Hanoi

The Vietnamese capital of Hanoi is a city brimming with beautiful architecture, an enigmatic youth scene and layers of history. Staying in the city’s old town means living amongst the crumbling, vine-covered facades of the French colonial architecture. Street food remains a huge part of the culinary landscape of the city with street stalls selling delicious dishes that reflect the wealth of culture and vibrancy. Sit in street side cafes, sip on ice coffees and enjoy a banh mi sandwich.
Hanoi’s many sights and museums are eclipsed by the sheer vibrancy of its streets and the welcoming smiles of its people. Spend days here simply walking the city streets, along the lakes and shopping in the food markets. Just watch out for the motorbikes – they are everywhere!

Dalat

In the south of Vietnam’s central highlands, Dalat is a cool spring city. With a fresher climate than other cities in the country, Dalat is an elegant rural city that is scattered with French colonial villas. Initially developed as a French holiday resort, the city has become somewhat of a romantic holiday destination for Vietnamese couples. The streets filled with horse-drawn carriages and there’s a somewhat tacky Eiffel Tower-type structure overlooking the city. It isn’t all about romance though, those who are into adventure sports find their way here to try out a spot of mountain biking, trekking in the mountains or perhaps some white-water rafting.

Hue

Hue was once Vietnam’s imperial capital, home to the ruling class, but much of its once resplendent palace was destroyed during the war with America. The town is now a place for tourists to stop off and spend a few days ambling around ruins. Some of the Imperial Palace remains in tact and some of it has been painstakingly rebuilt, while much of it is in ruins but makes for an interesting place to explore. Take a bike ride outside of the city to visit the excessive self-built tombs of the emperors and then return to the city to spend the evening having dinner alongside the Perfume River.

Can Tho

Famed for its floating markets, Can Tho is a merchant trading hub on the confluence of the Can Tho and Hau rivers. Life in this city is centred around the rivers and its trade along the connecting Mekong; food is bought and sold on the water at Cai Rang floating market. The area has been labelled the rice bowl of Vietnam and rightly so: fresh vegetables, rice and fish are all traded through the city and as such the town’s restaurants are overflowing with delicious offerings. Evenings in the city consists of dreamy sunset walks along the riverside promenade with friendly locals to chat to along the way.

Cao Bang

The beautiful part of Vietnam is reminiscent of paradise: lush hills, flourishing valleys and gushing waterfalls. The Bang Giang River snakes its way through the environment and into the cool city of Cao Bang. The area is home to many ethnic hill tribes, which is also evident in the city itself; the markets here are full of goods made by the rural communities – women arrive from small villages to sell their fresh produce alongside the river. Cao Bang city offers visitors the chance to experience the lives of the people of Vietnam and is a fantastic gateway into the arcadian countryside.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Mountains, caves and rivers combine to make the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park one of the most scenic spots in all of Vietnam. The cave systems in the park are truly enormous, and you can explore many of them on a large boat. The Phong Nha and Tien Son Caves are close to one another, and they are usually available to tour on a single afternoon. The world’s largest cave, Hang Son Doong, is an incredible experience, but it is only open to a handful of people each day. If you would rather see the national park on foot, you can hike along the Nuoc Mooc Spring Eco Trail. Along the way, you’ll cross over bamboo bridges and walk alongside winding rivers.

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is an entire province in Northern Vietnam, but it is also the name for the capital city of that province. The city of Ninh Binh makes for a great homebase so that you can explore the surrounding countryside throughout the province. This is where you’ll find Tam Coc, also known as Halong Bay on land with its magnificent limestone scenery. You can enjoy a boat ride in Tam Coc and admire spectacular views as the river winds through sheer cliffs. Nearby Trang An Grottoes is another amazing experience, and this time your boat will take you through remarkable caverns.

Da Nang

The large city of Da Nang is located on the coast of Central Vietnam, and it is an underrated destination that many travelers skip over. Da Nang is home to a number of historic and religious landmarks, including the iconic Lady Buddha statue. Just outside of the city of Da Nang, you can hike through the gorgeous Marble Mountains and admire statues carved into the Am Phu Cave. For epic views, make your way to the Ba Na Hill Station via the cable car and enjoy the scenery along with great local restaurants. Of course, no trip to Da Nang would be complete without visiting the beach. Non Nuoc Beach boasts a long white sand coast that visitors and residents alike will appreciate.

