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Hanoi Maps & Attractions Guide
Hanoi maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Hanoi
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Hanoi
Attractions - Things to do
1. Old Quarter
Hoan Kiem District
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What is it? The ancient meandering streets of the Old
Quarter are each named after the crafts and speciality trades
traditionally practised by the original artisan's guilds in the
13th century. Each guild was grouped around a temple, or dinh,
dedicated to the particular beliefs of the village from where the
guild originated, and many of these temples are open to the public
today. The early merchant's quarter affords an intriguing glimpse
into life centuries ago with covered markets, and the ancient
narrow buildings that still line the streets, known as tube or
tunnel houses that contained shops. Businesses were taxed according
to the width of their storefront and resulted in shops only seven
foot (two metres) wide with a series of storerooms, workshops and
living quarters extending behind to a length of up to 197ft (60m).
Many streets are still devoted to a predominant trade such as
silks, religious objects or textiles, silver jewellery, antiques,
and there are numerous art galleries and craft stores, as well as
cafes and pavement restaurants lining the narrow
streets.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
Hung Vuong and Le Hong Phong Streets, Ba Dinh
Square
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What is it? Ba Dinh Square was where, in 1945, Ho Chi
Minh read out the Declaration of Independence and where
independence is celebrated each year. Dominating the west side is
the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the embalmed body of the 'father of
the modern state', 'liberator of the Vietnamese people' and beloved
public figure is displayed. The body of Ho Chi Min is enclosed in a
glass case, the traditional way to honour famous communist leaders.
Security is tight, there is a strict dress code and it is
imperative to maintain a respectful demeanour while inside. Nearby
is the Ho Chi Minh Museum that commemorates his life, housing a
collection of military orders, correspondence, manifestos and
photographs that illustrates the crucial role he had in the
country's history.
Hours of Operation: Open from Tuesday to Thursday between 7.30am and
10.30am (8am to 11am in winter), and weekends from 7.30am to 11am
(8am to 11.30am in winter); closed on Mondays and Fridays. The
mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and
November, when Ho Chi Minh's body goes to Russia for
maintenance
Phone:(04) 845 5128 |
3. One Pillar Pagoda
Ong Ich Kiem Street, Ba Dinh District
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What is it? One Pillar Pagoda was constructed to
celebrate the tale of the heirless Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who dreamt
about receiving a son from the Buddhist goddess of mercy and
compassion, seated on a lotus flower. He married shortly after and
bore a son, and the pagoda was built to honour the event. It is the
most interesting of the city's numerous pagodas, and beneath the
ornate curved roof people come to pray for fertility and wellbeing,
with allegedly miraculous effects. The unique wooden structure was
designed to resemble a lotus flower, the Buddhist representation of
enlightenment, emerging out of the water, with the single stone
pillar its symbolic stalk.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
4. Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)
66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Dong Da District
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What is it? The Temple of Literature is Vietnam's
historical seat of learning and is the most sacred place for the
disciples of Confucius. It is one of the few remaining buildings
from the original city founded by Emperor Ly Thanth Tong in the
11th century and is a well-preserved example of Vietnamese
architecture. It became the site of the country's first university
in 1076. Consisting of a complex of small buildings and five walled
courtyards, it was an exclusive establishment teaching the
principles of Confucius. Over a period of 900 years thousands of
Vietnamese scholars graduated from the university. In the third
courtyard is a pond, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, and beside it
are 82 stone stelae, mounted on tortoises and engraved with the
names of successful graduates. There is also a temple dedicated to
Confucius and an altar where the king and his mandarins would make
sacrifices.
Hours of Operation: Open daily from 7.30am to 6pm (summer), and 8am to
5pm (winter)
Phone:(04) 845 2917 |
5. Halong Bay
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What is it? The natural wonder of Halong Bay, renowned
for its spectacular scenery and limestone grottos and caves, has
been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bay is peppered
with over 3,000 tiny islands emerging almost mystically out of the
pea green waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, scoured by wind and wave
erosion to form dramatic rock shapes, many of which contain caves
filled with stalagmites and stalactites. Many of the islands have
been named for their astonishing resemblance to their namesakes,
such as Dragon, Incense Burner, Pair of Roosters and Man's Head
Islands. The weird protuberances have been at the source of several
local legends, particularly about the dragon whose thrashing tail
created the bay and its islands. The name Ha Long means 'where the
dragon descended into the sea'. The most impressive cave is the
Hang Dau Go (Grotto of the Wooden Stakes), an extensive grotto with
rock formations presenting various eerie images in the mysterious
light. It was named from the Battle of 1288 when General Tran Hung
Dao prepared hundreds of stakes to be planted in the riverbed of
the largest chamber to counter a boat attack. Nearby the beautiful
Hang Thien Cung cave is famous for its sparkling stalagmites and
stalactites.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
6. Sa Pa and Bac Ha
The connecting town is Lao Cai
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What is it? The old hill station of Sa Pa sits high on
the edge of a plateau surrounded by spectacular scenery and the
Hoang Lien Mountains, which boast Vietnam's highest peak, Fan Si
Pan. Sa Pa functions as a market town and a gathering spot for
local tribes who come into town to trade every weekend. The market
is excellent for buying handicrafts and for watching the passing
parade of a fascinating blend of people. Colourful tunics of the
Dao and Giay people mix with the black and blue clothing and silver
ornamentation of the Black Hmong tribe, while bright red scarves
cover the heads of the Red Hmong who carry large woven baskets on
their backs brimming with goods. Nearly 50 miles (80km) from Sa Pa
in a valley is the small town of Bac Ha, famous for its Sunday
market. Much less touristy than Sa Pa, the market is a riot of
colour and noise, a place not only for trade but also for
socialising. All paths leading into town are filled with people
going to market, some riding horses or water buffalo, and the
square is a mix of different minorities, buying and selling, or
gathered in groups around a central pot of food. The Flower Hmong
are the most vivid, with richly coloured clothes of bright red,
blue and pink, and skirts embroidered with delicate flowers. The
markets have become a major tourist attraction and it is important
that visitors to the region are sensitive to local culture and
traditions, particularly when taking photographs of
people.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
Hanoi Holidays guide
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Transport -Public transport is limited to buses,
which are extremely cheap, but slow, crowded and a challenge for
non-Vietnamese speakers.
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