The Capital of Vietnam!
See Ophelia and Peter’s blog for ideas and inspiration. They were my English teachers back in 2009 — 2010, and they wrote incredible posts about Viet Nam that I still re-read once in a while.
From here, you can take the night train to Sa Pa, and from Sa Pa you can take the night bus to Ha Long Bay.
Old Quarter Attractions - Sword Lake
This is the most popular place in Hanoi, and you can visit Sword Lake as well as enjoy a lot of “peng” food here.
Should try: Nem chua rán, chân gà, gỏi bò/sứa, phở cuốn, bánh mì, bia Trúc Bạch…
West Lake
Gorgeous, magnificent, scenic, stunning, extraordinary
A famous place to take selfies and special photos with different views.
Should try: bánh tôm, bánh cuốn, …
Ocean Park
This is where Nam studies and stays. It has a lot of amenities (VinUni also).
Should go: Vincom, Artificial beach, VinUni (definitely)
Should try: Lươn Cay cổng thành, gà Choongnam
Keangnam tower
This is the tallest tower in Hanoi where you can see the whole city from the rooftop.
Should try: 4Ps, Big Mama, …
Cat Linh Metro Station
Quite new in Hanoi, pleasant experience where you can appreciate the subliminal sights of this capital city.
Should stop at Thượng Đình station (where you can go to Royal City)
Royal city
Vincom Megamall is the biggest shopping mall in Hanoi. There are a lot of
shops and eateries that you can try.
Should try: ice skating, VCCA art gallery, bowling.
Bat Trang pottery village
A tradition of Vietnamese people in the past. You can make your own pottery at this place.
Other places you may find interesting
_ Paint gun - 79 Võ Chí Công
_ Santorini park - Gamuda Central, Hoàng Mai
_ Target Archery - Số 3 Ngõ 184 Thạch Bàn, Thạch Bàn, Long Biên
_ Aquarium - Times City
_ Kart racing - Big C, Cầu Giấy
_ Painting workshop - 12 Cầu Gỗ, Hoàn Kiếm
Eateries:
_ Nầm nướng - 19 P. Hàng Lược, Hàng Mã, Hoàn Kiếm
_ Bún đậu mắm tôm - Số 2 ngõ Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm (9h - 21h)
_ Sushi - AB Sushi Ecopark
_ Lẩu Wang - 265 P. Tô Hiệu, Dịch Vọng, Cầu Giấy
_ Xôi xéo phô mai sườn cay - 176 Bạch Đằng, Hoàn Kiếm
_ Nem chua nướng - Số 12 Hàng Cót, Hoàn Kiếm
_ Phở gà trộn mọc trứng - Phở gà Nguyệt - số 5 Phủ Doãn, Hai Bà Trưng
Bars:
_ Leo’s bar - 16 P. Lò Sũ, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm (music on Wednesday and Sunday)
_ Polite & Co - 5b Ng. Báo Khánh, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm
_ The 6 - 6 Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm
This is bò phở instead of phở bò. Haha, so much beef in the bowl. Rate: 9/10
The best bánh cuốn I have ever tried. If you want more fried onion, just ask for more.
Rate: 9.5/10
Even though it is more expensive than almost all eateries in Hanoi, the quality is beyond my expectation. You should also try “Nem cua bể” here.
Rate: 8.5/10
The secret of this dish is the amazing fish sauce. The price is quite higher than other dishes.
Rate: 7.5/10
My friend suggests me this. It’s totally different from phở or bún chả.
Rate: 8/10
You can try bánh mì right after mì vằn thắn. The taste is phenomenal, even though I don’t like bánh mì so much.
Rate: 8.5/10
The traditional ice cream of Vietnam. There are various flavors for you to choose.
Rate: 8.5/10
Cafes:
_ Trill Bistro - 98 Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm
_ Ping pong cafe - 148 P. Từ Hoa, Quảng An, Tây Hồ
_ 151 P. Trích Sài, Bưởi, Tây Hồ
_ Tipi Kafe - Vinhomes Ocean Park
_ Cà phê Giảng - 39 P. Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm
_ MANOIR COFFEE - 1A Nguyễn Gia Thiều, Q. Hoàn Kiếm
_ Coffee Club – Số 3B Lê Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm
_ The Hanoi House - 47 Lý Quốc Sư, Hoàn Kiếm
_ Bonchen Coffee & Workspace -116 Hoàng Ngân, Trung Hoà, Cầu Giấy