Tay Ninh

The city of Tay Ninh is found in the south of the country, and it is a destination that provides a fascinating insight in Vietnamese culture. Start with a trip to the Cao Dai Temple, which represents the relatively little-known religion of Caodaism. Caodaism began in Tay Ninh, and the temple is a sort of mecca for followers of the religion. The inner hall of the temple is a kaleidoscope of color, with even the priests dressed in yellow, red and blue garments. If you’re up early in the morning, make your way to the Long Hoa Market. Opening each day at dawn, this market bustles until sunset but is packed with locals in the early morning. Tay Ninh is surrounded by the Nui Ba, Heo and Ba Den Mountains, which means that there are excellent hiking trails for those in search of some outdoor recreation and stunning views.

Most Underrated Destinations in Vietnam

Doc Let
Nha Trang is by far the most popular coastal resort in Vietnam. Head less than an hour along the coast, however, and you’ll get to Doc Let. Many visitors prefer Doc Let because the beach here is a whopping 10 miles long, and it is quieter and cleaner than Nha Trang. Doc Let is within walking distance of several hotels, and there are also local fisherman who will sell you their catch and even cook it for you right on the sand. If you happen to be staying in Nha Trang, it is well worth a day trip to get to Doc Let and experience the slower, scenic way of life in the area.

Ky Co Beach, Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh

Situated on the peninsula that hems in the Thi Nai Marsh opposite the coastal city of Qui Nhon, the beach of Ky Co is very far from the atmosphere and amenities of any city beach that Nha Trang can offer. Instead, this secluded slice of paradise lies slightly south of a 5-star, luxury resort development, and comes as a welcome change once you’ve passed all the newly constructed buildings. The feeling here is much more like that of a beach you might discover on a must-visit tropical island; the sand is soft, the water is clear and pure azure blue, and there are even a number of large rocks protruding from the water – making it seem like a mini Ha Long Bay. This is the ideal place to kick back with a mid-road-trip picnic. It’s even possible to camp here, given its out-of-the-way location.

Long Beach, Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s secret weapon when it comes to beach destinations – an island where so many beautiful beaches are found that it’s difficult to select the best one. We’ve managed to do so! Long Beach is located on the southeast coast of this beautiful island; it’s a spectacular 20-kilometer stretch of sand which is the focus of tourist and local activity on the island. Foreigners wanting to visit the island can do so thanks to a government initiative that allows 30-days visa-free, meaning tourism has positively flourished here. Phu Quoc officially became Vietnamese territory thanks to a boundary line drawn by the French colonial powers in 1939, but Cambodian claims to the island – known in Khmer as Koh Trol – remain a reality.

Mui Ne Beach, Phan Thiet

200-kilometres north of Ho Chi Minh City lies the fishing village of Mui Ne. However, there are a number of things about this wonderful location – other than its simply stunning and serene beach – that mean its fortunes are fast-changing. Vast, white-sand dunes nearby – which include lakes and swamps in the midst of the terrain – make for a captivating backdrop to hot-air balloon rides. Ruins of the Cham culture, native to southern Vietnam until it was defeated by the Vietnamese in the 15th Century, lie at nearby Phu Hai. And plenty of fisherman going about their daily business make for an interesting slice of daily life. Resorts have been popping up along the coast, but so far, the incredibly local atmosphere at this best beach location in Vietnam remains unchanged.

Doc Let Beach, Hon Khoi Peninsula

Whilst many tourists find themselves sunbathing and splashing around in the bustling resort city of Nha Trang just a few kilometers to the south, Doc Let Beach sits as a haven of solitude on the nearby Hon Khoi Peninsula. The hotels here are more atmospheric than they are in many busier beachside locales in Vietnam, meaning that the feeling of being on an exclusive couples getaway is much easier to summon. Doc Let is 18-kilometres of chalk-white sands and can be summed up in three parts: the north is where most of the resort and tourist action is to be found; the mid-section of this beach is unfortunately home to a huge Hyundai factory; the relatively empty south is backed by woodland and offers the most Robinson Crusoe feeling. The beauty of this Vietnamese beach is quite something, that’s for sure.

