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10 must-do activities in Hanoi

Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo

The first thing you’ll notice about Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is the traffic — horns blare as the locals zip past on a seemingly endless fleet of scooters, while tour buses carry a steady flow of tourists, lapping up the sights of this vibrant city.

There’s certainly plenty to enjoy, ranging from mouth-watering street food to traditional entertainment, plus the fascinating history and culture of a city that has survived colonial occupation and war.

Explore the Old Quarter

The buzzing heart of Hanoi for more than 1,000 years, the Old Quarter is still a hub of everyday life for locals. Its 36 streets were originally named after the goods once traded there, and a few still specialise, such as P Hang Gai, lined with shops selling textiles. It’s a fascinating area to wander around, whether you’re haggling for souvenirs or people-watching over a cool Hanoi beer.

Discover Hanoi’s history

Having endured Chinese and French occupation, as well as the chaos of the Vietnam War, Hanoi has a rich heritage. Recent excavations at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (hoangthanhthanglong.vn) have uncovered artefacts dating from the 7th century AD; check out the on-site museum for beautiful terracotta phoenixes and dragon heads. The site was also the home to the D67 Tunnel and House, the HQ of the Vietnamese People’s Army, from which war was waged from 1955 to 1975.

(Alamy Stock Photo)
(Alamy Stock Photo)

Pay respects to Uncle Ho

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese, who pay tribute to the man who led the fight for a unified Vietnam. Queues to see his corpse can stretch for hours, and once inside, talking, photography and hands in pockets are banned. Free entry.

Lap up the coffee culture

Coffee was introduced here by the French in the late 19th century but Vietnam quickly started to grow its own crop and put a unique spin on the drink.

A must-try is the local egg coffee (cafe trung). Somewhere between a beverage and a dessert, it involves beaten egg whites poured over an espresso, resulting in a sweet mousse.

Visit the Women’s Museum

The Vietnam Women’s Union decided to establish this museum (womenmuseum.org.vn), exploring women’s contribution to the country’s culture. Admire elaborate bridalwear, learn of the toil of women’s agricultural labour and discover the female fighters who played a key role in the Vietnam War.

Sample the street food

You’re never far from a street-food vendor here, and incredibly low prices mean it seems rude not to try every dish. Make like the locals and sit by the roadside at Bun Cha Nem Cua Be Dac Kim (87 Duong Thanh Street), where you can enjoy bun cha; barbecued pork and rice noodles in a tasty broth.

(Alamy Stock Photo)
(Alamy Stock Photo)

Visit Hoa Lo Prison

Grim but absorbing, Hoa Lo was originally a French prison built in 1896. Only a small section of it remains but it’s enough to display gruesome examples of the torture and squalid conditions endured, plus a chilling French guillotine. Hoa Lo eventually became the detainment site for American POWs, and was jokingly known by prisoners as the Hanoi Hilton. Among the misery there are tales of hope, including the captives who managed to escape by tunnelling to freedom through tiny sewers.

Stroll around Hoàn Kiem Lake

One of the city’s more serene spots, the lake draws locals from dawn — when tai chi practice occurs — to dusk, when the lake’s illuminations glimmer into life. Visit the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre, where musicians and puppeteers keep this 1,000-year-old Vietnamese art form alive.

Indulge in some relaxation

Need a break from the Hanoi bustle? Many high-end hotels have in-house spas, such as the Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi (movenpick.com/Vietnam/Hanoi). If you’re in budget accommodation, head to the SF Spa (sfintercare.com), an oasis of calm in the middle of the bustling Old Quarter, for a traditional massage.

Be enchanted by Halong Bay

Perhaps Vietnam’s most magical sight, Halong Bay is dotted with tiny islands, caves, grottos and fairy-tale forests. It’s just over 100 miles from the capital. Vega Travel (vegatravel.vn) runs tours for $120 per person, including bus transfers from Hanoi and a private room aboard a boat, which moors overnight in the blissful waters of the World Heritage site.