Blog "Real Hanoi Bicycle Experience"

De beste dingen om te doen in Hanoi!

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 03:33:41 GMT

De beste dingen om te doen in Hanoi!

De stad Hanoi zit vol met gedenkwaardige en goedkope ervaringen. We hebben de vrijheid genomen om een paar van onze favorieten op te sommen, maar aan het eind van de dag kun je de stad Hanoi verkennen. Natuurlijk kunnen we je helpen met een aantal geweldige tours en ervaringen van een halve dag, maar de beste manier om een stad te leren kennen, is verdwalen in die stad. Dus mijn advies aan jou zou zijn om je koffers in te pakken, je meest comfortabele wandelschoenen aan te trekken en de prachtige symfonie van chaos in Hanoi binnen te gaan.

Als dat veel te afschrikwekkend voor je klinkt, kom dan eerst langs bij ons kantoor op 62 Hang Buom, geniet van een gratis heerlijke ijskoffie en we sturen je in de goede richting.

Drink wat Bia bij een Bia Hoi in "Old Quarter' van Hanoi

De Bia Hoi, letterlijk vertaald naar vers bier, is een typisch element van Noord-Vietnam. Het is ook een heel moeilijk concept om uit te leggen aan iemand die er nog nooit is geweest. Het is geen bar, geen taverne en zeker geen pub. Maar in zekere zin zijn het al deze drie dingen, zonder er helemaal één van te zijn ... Denk aan een Bia Hoi als een straat kraam, maar in plaats van gefrituurde lekkernijen die de slagader blokkeren, serveren ze bier en heel veel. Het bier wordt geserveerd als vat uit fusten en het is een welkome toevluchtsoord tegen de hitte van Hanoi. Het bier zelf is een licht bier vergeleken met de bieren uit Europa, maar dat is maar goed ook; het laatste wat je wilt doen op een 40 C-dag is worstelen met een donker en zwaar Belgisch biertje. Gezien het lagere alcoholgehalte van het bier is de Bia Hoi niet gemaakt om dronken te worden, maar eerder als een ontmoetingsplaats voor de lokale bevolking, waar ze verhalen kunnen delen en elkaar kunnen ontmoeten en contact kunnen leggen met hun buren, vrienden, collega's of om zaken te doen.

Peanuts and beer, the classic combination you'll always find at a Bia Hoi!

Source: http://reatimes.vn/quan-quanh-bia-hoi-37691.html

Je vindt een Bia Hoi in bijna elke straat in Hanoi, normaal gesproken aangegeven door kleine plastic tafels en stoelen en een, meestal, groot rood en geel spandoek met een vatbier erop. Kom gerust langs bij een van deze mooie etablissementen als je de behoefte voelt om je op te frissen tijdens je verkenning van de stad. Maar als je de sociale sfeer wilt zien of wilt proeven die de Bia Hoi biedt, moet je de Ta Hien-bierstraat in de oude wijk bezoeken. Kom 8 uur 's avonds en deze straat verandert van een volgzaam steegje in een snelstromende rivier van bier, gelach en verhalen! Zorg ervoor dat u op tijd uw tafel krijgt en leun achterover en kijk hoe de waanzin zich ontvouwt terwijl u geniet van een ijskoud biertje. Zoals altijd, wanneer grote groepen mensen samenkomen, neemt de kans toe dat er iets mis kan gaan, dus wees je bewust van je bezittingen en waardevolle spullen, of beter nog, laat ze achter in de kluis van je hotel en neem alleen je benodigdheden mee voor je hoppige nacht van plezier!

Ervaar Hoan Kiem tijdens 'walking street'.

Hoan Kiem at night, truly a sight to behold!

Source: https://hif.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:Night_in_Hanoi,_over_Hoan_Kiem_Lake_(2005).jpg

De Vietnamezen weten echt hoe ze het beste van het weekend kunnen vermaken. Daarom kom je op vrijdag om 18.00 uur vreemde dingen tegen in Hoan Kiem en de omliggende gebieden. Het eerste dat opvalt, zijn in het groen geklede politieagenten die barricades de weg op slepen - maak je geen zorgen, je bent niet in een streng beveiligde zone gelopen, het is gewoon ter voorbereiding op de, binnenkort te beginnen, weekendwandeling die vindt elk weekend plaats rond het meer. Over ongeveer 30 minuten zullen de wegen rond het meer volledig verstoken zijn van auto's of motoren. In hun plaats zullen kinderen de straten veroveren en rondrijden in speelgoedauto's, badmintonnen, straatstalletjes met allerlei soorten waren, geïmproviseerde muziekuitvoeringen en zelfs wat stijldansen - compleet met pakken en japonnen!

Verken de stad op de fiets

Dus je hebt de stad Hanoi verkend, je hebt alles gezien wat er te zien is en je hebt alle rondleidingen gehad die je maar kunt hebben ... Maar je hebt nog steeds dit zeurende gevoel, iets dat je zegt dat er moet zijn meer, er moet een kant van Hanoi zijn die ik nog niet heb verkend. Wij zijn het van harte met u eens. Daarom hebben we bij Friends Travel Vietnam meer dan 1750 uur geïnvesteerd in het creëren van een uniek authentieke Hanoi-ervaring: The Real Hanoi Bicycle Experience! De Real Hanoi Bicycle Experience is in 2017 gestart door de oprichters van Friends Travel Vietnam onder een nieuw bedrijf genaamd "Biking Around Vietnam". Sidney, een Nederlander, en zijn Vietnamese vrouw, Thao, besloten om hun expertise en passie te concentreren op het creëren van een tour die zowel uniek als ecologisch duurzaam is.

Real Hanoi Bicycle Experience

Source: https://www.liesronddewereld.nl/fietsen-in-hanoi-doe-de-real-hanoi-bicycle-experience/

Verken de stad vanuit de stoel van je op maat gemaakte fiets in Europese stijl terwijl we je meenemen op een 15 km lange tocht van 3,5 uur door de stad Hanoi, die zelfs de meeste inwoners zelden te zien krijgen. Deze ervaring is perfect voor iedereen die comfortabel op de fiets zit, jong of oud, in een groep of alleen, op reis met je familie of vrienden. Maar wees gewaarschuwd, als je een standaard verkenning van Hanoi wilt, moet je ergens anders zoeken, De Real Hanoi Bicycle Experience is allesbehalve standaard. Neem vandaag nog contact met ons op om uw fiets te boeken!

Laat je smaakpapillen rollen met een streetfood-tour

Vietnam heeft een van de meest intrigerende keukens ter wereld. Het wordt gekenmerkt door het gebruik van frisse en levendige smaken, gecombineerd met zoete, pittige en soms pittige smaken om iets compleet nieuws en authentieks te creëren. En Hanoi is een van de culinaire epicentra van Vietnam, zo niet het centrum als het gaat om uitgebalanceerde smaken en smaken. Hanoi verschilt van de rest van Vietnam in die zin dat deze stad veel meer belang hecht aan de subtiliteit van de smaken in de gerechten, in plaats van te gaan voor je gezichtsmaken waar het zuiden beroemd om is geworden. Je hoeft niet ver te gaan om een eetgelegenheid in Hanoi te vinden. Bijna elke straat zit er vol mee, of het nu is in de gedaante van grote restaurants, kleine gezinsrestaurants of de eenvoudige straatventer die hun overheerlijke waren verkoopt.

Maar waar moet je beginnen met zoveel te bieden? Ongeacht het enorme aantal beschikbare opties, de taalbarrière staat je ook in de weg. Voeg daar dan de kennis van toe hoe het eigenlijk zou moeten smaken en hoeveel het zou moeten kosten, en je zult merken dat je snel verdrinkt in de troebele wateren van onzekerheid.

Daarom adviseren we gasten die met ons reizen altijd om het eerste wat ze doen na het inchecken in hun hotel een streetfood-tour te maken. Een streetfood-tour fungeert als een onschatbare spoedcursus, waardoor je heel specifieke inzichten krijgt in de lokale keuken. Dit is informatie en kennis die niet alleen handig is tijdens uw verblijf in Hanoi, maar ook tijdens uw reizen in Vietnam.

Boek nu Real Hanoi Street Food Experience

The Real Hanoi Street Food Experience - a street food tour without comparison!

Source: https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/bookings/real-hanoi-street-food-tour/

Maak een wandeltocht rond alle belangrijke bezienswaardigheden van Hanoi

Een wandeltocht is een van de beste manieren om de meeste, zo niet alle belangrijkste en leuke, bijzondere bezienswaardigheden van Hanoi te zien. Afhankelijk of je hem zelf loopt of uit de gidsboeken en van de tour die je kiest en de prijs die je bereid bent te betalen, kan de tour variëren van 1,5 uur tot 3,5 uur, waarbij de laatste opties meestal inclusief lunch of diner zijn, dus ze geven je meer knal voor je buck. Natuurlijk heb je als klant het laatste woord over hoeveel je aan zo'n ervaring wilt uitgeven.

Maar we zullen ons werk niet doen als we u niet op zijn minst het volgende advies hebben gegeven: als u besluit een wandeltocht te maken, kies dan voor een volledig gratis of bereid bent om wat meer geld uit te geven contact ons dan even voor de "Walkie Talkie Toer". De reden hiervoor is vrij eenvoudig; in Vietnam krijg je meestal waar je voor betaalt. Dit is een advies dat betrekking heeft op bijna elk te koop product, inclusief rondleidingen en ervaringen. De reden waarom we ons op ons gemak voelen bij het adviseren van een gratis rondleiding, is dat de gratis rondleiding meestal wordt uitgevoerd door middelbare scholieren of universiteitsstudenten die hun Engelse taalvaardigheid willen oefenen.

Hoewel ze geen toegewijde gidsen zijn, hebben ze nog steeds geweldige kennis, verhalen en inzichten over de plaatsen waar ze hun gasten naartoe brengen. Ook, terwijl de tour gratis is, wordt een fooi van fooi beloond die goede service of enthousiasme beloont. Als je deelneemt aan een gratis rondleiding en niet wordt geleid door een student, moet je voorzichtig zijn, omdat dit soms een oplichterij blijkt te zijn waarbij de gidsen hun gasten naar winkels en restaurants brengen tegen hoge prijzen.

Thang Long Citadel in Hanoi is an absolute must see!