Dai Lanh Beach, Khanh Hoa

Located in southern Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa province, some 80-kilometers north of the popular beach city of Nha Trang, is the little known Dai Lanh Beach. It’s a gently curving slice of white-sand beauty that has been known domestically as a pristine spot for many years, but thankfully it remains undeveloped and is usually only seen by tourists from the window of their train or coach. It’s a good stopping point for anyone on one of the Saigon-to-Hanoi road-trip routes, with several budget guesthouses and roadside stalls making this not a completely out-of-the-way destination. With a little bit of infrastructure, combined with the secluded feel of Dai Lanh – practically deserted and overlooked by tall mountains on all sides – you could feel at home very quickly at this beautiful beach.

Con Dao Islands

Part of the Khmer Empire until Vietnamese settlers arrived in the 17th Century, the Con Dao Islands off the southeastern coast are known for their isolation as much as their dramatic beauty. During French colonial rule in Vietnam, political prisoners were sent here, and during the Vietnam War, captured Viet Cong would be held here. But today, this isolation puts this archipelago of 16 islands in good stead to be a fantastic beach destination. Many of the islands were given protected status in 1984 when they were collated into the Con Dao National Park – as you’d expect, it’s a haven for wildlife, including dugong, dolphins and sea turtles. There are several hotels on the main island of Con Son, as well as scenic beaches such as An Hai – large enough to find a slice all to yourself. There’s also some impressive hiking to be had on Con Son.

My Khe Beach, Da Nang

Often cited as Vietnam’s most picturesque beach is this fabulous stretch of sand-and-sea that is My Khe Beach. It’s located in Da Nang – Vietnam’s fourth-largest city and a firm favorite with domestic tourists due to attractions like Dragon Bridge (shaped like a dragon and lights up at night) and the general vibe of a modern city. Arguably, what transformed the fortunes of Da Nang was the beach of My Khe, named China Beach by American soldiers who arrived here for R&R during the Vietnam War. You can see why this spot was chosen; the wide, 20-mile-long white-sand beach is so vast and pretty that it’s impossible to not feel impressed at the sight of it. Today, there are a lot of high-end resorts in the area, and in September, the surf is perfect for those looking to ride some waves.

Cham Islands

The Cham Islands is a small archipelago of eight islands just off the coast of the much-visited Hoi An – it is therefore easily reachable by boat from nearby Cua Dai Beach. Formerly popular only with backpackers, the backpacking crowd has remained strong, but are joined by life-jacketed domestic and international tourists now come to stay on the island for day trips and longer sojourns – so much so that these tiny parcels of land now seem rather overloaded. First inhabited over 3,000 years ago by the Cham people, these islands saw much trade with neighboring countries through the ages, and there are a few old buildings left dotting the area. Today, the beautiful white sands and sparkling blue waters – as well as delicious seafood, friendly fisherman and ample opportunities for snorkeling – are what keep people coming to this collection of islands.

Cui Dai Beach, Hoi An

Another beach for those who aren’t fans of crowds, Cui Dai Beach is your typical palm-fringed curve of white-sand-meets-turquoise-sea, complete with views of the Cham Islands. Since it’s somewhat off the tourist trail that arguably reaches its peak at the famously beautiful and historical city of Hoi An, the tourists at this beach are limited. However, given its proximity to such a famous city in Vietnam, it means a few amenities – several hotels, rentable inflatables, and a charge to park your motorbike. A few years ago, it seemed as if this beautiful beach would disappear, as erosion that began showing itself in 2004 suddenly accelerated, forcing the beach’s custodians to use sandbags and various other methods to stop Cui Dai from slipping away. Now, after much work was done on this beach, it’s thankfully back to normal.

