Ha Noi and want to have a different experience to explore the Viet Nam’s capital, I think our Ha Noi Street Food Tour online is very useful for you.  I think you may know that Ha Noi has many delicious dishes and each dish has many kinds of it. However, you have only a limited amount of time; can you enjoy all best dishes?  Don’t worry because we have a list of top 10 dishes to try in Ha Noi. The top 10 street foods will make you become a real Hanoians.  The only one question you should ask yourself is “Hey stomach, are you ready?” I hope so.

CRAB NOODLE SOUP 

About: I think every Vietnamese has the same opinion that “ Crab noodle soup that is so delicious that it very popular with the locals.” It has a light and natural sweet  that make it different from all kinds of food you have ever tried before. Moreover, it is very good for your health because there are a perfect mixture of protein., vegetables and noodles.  Thus, there is no need for you to worry about gaining your

What are included:    the soup has many ingredients basing on regional culture. However, some elements are common in all regions: Noodles, Vegetables, Crabs.

What are servered accompanying: Vietnamese have habit of eating vegetables with soup. For crab noodles soup, they often choose: fresh lettuces, coriander leaves or onion leaves. Even if, they eat soup with “ quay” (a dish made of potatoes) or tofu.

Where to eat in Hanoi: top 4 the most famous places

— Notes:

This is offen servered as  Breakfast in Hanoi Old Quarter

Vermicelli  & Tofu With Shrimp Paste- The Weird Food Of What To Eat In Hanoi

1.Hoa Ma:

  • Address: 42th Hoa Ma Street, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: Crab noodles soups are very big which full of crab’s meat, beef and yellow- fried- tofu. The serving attitude is very high so you can enjoy your
  • Price: 30000 VND – 55.000
  1. Mrs Teo
  • Address: 104 C6 To Hieu, Nghia Tan. Cau Giay, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: the soup is colorful of many kinds of elements. Especially, the vegetables eating accompanying is very delicious. The place is very crowded in the noon and in the evening.
  • Price : 30.000 VND
  1. Nguyen Sieu Street.
  • Address: 32th Nguyen Sieu, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: although it is quite narrow, it is always full of people. The broth is mixed of much taste but it is still keep its original one.
  • Opening time: 6AM -6 PM
  • Price: 000 VND – 45.000VND

Vermicelli  & Tofu With Shrimp Paste- The Weird Food Of What To Eat In Hanoi

  • About: it is one of the strangest dishes you have ever tried but I think you may be surprised but its taste. The first time you see the dish, I guess you may hesitate of trying because of its smell but it is the dish that you should not miss.
  • What are included:  fried tofu, fishcakes, pork and tightly compressed vermicelli noodles “patties” cut into cubes. These elements are eaten dipped into a shrimp paste. It is a special seasoning of Vietnamese. It is very strange taste but be aware of eating too much may bother you stomach.
  • What are servered accompanying fresh herbs, pork.
  • Where to eat in Hanoi:

  1) Hang Khay :

  • Address: 31th Hang Khay, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: it is the most famous place for people who want to enjoy bun dau mam tom. You may be surprised by its crowd. It proves the attractions of the place.
  • Opening time: 10h30 am – 19 pm
  • Price: 45.000 VND

    2 ) Cay Bang, Dai La Street:

  • Address: Cay Bang,  Dai La street, Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: people choose the place because of many reasons but the most important one is its delicious taste.  Therefore, in high times, you many have to wait about for  15 minutes to 20 minutes to have the dish on your own.
  • Opening time: 10am – 14pm
  • Price: 000 VND

—

Notes: https://hanoifreelocaltours.com/great-vietnamese-breakfast/

Stir Fried Noodle-Special Noodle Of What To Eat In Hanoi

About: If you are bored with beef pho or chicken pho , stir fried noodles is one kind of pho that you should not miss. The rice noodles are worked fried with greens and meat.

What are included:  noodles, vegetables, beef and onion leaves.

Where to eat:

1) Bat Dan:

  • Address: 45 Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi.

