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Best Things to Do & See in Hanoi

It comes as a surprise that Hanoi is probably the most beautiful capital city in Southeast Asia, mingling indigenous architectural treasures with fine examples of French colonial architecture. Especially, you can have a chance to enjoy some awesome food and experience the local lives.

Duong Lam Village

Recognized as national historic and cultural vestiges since 2006, the village will take you to date back to the origin of Vietnam’s culture and Vietnam legends. Be blessed with special architecture through its surviving brick ancient houses, traditional relics including Ngo Quyen Temple, Phung Hung Temple, Va Temple, and Mia Pagoda. Especially, experience their local lifestyle and have a deep insight into the Vietnamese countryside as well.

Van Phuc Silk Village

Van Phuc Silk Village is one of the most appealing craft villages in Vietnam. Accessing the village, you can see traditional silk weaving techniques, the process of silk weaving, and high-quality products. It is also home to massive banyan trees, wells, communal houses – symbols of Vietnam countryside, and souvenirs using traditional looms.

Son Dong Traditional Sculpture Village

Son Dong Village is recognized as a trade village that sculpts the largest quantity of statues and worshipping objects for Buddhists by the Vietnam Record Book Center. Have an appointment with craftsmen who get skillful hands, great patience, and high concentration to know more about this unique craft. Simultaneously, listen to guide introduce about mother goddess custom in Vietnam.

Song Phuong Vegetable Village

The village is one of the famous vegetable villages including vegetable gardens, tropical fruits, and very hospitable local people. To help you have the best moments, put a stop visit to Vang market to get its lively pace, explore vegetable fields & fruit gardens as well as join a farmer working in his field to know to cultivate techniques in the agriculture country like Vietnam.

Best Specialties to Taste in Hanoi

Bun Cha – Grilled Pork and Vermicelli

It is a great pity if you forget to try Bun Cha during Hanoi vacation. The pork (strips of meat and minced pork patties) are soaked into a bowl of a fish sauce and served with a basket of fresh herbs, rice noodles, red chili, and minced garlic.

Suggestion: Bun Cha Huong Lien (No. 24 Le Van Huu St, Hai Ba Trung District) or Bun Cha Dac Kim (No 1 Hang Manh)

Nem Cua Be – Crab Spring Rolls

Another Specialty of Hanoi you should not miss is nem cua be or crabmeat spring rolls. The combination of the dish is minced crab, pork, vermicelli, mushrooms, and some various spices. All of stuffs are rolled in rice sheets and served with fresh herbs & lettuce. One part known as the soul of the dish is the sour and spicy sauce or the savory bun cha soup.

Suggestion: Dac Kim restaurant (No.67 Duong Thanh St, Hoan Kiem District)

Banh Cuon – Steamed Pork Wraps

Banh Cuon – a dedicate and light dish is a mixture of pork, shrimps, onions, and minced wood ear mushroom, filling wrapped in freshly steamed rice paper. It tastes the best when accompanied by a delicious fish sauce packed with a bit of vinegar, kumquat, sugar, warm water, and chili. Dip banh cuon in the sauce and enjoy its mild taste.

Suggestion: Banh Cuon Gia Truyen (No 14 Hang Ga St)

Banh Mi – Vietnamese Sandwich

It is for sure that you will fall in love with banh mi after tasting. Although it stemmed from French, the Vietnamese have made it distinctive on our own. The main ingredients of the sandwich are pork, pâté, and Vietnam herbs such as cucumber, carrot, radish, and coriander. You will be seduced by its spicy, salty, savory, sweet, and aromatic tastes.

Suggestion: Banh mi P (no 12 Hang Buom St)