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/hanoi-best-things-to-do-see-vietnam-at-night-old-quarter-ho-chi-minh-mausoleum-a8346451.html

Wat betreft de goedkopere wandeltochtopties, we adviseren deze niet aan onze gasten. Ja, natuurlijk ben je misschien een van de weinige gelukkigen en krijg je een geweldige tour voor een zacht prijsje, maar de feedback die we hebben ontvangen tijdens onze tijd als een toonaangevende touroperator was overweldigend negatief. Zoals we al zeiden, in Vietnam krijg je meestal waar je voor betaalt en een koopje is maar een koopje voor zo lang. Dus aan het eind van de dag heb je twee opties, ga gratis en steun een lokale student met een felbegeerde taalpraktijk, of betaal een beetje meer en beleef een echt onvergetelijke Hanoiaanse ervaring.

Bekijk een waterpoppenshow in het Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Water Puppetry is zo Vietnamees en Hanoiaans als Pho Bo en Bun Cha! Deze oude kunst ontwikkelde zich ergens rond de 11e eeuw en is sindsdien een trots onderdeel van het Vietnamese erfgoed. Tegenwoordig zijn er verschillende beroemde waterpoppentheaters waar je deze kunstvorm kunt waarderen, waarbij Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre waarschijnlijk de beroemdste van het lot is.

De kunst van waterpoppenspel heeft een zeer bescheiden oorsprong en wordt oorspronkelijk uitgevoerd in echte rijstvelden. Er zou een kleine tempel op de padie worden gebouwd om de poppenspelers te verdoezelen, terwijl het voorste deel van de padie open zou worden gelaten om als waterig podium te dienen. Deze shows waren sterk verbonden met de onlangs voltooide rijstoogst, en de thema's van de shows zouden dat weerspiegelen.

De poppen zelf zijn buitengewoon ingewikkeld en sommigen van hen wegen meer dan 15 kilogram. De normale werking van zo'n grote pop kan omslachtig zijn, maar het vermogen van de poppen om in het water te drijven vermindert dit effect enorm en zorgt voor heerlijk levensechte uitvoeringen van de houten figuren.

Tegenwoordig zijn deze shows veel ingewikkelder dan hun oude tegenhangers, waarbij elke show wordt begeleid door een traditioneel Vietnamees orkest om achtergrondmuziek te leveren. De instrumenten worden effectief gebruikt om het verhaal te vertellen, waarbij een lichte en nobele bamboefluit wordt gebruikt om koninklijke figuren te begeleiden, terwijl drums en cimbalen worden gebruikt om de dreiging van een snel naderende vuurspuwende draak aan te kondigen. Singers of Chèo, een vorm van opera uit het noorden van Vietnam, fungeert als het verhaal van de show waarbij ze het verhaal zingen dat wordt gespeeld door de poppen. Een interessant kenmerk is dat deze zangers vaak, wat bekend is in het westerse theater, de vierde muur zouden breken om de personages te waarschuwen of aan te moedigen, wat het verschil tussen deze kunstvorm en zijn westerse tegenhangers verder benadrukt.

Experience a puppet show like no other!

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_puppetry

Het algemene thema van de waterpoppenshows is die van een agrarische achtergrond, waarbij de verhalen meestal plaatsvinden tegen een landelijke achtergrond. De thema's zijn ook sterk gericht op Vietnamese folklore die draait om de oogst, visserij of festivals. Het meest populaire type producties is het hervertellen van normale dagelijkse activiteiten, vaak in een humoristische stijl. Houd het personage van Chu Teu in de gaten, of letterlijk oom lach, die gemakkelijk herkenbaar is aan zijn kale hoofd en twee paardenstaarten die aan elke kant uitkomen. Chu Teu is een geestig personage, gemaakt om komische opluchting toe te voegen en plezier te maken aan onderwerpen die normaal gesproken als taboe zouden worden beschouwd, zoals corruptie en andere sociale kwalen.

Dit zijn slechts enkele van de dingen die u kunt doen terwijl u in Hanoi bent, maar geloof ons, als we alle mogelijkheden in deze blog moeten opsommen, hebben we een boekdeal nodig. Als je advies wilt over wat je kunt doen tijdens je aanstaande reis, neem dan gerust contact met ons op , of als je al in Hanoi bent, kom dan langs voor een heerlijke ijskoffie op ons kantoor op 62 Hang Buom!

Wooohoooo!

Bedankt voor het lezen en interesse van onze blog , we hopen dat je ervan genoten hebt! Bij " Friends Travel Vietnam & Biking Around Vietnam " is het onze missie om uw verblijf in ons prachtige land zo onvergetelijk mogelijk te maken. Een van de manieren waarop we dat doen, is door het aanbieden van informatieve blogs van hoge kwaliteit, zoals degene die je net hebt gelezen!

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Ontdek Hanoi! - Deel 1/3: Populaire bezienswaardigheden

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 03:18:38 GMT

De beste manieren om je te verplaatsen in Hanoi

Er is nooit genoeg tijd om deze duizend jaar oude stad te ontdekken van Hanoi te ontdekken, daarom kan slim vervoer en een goed plan de reistijd verkorten en uw plezier vergroten. Het bespaart u urenlang vast komen te zitten in het verkeer, of geeft u zelfs een fijne tijd om op uw gemak door de stad te reizen tijdens uw beperkte verblijf.

Ontdek Hanoi! - Deel 1/3: Populaire bezienswaardigheden...

De Vietnamese hoofdstad van Hanoi is een litanie van kleuren, smaken, bezienswaardigheden en ervaringen die wachten om ontdekt en verder ontdekt te worden. De uitdaging voor elke reiziger die deze chaotisch mooie stad bezoekt, is dat ze zich vrij gemakkelijk overweldigd kunnen voelen door de pure energie van de plek. In al haar talloze straten en steegjes vind je honderden scooters zigzaggend hun weg naar hun bestemming; een overvloed aan kleine restaurants waarvan de geurige gerechten de straten vullen met heerlijke geuren; en net zo veel strandventers en kleine winkeltjes, die alles verkopen, van souvenirs tot een nieuw paar slippers. Onnodig te zeggen dat reizigers zelden weten waar ze moeten beginnen als het gaat om het verkennen van Hanoi. Gelukkig voor jou, daar zijn we voor.

In de volgende paar blogposts bekijken we enkele van de beste bezienswaardigheden die Hanoi te bieden heeft. In deel één kijken we naar enkele van de meest populaire bezienswaardigheden, terwijl we in deel twee kijken naar de tempels en gebedshuizen. Ten slotte proberen we de grijze massa te stimuleren door in deel 3 alle musea van Hanoi te bekijken.

Als je er zeker van wilt zijn dat je geen van onze blogs mist, meld je dan aan voor onze mailinglijst!

Maak een wandeling rond het Hoan Kiem-meer

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoàn_Kiếm_District

Het Hoan Kiem-meer staat bekend als het meer van het teruggekeerde zwaard. De legende stelt dat toen Vietnam voor een groot gevaar stond, een magisch zwaard uit de hemel neerdaalde. Keizer Ly Thai To hanteerde dit zwaard en overwon de vijanden van Vietnam. Nadat hij een nieuwe vreedzame periode had ingesteld, besloot de keizer dat hij wat tijd aan het meer zou besteden. Een enorme gouden schildpad verscheen, vroeg om het zwaard terug en beloofde dat het zal worden teruggegeven tijdens de moeilijke tijden van Vietnam. Dus keizer Ly Thai To gaf het zwaard immers terug, men maakt geen ruzie met een gigantische gouden schildpad, vooral als hij kan praten.

Vandaag kun je door het rustige hart van Hanoi wandelen en genieten van de met bomen omzoomde straatjes, kleine cafe's en verschillende monumenten tijdens je wandeling. De Ngoc Son-tempel bevindt zich hier ook, evenals een van de meest populaire waterpoppentheaters in Hanoi. Voor een volledige verandering van tempo, probeer Hoan Kiem 's nachts in het weekend te bezoeken, wanneer het hele merengebied een aangewezen wandelgebied is zonder auto's of motorfietsen. Een ronde rond het meer is 1,6 km, dus zorg ervoor dat u uw wandeling 's ochtends of' s avonds laat plant - de weelderige schaduwen van de bomen kunnen alleen zoveel bescherming bieden tegen de Vietnamese middagzon.

Geniet van de zonsondergang boven West Lake

Source: https://www.facebook.com/marcus.lacey1

Tay Ho of West Lake is het grootste meer van Hanoi en als woonwijk vol Boheemse koffiebars, bars en restaurants en biedt iets heel anders dan het Hoan Kiem-meer of de oude wijk (Old Quarter) van Hanoi. Hier is het leven wat meer ontspannen met een mix van lokale bewoners en ex-pats die hun dagelijkse leven op hun eigen Tay-Ho-manier doorlopen. De beste manier om deze welkome verandering van tempo te ervaren, is door 's ochtends vroeg een wandeling te maken door Tay Ho, of neer te strijken voor een kopje koffie of sundowners en te kijken naar de prachtige zonsondergang die het meer te bieden heeft. Dit gebied beschikt ook over enkele van de belangrijkste religieuze plaatsen en monumenten van Hanoi.

Geniet van het uitzicht vanaf de Lotte-wolkenkrabber

Source: https://www.citypassguide.com/travel/ha-noi/attractions/blog/lotte-center-hanoi-and-observation-deck

Het Lotte Centre domineert de skyline van Hanoi en is een icoon geworden van de economische groei en vooruitstrevende vooruitzichten van de stad. Hoewel het niet het hoogste gebouw in Hanoi is, is het het hoogste gebouw in de binnenstad van Hanoi, met een indrukwekkende hoogte van 270 meter. De top van de Lotte-toren is open voor toeristen, compleet met een observatiedek met glazen vloer. Dit is de perfecte plek om Hanoi met een arendsoog te bekijken, maar wees gewaarschuwd: het gevoel in de lucht te staan is een gevoel dat zelfs de meest robuuste knieën zal doen trillen.