It is opened may years ago but until now, there are different opinions about its taste. For some people, they think the dish is hardly eatable. However, for most people, the dish’s taste is very unique. The sweet and salty sauce is the most special taste that nowhere in Ha Noi has. That why there are people being  addicted to the dish.

  • Opening time: 08:00 Am – 11:Pm
  •  Price : 30.000 VND- 66.000 VND

2) Hang Buom

  • Address: 11th Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi.
  • Review: the dish is not only fried well done but also its high quality beef that make you never forget. Thus, since about 7 pm, the place is crowed until late.
  • Opening time: 06:00pm – 03:30 pm
  • Price: 50.000- 110.000

FALE DOG MEAT (BUN GIA CAY)

About: are you wondering about its name? False or real? You are far from alone . Most of people are also not sure about it. In fact, I can make sure that it is false. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about trying it at least one time because  you love it may be. In winter, enjoying the dish is not the bad choice to dispel cold.

Dog meat noodle soup
Dog meat noodle soup

 What are included: pork, galangal, shrimp paste and mẻ ( a kind of seasoning made of rice fermented).

What are servered accompanying :noodles, savory nature and lemongrass

Where to eat: according to Foody.vn and Lozi.vn – two best of voted attracting  places websites In Viet Nam, places below are recommended:

1) Kim Lien
  • Address: between the C6 and C9 dormitory, Kim Lien, Dong Da, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: the place is clean. Noodles are white and tough. Pork is well done but soft enough. In addition, good serving and cheap price is plus mark for this place

However, you should notice on its  address because it is quite hard to find the place. You go to the 132th house in Phuong Mai Street. Then, you will see a large alley opposing you. Going in the alley, you are arrived in the place. One recommend for you, don’t  be the guest after 1 pm or you are nothing to order.

  • Opening time: 07 Am- 10. Pm
  • Price: 20.000- 35.000 VND
2) Vu Pham Ham
  • Address: walking side Vu Pham Ham Street, Cau Giay, Ha Noi
  • Reviews: opened in walking side, the place is quite clean. The dish is very good, especially  greasy broth.
  • Opening time: 6 Am- 11 Am
  • Price 25.000 – 33.000 VND

SPRING ROLLS (BUN NEM)

About: bun nem is another attracting dish in Ha Noi. The greasy of fried spring rolls, the sweet-and-sour sauce and the toughness of noodles make a great impression on you since the first time. No surprisingly that you will drop in a place to enjoy the dish in the second or the third time like real Hanoians. Try it if you see it.

What are included: noodles, spring rolls, sauce.

What are servered accompanying : vegetables such as been sprouts, fresh herbs.

Where to eat:

Hang Cot

  • Address: 36th Hang Cot, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: the place has been highly recommended by customers on its location, price, dish quality and serving attitude.
  • Opening time: 6h30 am – 9h30am
  • Price : 30.000-40.000

 STEAMED PORK WRAPS (BANH CUON)

About: the dish is local delicacy in Ha Noi despite many regions in Viet Nam sell it. It can be said that steamed pork wraps in Ha Noi is the best. Its distinguish taste is not like any taste of any dishes in Ha Noi or in the world. Furthermore, I suppose that no one can deny trying a colorful and skillfully made dish like it. Try it and while waiting for being served, taking notice around because I may sitting next to you.

What are included: pork, mushroom filling wrapped in freshly steamed rice paper. After that, chiefs top banh cuon with crunchy fried shallots.

What are servered accompanying: fish sauce, chili sauce and fresh herbs.

STEAMED PORK WRAPS
STEAMED PORK WRAPS

Where to eat:

1) Thanh Van.
  • Address: 12th -14th Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
  • Phone number: 0438.280.108
  •  Reviews: in Tripadvisor, people laid great store upon it.

A foreigner- John said “I was so surprised when I saw many people eating there at 10 am. They don’t have to work or the dish is too attracting? I am not sure.”

