Hanoi
Recommended Tours
Hanoi spreads over 2,000 square kilometers, but most important sites lie in compact areas. Walking can be daunting, with the onslaught of motorcycles, but in fact is relatively easy. The traffic in Hanoi moves like a snake in that it appears to continually move, sliding around things if they get in the way. However, when crossing a road, go slowly and carefully-any sudden movements may cause a domino effect!Below are suggestions for touring the labyrinth-like Old Quarter, the major landmarks of Hanoi, and for those with more time, try a trip around West Lake that takes in the rural suburbs. The first two tours could be by foot, bicycle or for a leisurely experience, try a cyclo. The third offers a longer trip those with a bicycle or motorcycle.
Old Quarter Walking Tour
The Old Quarter offers one of the most fascinating inner-city areas in Vietnam and is well worth exploring. It is based around 36 streets, each named after the merchandise sold there. To some extent this tradition continues, although Hang Gai might just as likely sell CDs these days as silk.
This walk covers only about three kilometers but could take around two hours. The streets are a maze, so bring a map. The tour begins at St. Joseph's Cathedral, completed in the 1880s. It stands at the end of Nha Tho, which is fast becoming one of Hanoi's trendiest streets with its fashionable foreign restaurants and boutiques. A walk along the right-hand side of the cathedral, takes you through alleyways that offer an interesting insight into Vietnamese daily life. Turn right onto Thanh Phu Doan and across Hang Bong Street and you will come to an open intersection with Hang Da Market to your left. As with most Vietnamese markets, it makes for an interesting stroll. Piles of fresh vegetables, animal entrails and slices of pig fat fill the hall. The Market also reveals a good spot for buying pottery.
Opposite the market runs another narrow alley, Yen Thai, which takes you to Hanh Manh. This street sells traditional musical instruments, and you may see workers making ceremonial drums. From Hang Manh turn right into the colorful Hang Quat, which sells religious and temple paraphernalia. Then turn left at Luong Van Can and right onto Hang Bac. Originally Silver Street, it is now the heart of backpacker land. Check the hand-carved funeral headstones on this road.
When you turn left up Ta Hien onto Hang Buom, you can see to your left Bach Ma Pagoda, founded in the Ly Dynasty. Turn left yet again down Dao Duy Tu and straight on until you spot the archway of the original city walls to your right. A narrow alley straight ahead takes you to the back of Dong Xuan Market, one of Hanoi's busiest. The alley abounds with ladies selling seafood and other fresh, often live, produce.
Keeping the concrete market building to your left, go to Pho Dong Xuan past a picturesque pagoda with a cooking pan shop at its entrance. Walking south along the main street at the market's front takes you past fashion clothes stores and expensive watch shops back to the north shore of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Central Hanoi Landmarks Tour
This tour takes in Hanoi's major tourist sights from Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence, to the ancient Confucian Temple of Literature and finishes in the French Quarter's wider boulevards.
Start at Ba Dinh Square and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opposite the National Assembly Building. Behind the mausoleum are Uncle Ho's stilt house and museum and the One Pillar Pagoda. Follow Dien Bien Phu southeast until you see Lenin's statue on your right. Watch for the old French villas, now housing embassies and government offices and the Cot Co Flag Tower on the grounds of the Army Museum.
Go along Duong Hoang Dieu south to Nguyen Thai Hoc and you will come to the Fine Arts Museum. Opposite is the back of the Temple of Literature, the Confucian center dating from 1070. Travel east along Ngyuyen Khyuyen, until it becomes Hai Ba Trung, then turn right onto Quan Su. At number 73 is Quan Su Pagoda, Hanoi's center of Buddhism. Carry on for about one kilometer along Ly Thong Kiet and left at Phan Chu Trinh to reach the Opera House at the heart of the French Quarter. Behind this at 1 Trang Tinh lies the Vietnam History Museum with its beautiful French-Vietnamese architecture.
West Lake Bicycle Tour
This tour covers about 15 kilometers and can be accomplished on bicycle or motorbike. Start at Thuy Khue Street and meander around West Lake through houses and shops. Carry on past several pagodas, which can offer a respite from the busy road. Turn right onto Long Quan and after one kilometer you will reach West Lake. The countryside lies to the left, and alongside the lake are a variety of bars and restaurants selling snails, seafood and even deer. You cannot miss the Ho Tay Lake Water Park, with its huge Ferris wheel. Continue along Long Quan until the junction of Ao Co. This area boasts many flower nurseries and busy early morning flower markets. Look for kumquat trees around Tet (lunar new year).
Turn right, back to town passing dog meat (thit cho) restaurants to your left and then turn right again onto Duong Xuan Dieu. This takes you through the villas of the Tay Ho area, which are popular with foreign residents. Take the third lane right down Duong Dang Thai Mai and continue past fishing ponds and lotus lilies. At the end of the road looms Tay Ho Pagoda, one of Hanoi's most popular.
Returning to Duong Xuan Dieu check out the fine view of Kim Lien Pagoda to your left before turning right onto Yen Phu Dyke Road toward the Meritus Westlake Hotel. Finish your tour at the southwest corner of West Lake with a visit to Tran Quoc and Quan Thanh pagodas.
Guided Tour
If you're seeking a bit more direction, HappyDays Travel offers a Full-Day City Tour that will take you to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology and the Hoan Kiem Lake. The tour ends in Hanoi's Old Quarter, with free time for shopping in Old Town, and a traditional water puppet show. The tour provides an air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking tour guide, all entrance fees, and lunch.
Copyright © 1999-2008 wcities.com all right reserved