Adres: 54 Lieu Giai, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Openingstijden: 09:00 uur – 20:00 uur

Bezoek Uncle Ho’s Stilt Huis

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ho_Chi_Minh%27s_Stilt_House,_Hanoi_(2)_(24622695398).jpg

Ho Chi Minh, of oom Ho zoals Hanoians hem liefkozend noemen, is heel erg de vader van het moderne Vietnam. Een gevierd staatsman die vocht voor onafhankelijkheid tegen de Japanners, Fransen en Amerikanen, je zult zijn gezicht overal in Vietnam zien, van bankbiljetten tot muurschilderingen en enorme portretten buiten scholen en overheidsgebouwen. Bij een bezoek aan zijn paalwoning krijg je een idee van het type man dat Ho Chi Minh was. Hij verliet de weelderige residentie van de gouverneur van Indochina voor een bescheiden traditioneel paalhuis waar hij woonde terwijl hij zijn land leidde. Hoewel de residentie zelf niet toegankelijk is voor het publiek, is de tuin en de omgeving nog steeds een bezoek waard.

Adres: So 1 Ngo Bach Thao, Ngoc Ho, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Openingstijden: Dinsdag – Zondag: 08:00 uur – 16:00 uur; Maandag: 08:00 uur – 11:00 uur

Geniet van een show in het beroemde operagebouw van Hanoi

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi_Opera_House

Overblijfselen van het koloniale verleden van Vietnam zijn overal in het land zichtbaar, van de invloed in de keuken tot de verschillende stijlen van architectuur die te zien zijn. In het Hanoi Opera House vind je misschien wel het meest indrukwekkende voorbeeld van Franse architectuur in heel Hanoi. Dit prachtige neoklassieke gebouw is een bezienswaardigheid in de oude wijk van Hanoi. Tegenwoordig worden er verschillende Vietnamese producties gehouden die de moeite van het vooruit boeken en een show zeker waard zijn! Een kaartje voor een optreden kost ongeveer $ 30,00 per persoon, maar de shows worden sterk aanbevolen, vooral de traditionele Vietnamese Bamboo-shows!

Adres: So 01 Trang Tien, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem

Openingstijden: Afhankelijk van shows.

Bekijk de vlagceremonie in het mausoleum van Ho Chi Minh

Source: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/flag-pulling-ceremony-in-a-rainy-day-ho-chi-minh-mausoleum-news-photo/465275619

Het mausoleum van Ho Chi Minh is een van de meest indrukwekkende bezienswaardigheden van heel Vietnam. De enorme marmeren monumenten staan voor een enorm en goed onderhouden gazon, met een gigantische Vietnamese vlag die in de wind zwaait. De ceremonie van het hijsen en neerlaten van de vlag is echt een ervaring die wordt ervaren, waarbij honderden lokale bewoners hun motoren naast de weg stoppen om getuige te zijn van de militaire precisie waarmee deze taak is voltooid. De plechtigheid vindt elke dag om 6 en 21 uur plaats.

Let op: het is mogelijk om het mausoleum zelf te bezoeken, maar bezoekers moeten er rekening mee houden dat ze de begraafplaats van een nationale held bezoeken, dus er is voldoende eerbied nodig. Kleed je bescheiden, geen open schoenen, blote schouders of blote knieën. Probeer ook geen foto's te maken, een hoed te dragen of met uw handen in uw zakken te staan. Dit zijn allemaal tekenen van gebrek aan respect.

Adres: 2 Hung Vuong, Dien Ban, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Openingstijden: Deze tijden geven de toegankelijkheid van het mausoleum zelf aan:

maandag - gesloten. Dinsdag, woensdag en donderdag - 7:30 - 10:30 uur. Vrijdag - Gesloten. Zaterdag en zondag - 07.30 uur - 11.00 uur.

Herontdek de geschiedenis in de keizerlijke citadel van Thang Long

De keizerlijke citadel van Thang Long was de officiële zetel van het Vietnamese bestuur tot 1810 toen de keizers van de Nguyen-dynastie ervoor kozen om hun hoofdstad naar de stad Hue te verplaatsen. Omdat de citadel niet meer in gebruik was, raakte hij in snel verval en werd hij door de Fransen en de Japanners gebruikt als kazerne en gevangenenkampen. In de afgelopen tijd heeft meer en meer interesse in de geschiedenis van Hanoi ervoor gezorgd dat er georganiseerde opgravingen hebben plaatsgevonden, en de hernieuwde interesse zorgde ervoor dat de Citadel op 31 juli 2010 werd uitgeroepen tot UNESCO-werelderfgoed - wat mooi samenvalt met de 1000-jarige viering van Hanoi als de hoofdstad van Vietnam.

De Citadel is nog steeds zeker een bezoek waard, met verschillende oude overblijfselen die daar worden ontdekt en enkele van de beste voorbeelden van middeleeuwse Vietnamese architectuur worden tentoongesteld. Enkele van de bezienswaardigheden die het ontdekken waard zijn, zijn de Doan Mon-poort, de Flag Tower, The Dragon Steps of Hinh Thien Palace en de Hau Lau, of The Princess 'Palace.

Adres: 19C Hoang Dieu, Dien Ban, Ba Dinh.

Openingstijden: maandag - gesloten. De rest van de week: 08.00 - 17.00 uur.

Bezoek Quan Chuong City Gate - een portaal naar een andere tijd.

Net om de hoek van ons kantoor op Hang Buom Street 62, stuit je op een merkwaardige aanblik. Aan het einde van de Hang Chieu-straat staat een monument voor een lang vergeten leeftijd, de imposante figuur van de oude oostelijke poort. Dit moment herinnert ons aan het keizerlijke verleden van Hanoi, een tijdperk waarin karren trekken door buffels de norm was, in plaats van duizenden zigzaggende motoren. De nevenschikking van de oude en de moderne bijeenkomst van Hanoi bij deze oude poort is zo opvallend dat het bijna grenst aan het surrealistische. De Old East-poort is een perfecte gelegenheid voor zowel de deskundige als de amateurfotograaf om hun vaardigheden aan te scherpen, of zelfs om gewoon die perfecte Instagram-post te maken, als dat is waar je zin in hebt.

Adres: O Quang Chuong, Dong Xuan, Joan Kiem

Openingstijden: Altijd open, maar het is raadzaam om 's nachts te bezoeken wanneer de poort verlicht is.

Dus dat sluit deel een van deze driedelige blogpost af! Vergeet niet uit te kijken naar deel twee, waarin we de tempels en gebedshuizen van Hanoi zullen bekijken.

Als je er zeker van wilt zijn dat je niets mist, meld je dan aan voor onze mailinglijst!

Wooohoooo!

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Tay Ho - Hanoi’s (other) lake of myths and legends

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 08:29:04 GMT

Tay Ho - Hanoi’s (other) lake of myths and legends

People visiting Hanoi can sometimes leave Vietnam’s capital with vastly different experiences. One traveller might return home with tales about colourful temples and rituals, while another may go home a bit dazed and confused, utterly overwhelmed by the frantic pace of life in Hanoi’s Old Quarter .

So much about your experience in Hanoi depends on where you decide to explore the city from. Don’t get us wrong, the Old Quarter is definitely a must-see when visiting this beautiful city , but it’s rather difficult to escape the chaotic beauty when you’ve booked a 4-night stay in said same chaotic beauty. That’s why more and more travellers are forsaking Hoan Kiem lake for it’s bigger, but lesser-known brother – Tay Ho . And at Friends Travel Vietnam we are always looking to enrich people’s journey through Vietnam.

That’s why we’ve gathered some of Tay Ho’s legends and myths for your reading pleasure – you know, just to give you something to think about while you’re watching a majestic Tay Ho sunset!

Where Dragons And Fairies Meet...

Tay Ho, or West Lake , can’t compare with its more famous brother when it comes to sheer tourist numbers, but it can easily compete, and sometimes even land a knockout punch when it comes to cultural and religious importance . Actually it’s a bit unfair to compare Tay Ho and the Old Quarter, they are, as the saying goes, just different sides of the same coin. The existence of one is vital to the existence of the other. However, it is important to highlight the differences between the two districts of Hanoi to know and understand what they have to offer to the traveller looking to explore Hanoi. To start with the Old Quarter, as the name might suggest, is rather old. Tay Ho, on the other hand, is a relatively new addition to the city of Hanoi, only becoming an official district of the city in 1995.

That’s not to say that Tay Ho district wasn’t considered as part of Hanoi pre-1995, on the contrary, it was an important part of agricultural, religious and cultural life. It was just so sparsely populated that no one went through the paperwork of incorporating it into Hanoi. This also serves to explain the difference in the pace of the two districts. Historically the Old Quarter was always Hanoi’s economic hub , while Tay Ho was a producer of goods sold in the Old Quarter, whether it be fish, noodles, or pottery. This means the natural pace of life in Tay Ho was more laid back – one cannot rush fish into biting, noodles into drying, or pots into hardening. Of course, the only constant in life is change, and the pace of living in Tay Ho is quickening, but it’s nowhere near that of the mercantile Old Quarter.

One area where Tay Ho can compete with the Old Quarters is in the arena of cultural and religious importance. The Old Quarter’s Hoan Kiem Lake is famous for the legend of the “ Returning of the Sword ” a legend when a magical turtle gave the Emperor Le Loi a sword to vanquish Vietnam’s enemies with. When victory was achieved Le Loi returned the sword to the turtle and the lake, from whence it shall return in Vietnam’s hour of need. But Hoan Kiem is by no means the only mystical body of water in Vietnam’s capital… In fact, some academics may argue that the story of Hoan Kiem’s returned sword pales in importance when compared with Tay Ho’s myths, some of them reaching so far back that they serve to explain the creation of the Vietnamese people themselves.

Tay Ho produces some breathtaking vistas.

Source: Marcus Lacey www.marcuslacey.com

To understand the legends behind Tay Ho we must understand its origins. Tay Ho was formed somewhere during the 9th century owing to a change of course of the Red River. This was a difficult time in Vietnam’s history, having already suffered and endured almost a millennia of Chinese occupation and domination. In the 10th century, Vietnam would break free from her shackles and become its own sovereign nation. The close proximity in time between the formation of the lake and the liberation of the Vietnamese people ultimately caused the two events to become entangled in myth and legend. That’s why the one creation myth deals directly with the Legendary Vietnamese king, Lạc Long Quân .

Lạc Long Quân is still worshipped today

Source: http://www.viettri.gov.vn/trang-in-209.html

Lạc Long Quân is not only considered the first true king of Vietnam, but also a legendary warrior of mythical proportions. He sported impressive parentage, with both his grandfather and mother being sea dragons, his grandaddy being the, well, the grandaddy of dragons and going by the impressive title “ Dragon Lord of The Sea. ” His father, a humble mountain god, was not about to be outdone and himself sported the title of Heavenly Ruler of Xich Quy or “ Land of the Red Demons… ” With a lineage like that you cannot be anything else than a hero, right?

