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Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a cultural blend of East and West, with Chinese influence from centuries of dominance, and French design from its colonial past. It remains largely unspoiled by modern architecture of the 1970s and 80s, and is now going through a modernization that is making it a rising star in Southeast Asia. In the midst of being invaded during countless wars, Hanoi has remained a true Asian gem with its beautiful lakes and green spaces. Come see where all the beauty is with a wild trip to Hanoi! StudentUniverse.com’s got your back with cheap student airfare.

Hanoi Pictures

Things to do in Hanoi

Plan to want to stay here forever, as this city is packed! First there’s the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, open mornings only 8-11 AM, and closed on afternoons, Mondays, and Fridays. With free admission, the mausoleum also requires you to have long pants, no talking, and no other signs of disrespect. Also take a look at Ho Chi Minh’s Vestige in The Presidential Palace Area, where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1954 until his death in 1969. With nice landscaping around Ho Chi Minh’s houses, this land is beautiful and in pristine condition, as the man himself “left it” when he died. Hanoi also has a few great parks with large expanses of green spaces where you can lay back, relax, and have a nice picnic or game of Frisbee. One particularly great space is the Hoan Kiem Lake, a pleasant park in the center of town, within easy walking distance from anywhere in the Old Quarter. It’s the locals’ favorite leisure spot, and a great place to watch people practicing tai chi in the morning or to sit and read in the afternoon. Hanoi also has wartime sites, such as the Hoa Lo Prison, B-52 Lake, and Down Aircraft Memorial, where you can take a somber trip back in time and remember solemn moments in history. Hanoi also features the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, across the street from the shores of the Hoan Kiem Lake. A visit to the water puppet theater is a real highlight of a trip to Hanoi. Live musicians accompany folk legends from Vietnamese history, told with wooden men, women and dragons, dancing and splashing on the face of the water. The narratives are sung in Vietnamese, but a list of titles is available in several languages. Tickets are 40,000 and 60,000 dong. There are several performances throughout the day, but it’s virtually impossible to buy tickets for the same day, and most performances for the following day will be sold out as well. Camera passes are an extra 15,000 dong, but whether you buy one or not is purely on the honor system. Don’t worry about getting wet, but the seats are very small, and visitors with above-average height will have to squirm a bit.

Find things to do in Hanoi

Nightlife in Hanoi

Bia Hoi is abundant in the streets of the Old Quarter. At the crossing of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen, five separate venues fill up with travelers in the evenings, but you can get more local atmosphere on some of the side streets. Hanoi is a lively city on the weekends, but the Old Quarter closes relatively early (at midnight) on weekdays, so you might want to start your night early. Some great places to hit up are the Loft Bar & Restaurant, Jazz Club by Quyen van Minh, Culi Cafe, and Green Lake. All are sure to be a great time!

Dining in Hanoi

Vietnamese cuisine is continuing to be a delicious and popular way of eating around the world. Where else can you get a tasty spring break meal of authentic Vietnamese food? The most popular food choice remains to be “Pho Ga”, chicken noodle soup, or “Pho Bo”, beef noodle soup. Vietnamese dishes usually consist of chicken, beef, fish, or seafood, along with a variety of other foods. Another local delicacy in the Hanoi area is dog meat (thjt cho), which is especially popular in the winter. Many restaurants along the Red River specialize in that dish. Other exotic regional tastes include “ca cuong”, an extract from the “belostomatid,” or giant water bug.

Shopping in Hanoi

There are many different shops along the city center, most will either offer student discount or let your bargain for the price. Make sure to bring back great gifts for your friends and family from Hanoi, as many of the goods sold are specifically for tourists and make great gifts.

Hanoi Travel Tips

• Some plane companies will charge a departure tax.
• Be careful of fast motorbikes when traveling in the downtown area.
• Visit Hoan Kiem Lake–it’s absolutely magnificent.