American magazine suggests 9 best things tourists should do in Hanoi

Hanoi is charming and never boring. Ancient temples and pagodas sit side by side with shiny new buildings. And because urban life seems to take place on the sidewalks, visitors can get a firsthand feel of the city’s unique habits and people.

Lonely Planet, the globally renowned American travel magazine, shared this in an article about Vietnam's capital titled "9 Best Things to Do in Hanoi, According to Local Travel Experts".

Inside a crowded noodle shop in the old town on a busy morning.

PHOTO: JACK SOLOMAN/LONELY PLANET

1. Street food and draft beer

If you enjoy discovering new cities by exploring the best local food spots, then Hanoi is a delightful adventure. The city is as vibrant as the breath of street food, with wonderful aromas wafting everywhere.

You've undoubtedly heard of pho, the fragrant broth and noodles that first put Vietnamese cuisine on the world map. And if you ask ten locals where the best pho in Hanoi is, you'll get ten different answers. Everyone has their favorite spot, often a small roadside eatery where the same family has perfected the recipe over generations.

Hanoi's street food isn't just limited to pho; it also includes Southern-style beef noodle soup, traditional steamed rice rolls, and grilled pork with noodles...

Besides that, draft beer is one of the best things to try in Hanoi. Hanoians drink draft beer in the afternoon, right after a football match or during get-togethers with friends after work.

Ta Hien Street is crowded with tourists and locals at night.

PHOTO: DINH HUY

2. Coffee

Hanoi's coffee scene is vibrant and diverse. While trendy cafes serving espresso are becoming increasingly popular, traditional establishments offering local coffees like iced coffee, egg coffee, and coconut coffee still have a loyal following.

Begin your café wanderings in the Old Quarter, where you can easily walk between cafés. Don't miss Café Giảng, where Mr. Giảng created Hanoi's famous egg coffee in 1946 during a time of milk scarcity. Topped with a thick layer of golden egg foam and condensed milk, the hot robusta coffee tastes like a tempting dessert, and has a strong caffeine kick. Or head to the Cộng café chain…

Egg coffee

PHOTO: THANH NAM

3. Visit the Museum of Ethnology

Before heading to mountainous regions like Sa Pa or Ha Giang, visit the Museum of Ethnology to get an overview of the ethnic groups in Vietnam and the cultures they might encounter on their journey.

The museum displays a remarkable collection from Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, including art, artifacts, and everyday items. Spread across two floors, the exhibits are arranged geographically and ethnically, highlighting costumes, architecture, and customs. The most captivating feature is the museum's garden, where different ethnic groups have built traditional houses similar to those found in their villages, such as the towering communal house of the Ba Na people and the longhouse of the Ede people.

4. Lost in the 36 streets of Hanoi

A small alley in the old town.

PHOTO: GETTY

Forget maps or any walking routes: In Hanoi's Old Quarter – a labyrinthine area with hundreds of interwoven alleys and lanes – you can create your own adventure, get lost in the narrow streets, and capture everyday moments of the locals at every corner.

5. Morning by the lake

Want to laugh out loud at dawn? Around 6 a.m., in front of the Le Thai To Temple or many other areas along the lake, you can join "laughter yoga" sessions, open to everyone. If you don't want to join a group, you can simply enjoy watching the elderly men and women laughing and joking in the early morning sun.

Hoan Kiem Lake is picture-perfect at dawn. It's well worth getting up early to take a stroll and observe what Hanoians are doing at the start of the day. If you smile and say "hello!", you might have a memorable experience joining the locals in their morning exercise.

Hoan Kiem Lake on a misty morning

PHOTO: LUU QUANG PHO

6. Watch a water puppet show.

Traditional water puppetry – performed in a waist-deep pool of water, featuring folk music genres such as cheo, quan ho, and chau van – offers captivating folk tales. The puppets themselves are charming and whimsical, and the dialogue and music bring immense joy to the audience.

7. Take a stroll around Banana Island

Banana Island, a vast green area along the Red River, has been a place where local farmers have grown bananas for decades. Due to rapid urbanization, this riverside area has become an important green space for the city. Locals now frequently visit Banana Island to breathe fresh air, walk, swim, and camp.

8. Visit Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Thang Long Imperial Citadel transports visitors back a thousand years.

PHOTO: JACK SOLOMAN/LONELY PLANET

To better understand the formation and development of Hanoi through different periods, visit Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this exceptional monument boasts ancient architecture, statues, and an impressive collection of artifacts dating back to the Dinh and Early Le dynasties – approximately 1,200 years ago. For centuries since then, it has been a center of power, and today it is a vital historical treasure of Vietnam.

9. Explore Hanoi like a local on a motorbike.

Hanoi is the city of scooters. To explore the city like a local, don't hesitate to hop on a Vespa or Minsk (with a tour guide – i.e., driver) and discover the narrow alleys of the Old Quarter or the rural roads of the suburbs. Scooter tours offer a unique way to see both famous and lesser-known landmarks, while also enjoying delicious local food.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tap-chi-my-goi-y-9-dieu-tuyet-nhat-du-khach-nen-lam-o-ha-noi-185250828142830839.htm