Lạc Long Quân got right down to the Hero business by defeating three vile and evil monsters – the first was a huge fish like monster, the second a magical fox with nine tails, and finally a nasty tree-dwelling genie. For the sake of our Tay Ho themed narrative the second monster is of interest. The legend goes that the site of the magical battle between our guy Quân and the magical nine-tailed fox was the area that today is Tay Ho. Apparently the amount of mystical fall out was so high that, after vanquishing the evil scavenger he filled the crater left behind with water, sealing the fox in a watery cave, you know, just in case. The legendary battle was remembered in the earliest name T ay Ho, Đầm Xác Cáo, or Fox Corpse Swamp .

Lạc Long Quân is celebrated and remembered around Tay Ho with a temple dedicated to him and a street carrying his name. But it would be impossible to talk about Lạc Long Quân without mentioning his estranged wife, Au Co . She’s also immortalised in one of Tay Ho’s streets, a street separated from her husband’s street by the Lake itself. The reason for this will become clearer later on…

The temple in Tay Ho dedicated to Lạc Long Quân

Source: http://baodulich.net.vn/Tham-den-tho-Quoc-To-Lac-Long-Quan-15-15339.html

The love story between Lạc Long Quân and Au Co begins with war . A northern tribe invaded Vietnam and imposed foreign rule upon its populous. During this time Lạc Long Quân was taking a brief sabbatical, presumably exhausted by his monster-slaying antics. When the new ruler turned out to be a rather nasty character the local people implored Lạc Long Quân to come and save them in their hour of need. He heeded their pleas and returned as a brilliantly handsome man causing the would-be ruler’s daughter, Au Co, to fall deeply in love with him.

He whisked her away with him, and when Au Co’s father tried to get her back destroyed his army with magic, causing him to retreat back north. Lạc Long Quân and Au Co continued their romance in his mountain fortress where Au Co gave birth to a 100 sons (the original 100 families of Vietnam according to legend), and the quaint family of 102 lived happily ever after, for a short while at least…

Lạc Long Quân and Au Co’s romance was doomed from the very start: she was a fairy princess and he was a dragon and that’s a bridge too far, even for the most magical of relationships. So after the boys reached adulthood they sat down and decided that, although they truly love each other, their habits and customs were too different. Plus she was fire (fairy) and he was water (dragon) and those two can’t mix.

So they did the only sensible thing and separated, with Au Co joining her faerie-kin in the mountains with 50 of the sons and Lạc Long Quân retiring to his underwater palace with the other 50 sons . From there they would be able to help each other out in times of need, while also guarding their respective realms: Au Co keeping an eye on her mountainous highlands while Lạc Long Quân protects the lowlands.

Lý Quốc Sư was once just a monk, but today he is revered as a saint

Source: https://www.dogophongthuy.com.vn/tuong-khong-minh-go-huong-cao-cap.html

It’s quite extraordinary to note that the importance and poetry of this legend extends even to Tay Ho’s municipal planners , who decided to name two streets in honour of the lovers… In the northern Nhat Tan ward of the Tay Ho district you’ll find a literal fork in the road. The one road heads down the eastern side of West Lake and is called Au Co. The other one hugs the western shore of the lake and is called Lạc Long Quân. The two streets start at exactly the same point and they never meet again… And here I thought city and town planners were a boring and unimaginative bunch!

But that might all be bull…

A golden bull, that is . According to another legend, the formation of Tay Ho had nothing to do with Lạc Long Quân or his fairy wife Au Co. They point to the name the lake carried a couple of centuries later as a clue: Hồ Trâu Vàng or The Lake Of The Golden Buffalo.

The story centres around Vietnamese Buddhist monk named Lý Quốc Sư (Minh Khong in Chinese script) , a clever and cunning fellow who made a name for himself as a healer – so much so that he is worshipped to this day as a Buddhist saint throughout Vietnam. After Lý Quốc Sư healed the king of Vietnam he was invited to China to see if he can save the Chinese Emperor.

Lý Quốc Sư travelled to China and healed the Chinese Emperor as well as a bunch of other people along the way. The Emperor was extremely grateful and offered Lý Quốc Sư any treasure his heart desired. Lý Quốc Sư was a wise man and instead of opting for gold or silver he decided that he would want to be rewarded with knowledge . He was impressed by the level of craftsmanship shown throughout the Middle Kingdom especially when it came to their metallurgy skills. Therefore he asked to be rewarded with this knowledge and some copper ore to take back to Vietnam. The Emperor duly agreed and Lý Quốc Sư returned to his native Vietnam. The place he returned to was Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist Pagoda in all of Hanoi. The Pagoda is situated on the South-Eastern shore of Tay Ho, but presumably, back when Lý Quốc Sư returned there was no lake to speak of…

The young bull reunited with his mother

Source: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/ha-tay.html

Once he arrived at the pagoda he started putting his newfound knowledge to the test. His efforts culminated in the casting of a giant copper bell . People gathered from far and wide to be present the very first time the bell was rung. Finally, the day arrived and Lý Quốc Sư rung the bell. The sound that emulated from the bell was so pure that it travelled over the mountains into the kingdom of China. In the Emperor’s garden the sound resonated with his prized possession, a young water buffalo bull statue, made entirely from gold .

The sound caused the buffalo to become alive. The buffalo believed the bell to be his mother calling him so he charged southwards until he came to Tran Quoc Pagoda . Distressed by the fact that he couldn’t find his mother even though she kept calling him he started milling around the pagoda. As his search became more frantic the ground around him became more tilled and muddy. Eventually, the golden buffalo bull got stuck in the mud, but he refused to stop struggling while his mother still called to him.

After a while the muddy hole that he found himself stuck in was so large and deep that he collapsed, exhausted and crying. The tears from the buffalo collected in this muddy hole and Tay Ho was formed . To this day the Golden Buffalo is worshipped and the statue dedicated to him shows him reunited with his mother, which is nice considering the teary and traumatic self-inflicted death he suffered.

Lý Quốc Sư was once just a monk, but today he is revered as a saint

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/hanoi-best-things-to-do-see-vietnam-at-night-old-quarter-ho-chi-minh-mausoleum-a8346451.html

Today the Golden Buffalo statue is not only an important religious icon , but it’s also a symbol of the wealth that West Lake generated throughout its existence. It’s not a coincidence that the formation of Tay Ho preceded the formation of Hanoi and it’s Old Quarter by a hundred years. Tay Ho was and is a bountiful natural resource for Hanoi and it’s people. The Golden Buffalo Statue serves to remind us of that fact . It also serves as a reminder that there are legends and folklore around every corner of Hanoi, and especially Tay Ho.

Wishing you safe and unforgettable travels throughout Vietnam!

Wooohoooo!

Thanks for reading and supporting our blog , we hope you enjoyed it! A t " Friends Travel Vietnam & Biking Around Vietnam " it is our mission to make your stay in our beautiful country as unforgettable as possible. One of the ways we do that is by providing high quality and informative blogs, like the one you just read!

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What’s the point of a street food tour, anyway?

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 07:15:21 GMT

What’s the point of a street food tour, anyway?

A while back I was sat at one of my favourite Bia Hoi (If you want to know more about the glorious institution that is a Bia Hoi, check out our “ What is a Bia Hoi, exactly? ” blog post) having a few beers with some of my friends. This weekly meeting has become somewhat of an unintended tradition, due to the fact that this particular Bia Hoi is on the way to each of our respective homes. So it almost always happens that one of us stops for some quick refreshment on their way home after a long day’s work. The next punter on his/her way home would then see one of our merry little crew already having a beer and join them. This process will repeat itself until we are a party about ten or fifteen souls strong. What happens next is inevitable, given the constant flow of beers and good company – someone will order some food. This will create a chain reaction during which we all suddenly realize that we are a bit peckish , with our bellies now sufficiently lined by the light and refreshing Vietnamese lagers.

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It was exactly at such a point that something happened which made me question what I knew, or thought I knew, about Vietnamese food . It started because of a simple question, asked by one of my friends to his girlfriend: “What’s that dish I like, the one with the fried noodles and beef?” without skipping a beat, I answered “ Pho Xao Bo .” then I hesitated a moment, seeing the glassy-eyed expression he was sporting. “Wait…” I said, “were the noodles wide and flat or yellow and curly?” Suddenly there was life in his eyes again. “Yellow and curly!” he exclaimed. “Then it’s mi xao bo .” I promptly replied. That should have been the end of it really, but what followed was some critique from the rest of the table, mainly asking my Mi Xao Bo loving friend how he’s been in Vietnam for a year without knowing how to pronounce his favourite dish? There were a couple of jokes and jibes before the conversation turned towards the Vietnamese food tradition … And all of a sudden I found myself doing most of the talking. Without any real effort, I was explaining the different philosophies behind the Vietnamese cuisine , how to know which noodles you’ll get with different dishes and whether a dish was grilled over a fire, or just fried in a pan.

Vietnamese food is known for it's vibrant and well balanced flavours.

Source: Marcus Lacey https://www.marcuslacey.com

It was as if I was channelling the spirit of some great deceased Vietnamese chef extraordinaire , and I didn’t really know how or where my information was coming from… My wife, on the other hand, knew exactly what and who I was channelling. When we got home about an hour or so later, I was about to turn to her and say “Wow, I was on fire!” when she smirked and said, “You know you were just basically repeating word for word what Trong told us.” I stared at her a good moment, wondering who this Trong was and how has he invaded our personal lives in such a way to impart vital knowledge about Vietnamese food before promptly disappearing? She must have seen the cognitive cogs turning because she helped me out: “ Remember the street food tour … The street food tour which you said was a waste of time… The street food tour of which you declared ‘what’s the point of street food tour, anyway?’”

And at that moment I felt like quoting Celine Dion with: “ It’s all coming back, it’s coming back to me now… ” because at that moment I remembered…

A cold glass of Bia providing welcome refuge from the heat.

Source: https://news.zing.vn/bia-hoi-chem-gio-via-he-ha-thanh-post779509.html

I remembered my wife’s insistence that we should go on a street food tour , my not so subtle irritation regarding her insistence on this fact. I remembered the pair of us making our way to the tour agency office of Friends Travel Vietnam , my wife with a skip in her step, while I trudged through the late winter rain, muttering “what’s the point of a street food tour, anyway?” Then a face came into my minds-eye, a face to match the name Trong one of the guides of Friends Travel Vietnam . His face immediately brought a smile to my face, closely followed by a sense of guilt, owing to my cynical approach to what ended up being an unforgettable, and apparently super informative, evening.