Tran Phu, Nha Trang

When it comes to a central city beach in Vietnam, you can’t come much closer to the center of action than the beach that lines the long Tran Phu Street in Nha Trang. The city of Nha Trang itself is often referred to as the Riviera of the South China Sea – for good reason. Tran Phu is backed by a plethora of restaurants, bars, and plenty of opportunities for shopping that will keep visitors to the beach busy even when they’ve had enough of the heat. It’s popular, however, that popularity is evidenced in the cigarette butts and empty bottles that often get left on the beach. If you’re looking for somewhere in the city to lounge around on the sand that’s still near civilization, Tran Phu is a good choice.

Dong Da

This is one of the original four districts that make up the Vietnamese capital and, aside from a few sites, is mainly made up of middle class residential neighborhoods. The area is busy with traditional Thai food stalls and small local cafes serving up truly delicious Vietnamese noodle soup to the local community. You should try out the speciality street-side mango salad here for just a few dong. There are higher end restaurants in the area too which serve up Vietnamese classics in comfortable and cosy settings.
Dong Da borders the Ba Dinh district where many of the top, culturally important sites in the city can be found and most are a short walk or a quick cyclo ride away from the hotels in Dong Da. The Temple of Literature, a Confucian temple complex and home to the country’s first university, is also really close by, located on the border of Ba Dinh at the north end. In the evenings you can find yourself being entertained with the locals at lively karaoke bars or sip on cold beers at local bars.
Accommodation in the area tends to lean towards more expensive and doesn’t offer a lot of choice if you are traveling on a tight budget, but if you have a little more to spare you can get yourself a comfortable room in a nice hotel in a fun local neighborhood that is close to a lot of the action in Hanoi.
         Blue Hanoi Inn Luxury Hotel – This is a great choice for a budget hotel in Hanoi. Rooms are decorated in simple, minimalistic style and feature comfortable beds and modern ensuites. There’s the option to choose a family suite, but elsewhere, other upgraded rooms come with large windows boasting city views. This place is clean, contemporary, and an all-around good option. There’s even a restaurant on site for evening meals when venturing into the city just seems a little too much for you. You’ll also get the chance to relax at the spa with various treatments on offer.

Truc Bach

If you want to stay in a neighborhood in Hanoi that is a little more peaceful and offers you the chance to relax after a busy day walking the city’s streets then Truc Bach could be the place for you. Truc Bach isn’t an area with a whole lot of famous tourist attractions, but there is still a wealth of interesting streets to explore and delicious food to sample.
There is a sizeable expat community living among the locals in the area and with that there are many eateries that cater to the Western inhabitants of Truc Bach – so if you are looking for a little home comfort among all of the noodles and rice then you will probably be able to find it here.
Set alongside Truc Bach lake the district offers some wonderful views across the lake, and a stroll along the water’s edge offers a little serenity among the scooter laden streets. There are many coffee shops along the lake for you to try out and some restaurants which serve frog hot pot for the more intrepid explorers to sample in the evenings.
Another place to explore in the district is the area close to the Chau Long Pagoda, where you will find the Chau Long wet market with locals busily shopping for fish for their supper and fresh fruit sellers selling reasonably priced watermelon to refresh you in the tropical heat. The hotels in the area are mid-range but prices can be very reasonable and rooms can be booked for a snip. Other parts of the city, as ever, are walkable but you can use the ever-present cyclos – just make sure to negotiate on prices!
            Pan Pacific Hanoi – The Pan Pacific Hanoi hotel is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a real slice of luxury in the Vietnamese capital. The rooms at this lavish hotel boast views of West Lake, Truc Bac Lake, and the Red River. The location here is great; it’s close enough to the bustling Old Quarter that you can get there easily, but far enough away that you can still go for lovely lakeside strolls. There’s a wide choice of rooms to suit all sorts of guests. There’s a heated indoor pool too.

