Hanoi - Land of the Ascending Dragon

Lan Vien Hotel Hanoi

32Hang Bai/37A Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Description: A warm welcome awaits you at the Lan Vien Hotel, a newest four stars Hotel situated in the heart of Hanoi, Hang Bai Street and Ly Thuong... More info
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Chalcedony Hotel Hanoi

No 4 Nguyen Truong To Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Description: With totals of 73 spacious rooms with 17 stories featuring air-conditioning central controlled. Contemporary designed with luxurious... More info
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Boss Legend Hotel

21 Hang Thung Street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, Vietnam
Description: Newly open in July 2014, the Boss Legend is the only hotel located in the Old Quarter that has an authentic outdoor swimming pool.  Our... More info
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Quoc Hoa Hotel

10 Bat Dan Street - Hoan Kiem - Ha Noi - VietNam
Description: Quoc Hoa is the best choice for your real 3.5 Star Hotel in the central of Hanoi Old Quarter With 46 spacious luxurious guest rooms,... More info
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Medallion Hanoi Hotel

11 Ma May, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Description: With a view of the street scene from a window or balcony, all air-conditioned rooms are equipped with flat-screen TV, a personal safe... More info
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Hanoi Larosa Hotel

36 Nguyen Khuyen Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Description: Designed by European Classical architecture, 72 beautiful rooms are appointed with everything required to ensure your stay will be an... More info
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Gondola Hotel

31 Hang Hanh Str., Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi,Vietnam
Description: Just unveiled in December 2011, our beautiful Gondola Hotel in Hanoi is exquisite mergence between Italian spirit and Hanoi culture.... More info
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Church Boutique Hotel

9 Nha Tho Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Description: Eco-friendly Operations – Green initiatives have been implemented throughout the hotel including a key card activated energy... More info
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Camellia 4 Hanoi Hotel

12C Chan Cam str, Hoan Kiem dist, Hanoi city
Description about this hotel: CAMELLIA HA NOI Hotel has 7 floors, accessed by an elevator and all our rooms are well-furnished. CAMELLIA HANOI Hotel... More info
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Hanoi Boutique Hotel

07 Ngo Gach Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Description: Selected the very best of the French Colonial and Indochinese style in design and decor, Hanoi Boutique Hotel pledges to be unique and... More info
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Hanoi Downtown Hotel

No.1-3 Hang Phen Street – Hoan Kiem Distr - Hanoi
Description: Right in heart of Hanoi old quarter. All our Rooms are air-conditioned, included breakfast, Internet, towels and Linen provided in... More info
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Medallion Hotel

11 Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi City, Viet Nam 4/10
Description about hotel: Medallion Hotel is located right at the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter, within 5 minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake and the... More info
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Golden Silk Boutique Hotel

109-111 Hang Gai Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam 6/10
Welcome To Golden Silk Boutique Hotel Rising over the heart of Hanoi’s central old quarter and famous Silk Road, with a 3-minute walk to... More info
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Melia Hotel Hanoi

44B Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 10/10
Welcome to the Melia Hanoi Beautifully located in the heart of Vietnam’s capital, Meliá Hanoi welcomes all who are looking for splendid... More info
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Sheraton Hotel Hanoi

K5 Nghi Tam, 11 Xuan Dieu Road, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Vietnam 4/10
Located near the West Lake and surrounded by lush gardens, sweeping lawns, and tranquil courtyards. The Sheraton Hanoi Hotel is very much closed to... More info
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Hanoi - Land of the Ascending Dragon

Things to do - general

Hanoi’s history dates back almost a thousand years to the founding of the city by Emperor Ly Thai To. In 1010 he renamed the area Thang Long – ‘Soaring Dragon’. Hanoi is a city rich in tradition and legend, the most famous of which is the Arthurian tale of Hoan Kiem Lake. Legend has it that in the 15th century Emperor Le Thai To vanquished the invading Chinese with the help of a magical sword. Whilst rowing on the lake an enormous turtle seized the sword from his grasp. The Emperor took this to mean that peace had returned and the sword had been given back to its guardian spirit. In honor of the event he renamed the lake ‘Ho Hoan Kiem’ – Lake of the Restored Sword.