  • Opening time: 6h3-9hpm
  • Price: 15.000-28.000
2) Hoanh
  • Address: 66th To Hien Thanh, Hai ba Trung, HA noi.
  • Reviews: charice “the first time I saw it, I said “oh my god, is it eatable?”. It is very strange to me. Nevertheless, after that, I ate the dish every morning during my period of time in Ha Noi. I wish I could cook it for my family.”
  • Opening time: 6:30 am -10 pm
  • Price: 30.000 VND- 60.000 VND

VIETNAMESE SANWICH (banh mi)-VIETNAMES ICONIC OF WHAT TO EAT IN VIETNAM

About: you have a habit of eating sandwich but you are afraid of not finding it in Viet Nam?  You don’t need to order a sandwich in your country and wait for it transferred to Viet Nam (if you can) because in Ha Noi, Vietnamese sandwich is an ideal alternation for you. From my point of view, Vietnamese sandwich is one of the most ingenious France-meets- Asia creations ever!

Banh mi - best dish for your one day in Hanoi
Banh mi – best dish for your one day in Hanoi

What is included:  a fluffy baguette is full of many kinds of elements such as pate, cold cuts, cucumber and picked daikon and carrots.

What are servered accompanying : in Ha Noi, this sandwich is served with hot sauce and mayo drizzled on top?

Where to eat: 

Notes: 7 Best Banh mi Hanoi 

1) Pho co (the old quarter)

  • Address: 38th Dinh Liet, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: you may be simplicity of the place but it has existed for a long time. Its dish- Vietnamese sandwich is favored by many people. Especially, all of elements used are made by owners
  • Price: 20.000- 25.000

2) Dan

  • Address: 34th LO Su, Hoan Kiem HA Noi.
  • Reviews: it has been existed since 1979 so it is one of the most long life places in Ha Noi. Even though the country has changed a lot since that time, the dish’ taste in the place is still kept. Thus, it comes as no surprise to me that the place is always crowed.
  • Opening time: 6h am- 9h pm
  • Price: 15.000-25.000

STICKY RICE ( xoi deo)- TRADITIONAL FOOD OF WHAT TO EAT IN HANOI

About:  Vietnamese have habit of eating rice in all of their dishes. Sticky rice is a different kind of rice that it the one of the most popular dish in Ha Noi.

xoi xeo – one of famouse sticky rice in Hanoi

What are included:  sticky rice with various toppings. Differ from your first imagination of it, it does not come plain.  Grilled pork, ground meat and eggs are dispensable elements.

What are servered  accompanying:  sliced cucumbers.

Where to eat:

1) Xoi Yen

  • Address: 35B- the corner of main street Nguyen Huu Huan and Hang Mam, Hoan Kiem Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: Hana “I thought rice is not my favorite before but when I ate the dish, I changed my mind. It is very good.”
  • Opening time: 5 am – 1 am
  • Price: 35.000- 44.000

2) Yen Ninh

  • Address 98th Yen Ninh, Hang Bun, Ba DInh, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: “the bowl of sticky rice very big but I can not leave any thing because it is delicious”
  • Opening time: 9h am -9h pm
  • Price: 30.000- 60.000

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

About:  traditional pho in Ha Noi is so famous that I think I don’t need to comment any things.  Chicken pho is one of two the most popular kinds of pho in Ha Noi.

What are  included: chicken meat, broth, noodles and seasonings.

What are servered accompanying :  lemon, herbs.

Where to eat:

1) Tu Lun

  • Address: 5th Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: I cannot explain why I love the place but the taste is vey wonderful. I am sure there is any where which has a more delicious dish than this place.
  • Price: 20.000- 28.000
  • Opening time: 06:00 AM – 01:30 PM; 03:00 PM – 11:00 P

2) Quan Thanh

  • Address 156th Quan Thanh, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi.
  • Reviews: Kim “ I and my boyfriend came here only one time when we visited Viet Nam 1 years ago but I am still remember the good taste of Pho here.”
  • Opening time: 06:30 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Price: 25.000- 44.000vnd.

GRILLED PORK & VERMICELLI (BUN CHA)

About:  visiting ha Noi, bun Cha is the dish you should eat or no one believes that you came here. It reflects our creation of food along with our eating culture so that why in 2016, the President of USA Obama decided to enjoy it in his time in Ha Noi with other members of House of Parliament.