Hai Ba Trung

Busy and urban Hai Ba trung is the district for entertainment, it is where you can find Hanois cinemas and shopping set amongst modern skyscrapers. This is where many of Hanoi’s locals live and is home to universities meaning a thriving student community. In the northern part of the district attractive tree-lined French architecture offers a more picturesque side to the area. And green and leafy Thong Nhat Park is a peaceful place to picnic with friends and take a stroll around Hồ Bảy Mẫu Lake.
Visitors who are into clothes shopping will enjoy browsing in the Vietnamese fashion boutiques or shopping for bigger labels at the huge Time City mall. The mall even has its own aquarium where stingrays float over your head in the viewing tunnel. Finish up busy days exploring the streets with a Vietnamese coffee at one of the many trendy cafes and hang out with the students.
Most places in the city are an easy taxi ride or walk away from Hai Ba Trung and there are many eateries to choose from, whether you want to eat local food or dine in more upscale restaurants there is something for everyone. Accommodation in the quarter is varied and modern 5-star luxury is surprisingly affordable.
            Parkside Sunline Hotel – Contemporary rooms with dark wood and a selection of suite sizes available, the Parkside Sunline Hotel also features interesting design elements and great city views. A perfect place to stay for those who are traveling on business, some rooms come complete with balconies and there’s strong Wi-Fi, too. There’s a well-equipped gym, perfect for keeping up with your workouts, as well as a spa where you can get a relaxing massage. The restaurant here serves local and international food – and you get to dine with great skyline views.

Ba Dinh

Most visitors to Hanoi will find themselves in Ba Dinh at some point in their trip, home to some of the city’s top tourist attractions, where you will find the compelling Military Museum and the Old Citadel. It is also where Ho Chi Minh’s body is on public view in his mausoleum. The neighborhood is the political center of Vietnam: it is from here that Ho Chi Minh famously declared independence from the French in 1945 and where the national assembly is located along with most of the embassies, meaning the streets are much quieter compared to the Old Quarter. The historical and culturally important Temple of Literature is also found in the district, which with its ongoing history and links with great Vietnamese scholars is a top site in Hanoi.
If you want something a little more laid back and reserved to base yourself for your stay in the Northern capital then Ba Dinh might be the district for you. As with many of the central areas, a lot of places of interest around Hanoi are accessible on foot. Accommodation around Ba Dinh is mostly made up of mid-range hotels alongside a few quaint restaurants, and a smattering of small bars close to Hanoi Botanical Gardens.
       Hanoi Daewoo Hotel – One of the most famous hotels in Vietnam, this 5-star offering is right next to Hanoi Zoo as well as the giant Lotte Department Store, so there’s plenty to see and do nearby. The modern, classic rooms look out over Thu Le Park (and lake of the same name) and provide stylish, relaxing spaces to stay during your time in Hanoi. There are three restaurants to dine in at Hanoi Daewoo Hotel, and it has its own bakery and a chic little bar for a few evening drinks.

Tay Ho

Not so long ago Tay Ho was a group of sleepy fishing villages near the edge of the city, but over the past decade the area has exploded with high-end residential developments. Now instead of fishermen you can expect to find a modern district with a range of shops, restaurants and nightlife. Built around the Ho Tay lake (West Lake), the neighborhood is a great choice for those looking for a little contemporary comfort in a hectic city.
New boutiques and stylish eateries have been opened up in the district by a creative expat community who have populated this newly developed area along with locals who are looking for something new. On Saturday morning Tay Ho’s weekend market buzzes with locals shopping for organic honey and authentic Vietnamese products and offers a fantastic opportunity to pick up some unique gifts.
Much of the accommodation in the area is made up of mid to high-end hotels but rooms are often still relatively reasonable. Some of the hotels in the area have views of the beautiful lake. The city’s big sites can be reached on foot, but taxis are easy to come by and will take you to your destination.
            Elegant Suites Westlake – A very large and modern hotel complex, Elegant Suites Westlake features spacious studios and apartments – perfect for people staying in the city for a long period of time or for those visiting the Vietnamese capital with their family. The rooms are well maintained and are decorated in a fashionable yet authentically traditional style. The location of this hotel might not be amidst all the action of the Old Quarter, but it is a little quieter. There’s also a pool here, which is great for children to splash around in.

