Discover Hanoi
By Cahaya Asia -
With cheap flights to Hanoi, the cultural capital of Vietnam is within your reach! Previously known as Thang Long (The City of the Soaring Dragon), on the banks of the Red River you will find Vietnam’s heart and soul. With over 4 million inhabitants and so much to offer its guests, one visit to this incredible city won’t be enough.
Ha Long Bay |
French-inspired architecture and well-preserved buildings lend an old-world charm to this colonial city. Book a cycle or cyclo (human-powered, this is the most popular form of transport) City Tour for a day or a half-day’s outing, to see the French Quarter, the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
When you’re ready to see the city from the outside like the people living in Hanoi do, cruise the Red River or enjoy the sights of Ha Long Bay or the incredible Perfume Pagoda. Built into the limestone walls of the Huong Tich Mountains (access to the limestone caves beneath is by boat only!) the vast mini-city of Buddhist temples and shrines have to be seen to be believed!
Perfume Pagoda |
Take a Village Discovery Tour to experience the beauty of rural Vietnam and visit its oldest national park, Cuc Phuong. Marvel at green rice terraces and traditional stilt homes of the Muong hill-tribe, tucked away into dense forest that protects many rare species of flora and fauna.
Hanoi Zoo is home to over 800 animals and 90 different species. The star exhibit, Lam Nhi (“baby of the forest”) is a tiger that was rescued from unscrupulous souls wanting to sell it for its skin. Some other spectacular big cats, including Indochinese Tigers, Siberian Tigers and Clouded Leopards, join Lam Nhi. Located within Thu Le Park, Hanoi Zoo is fun for the whole family. The kids will also love a visit to Central Circus in Lenin Park!
The eclectic Hang Da market, particularly early in the morning, is one of the best places to find a bargain but nothing beats Ho Chi Minh City for rock-bottom prices on all sorts of unique goods!
Ho Chi Minh City |
Hanoi offers sporting and leisure activities including golf, bowling, cycling, swimming, boating and hiking. The more culturally inclined will not want to miss cooking classes at the Hanoi Cooking Centre (with internationally acclaimed Chef, Tracey Lister) and the delightful Punch-and-Judy-in-the-pool Water Puppet Show, presented by the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. For the best seats, order your tickets early!
Jazz Club Minh provides grown-up entertainment each night and boasts one of the best sax players around, Quyen Van Minh. For the full theatrical experience, head to the Hanoi Opera House, whose Vietnamese name means, appropriately, “House Sing Big”. Late night hot spots include Ho Guom Xanh, Loop, New Century (think DJs and go-go dancers), Le Pub and Lan Chin, a microbrewery and beer hall famous for its raucous nights!
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