The main reason I could recall his face was because it was markedly different from the faces of other tour guides I’ve encountered throughout my journeys. Usually, the face of a tour guide is reminiscent of an aged St Bernard suffering from canine diabetes. It’s the hallmark of an industry in which tour guides are overworked and underpaid, and the first thing that goes out of the window is enthusiasm. But that was not the case with Trong. He was happy, genuinely and unabashedly so . From our first encounter, a hearty greeting and enquiry about how we were it was clear that he loved his work, he loved Vietnam, and he loved sharing his love with his guests. His warm and hospitable manner thawed my cynical attitude and within moments I was laughing and joking along. My wife took this moment to shoot me a knowing smile, the subtext being “ See, I told you this was going to be good…”

The Real Hanoi Street Food Experience V2.0 - it's beyond comparison!

Source: https://www.friendstravelvietnam.com

What followed was a 3 hour romp with the " Real Hanoi Street Food Experience " through the chaotic streets of the old quarter, searching out and visiting Trong’s favourite plastic stool ladened haunts . I can’t exactly remember each and every dish that we tried that night, because there were just so many. I think it totalled about fifteen dishes, with some speciality drinks thrown in for good measure. These dishes ranged from those which we already knew, having lived in Vietnam for a while, to brand new and exotic dishes, which we’ve never even encountered, nevermind tried… What I do remember, however , was the bubbling passion with which Trong presented the tour, where he was proud to be traint by the owner Mr. Sidney of Friends Travel Vietnam where his boss always shared with him it's all about the details and you need to have a love for people.

He made every dish come alive, explaining how they related to the culture in Vietnam, and especially to him personally. The humble Banh Mi suddenly took on another dimension, as he told us of early morning getting ready for school, with his parents quickly stopping for a delicious Vietnamese sandwich on their way. When it came to spring rolls , a mainstay of any Vietnamese street food tour, he gave us the insight of his family settling down to make this speciality for the celebration of Tet, explaining how each family member had a specific role in this process. In a moment I was reminded of my own family dynamic when we’re making pancakes and a rainy South African afternoon, and I saw the similarities even through our vast differences. In short, Trong didn’t just explain the Vietnamese cuisine to us, but rather, he gave us a glimpse into the life of the people actually making the cuisine – ultimately a priceless experience. We walked away from the tour satiated on both a physical and cultural level, and it caused me to look at Vietnamese food in a totally different manner.

Not much beats the simple freshness of a Vietnamese Banh Mi!

Source: http://sprinklesandsauce.com/lemongrass-pork-banh-mi/

That day at the Bia Hoi made me realise that I could just as easily have been the one asking: “ What’s that dish I like, the one with the fried noodles and beef? ”. If not for Trong and his presentation during the Real Street Food Experience, I probably would have. Trong and the Real Hanoi Street Food Experience made Vietnamese cuisine come alive for me in a way which it never would’ve if I had been left to my own devices. And most importantly, the entire experiences answered the question I was mumbling on my way to the tour. I now know exactly what is the point of a street food tour, and I would encourage everyone to go find this answer for themselves… With a little help from the " Real Hanoi Street Food Experience V2.0" and their dedicated guides along the way, of course!

Pho Ga Trong, a dish I discovered thanks to the Real Hanoi Street Food Experience.

Source: https://dienmaynewsun.com/cach-nau-pho-ga-tron-xi-dau-ngon-la-doi-vi-cho-bua-com-gia-dinh/

Wooohoooo!

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A Pedestrian's hands on guide to Hanoi's Traffic

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 06:41:28 GMT

A Pedestrian's hands on guide to Hanoi's Traffic.

There are certain things that stand out when one visits a foreign country. For brevity’s sake, let’s call them destination idiosyncrasies. These idiosyncrasies may contribute either positively or negatively on one’s travels in a foreign country. To avoid leaving a destination with a load of negative emotions a traveller needs to accept one cardinal rule: “Foreign countries are full of foreigners…” That is to say that people tend to do things differently in different cultures. Differently does not mean right or wrong, it just means different. This seems obvious, but when one scours the TripAdvisor and google reviews of certain travellers, the only thing that is really obvious is that this feature of travelling to strange and different lands needs to be explained at length to some people.

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Nowhere are these idiosyncrasies as clear as in South-East Asia . Walking down a city in one of these countries may make you feel like you’re on another planet, nevermind another country. But if South-East Asian cities are a different planet, then the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi is is another solar system. Even other Vietnamese from the central and southern parts of Vietnam would sometimes shake their heads in disbelief when observing their northern compatriots in action. And one of the biggest points of contention? Traffic.

Traffic in Hanoi is something else. I, for one love it. I love the feeling of organised chaos unfolding before my very eyes. It’s like watching a jazz master weave an intricate pattern of seemingly unrelated sounds into a somewhat less disjointed tapestry of unrelated sounds. But it is, of course, understood that to someone looking at this mess for the first time it can be, to say the very least, overwhelming .

Heck, the first time I was confronted with the sight I stood at the pedestrian crossing for close to 10 minutes before an elderly lady took me by the hand and guided me over the street. I still consider that moment a personal low point for my sense of masculinity. But don’t worry, you won’t have to suffer the same indignation, as long as you follow this hands-on guide for traffic in Hanoi!

PS: This is of course just a guide, and it’s by no means a foolproof law handbook for traversing traffic in Hanoi . If you are unsure or uncomfortable with a situation, do not force it. Rather ask a local to assist you, they’ll be glad to help.

Not much it deemed too big when it comes to fitting on the back of a Hanoi motorcycle.

Source: Marcus Lacey https://www.marcuslacey.com

1. Be Assertive

This first point in the guide is all about taking that first step . Like plunging into a cold pool, or even just the initial text to that special someone, we understand that that first step may be daunting. So much more so when you’re confronted by an apparently never-ending stream of cars, buses and motorcycles. But you need to take it, and when you do, you need to be assertive. Watch out for a gap between oncoming traffic, and step into it and just take a moment. You’ll notice that the traffic starts to flow around you, just like a school of fish moving around a rock.

Great, you’re in the middle of the chaos, now it’s time for your next move .

Trust me! You can do it, with a big smile on your face!

Source: http://www.pausethemoment.com

2. Use Your Hands

While standing in traffic extend your arm towards the direction of oncoming vehicles . What you want to achieve is basically a 45-degree difference between your extended arm and your body. With your hand facing down, palm towards your body, you now start making a movement with your hand, a little bit reminiscent of a flopping fish.

This movement indicates your intention of moving through this relentless ocean of movement. You’ll notice that motorcycles start to maintain a greater distance around you, while cars might actually slow down, allowing you to cross . (Important note: Buses don’t care about anything you do – watch out for them, but more about that later on.) You may now start to slowly commence the previously death-defying journey across the street.

In Hanoi, Traffic officials are a welcome sight!

Source: https://www.citypassguide.com/blog/can-traffic-enforcement-be-made-safer

3. Don't Hesitate

This is maybe the most important thing you can learn while dealing with Vietnamese traffic . The cardinal rule for Vietnamese drivers are to concern themselves only with what is directly in front of them. Therefore, when someone swerves from one lane into another, they do so with little regard to those drivers behind them, because they believe that the drivers behind them will see them coming and act accordingly. So when you step into traffic , with a barrage of motorbikes heading towards you, don’t hesitate. The drivers will see you and they will start to react towards your presence. This may mean swerving to the left or right or just slowing down. They know you are there and they know you’re going to keep on moving, so they understand what to expect. When you hesitate you create uncertainty amongst the drivers . This uncertainty is something for which the state of Vietnamese traffic was not created and cannot tolerate.

SO DON’T HESITATE!

"Hi boss, yeah, I'm gonna be a bit late for work..."

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoàn_Kiếm_District

4. Keep a Uniform And Steady Pace

With the tricky situation of hesitation out of the way, it brings us to the next golden rule :

"Keep a uniform and steady pace ."

We understand that it might be tempting to take a quick dash across the street, especially when confronted by the steady stream of commuters but this is a mistake. If you start out your journey at one pace, stay true to that pace. Any quick acceleration or deceleration will only cause uncertainty. When you walk at a steady pace, the drivers can assume and therefore predict where you’re going to be, and avoid also being there when you get there.

5. Walk Diagonally Into The Traffic

This was one of the first pointers that I received from a local Hanoian . He then promptly demonstrated it by crossing the street, walking into traffic diagonally . I was absolutely sure he was about to get run over, but rather the traffic just passed him on the one larger part of the road available. This piece of advice is not applicable to junctions with traffic lights or pedestrian crossing , but rather for semi-busy smaller streets when you need to cross without a traffic light. When you walk diagonally into oncoming traffic you force the traffic to pass you on only one side, thus further eliminating any uncertainty. However, it is a tricky and counterintuitive manoeuvre, so don’t try it if you’re not comfortable. Maybe observe how the local Hanoians do it, before trying it yourself…

6. Don't Assume A Pedestrian Crossing Means it is Safe

Right, now we get to a point that has left many a traveller bemused, if not completely annoyed …

"A pedestrian crossing in Vietnam does not really mean anything"

In theory, they should, that’s the law, but in practice, this road sign is ignored by both pedestrians and commuters alike. This causes some confusion amongst travellers and you’ll often see little islands of tourists gathering at a pedestrian crossing whilst looking left and right with utter disbelief as the traffic fails to react to their presence. They’ll only react once somebody takes that bold first step mentioned in point number one .

Never assume that a pedestrian crossing means that pedestrians will be able to cross

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/craiginvegas/4123655389/

7. Keep an eye on the traffic lights

While a pedestrian crossing might not mean much, a traffic light does . When we first arrived in Vietnam , we made the mistake of assuming that the green pedestrian light does not mean anything , and we would undertake crossing busy intersections at any point, regardless of the presence of a green or red pedestrian light. Thankfully, a somewhat irritated traffic cop showed us the error of our ways… You should only cross when the pedestrian light is green . This does not always mean traffic will stop for you, but there is a chance, whereas they will definitely not stop for you when it’s red… Strange, we know.

