Destination

A main cultural centre of the country, Hanoi has been the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years and maintains its position as the country’s second largest city. Meaning ‘Between Rivers’ or ‘River Interior’, Hanoi is dense with lakes and offers a magnificent blend of traditional Vietnamese style and French flair.

Whether you prefer museums and temples or parks and lakes, Hanoi’s vast collection of historical and cultural sites ensures that you will find something to pique your interest. 

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the centre of Hanoi. In 15th century, Emperor Le Loi gave a magic sword to the Golden Turtle God after winning a fight against the Ming China. It is said that turtles still reside in the lake and over "The Huc" Bridge is Ngoc Son Temple where you can see a preserved giant turtle. The lake is great for people watching. During a stroll around the lake at any time of the day, you can see old men smoking bamboo pipes while playing chess and drinking tea.

Long Bien Bridge

Revered by Hanoians, Long Bien Bridge is living historical evidence of the courage of the capital throughout the ups and downs of the 20th century. Works on the bridge began in 1899 and when completed, in 1903, it was named after Paul Doumer, the French Governor General of Indochina. The bridge is also the best place in town to watch the sunrise or sunset. Many brides and grooms as well as hip young local people choose Long Bien Bridge as the backdrop for their photos. In the afternoon, people in Ngoc Thuy village and Ngoc Thuy ward pick up fresh vegetables or fish for dinner from the small open-air afternoon market on the bridge.

Flower Night Market

Quang Ba night Flower Market is considered the terminal market where most various kind of flowers in Hanoi are sold. This market is held all the year round without any day-off. Quang Ba Flower Market is considered the most attractive and special market in Hanoi. It is an ideal place for tourists to enjoy the beauty of flowers while the capital city peacefully sleeps at night. This Hanoi flower market is like a colorful flower exhibition with a full range of flowers, from common flowers like roses, chrysanthemums, lilies to imported flowers like Chamelaucium Uncinatum, tulips, etc.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important historical attraction of Hanoi, known for honoring the national hero: President Ho Chi Minh. The materials that constitute the building, from exterior granite to interior wood, were contributed by people from all over the country. Another special thing about the mausoleum is its surrounding scenery. Around the mausoleum is a green landscape with more than 250 species of plants. Each tree or flower here has a very special meaning - which is related to the stories of Ho Chi Minh when he was alive.

One-Pillar Pagoda

The One Pillar Pagoda (Vietnamese: Chua Mot Cot, formally Dien Huu Tu, which literally means “long lasting happiness and good luck”) is a historic Buddhist temple in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The whole construction is built on a single pillar, which is planted in the middle of a lotus pond. To get to the main hall of Lien Hoa Dai, visitors will have to step through 13 steps as number 13 represents fertility and prosperity in Eastern culture. These steps were built a long time ago and still retain the architecture from the Ly Dynasty.


Your cullinary journey starts here

Phở

Phở is a famous Vietnamese dish that has become popular all over the world. Made of high-quality beef bones and various aromatic herbs and spices, the broth is slow-cooked for hours, before being poured over linguine-shaped rice noodles known as banh pho and tender slices of beef, creating a delicious and comforting meal that will warm your soul. For the ultimate Phở experience, add a dash of chili sauce, a squeeze of lime, and some fresh coriander. Originally a breakfast dish, our Phở is perfect any time of day, from lunch to dinner, or even a late-night craving that will delight your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied.

Bún chả

Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of Bún Chả, a Vietnamese dish that is beloved for its simplicity yet sensational taste. At the heart of this dish is the grilled pork belly, which is grilled over charcoal until it's perfectly charred and infused with a rich, smoky flavor. The juicy pork is then served alongside a heaping plate of soft white rice noodles, crisp lettuce leaves, and crunchy bean sprouts. But what truly sets apart a good serving of Bún Chả is the dipping sauce. The sauce is a blend of fish sauce, sugar, and various other ingredients such as pickled papaya, carrots, chili, that creates a complex balance of sweet, salty, and sour flavors. Moreover, the dish can be elevated even further by adding some crispy fried spring rolls. The crunchy texture of the spring rolls complements the tender pork and the soft rice noodles, giving the dish an extra depth of flavor and texture.

Cà phê trứng

Originated in Hanoi in 1946, egg coffee was created by Mr. Nguyen Van Giang, who is considered the king of egg coffee of Vietnam. Today, Café Giang located in Hanoi old quarter is being taken over by his family. There was a time when fresh milk was extremely scarce, a delicious egg coffee made from the very simple and easy-to-find ingredients: fresh chicken eggs, sugar, and coffee. With the egg yolk whipped by hand and the talent of the bartender, the egg coffee becomes a drink with a rich golden egg layer covering the surface of traditional coffee. All of these ingredients create a delicious taste. This drink has a thick, rich texture, so instead of immediately drinking it like regular coffee, you should stir it first then slowly sip with a spoon to fully enjoy its special flavor.

Bánh mì

Bánh Mì is a Vietnamese sandwich that has gained popularity all around the world. This sandwich is made with a crispy baguette, which has a perfect balance of texture - crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The bread is baked fresh daily, then filled with various savory ingredients such as pate, Vietnamese ham, pork belly, grilled pork, and pickled vegetables, giving the Bánh Mì its distinct taste and aroma. As you take the first bite, you will hear a satisfying crunch from the bread, followed by a harmonious blend of flavors and textures from the filling. The creaminess of the pate, the saltiness of the ham, and the tanginess of the pickled vegetables are harmoniously balanced. Bánh Mì is a street food that is loved by locals and tourists alike, and it has become a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine.

Don't go home without

From kitschy to classic, find Hanoi souvenirs to keep your memories of the city alive or remind your friends back home what they missed out on:

- Bamboo dragonfly (Chuồn chuồn tre)

- Bamboo conical hats (Nón lá)

- Silk and embroidery (Đồ lụa, tơ tằm và thêu)

- Traditional Vietnamese women's garment: Ao dai (Áo dài)

- Dong Ho prints (Tranh Đông Hồ)

- Calligraphy (Thư pháp)

- Paper goods such as posters, postcards, bookmarks,... (thiệp, bưu thiếp, bìa đánh dấu trang,...)

- Ceramics (Đồ gốm)

- Coffee (Cà phê)

- Salted dried fruit (Ô mai)