Hoan Kiem District

The beautiful central district of Hoan Kiem in Hanoi is home to Hanoi’s old town and French quarter, and this place is quintessentially the image of Hanoi. Crumbling colonial buildings house classically Vietnamese shops and eateries. This is Hanoi at its most beautiful and is where many of the streams of tourists choose to stay in Hanoi. There is a range of accommodation available around the old streets: backpackers have a great selection of hostels to choose from and hotels are extremely reasonable, offering a high standard of cleanliness as well as service. Often hotels in this district are decorated with traditional large mahogany furniture.
One of the best things to do in Hoan Kiem is simply just to sit and watch as the magic of Hanoi’s daily life happens around you. Sip on a strong, sweet Vietnamese coffee on a street corner cafe and watch the streams of scooters skillfully manoeuvre their way through the traffic, the ladies serving up sloshing bowls of pho hour after hour and vendors selling fruit and other wares on the back of push bikes, calling out in Vietnamese to passers-by to let them know what they have to sell.
Public transport in the district is non-existent, but many of the main tourist attractions are in walking distance as well as restaurants, bars and the weekend market that take over some of the quarter’s streets on a Friday evening.
Apricot Hotel – This high-end hotel is full of luxury and modern comforts – and with all of that at an affordable price, you’re never going to want to leave. The interiors here are stunningly beautiful, with touches of neoclassical style making this place truly a sumptuous place to stay. Everything from the large, lavish bedrooms to the guest lounges decorated with chandeliers and gold fabric is wonderful. It makes for the perfect escape from the busy city streets. Soak up views of Lake Hoan Kiem from the rooftop, where you can also grab a drink.

Ha Long Bay

With its aqua-green water and cluster of limestone rocky outcrops rising from the water like sea dragons, Ha Long Bay resembles a scene from a fantasy story. Located about 130 km (80 miles) east of Hanoi in northern Vietnam, this otherworldly bay features more than 2,000 jungle-covered islands pitted with intriguing caves, grottoes, sinkholes and lakes. Many of the islands have been sculpted over the centuries by natural processes into fantastic formations.

Hanoi

For the last century, Hanoi has the Indochina and Vietnam Wars to emerge as the booming capital city of a reunified Vietnam. At the heart of Hanoi is its Old Quarter, an open-air museum of historic Asian and French colonial architecture that has largely remained intact despite the bombings of the Vietnam War. Here among scenic tree-lined boulevards, tourists can browse busy markets, sip coffee at quaint cafes and visit prominent sites like the Grand Opera House, the Presidential Palace and Saint Joseph Cathedral.

Where to Stay in Hanoi

Dalat
Year-round cool weather and idyllic scenery of misty valleys, lush pine trees and colorful flowers are some of the reasons that Dalat was once used by Vietnamese emperors and French colonials as a summer retreat. Today, this charming town in the South Central Highlands of Vietnam is a popular destination for those looking for relief from the heat. A walkable city, Dalat is a beautiful scene of French colonial architecture and villas set amid picturesque landscapes.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Known as the lake of the returned (or restored) sword, this lake marks the historical center of ancient Hanoi. The name comes from a legend in which Emperor Le Loi was given a magical sword by the gods, which he used to drive out the invading Chinese. Later, while boating on the lake, he encountered a giant turtle, which grabbed the sword and carried it down to its depths, Every morning at around 6am local residents practice traditional t’ai chi on the shore. The lake also houses Jade Island, home of the eighteenth century Temple of the Jade Mountain. The island is reachable via the red-painted and picturesque Morning Sunlight Bridge.

Hanoi's Old Quarter

The old quarter is a mesh of the old and the new, as antique narrow streets snake between old brick buildings, covered in modern motorbikes and street vendors. This region of Hanoi is a mix of French Colonial architecture and ancient temples, and sits along the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is the center of many attractions in Hanoi, from temples to the water puppet show to its street market. As the quarter was designed around the market, you will find that the streets here are all named for the kind of products that were once sold along its sidewalks, from wood to silver to paper.

Temple of Literature

This is one of the temples of Confucius, and home of the nation’s first university. Originally built in 1070, the temple is meant to honor all scholars. Today, calligraphists will come and write good will wishes in Han characters during the Asian New Year at the steps of the temple, to give as gifts. The temple was built to replicate Confucius’ birthplace, with five courtyards and various temples and other buildings throughout the expansive grounds. Of special note are the Stelae of Doctors, a series of over 100 carved blue stone turtles, which honor the names of all who pass the royal exams.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Like many colonial regions that were united by European rule, the country of Vietnam is actually a coagulation of 54 different officially recognized ethnic groups. The Museum of Ethnology strives to give a better understanding of each one, and does so quite elegantly. It is widely believed to be the best of all the modern museums in Vietnam. Displays include a combination of art, everyday objects, and historic artifacts to better tell the story of each unique culture.

