STOP Missing Out on Hanoi's Must-See Attractions!
#hanoi #vietnam
Welcome to our tour of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, known for its rich history, vibrant culture and delicious street food.
This tour took place between April 2nd and 5th, 2024.
--------------- Video chapters:
0:00 Synthesis
0:25 Train Street
1:16 Tran Quoc Pagoda
2:27 Temple of Literature
3:20 Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
3:39 One-Pillar Pagoda
3:59 Old Quarter
5:27 Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
7:30 The Note Coffee
9:00 St Joseph's Cathedral
9:12 Hoan Kiem Lake
10:03 Ngoc Son Temple
11:20 Ta Hien Corner or Beer Street
12:50 Water puppet show
13:55 Vietnamese Lacquer Painting
-------------- Places visited on this tour:
TRAIN STREET
One of Hanoi's iconic tourist attractions. The experience of seeing the train pass so close to people and homes is truly unforgettable. We can walk along the tracks without any security blockade at the entrance as long as we sit in the appropriate seats before the train appears.
TRAN QUOC PAGODA
One of the city's postcards, it is the oldest Buddhist temple in the city (with more than 1500 years of history). It is 15 meters high and is divided into 11 levels, one for each of the existing Buddhist states. Entry is free.
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE
This temple is one of several Vietnamese temples that honor the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It was built in 1070 and soon afterwards housed Vietnam's first university, which operated from 1076 to 1779.
HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM
This is one of the most revered sites in the country where the body of the revolutionary leader is preserved. When visiting the Mausoleum, remember to respect the rules of dress and behavior, as it is a place of great national importance.
ONE PILLAR PAGODA
This Buddhist temple, supported only by a central pillar in the middle of a lake, is one of the most unique and photogenic temples in Hanoi. Built in 1049, this lotus flower-shaped pagoda is a symbol of Vietnamese beauty and spirituality.
OLD QUARTER
This historic area is the beating heart of the city, known for its narrow streets and ancient architecture and where you can really feel the energy and local life. Get lost in the 36 streets, each specializing in a type of merchandise, from silk to handicrafts, a true paradise for shoppers.
The most curious thing is to see how people cook in the middle of the street or what the meat and vegetable markets are like. It is, indeed, a great culture shock!
VIETNAM ETHNOLOGY MUSEUM
The museum's function is to present the cultures of ethnic groups in Vietnam and other countries. It has an open-air exhibition called Architectural Garden that showcases ten popular architectural works from ten ethnic groups in Vietnam.
I highly recommend that you don't miss this museum.
CAFÉ NOTE
A trendy place, very famous among tourists. It's a cafe in a narrow building with 4 floors and a very original interior decoration. All the walls, ceilings, chairs, tables (everything) are decorated with post-its that customers stick with their messages. Guaranteed fun reading these messages from people around the world.
Plenty of seats available and a moving crowd. Take the opportunity to drink the famous and excellent egg coffee (made with egg, condensed milk and coffee). I recommend this hype.
HOAN KIEM LAKE
Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) is a large lake (about 12 ha), right in the center of the city. A true oasis of peace, amidst the madness of the city! In this lake you will find an island, which is home to Thap Rua (Turtle Tower). Legend has it that a magic sword was sent from the heavens to Emperor Lê Loi. He used it and achieved victory over the Chinese forces occupying Vietnam. After the war, a golden turtle (Kim Qui) dragged the sword to the bottom of the lake to return it to its divine owners.
NGOC SON TEMPLE
Going around Hoan Kiem Lake, we find the Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple), built in the 18th century. To get to the temple, you will have to cross a beautiful wooden bridge painted vermilion red, called Thê Húc (Perch of Morning Sunlight). Despite not being very big, this temple is very well maintained.
TA HIEN CORNER or BEER STREET
Nightlife in Hanoi is vibrant and diverse. In the Old Quarter is one of the city's most festival streets, Ta Hien Corner (or Beer Street). This street is full of bars offering live music, entertainment and serving the country's most famous Vietnamese beers as well as some international ones. An essential point on a visit to Hanoi!