Bun cha with Hanoi kids vietnam

What are included:  noodles, pork (there are two kinds of pork: strips of meat and minced pork patties), onion leaves.

What are severed accompanying: fish sauces, herbs.

Where to eat:

1) Huong Lien

  • Address: 24th Le van Huu, ha Noi
  • Reviews: oh my god, when I knee our President came here; I guessed the dish is very good. Last year, I came Ha Noi and tried it. Wow, I am not wrong.
  • Opening time: 9 am -8h pm
  • Price: 40.000- 85.000 VND

2) Dac Kim

  • Address 1th Hang Manh, Hoang Kiem
  • Reviews: although the price is quite high, the quality of dish is equally to your money. “Cha” is made of crab. Besides, the size of the dish is large enough for any stomach regardless how big it is.
  • Opening time: 10am -19 Pm
  • Price: 50.000-60.000 VND

Why don’t you BOOK Hanoi food tours in order to discover Hanoi street food tours with us.

Drinks

 

Chuyên mục
Hanoi What to Eat

BEST PHO IN HANOI

 Someone said “Food reflects not only the material world but also the spirit world of a country.”  Therefore, for foreigners, enjoying food in another country is one of the most special ways to explore its culture.

According to CNN Travel “What list of Vietnamese cuisine would be complete without best pho hanoi? It’s almost impossible to walk a block in Vietnam’s major cities without bumping into a crowd of hungry patrons slurping noodles at a make shift pho stand”.

Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup
Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup

And  you, have you tried Best Pho Ha Noi yet? If not, don’t worry because Ha Noi Free Local Tour will please to guide you enjoy one of the best dishes in our Ha Noi street food tour online.

 Pho is one of best cuisine food in Viet Nam but it is particular in Ha Noi. It is the dish that you shouldn’t miss ‘even if in your last night in Ha Noi.

 According to some scholars, pho was created in the 20 century, especially particular in Ha Noi. Thus, there are places which have sold pho for decades. For people who ate it, all of them have high opinion about pho in Ha Noi. That why Pho is the most famous dish in Ha  Noi.

Pho is diversified in kind and taste depending on regional culture. In Ha Noi, places have created many different kind of best pho in hanoi to make fresh taste so foreigners have an attracting long list of choices .However, beef pho and chicken pho are the best kinds of pho.

1. WHAT BEST PHO HANOI IS MADE OF?

If you are wondering of what pho is made of, you are far from alone in your confusion. Despite variations of ingredients, the main elements of the dish are steamy broth, fresh rice noodles, sliced beef or chicken, and herbs or scallions.

2. HOW TO DO BEST PHO HANOI?

2.1 Broth

Broth is the most important element in dish which makes the difference between places. In another word, broth decides whether pho dish is good or not. It makes the specifically distinctive taste of dish.  Pig’s calf muscle or beef’s bones are steamed in from 3 hours to 7 hours. Thus, broth has an especially natural sweet and greasy taste that no kind of sugar can.  After steaming them, broth is added many kind of seasoning such as onion, ginger, cinnamons, coriander seeds, star anise. These elements arouse peoples’ taste strongly. Each place selling best pho in Ha Noi has a secret of what amount of each element. It is called “secret recipe” to create distinguishing taste.  “Secret recipe “is based on experience and skill of chefs. Therefore, some places become famous while some are not.

Broth and slice meats
Broth and slice meats
2.2 Sliced meats

Sliced meats are another important element of pho. Meat is chosen carefully to make sure that they are fresh. Because only fresh meat can make good pho bowls. Meat is medium to make them softy enough when you chew. You can feel sweet of meat which is mixed with greasy taste of broth is the taste that you have never tried before.

2.3 Fresh rice

Fresh rice noodles used in pho is often made of a special kind of rice. The rice is planted in Viet Nam. After through some handicraft steps, rice turns noodles. Chefs have some tips to make noodles white and tough. They said it is a traditional recipe that used many years from generation to next one.

