Despite the northern weather not being as welcoming and hot and humid as found in central and southern Vietnam the north does has its attractions. One is the capital and the thousands of years of history that still exists in Hanoi today.
Yes, it can be cooler "up north" and at times a lot wetter too but it's still a much sought-after destination. Let's read on to see why.
Along the outskirts of Hanoi's Old Quarter are the century old rail tracks and little has changed over time ― as you would come to expect with the Old Quarter ― and that's the beauty of this attraction. The first thing that catches you is the atmosphere and buzz of all what's going on around you and partly that stems off from the surrounding Old Quarter itself.
Walk along the track as you see so many eateries and cafes and bars, serving authentic Vietnamese food and drink in a lively outdoor culture of all mixed nationalities ― young and old people are just drawn to this old railway track and that's truly unbelievable when you think that trains still use this line.
If you are visiting Hanoi with family ― young children ― come during the summer months. It's high season and the streets and beaches are somewhat crowded but it's the best time of the year to get the most sun and the most fun.
Our recommendation is to book your leisure and pleasure in Halong Bay with a tour operator. Leave them to take care of arranging your cruise trips and accommodation and transport so you and your family can simply go and enjoy yourself without any upset.
You must come and see this traditional form of Vietnamese entertainment and it isn't purely for children only as you could imagine. The shows put on are a demonstration of a fine art that has come to be expected of the Vietnamese culture. The daily performance depicts everything about north Vietnam from farmers to dancing dragons, according to historical legends, and must more.
The theatre has travelled all over the world, sharing their puppetry art with many an audience and rightly so they've received much applause and recognition.
The Citadel of Hanoi, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was the center of ancient Hanoi serving as the capital for 800 years and a political powerhouse for an incredible 13 centuries. The tower seen above the Citadel stands 40 meters tall, the complex continues to represent a position of power today.
In more recent times Vietnam's Institute of Archaeology have unearthed numerous artefacts and evidence of ancient buildings dating back to 7th century AD.
A typical scene on many Vietnam streets are the pavements teeming with bicycles and scooters parked as their owners are crowded into nearby markets and cafes. You have little choice but to move around them as best as you can ― but isn't this part of the Vietnamese experience? French colonial architecture greets you with a finesse of traditional Vietnamese architecture for good measure.
This historic part of Hanoi has a lot of cafes, restaurants, boutique shops and there are art galleries and rooftop bars. Today, much of the retail aspect of the Old Quarter may appear modern and overdeveloped, however many of the shops have been in the same family for generations. Incredibly, some are even more than 1000 years old. And you can still feel a sense of that heritage as you stroll around despite the commercialization.
Just a stone's throw from the Old Quarter you will easily find the Haon Kiem lake. The lake is very popular among the local Vietnamese as a gathering place for families and meet friends. Slow walks along the banks help with rest and relaxation and just enjoy the natural surroundings and peacefulness. To get the best experience, visit the lake over the weekend and in the early evening as the traffic is far less busy in the area.
Before heading for your hotel ― or heading in the direction of the Old Quarter for a meal ― be sure to visit the Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda found on a small, wooded Island on the lake and is accessible by a wooden bridge. Both attractions are some of the most famous actually in Hanoi so it would be a shame to miss them.
One of the oldest landmarks in Hanoi dating back over 1,500 years, it represents one of the better escapes from a busy city life for many. The resting place is on the edge of Hanoi's West Lake ― the city's largest ― and our recommendation is that you visit this beautiful pagoda if history and culture interest you. The museum is open for viewing many Vietnamese antiques, too.
The area of Trang An found in Vietnam's Ninh Binh district is highly respected and a desirable travel destination for all Vietnamese people. But it's also world famous internationally and best known as "Halong Bay on land". The same ruggedest limestone karst mountains that jut out of Halong Bay also jut out this flat, fertile land.
About 100km out of Hanoi you will find no other place that has such a thick forested floor with imposing mountain towers of 200 meters, plus in height. A region long spared for its rural farm life and rice paddies, this beauty is bringing eco-tourists in their thousands who dare to scramble up the mountains and kayak the waterways and caves.
The notoriety of this prison is legendary. Inside it contains the history of a century of torture. For the Vietnamese under French colonial rule, it was political agitators. Later, it was used for American prisoners captured during the Vietnam war. The brutality unleashed is unimaginable today and it fills you with dread learning about the life prisoners must have had to endure. We feel the history has to be shared and passed on to future generations and why we've included it in our guide.
This attraction is a short distance out of Hanoi city near the foot of Sai Mountain. This Pagoda has long attracted a large crowd of spiritual followers, but it has also become a tourist hot spot known for its charming landscape and ancient architecture. Of course, a lot of the hold it has on people may be the nature too.
As with many things to do with a Pagoda there's a long history to learn and there are many buildings to see at this attraction with beautiful architectural features. There is a lake to enjoy surrounded by nature including Cac Co cave said to be bottomless. It certainly is deep and dark and there are thousands of skeletons that remain from after a great battle, legend has it.
There is a certain buzz about Hanoi, especially more so in respect of the heritage you can touch and feel in everything you do. Yet that isn't to say Hanoi isn't modern, for it has a reputation for a wicked nightlife pulling in a "younger generation" to town. And there are those beautiful experiences waiting for you of course ― if you are prepared to travel outside the city.
On reading our guide we hope you can relate more closely to this wonderful city and the people who bring the north to life, and who knows, maybe even want to holiday here.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.