8. Watch out for buses

I used to look at buses as the kind-hearted whales of the tarmac. Lumbering behemoths going on their way with an underlying jolliness that only overweight men with white beards truly understand. This is a view I do not hold anymore … Buses in the city of Hanoi are closer to the bloodthirsty orcas than a serene humpback whale. They function on one rule and one rule only: If you are smaller than me, you need to get out of the way . When I’m trying to cross a busy road I always do one thing first: Check if there are any busses coming my way. If there are, stand and wait it out until it’s safe to go .

Just some buses going about their bussy business...

Source: http://vietq.vn/danh-sach-cac-tuyen-xe-buyt-tai-ha-noi-di-qua-cac-truong-dai-hoc-d128019.html

One Last Thing...

There you have it, our guide to traversing traffic in Hanoi . Please remember, if you are uncertain or uncomfortable, don’t risk it . Wait a bit, or ask a local to help you out. And once again, this is just a guide, comprised of our own personal experiences, please don’t take it as gospel when it comes to traffic in this chaotically beautiful city.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Wooohoooo!

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Vietnam - A General Introduction

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 05:04:10 GMT

Vietnam - A General Introduction

So you’re considering visiting Vietnam?

Well, you are in for one heck of an experience , and I say this after a visit to Vietnam changed my life. Two years after that initial visit I came back, this time without immediately booking my flight back. Since then I’ve been living in this wonderful, crazy, beautiful country and I haven’t looked back once. However, Vietnam may be a little overwhelming for the first time traveller, even if they’ve visited other South-East asian countries . That’s why I felt it necessary to compose this blogpost, as a general introduction to this country. In subsequent blog posts we’ll be taking a deeper look at the specific regions, customs and cuisine.

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Xin Chao!

It’s rather difficult to try and capture the essence of Vietnam in text. How could one possibly find the right words to describe this country’s spirit, her charm, and the stunning soul that leaves so many travellers yearning for more. Resilient or industrious sounds cold and mechanical… Words like “soul”, “stunning”, and “charm” sound overly romantic and idealised. “Encapsulating” on the other hand, falls short of the mark… But unfortunately, words are the only medium I have, so they will have to make due, with all of their inadequacies on full display.

To call Vietnam diverse is a disservice. It’s more than diverse, it’s mesmerizing in its diversity. And by diversity we do not only mean it’s natural diversity. No, we mean it in every sense of the word, from the hundreds, if not thousands, of different dishes that you’ll find cooking, grilling and frying on every street corner, to its natural splendour and breathtaking beauty , all the way to 54 ethnic groups inhabiting this land, each with their own culture and stories.

In this blogpost we’ll be specifically looking at the weather and cuisine throughout Vietnam, as well as some pointers when it comes to the currency and safety when dealing with money .

Hanoi offers a blend of the modern, with the traditional.

Source: Marcus Lacey https://www.marcuslacey.com

Vietnam's 3 Main Regions

To make sense of it all we’ll need to look at Vietnam’s three main regions: Northern Vietnam – with Hanoi as its focal point; Central Vietnam – with Danang & Hoi An as its focal point; and Southern Vietnam – with Ho Chi Minh City as its focal point. Each of these regions can be subdivided into smaller regions, each with its own set of attractions and sights.

Northern Vietnam

The North is famous for destinations like Halong and Lan Ha Bay, the mountainous areas of Sa Pa and Ha Giang, and the mystical province of Ninh Binh, which is also called Halong Bay on land.

Central Vietnam

The central area is famous for the lantern lit town of Hoi An and the amazingly preserved Imperial citadel of Hue. Other sights include the infamous demilitarized zone, and more recently, the absolutely instagramable attraction, the Hands Of God Bridge.

South Vietnam

The South is famous for the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, the slow beauty of the meandering Mekong Delta, the sand dunes of Mui Ne and of course, the Cu Chi tunnels which have been preserved since the Vietnam war.

The stunning vistas on offer in Northern Vietnam

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/363032419955934311/

The Weather In Vietnam

Just like you’ll find differing flavours throughout Vietnam , you’ll also find that the weather differs greatly between these three regions . This means that, practically speaking, there is no “perfect season” during which you should visit Vietnam. The weather that you’ll encounter during a two week trip might be just as diverse as the cuisine and customs of the people that you’ll encounter along the way. That being said, it is always worth being informed about what one could be expecting. Once again we’ll be looking at the regions’ weather in a general kind of way, with more in depth information in the destinations specific entries. For now we’ll focus on the three regions mentioned above.

"There is no “ perfect season ” during which you should visit Vietnam"

Stunning view from cruise in Lan Ha Bay - Vietnam

Source: Friends Travel Vietnam

The Weather In Northern Vietnam

Hanoi and Northern Vietnam have two distinct seasons – a cool and dry winter lasting from the middle of November to the beginning of March. December and January can get frosty , with maximum temperatures dipping below 15C on a couple of days. These cold days are the exception, with the average temperature hovering around 22C. While the winter is relatively dry, this does not mean that there is no rain or even a low rainfall amount. Instead it means that the type of rain differs from a light drizzle during the winter to a torrential downpour during the summer.

Summer lasts from March until the end of October . During this season, North Vietnam can get rather hot, with the mercury sometimes rising to highs in the mid 40’s. T he average temperature during these months hovers in the middle 30’s . This is also the main rainfall season, with torrential rain pouring down in buckets. A note on the rain: it is seldom that it will rain non-stop for days on end. This usually happens when a storm hits the mainland from the coast. The normal rain pattern during this season is that it will rain for an hour or two, normally late afternoon or evening, with the rest of the day being a sunny and pleasant day. This ensures that you’ll rarely encounter those periods of being rained in.

New Paragraph

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoàn_Kiếm_District

The Weather In Central Vietnam

Whether you dream about exploring the Ancient Citadel of Hue, losing yourself in Hoi An’s lantern lid alleyways, or just lazing about on one of Da Nang’s pristine beaches , the weather can play a big role in either aiding or destroying your perfect day out. A mistake that many a traveller has made is assuming that the weather in Central Vietnam would be the same as the weather of the south or the north. Long story short, it isn’t.

Central Vietnam has a hot and dry season , stretching from late January, all the way to the end of August . During this season temperatures generally reach the mid 30’s, but it isn’t unheard of for them to climb into the low 40’s. The minter months , ranging from September to the end of January do not bring much in the way of a change in temperature, but rainfall sharply increases during these months. The rainy season reaches its crescendo during the months of October and November, with the odd typhoon or two making its landfall in this area.

Overall, DaNang and Hoi An is pretty similar in their weather , with the two destinations being only 25km apart. Hue, on the other hand, is a bit cooler, especially during the early months of the year . The main reason for this is that DaNang and Hue is separated by a mountain range, which means that the weather can drastically differ between the two on any given day. So, just because its sunshine and clear skies in DaNang and Hoi An, don’t expect the same to be true of Hue.

Other destinations, like Dalat, Nha Trang and Phong Nha-Ke national park will be discussed in more detail in the destination specific blogs, focusing on Central Vietnam.

Hoi An is like walking through a fairy tale...

Source: Friends Travel Vietnam

The Weather In Southern Vietnam

The south of Vietnam sports a fairly constant year round temperature that ranges between 25C and 35C . Given the nature of this constant temperature range, the seasons in the south is simply divided into a Wet and a Dry season. The dry season begins in November and ends in late April or early May.

The wet season lasts from May until early November. During this time, June, July, & August are the wettest months , but the rainfall rarely lasts for days on end. Much like it’s Northern brother Ho Chi Minh City will have short but heavy showers, mostly occurring during the middle of the day. The rest of the day will usually be the Sunny and warm days Vietnam are famous for.

Other destinations, like Dalat, Mui Ne, and Phong Phu Quoc Island will be discussed in more detail in the destination specific blogs, focusing on Southern Vietnam.

The bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City

Source: http://cholonres.com.vn/dau-la-luc-day-khien-gia-nha-dat-khu-dong-sai-gon-se-con-tiep-tuc-tang-trong-thoi-gian-toi/

The Vietnamese Cuisine Throughout the 3 Regions

Barring the natural splendour that Vietnam has to offer , more and more people are visiting the “Land of The Rising Dragon” to experience its cuisine. And not without reason; the Vietnamese Cuisine is one of the most celebrated cuisines in the world, and is known for its freshness, subtle balances, and distinct flavours . One thing that travellers need to keep in mind, however, is that the cuisine in Vietnam is extremely regional. For instance, Pho Bo, the beef noodle soup that Vietnam is famous for, taste quite different in Hanoi compared to Ho Chi Minh City.

In the destination specific blog posts we’ll take a deeper look at regional delicacies, but as a rough guide it’s worth remembering that food in the south is generally more spicy and piquant; in the central areas the food is still spicy but the focus is more on the freshness of the dishes; while in the north the food is more balanced with the dishes focusing on subtlety of the flavours. A special blog focusing on the cuisine will soon follow, please sign up for our mailing list to ensur

Vietnamese Cuisine - Balance and simplicity in abundance!

Source: https://www.vogue.com/article/vietnamese-food-guide-dishes

Getting To Grips With the Vietnamese Dong

Don’t we all dream of the freedom of having that extra million in hard cash laying around and just begging to be spent on whatever our hearts desire? Well, as soon as you step off the plane and change your Euros or Dollars to Vietnamese Dong your dream will become a reality! The Vietnamese Currency, the Dong , comes in pretty large denominations.

The Denominations of the Vietnamese Dong can be divided into two categories: Paper Notes for the lower valued notes; and Plastic composite notes for the notes of higher value. All notes feature Uncle Ho Chi Minh , the late and esteemed leader of Vietnam, on the one side, with differing scenes on the other.

Travellers need to take care, because some of the notes are close to others in look and this may cause you overpaying spectacularly . Below follows a quick description of the notes, as well as the notes they can be confused with, if applicable. We always suggest that as soon as you arrive at your hotel, ask them to change your money for you so you have one of each note. Then spend some time familiarising yourself with the different notes. The easiest way for an unscrupulous vendor to spot an easy target is by being unsure of which note is which.

Paper ones

d1000 – Paper – Turquoise green and brown – C an be confused with the d2000

d2000 – Paper – Light Pink and brown – Can be confused with the d1000

d5000 – Paper – Dark Blue

Plastic ones

d10,000 – Plastic – Orange, Green, Brown – Can easily be confused with the d100,000 and the d 200,000 – Take Care!

d20,000 – Plastic – Light Blue – Can easily be confused with the d500,000, resulting in a loss of d480,000 – Take Care!

d50,000 – Plastic – Red – Can sometimes be confused with the d200,000.

d100,000 – Plastic – Green, Orange – Can easily be confused with the d10,000

d200,000 – Plastic – Orange, Red – Can be easily confused with the d10,000 and to a lesser extent with the d50,000 – Take Care!

d500,000 – Plastic – Light Blue – Can be easily confused with the d20,000 –Take Care!