Whereas in some countries, they often eat baked meat with mashed potatoes, Vietnamese has a similar special habit of eating. Because of its greasy taste; Vietnamese often eat pho accompanying vegetables to make the balance taste. There are many kinds of vegetables such as lettuce, been sprouts, coriander or basil. Besides vegetables, each place has other dishes which are served accompanied. That is another plus mark for them.

Now, I think it is time you wanted to search in Google “where can you get the best pho in Ha Noi?” Ha Noi Free Tour Guide has list of top 5 the best places for you.

 SPECIAL RESTAURANT PHO IN HANOI

 MUSIC COFFEE
  • Address: 7th Hang Thung, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
  • About: Although it is not as famous as traditional places, it attracts customers by a unique characteristic. That is the mixture between music and pho, modern and tradition.

It is a good choice for people who want to listen to good songs while eating a pho bowl. I think it is a wonderful experience for you.

  • Reviews: This place is wonderful. Its  decor and songs make us very impressed. The service and food was great. Spring roll and Pho is the best.
PHO SUONG (EXTREMELY  HAPPY PHO)
  • Address: 24th Trung Yen, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi.
  • About: its name makes the first impression on people because of its strange. Owner explains that “in order to make Gods (the way Vietnamese call their customers) curious and extremely happy when they eat here, I choose that name.” in addition, the broth is a plus mark for customers. Sliced meat in pho is appreciated highly. It is sweet and soft enough to eat.
  • Opening time: 5h30 am to 11h am

4h30 pm to 9h30 pm.

  • Price: from 15000 VND to 39000VN
  • Reviews: John “ the best pho i have ever tried. I think it is one for the best thing  i can’t forget about Viet Nam.”

local-flavor-pho-hanoi-chicken-noodles-soup

PHO THIN
  • Address: 13th Lo Duc, Ha Noi.
  • About: the place has been famous for more than 30 years. Its specialty is broth’s taste which is made of steamy bone’s sweet and seasoning. You are severed accompanying “ quay” ( a dish made of tapioca). It is a distinguish characteristic of  Pho Thin. The place is often crowed from morning till evening.
  • Opening time: 6:00 am to 8:30pm
  • Price: 40.000 VND to 60.000VND
  • Reviews: Dave “  Its price is very cheap for the best beef Pho. I think the best thing of this pho is that  its stir- fried beef or chicken. Moreover, the soup is so great that I think i can’t forget.”
 10th LY QUOC SU
  • Address : +) 10th  Ly Quoc Su – 0438.257.338

+)  42th  Hang Voi – 0915088586

+)  N2A Hoang Minh Giam

  • About: the place attracts people by its authentic, local and taste, the good quality of meat and seasoning. Moreover, the attitude serving here is very high, especially foreigners. Chiefs are please to sever people according to their taste. Therefore, there are many foreigners choose the place to eat pho each time they visit Viet Nam.
  • Opening time: 6:30 am to 10:30 pm
  • Price: 50.000VND to 77.000 VND
  • Reviews: Chan : “the first time i have ever visited Ha Noi, I ate Pho in this place. My impression is great. I think i have to come back many times.”
 Traditional Bat Dan place.
  • Address: 49th Bat Dan, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi.
  • About: Bat Dan is one of the best traditional places that you should come first when you want to enjoy a sapid pho bowl. It can be said that Bat Dan has a great contribution to reserve the distinctive taste of pho in Ha Noi for many years. It  is not strange if you see people line up or pay first to enjoy a pho bowl here. Even if, after 9h am, if you are not hurry, pho will be sold out. It is speacial enough to prove its fame.
  • Opening time:
    • 6am to 10am
    • 6pm to 8h30 pm.
  • Price: because of its unique taste, its price is quite high from 30.000 VND to 55.000VND.
  • Reviews: Gruu: “Oh mu God. I have tried many kinds of Pho but Pho in bat Dan is the best dish in the world.

I hope you have your choice now. So it is time went out and enjoyed a pho bowl at least one time but I think you won’t eat pho only one time. Let’s try it!!!

Vietnam is not only famous for best pho hanoi, but also distinctively strong of coffee. Let’s click What to eat to add information about hightlight coffee shop in Hanoi, and coffee filter in Hanoi.