Introduction:

Do you ever wonder if it's worth your travel time to visit Hanoi, Vietnam?

I say yes, it is.  Let me explain the 15 experiences you must try while visiting Hanoi.  The last one is a definite must-do.   

.Vespa Food Tour Through the Hanoi 

The majority of the 8 million residents (about half the population of New York) of Hanoi ride or drive some type of motorized bike.  Thus, what better way to understand the culture of Hanoi than taking a tour of the city on the back of a vintage Vespa?  No exploration of Hanoi would be complete without eating like a local.  Some musts are enjoying Vietnamese chilled coffee from a rooftop bar.  You must also try Bum Cha, a famous pork-based soup in Hanoi.  While trying the spicy soup, your guide can teach you chopstick etiquette and how to eat soup like the Vietnamese.  You must try Pho Cuon, a fresh spring roll filled with stir-fried beef.  This dish is so famous that a whole street of restaurants specializes in making pho cuon. If you are not completely stuffed, you must try Bahn Trang Tron, a dish of fried rice paper square you make a hole in, then fill with beef and fresh vegetables, and dredge through gravy before shoving the whole thing in your mouth in one bite.    

Do a Rice Wine Tasting 

Rice wine or happy water is a staple in Vietnam.  Enjoy tasting the plain and more popular versions flavored with honey or ginger and served with rice crackers. 

Enjoy a Jazz Club 

Venture into the growing art district in Hanoi and experience jazz and the most famous jazz club in Vietnam. 

Visit the Temple of Literature 

The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 as the first university in Vietnam, focusing on the study of Confucius. Now, anyone who has any upcoming test comes to the temple to give offerings and ask for blessings for success.  Students even bring their pencils and test books to be blessed. 

Take a Cruise on Ha Long Bay 

A couple of hours outside Hanoi is Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The best way to gaze at the amazing limestone structures called karsts that protrude out of the bay's calm waters is by ship.  I suggest an overnight stay.  By taking an overnight cruise, you can see the farther-out karsts while relaxing on your balcony, enjoy the activities on the ship, like cooking demonstrations, and be spoiled by the huge variety of amazing Vietnamese dishes provided on the ship. 

Visit Cat Ba Island and Explore Trung Trang Cave   

While floating in Ha Long Bay, take the opportunity to visit Cat Ba Island, the home to Trung Trang Cave.  The stairs to the cave's opening provide a fantastic view of the lush island.  Inside the cave is a wide variety of impressive stalactites and stalagmites. 

Do Morning Exercises with the Locals at West Lake 

Exercise is essential to the residents of Hanoi.  People gather around West Lake every morning to exercise in many different ways.  You will see a variety of exercises, from badminton to different forms of dance, tai chi, and just free-form movements.  Anyone is welcome to join. 

Explore the Bike Market in the Old Quarter 

Every morning farmers from the villages outside of Hanoi ride their bikes into the city loaded with produce, tofu, and flowers.  They set up on the streets of the Old Quarters selling their wares.  Later in the day, they ride through neighborhoods shouting what they are selling. Wandering through the bikes is a fun way to see what is grown or produced locally. 

Visit The Tracks 

You must visit The Tracks in Hanoi.  The area is a neighborhood built with a train track so close to the buildings you could touch the trains from the front doors.  It is so much fun to enjoy a frozen coffee or snack at the little restaurants on the edges of the tracks while waiting for the train.  Once the trains arrive, it is scary and exciting to feel the massive beast fly so close to you.  You feel the sound of it within your bones. 

Visit B52 Lake 

B52 Lake is a graphic reminder that Hanoi was almost destroyed by bombing during the Vietnam War.  These are the remains of a B52 plane that crashed in the middle of a neighborhood.   

Learn Some History at Vietnam Prisoner of War Museum 

You cannot come to Hanoi without acknowledging the war.  The Prisoner of War Museum does a very good job of explaining the conflict. 

Explore How the Narrow Houses of Hanoi are Built 

Due to taxes, the residents of Hanoi have built very narrow houses with shared front doors connected by alleyways.  It is common for 6 houses to connect to one alley with one front door. Going to Café Pho Co for coffee is an easy way to explore this style of architecture of houses, alleys, and hidden gardens.   

Enjoy an Egg Coffee 

Once at Café Pho Co, you must taste an egg coffee, a drink created in 1946 by a bartender in Hanoi who didn’t have access to milk.  The top of the drink is a creamy mixture of raw egg, sugar, and condensed milk, which floats on top of a cup of espresso coffee.  Café Pho Co makes one of the best egg coffees in the city. 

Wander the Neighborhood Alley Stores 

While out wandering the Old Quarter check out the topic-specific stores in the alleys.  All of these stores that have just one theme such as beans, toys, or snacks, are stuffed with every form of their item they can find.  It is a joy to wander and figure out their product. 

Drink a Beer at a Street Side Bar  

Finally, the most important thing is to learn to relax at a little street side bar, drinking beer and cheering Mot, Hai, Ba Do before chugging your beer. 

Each of these experiences builds on each other to create a complete picture of all that Hanoi, Vietnam, has to offer. The history and present meld together to embody the spirit of the city.  

 Hanoi Vietnam: Wonder If It's Worth Your Travel Time to Visit?

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