ATM’s

ATM’s can be found in all major cities and most of the smaller towns. You can use these machines when you have a Visa or Maestro card. The fee will differ , depending on your bank back home, but the transaction fee should be somewhere between d25,000 and d60,000. We suggest that you find out from your bank in your home country whether there is a bank they would suggest to use while in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Dong has left many a traveller perplexed...

Source: Friends Travel Vietnam

Staying Safe and Tipping

Safety is always important when withdrawing money, and this counts in Vietnam as it does throughout the rest of the world . While Vietnam enjoys a relatively low crime rate , minor crimes and crimes of opportunity still take place. Always be wary of card skimmers , but that counts for everywhere around the world. These are devices that is added on to the slot that you put your card into. It basically copies the information of your card onto a memory disc, allowing criminals access to your account. To minimize your risk always inspect the card slot – a quick and firm tug will indicate if there is something amiss. Remember, if it does not feel right, don’t withdraw money, there will be other ATMs available.

Most major shops and restaurants do accept Visa and Maestro cards, but is worth checking with the specific shop, before trying to make a purchase . For smaller shops and restaurants it’s cash only. That being said, as with most things in Vietnam, it is worth not assuming anything, and it helps to check beforehand, to avoid confusion or disappointment .

Tipping is not a common practise in Vietnam , but it is greatly appreciated when rewarding good service . Be especially mindful of the situation of the person providing the service, eg. a student or highschool kid providing a free walking tour would greatly appreciate gratuity, but they would also appreciate compliments and/or helpful feedback regarding the service that they provided. An honest smile and compliment sometimes goes further and means more than a dollar or euro would. When you feel it’s deserved, try to give both .

Wooohoooo!

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The Best Things To Do In Hanoi!

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 03:10:15 GMT

The Best Things To Do In Hanoi!

The city of Hanoi is absolutely jam-packed with memorable and inexpensive experiences. We’ve taken the liberty of listing a couple of our favourites, but at the end of the day, the City of Hanoi is yours to explore. Sure, we can help you along with some great half-day tours and experiences , but the best way to get to know a city is to get lost in that city. So my advice to you would be to pack your bags, put on your most comfortable walking shoes and head out into the beautiful symphony of chaos that is Hanoi. If that sounds way too daunting for you, first stop by our office at 62 Hang Buom, enjoy a free delicious iced coffee and we’ll steer you in the right direction.

Drink some Bia at a Bia Hoi in the old Quarter

The Bia Hoi, literally translates to Fresh Beer, is a quintessential element of northern Vietnam . It’s also a very difficult concept to explain to someone who’s never been to one. It’s not a bar, it’s not a tavern, and it’s definitely not a pub. But in a way, it’s all three of those things, without entirely being one of them… Think of a Bia Hoi as a street food stall , but instead of artery-blocking deep-fried delights, they serve beer and loads of it. The beer is served as draughts from kegs, and it’s a welcome refuge from the Hanoi heat. The beer itself is a light beer when compared to the beers of Europe , but that’s a good thing; the last thing you want to be doing on a 40 C day is struggling with a dark and heavy Belgian beer. Given the lower alcohol levels of the beer the Bia Hoi isn’t created as a place to overindulge oneself, but rather as a meeting place for the locals, where they can share stories and meet up and touch base with their neighbours.

Peanuts and beer, the classic combination you'll always find at a Bia Hoi!

Source: http://reatimes.vn/quan-quanh-bia-hoi-37691.html

You’ll find a Bia Hoi on almost every street in Hanoi , normally indicated by little plastic tables and chairs and a, usually, big red and yellow banner with a keg on it. Feel free to stop by any of these fine establishments if you feel the need to be refreshed during your exploration of the city. But if you want to see the social lubrication that the Bia Hoi offers, you will need to visit Ta Hien Beer Street in the Old Quarter . Come 8 o’clock in the evening and this street transforms from a docile little alleyway into a fast-flowing river of beer, laughter, and stories! Make sure you get your table in time and sit back and watch the madness unfold while sipping on an ice-cold beer. As ever, when large groups of people get together the opportunity for something to go wrong increases, so be aware of your belongings and valuables, or better yet, leave them in the safe at your hotel and only bring along your essentials for your hoppy night of fun!

Experience Hoan Kiem during “walking street.”

Hoan Kiem at night, truly a sight to behold!

Source: https://hif.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:Night_in_Hanoi,_over_Hoan_Kiem_Lake_(2005).jpg

The Vietnamese people really know how to make the best of the weekend. That’s why, come 6 pm on a Friday you’ll see some strange going ons around Hoan Kiem and surrounding areas. The first thing you’ll notice is green-clad policemen dragging barricades into the road – don’t worry, you’ve not walked into a high-security area, it’s just in preparation for the, soon to commence, weekend walking street that takes place each and every weekend around the lake. In about 30 minutes time the roads around the lake will be totally devoid of any cars or motorbikes. In their stead will be children driving around in toy cars, people playing badminton , street stalls with all kinds of wares, impromptu musical performances , and even some ballroom dancing – complete with suits and gowns!

Explore the City by bike

So you’ve explored the city of Hanoi , you’ve seen all that there is to see and you’ve had all the guided tours you can possibly have… But you still have this nagging feeling, something telling you that there has to be more, there has to be a side of Hanoi that I’ve not yet explored. We agree with you wholeheartedly. That’s why we at Friends Travel Vietnam have invested over 1750 hours into crafting a uniquely authentic Hanoi experience: The Real Hanoi Bicycle Experience! The Real Hanoi Bicycle Experience was started in 2017 by the founders of Friends Travel Vietnam under a new company named “ Biking Around Vietnam ”. Sidney, a Dutchman , and his Vietnamese wife, Thao , decided to focus their expertise and passion on creating a tour that is both unique and environmentally sustainable .

Hoan Kiem at night, truly a sight to behold!

Source: https://www.liesronddewereld.nl/fietsen-in-hanoi-doe-de-real-hanoi-bicycle-experience/

Explore the city from the seat of your custom made European style bicycle as we take you on a 15km tour of 3,5 hours around the city of Hanoi, that even most locals seldom get to see. This experience is perfect for anybody who’s comfortable on a bike, whether young or old, in a group or alone, travelling with your family or friends. But be warned, if you want a standard exploration of Hanoi, you’ll need to look somewhere else, The Real Hanoi Bicycle Experience is anything but standard. Contact us today to book your bike!

Let your taste buds go on a meandering with a street food tour

Vietnam has one of the most intriguing cuisines on the face of the planet. It is hallmarked by its use of fresh and vibrant flavours, being paired with sweet, tangy, and sometimes spicy flavours to create something completely new and authentic. And Hanoi is one of Vietnam’s culinary epicentres , if not the centre when it comes to well-balanced tastes and flavours. Hanoi differs from the rest of Vietnam in the sense that this city puts a lot more importance on the subtlety of the flavours in the dishes, rather than going for in your face flavours that the south has become famous for. You do not need to go far to find an eatery in Hanoi. Almost each and every street is packed with them, whether it be in the guise of large restaurants, small family eateries , or the humble street hawker selling their mouthwatering wares.

But with so much on offer, where should you start? Nevermind the sheer amount of options available, the language barrier is also in your way. Then add onto that the knowledge of what it should actually taste like and how much it should cost , and you’ll find your quickly drowning in the murky waters of uncertainty.

That’s why we always advise guests travelling with us to make a street food tour the first thing they do after checking into their hotel. A street food tour acts as an invaluable crash course, allowing you very specific insights into the local cuisine. This is information and knowledge that won’t just be handy during your stay in Hanoi, but also throughout your travels in Vietnam.

Book your Real Hanoi Street Food Experience now!

The Real Hanoi Street Food Experience - a street food tour without comparison!

Source: https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/bookings/real-hanoi-street-food-tour/

Take A Walking Tour Around all Hanoi’s major sights

A Walking tour is one of the best ways for you to see most, if not all, of Hanoi’s major sites . Depending on the tour you choose and the price you are willing to pay, the tour can vary from 1,5 hours to 3,5 hours, with the latter options usually including lunch or dinner, so they tend to give you more bang for your buck. Of course, as the customer, you have the final say about how much you want to spend on such an experience.

But we will not be doing our job if we did not at least give you the following piece of advice: When deciding on a walking tour either go for one that is completely free or be willing to spend a bit more money and go for one that is above the average going rate. The reason for this is quite simple; in Vietnam one tends to get what you pay for. This is a piece of advice that relates to almost each and every purchasable product, including tours and experiences. The reason why we feel comfortable in advising a free tour is that the free tour is usually operated by high school or university students, looking to practise their English language skills.

While they aren’t dedicated tour guides , they still have amazing knowledge, stories, and insight about the places that they take their guests to. Also, while the tour is free , a tip of gratuity rewarding good service or enthusiasm will be appreciated. If you join a free tour, not being led by a student, you should be careful, as these sometimes turn out to be a scam where the guides take their guests to shops and restaurants charging inflated prices.

Thang Long Citadel in Hanoi is an absolute must see!

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/hanoi-best-things-to-do-see-vietnam-at-night-old-quarter-ho-chi-minh-mausoleum-a8346451.html

As for the cheaper walking tour options, we do not advise these to our guests. Yes, of course, you may be one of the lucky few and get a great tour for a bargain price, but the feedback that we’ve received during our time as a leading tour operator has been overwhelmingly negative. Like we said, in Vietnam , you tend to get what you pay for and a bargain is only a bargain for so long. So, at the end of the day you have two options, go for free and support a local student with some highly coveted language practice, or pay a little bit more and have a truly unforgettable Hanoian experience .

Watch a Water Puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Water Puppetry is as Vietnamese and Hanoian as Pho Bo and Bun Cha ! This ancient art developed somewhere around the 11th century and it has been a proud part of the Vietnamese heritage ever since. Today there are various famous water puppet theatres where you will be able to appreciate this art form, with Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre probably being the most famous of the lot.