The city’s main period of growth stems from the arrival of the French in 1888. Within a short time Hanoi was transformed into an elegant city with broad tree-lined boulevards, avenues and parks, making it one of the greenest cities in Asia. Fortunately many of the old boulevards and residences have survived and are used to house Foreign Embassies and other Government institutions.

Today Hanoi is a bustling capital city of nearly 4 million people. Its focal point is Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter, immediately to its north.

 

When the best time to visit Hanoi

Autumn (around September to November) and Spring (March and April) are two best seasons to visit Hanoi when the weather is pleasant with milder temperatures.

In winter, Hanoi is quite cold when the temperatures can fall below 10ºC (50ºF) and getting hotter in the summer averaging around 28-35ºC (82º-95ºF). Hanoi has high humidity year-round.

The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September. Heavy rains may happen sometimes in the summer; however, it is not consistent and does not affect your travel.

Hanoi weather by Month

– December – March: cold (sometimes as cold as 5 degrees) but mainly dry

– April – June: warm

– July – September: hot and humid and chances of showers

– October – November: warm, clear skies.

Getting There & Away

Air

Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport is located 45 kilometers from central Hanoi.

– Vietnam Airlines

– Jetstar Airway

Please contact us to book flight ticket.

Car & Motorbike

Car hire is best arranged via our office. Rates almost always include a driver.

Getting around Hanoi by motorbike means relentless traffic, non – existent road manners and inadequate street lighting.

Bus & Mini Bus

Hanoi has 3 main long – distance bus stations of interest to travellers. They are fairly well organized, with ticket offices, fixed prices and schedules.

– Gia Lam Bus Station

– Luong Yen Bus Station

– My Dinh Bus Station

 Train

Hanoi’s main train station is located not far from the Centre of Hoan Kiem, on the border of Ba Dinh district on Le Duan Street. The easiest way to get here is to head west on Ly Thuong Kiet, which ends right at the station.

You can book and catch trains south to Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, HCMC and other destinations.

All of these tickets can be booked at the station or at our office.

Taxi

Several reliable companies offer metered taxis. All charge fairly similar rates. Flag tall is around 15,000d, which take you 1km to 2 km; every kilometer costs around 12,000d. Some dodgy operators have high – speed meters, so use the following more reliable companies.

– Thanh Nga Taxi (04.38.215.215)

– Van Xuan Taxi (04.38.222.888)

– Mai Linh Taxi (04.38.222.666)

Cyclo

A few cyclo drivers still frequent the Old Quarter, and if you’re going a short distance, it’s a great way to experience the city (despite the fumes). Settle on a price first and watch out for overcharging – a common ploy when carrying two passengers is to agree on a price.

 

Sights & Activities

Old Quarter

This bustling area of 36 narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the streets names’ related to the products being sold there.

Ho Chi Minh Complex

Completed in 1975 the complex contains Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

Temple of Literature

This is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. One of its main features is the stone stele mounted on the backs of turtles inscribed with the names of the university graduates.

Museum of Ethnology

A must see for anyone intending to visit either Mai Chau or Sapa. This museum is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam‘s 54 ethnic minority peoples.

Water Puppet Show

This is a uniquely Vietnamese creation with its origins dating back nearly a thousand years. Originally these plays would have taken place on lakes and ponds during the monsoon season, depicting daily life as well as numerous tales and legends.

Eating

New Day Restaurant: 72 Ma May Street Old quarters, Hanoi, Vietnam

Bun Cha: 1 Hang Manh, Hang Quat  Truc Bach, Hanoi, Vietnam

Pho Thin Noodle Soup: 13 Pho Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam

The Gourmet Corner Restaurant: 32 Lo Su Str., Old Quarter Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi (Phone: 84 439351632)

City View Café: 7 Dinh Tien Hoang St, Hoan Kiem Dist., Hanoi (Phone: 04 39347911)

 

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