Hanoi Hilton (Hoa Lo Prison)

The Hoa Lo Prison, sarcastically coined the Hanoi Hilton by American POWs, was originally built by the French to house Vietnamese political prisoners. The North Vietnamese Army later used the prison to house prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. Well known figures such as Senator John McCain, James Stockdale and Bud Day were just a few of the many prisoners of war that spent time in this prison. Two thirds of the prison was torn down to make way for the Hanoi Towers; the rest was turned into a museum and is now a popular tourist attraction in Hanoi. In 1999 a Hilton Hotel opened in Hanoi and was carefully named the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel.

Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace

Behind Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is a humble stilt house, where Ho Chi Minh supposedly lived in the 60s, though some claim that it would have been too risky during the war for him to live here. The house is an interpretation of a traditional rural dwelling, and has been preserved just as Ho left it. It’s set in a well-tended garden next to a carp-filled pond. It shares grounds with the much more luxurious and impressive Presidential Palace built for the French Governor of the Indochina colony in the early 1900’s. The palace is now used for official receptions and isn’t open to the public.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The final resting place of Vietnamese communist leader Ho Chi Minh sits in Ba Dinh square, the location where he read the nation’s declaration of independence in 1945. This tall, blocky pillared building is modeled after Lenin’s crypt in Moscow and meant to evoke a traditional communal house, though to many tourists it looks like a concrete cubicle with columns. Contrary to his desire for a simple cremation, the embalmed body is on display in plexiglass casing, and a dress code of long sleeves and pants is required to visit. The mausoleum is closed for a couple months around the end of the year, when the body goes to Russia for maintenance.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater

This theater celebrates a peasant art form that began in the rice paddies over a thousand years ago. Puppets were simply carved and puppeteers would stand in the water of the paddies, using it as a prop, and act out traditional activities like farming, or legends like the golden turtle and the emperor. The more modern version continues the use of water and audience participation. Traditional Vietnamese instruments perform an opera that narrates the puppets’ actions, and musicians will interact with puppets, encouraging the heroes and warning them of impending danger. Guests of the theater needn’t brave the monsoon weather that once would pour on outdoor audiences, but can sit and enjoy a meal while discovering this ancient dramatic art.

Hanoi's West Lake

This largest urban lake is a favorite location for tourists and Hanoi residents alike. It is where the high-end homes of Hanoi’s wealthy live, and contains a large number of hotels, restaurants, and luxury shops as well. It has been a popular location for residents here for thousands of years, and is home to one of Hanoi’s four sacred temples, as well as the oldest pagoda in the city. This pagoda, dating back to the sixth century, can be found on an island in the center of the lake. Boating, sightseeing, and shopping along the boardwalk are common activities here, and well worth the trip.

One Pillar Pagoda

If Buddhists were to build a treehouse, it would likely look a lot like this. This eleventh century temple was built by the emperor in gratitude for finally being blessed by a son. The temple was meant to look like a lotus flower blossoming from a single pillar in the pond, similar to the one seen in the prophetic dream of a child that this emperor had received. Inside, there is a small shrine to the Bodhisattva of Mercy. The current structure is a rebuild, as the French had the first destroyed after their retreat from the country.

Top Tourist Attractions in Hanoi

This capital city of Vietnam once served as the headquarters of the North Vietnamese communist army. Today, it provides a beautiful and educational window into a country that is most often visited through the Southern, tropical Ho Chi Minh City, once called Saigon. Where the South is palm trees and beaches, the North is tall, sharp rocky mountains full of waterfalls, deep emerald waters with pearl farms, and a culture that is as unique as it is beautiful.
A visit to Hanoi provides travelers with a fascinating blend of East and West. There are bustling streets full of bicycles, motorbikes and cars; an elegant blend of Asian Pagodas, communist block buildings and French Colonial relics; and there are a host of fun and unique attractions in Hanoi for the adventurous traveler.