The art of Water Puppetry has very humble origins, with it originally being performed on/in actual rice paddies. A small temple would be constructed on the paddy, to obscure the puppeteers, while the front part of the paddy would be left open to serve as a watery stage. These shows were strongly linked to the recently completed rice harvest, and the themes of the shows would reflect as much.

The puppets themselves are extremely intricate with some of them weighing over 15 kilograms . Normal operation of such a large puppet could prove cumbersome, but the ability of the puppets to float in the water greatly reduces this effect and makes for delightfully lifelike performances from the wooden figures.

Today, these shows are much more intricate than their ancient counterparts , with each show being accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra to provide background music. The instruments are used effectively to help tell the story, with a light and noble bamboo flute being used to accompany figures of royalty, while drums and cymbals will be used to announce the menace of a fast-approaching fire-breathing dragon. Singers of Chèo , a form of opera from the North of Vietnam, acts as the narrative of the show with them singing the story that’s being acted out by the puppets. An interesting feature is that these singers would frequently break, what is known in western theatre as, the fourth wall to warn or encourage the characters, further highlighting the difference between this art form and its western counterparts.

Experience a puppet show like no other!

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_puppetry

The overall theme of the water puppet shows are one of an agrarian background, with the stories usually taking place against a rural backdrop. The themes also strongly focuses on Vietnamese folklore revolving around the harvest, fishing, or festivals . The most popular type of productions involves the retelling of normal day to day activities, oftentimes in a humorous style. Keep an eye out for the character of Chu Teu, or literally Uncle Laugh , who’ll be easily identifiable with his bald head and two ponytails standing out from each side. Chu Teu is a witty character, created to add comic relief and poke fun at subjects that would normally be seen as taboo, like corruption and other social ills.

These are just some of the things to do while you are in Hanoi, but trust us, if we had to list all of the possibilities in this blog, we’ll need a book deal. If you want any advice about what to do on your upcoming trip, please feel free to contact us , or if you are already in Hanoi, pop in for a delicious iced coffee at our office at 62 Hang Buom!

Wooohoooo!

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If you are a guests blogger for Vietnam your are welcome to contact us

Discover Hanoi! - Part 1/3: Popular Sights...

Sat, 21 Mar 2020 13:56:41 GMT

The Best Ways to Get Around in Hanoi

There is never enough time to discover this thousand-year-old city which is why smart transportation can lessen travel time and increase your enjoyment. It will save you hours of getting trapped in traffic, or even grant you a good time traveling leisurely around the city within your limited stay.

Discover Hanoi! - Part 1/3: Popular Sights...

Vietnam’s capital of Hanoi is a litany of colours, tastes, sights, and experiences just waiting to be explored and discovered. The challenge for any traveller visiting this chaotically beautiful city is that they can quite easily feel overwhelmed by the sheer energy of the place. On any of her countless streets and alleyways you’ll find hundreds of scooters zigzagging their way to their destinations; a plethora of small restaurants whose fragrant dishes fill the streets with mouth-watering aromas; and just as many hawkers and small shops, selling everything from souvenirs to a new pair of flip flops. Needless to say, travellers very seldom know where to start when it comes to exploring Hanoi. Luckily for you, that’s what we are here for.

In the next couple of blog posts, we’ll be looking at some of the best sights that Hanoi has to offer. In part one we’ll look at some of the most popular sights, while in part two we’ll look at the temples and places of worship. Lastly, we’ll look to stimulate the grey matter by having a look at all the Hanoi’s museums in part 3. If you want to make sure that you do not miss any of our blogs be sure to sign-up to our mailing list!

Take a Stroll Around Hoan Kiem Lake

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoàn_Kiếm_District

Hoan Kiem lake is known as the lake of the returned sword. The legend states that when Vietnam was facing a time of great peril, a magical sword descended from the heavens. Emperor Ly Thai To wielded this sword and vanquished Vietnam’s foes. After establishing a new peaceful period the emperor decided that he’ll spend some time relaxing around the lake. A huge golden turtle appeared, asked for the sword back, and promised that it shall be returned during Vietnam’s times of trouble. So Emperor Ly Thai To gave the sword back, after all, one does not argue with a giant golden turtle, especially when it’s capable of talking.

Today you can walk around the tranquil heart of Hanoi, enjoying the tree lined lanes, small cafe’s, and various monuments on your stroll. Ngoc Son Temple is also situated here, as well as one of the most popular water puppet theatres in Hanoi. For a complete change of pace, try visiting Hoan Kiem at night over weekends, when the entire lake area is a designated walking area with no cars or motorbikes allowed. One lap around the lake is 1,6km, so make sure you plan your walk during the morning or the late evening – the lush shadows of the trees can only give that much protection against the Vietnamese midday sun.

Enjoy the Sunset Over West Lake

Source: https://www.facebook.com/marcus.lacey1

Tay Ho or West Lake is Hanoi’s biggest lake, and as a residential area filled with bohemian coffee joints and bars it offers something completely different to Hoan Kiem lake or Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Here life is a bit more laid back with a mixture of locals and ex-pats going about their daily lives in their own Tay-Ho-way. The best way to experience this welcome change of pace is by taking a walk around Tay Ho in the early morning, or settling down for some coffee or sundowners and watching the amazing sunset that the lake has to offer. This area also features some of Hanoi’s most important religious sites and monuments.

Take in the View from the Lotte Skyscraper

Source: https://www.citypassguide.com/travel/ha-noi/attractions/blog/lotte-center-hanoi-and-observation-deck

The Lotte Centre dominates Hanoi’s skyline and has become an icon of the cities economic growth and progressive outlook. Although it’s not the tallest building in Hanoi, it is the tallest building in Hanoi’s inner city, reaching an impressive 270 metres. The top of the Lotte Tower is open to tourists, complete with a glass-floored observation deck. This is the perfect spot to get an eagle-eyed view of Hanoi, but be warned, the sensation of standing on thin air is one that will make even the most robust knees quake.

Address: 54 Lieu Giai, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Business Hours: 9AM – 10PM

Visit Uncle Ho’s Stilt House

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ho_Chi_Minh%27s_Stilt_House,_Hanoi_(2)_(24622695398).jpg

Ho Chi Minh, or Uncle Ho as Hanoians fondly refer to him, is very much the father of modern Vietnam. A celebrated statesman who fought for independence against the Japanese, French, and Americans, you’ll see his face everywhere throughout Vietnam, from banknotes to murals and huge portraits outside of schools and government buildings. When visiting his stilt house you get an idea of the type of man that Ho Chi Minh was. He forsook the opulent residence of governor of Indochina for a humble traditional stilt house where he lived while leading his country. Although the residence itself is not open to the public, the garden and surrounding area is still worth visiting.

Address: So 1 Ngo Bach Thao, Ngoc Ho, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Business Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 8AM – 4PM; Monday: 8AM – 11AM

Enjoy a Show at Hanoi's Famous Opera House

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi_Opera_House

Remnants of Vietnam’s colonial past are visible all over the country, from the influence in the cuisine to the different styles of architecture on display. In the Hanoi Opera House, you’ll find maybe the most impressive example of French architecture in all of Hanoi. This beautiful neoclassical building is a landmark in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Today it hosts various Vietnamese productions that are well worth the effort of booking ahead and taking in a show! A ticket to a performance is roundabout $30.00 per person, but the shows are highly recommended, especially the traditional Vietnamese Bamboo shows!

Address: So 01 Trang Tien, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem

Business Hours: Dependent on shows.

Watch the Flag ceremony at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

Source: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/flag-pulling-ceremony-in-a-rainy-day-ho-chi-minh-mausoleum-news-photo/465275619

Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is one of the most imposing sights in all of Vietnam. The massive marble Monuments stands in front of a huge and well-kept lawn, with a jumbo size Vietnamese flag waving in the wind. The ceremony of hoisting and lowering of the flag is truly one to be experienced, with hundreds of locals stopping their motorbikes next to the road to witness the military precision with which this task is completed. The ceremony takes place at 6 am and 9 pm every day.

Please Note: It is possible to visit the Mausoleum itself, but visitors should keep in mind that they are visiting the burial site of a National Hero, so proper reverence is needed. Dress modestly, with no open shoes, bare shoulders or bare knees on display. Also, do not attempt to take any photographs, wear a hat, or stand with your hands in your pockets. These are all signs of disrespect.

Address: 2 Hung Vuong, Dien Ban, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Business Hours: These hours indicate the accessibility of the mausoleum itself: Monday – Closed. Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday – 7:30 – 10:30. Friday – Closed. Saturday & Sunday – 7:30AM – 11AM.

Rediscover history at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was the official seat of Vietnamese governance until 1810 when the emperors of the Nguyen dynasty chose to move their capital to the city of Hue. With the citadel in disuse, it fell into quick disrepair, being used by the French and the Japanese as barracks and prisoner camps. In recent times, more and more interest in the history of Hanoi has caused organised excavations to take place, and the renewed interest caused the Citadel to be named a UNESCO world heritage site on 31 July 2010 – coinciding nicely with the 1000 year celebration of Hanoi as the capital of Vietnam.

The Citadel is still well worth a visit, with various ancient relics being discovered there and some of the best examples of medieval Vietnamese architecture being on display. Some of the sights that are worth exploring are the Doan Mon Gate, the Flag Tower, The Dragon Steps of Hinh Thien Palace and the Hau Lau, or The Princess’ Palace.

Address: 19C Hoang Dieu, Dien Ban, Ba Dinh.

Business Hours: Monday – Closed. The rest of the week: 8AM – 5PM.

Visit Quan Chuong City Gate - a portal to another time.

Just around the corner from our offices at 62 Hang Buom Street, you’ll stumble upon a curious sight. At the end of Hang Chieu street stands a monument to an age long forgotten, the imposing figure of the old east gate. This moment stands as a reminder of Hanoi’s imperial past, an age where carts being pulled by buffalo was the norm, instead of thousands of zigzagging motorbikes. The juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern Hanoi meeting at this ancient gate is so striking that it almost verges on the surreal. The Old east gate is a perfect opportunity for both the expert and amateur photographer to hone their skills, or even just to snap that perfect Instagram post, if that’s what you’re into.

Address: O Quang Chuong, Dong Xuan, Joan Kiem

Business Hours: Not any, but it is advisable that you should visit at night when the gate is lit.

So that wraps up part one of this three-part blog post! Remember to look out for part two, in which we’ll be having a look at Hanoi’s temples and places of worship. If you want to make sure you don’t miss out, sign up to our mailing list!

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