Hanoi Things to Do Tips by myspices

Take a tour round the Hoan Kiem Lake (meaning "Lake of the Restored Sword") and be refreshed. Pool of water surrounded with greens. It is scenic - weeping williows and other greens dipping into the pool of calm waters. Benches along the lake allow old and young to relax and maybe do some soul searching. It's a spot in the centre of Hanoi town. Perfect spot for you to rest your feet after a long walk or shopping.

The Legend
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In mid15th century, Heaven gave Emperor Ly Thai To (LeLoi) a magical sword to chase the Chinese out of Vietnam. One day, after the war, while the Emperor was out boating, he encountered with a huge golden tortoise. The tortoise snatched the sword and went into the water to restore the sword to the rightful owner.

There, you will see Ngoc San Temple which can be reached via a red wooden bridge (The Huc - "Rising Sun") . We did not enter the temple but we had a good slow walk around the lake. This temple was built to honour Van Xuong, General Tran Hung Dao who defeated Mongols in the 13th century and La To who is the saint of physicians.

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Address: Hoan Kiem Lake is in the heart of Hanoi town
Directions: You won't miss it. Everyone knows where it is.

It is actually a maze. You can either do it on a trishaw or more interestingly, do a walk tour. Stop and look at the wares/goods displayed and you will be amazed how many types can be found within the circuit of the Old Quarters - bamboos, steel, pottery, shoes, clothes, leather, copper, thread, incense, sundries, blacksmiths, silversmiths, goldsmiths, medicines, baskets, pots and pans, papers, coffins, pickles, tid-bits, - you name it, they have it. Each "Hang" ie meaning "Street" will denote the trades they are selling. Between alleys and intermediates of shoplots, you will find some interesting local food being sold. Have a go on the local food and drinks whenever you are hungry or thirsty.

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Address: Around Old Quarters area
Directions: It's a must DO in Hanoi, so everyone knows where it is.

It's a neo-gothic tall grey buiding strategically stationed facing west side of Pho Nha Tho. When you are doing the Old Quarters walk, you will be sure to see it. We did not enter the Church.
Facts about St Joseph Cathedral
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* inaugurated in 1886
* square towers, elaborated altar and stained-glass windows
* structure is of medieval Europe

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Address: Pho Nha Tho
Directions: You will find it when doing the Old Quarters walking tour. Close by to Hoan Kiem lake.

Chessy is the word..... the Presidential Palace. Yellow, being so distinctive, it's hard not to notice it. It's just next to Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House. You can only view the outside of the buiding as you are not allowed to enter it.
Facts about Presidential Palace
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* a place where President Ho lived and worked from 1954 to last day of Sep 1969
* restored colonial building constructed in 1906
* formerly Palace of the Governor General of Indochina
* used for official receptions

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Phone: 8.234760, 8.236326
Address: 1 Bach Thao - Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Directions: Ba Dinh area

We were told earlier by the guide that we were not able to view the embalmed body of Uncle Ho as it is closed for 3months each year while HCM's embalmed body is being sent to Russia for maintenance. We were rather disappointed. Nevertheless, we still opt to go over to get a glimpse of the the mausoleum - HCM's final resting place. Guards were stationed at the entrance and we were lucky in the sense that we witnessed the changing of guard outside the mausoleum.

Facts about HCM's Mausoleum
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* built between 1973 and 1975 of native materials gathered from all over Vietnam
* HCM's embalmed body is in a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of monumental edifice.
* Vietnamese treat this as a pilgrimage - they show deep respect and admiration for HCM, who is honoured for his role as the liberator for the Vietnamese people from colonialism.

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Address: Hung Vuong
Directions: Ba Dinh District

Looking at the Stilt house and its surroundings will show that Ho Chi Minh's (fondly called "Uncle Ho") simplicity and modesty. It's no wonder all Vietnamese are proud of him, respected and loved him.

Facts about the Stilt House
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* a place where HCM lived and worked from 1958 to 1969
* It is a simple and basic house.
* built in the stype of Vietnam's ethnic minorities
* surrounded by a garden and carp-filled pond

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Address: Hung Vuong
Directions: Ba Dinh area

The famous One Pillar Pagoda is built of wood on a single stone pillar. You can go up the Pagoda using the stairs and do a little prayer up there. It is surrounded by a pond with lotus flowers.

Facts about One Pillar Pagoda
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*built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong in 1046, who ruled from 1028 to 1054.
* built of wood on a single stone pillar, 1.25m in diameter
* built to resemble a lotus blossom, symbol of purity
* the structure was destroyed by the French in 1954 and was rebuilt by the new government.

Legend of the One Pillar Pagoda
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The heirless Emperor Ly dreamed that he met Goddess of Mercy, who seated on a lotus flower, handed him a male child. Emperor Ly then married a young peasant girl and had a heir by her. The structure was built to express his gratitude.

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Address: Hung Vuong
Directions: Ba Dinh area ( pagoda is between the HCM's mausoleum and Museum)

Just when you stepped into the museum, you wil be greeted by Ho Chi Minh statue in the first hall. Here, you will get to know Vietnam better as there are so much of information to be read. The 3rd floor which is the exhibition space is divided into 3 sections :-

1. HCM's life and revolutionary cause and the Vietnamese people's implementaion of His Testament.
2. Land of Vietnam - the struggle and victories of the Vietnamese peole in HCM's era
3. Historical events in the world which impacted on the revolutionary activities of HCM and on the Vietnamese revolution.

Facts about HCM's Museum
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*built with the desire of the Vietnamese people
*designed to show their deep gratitude to President's Ho great merits and to express their determination to study and follow His thought, morality and style
* construction was started in 31 Aug 1985 and completed in 19 Mar 1990

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Phone: 8.463752, 8.463757
Address: 19, Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi
Directions: around Ba Dinh area
Website: bthochiminh@hn.vnn.vn

Great place to know more about Vietnam's ethnic groups. Vietnam has a total of 54 ethnic groups belonging to 5 ethnolinguistic families. In this Museum of Ethnology, you will get to know the cultures of ethnic groups. Dwelling places, ritual dolls, instruments and equipments, costumes & garments are on display in this museum. There are also audios and visuals for visitors to learn about the cultures of the ethnic groups. Some ot fhe ethnic groups are :
1) H'mong
2) Muong
3) Thai
4) Tay
5) Yao
6) Hao
7) Champ

Next to the Museum, you will see some model houses of ethnic groups. The one with the wood figurines surrounding it, is actually a burial "house". The beautifully and artistically carved wooden figures denote the life cycle of the human beings. Next to it you wil see another house on stilts and has a huge roof patch. You can go up the house via the wooden ladders provided. Inside the house, you will be able to see the structure of the rooms, kitchen, living area.

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Phone: (844)756-2193
Address: Nguyen Van Huyen Road, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Directions: Cau Giay district, approximately 20 minutes by taxi from the city centre

This well-preserved temple is actually a "university" - it is a place to honour scholars and men of literary accomplishments. For those who received doctorates, a stelae will be erected to record the name, place of birth and achievements. A total of 82 stelae were erected and each one sits on a stone tortoise. Now, visitors who wish to have their wishes come true will rub their palms on the head of the tortoise. As such, you will noticed that the heads of the tortoises have been smoothened by this act.

Facts about Temple of Literature
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* Vietnam's 1st university established in 1076
* founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong and was dedicated to Confucius
* made up of 5 courtyards
* of traditional Vietnamese architecture
* the 82 stelae are the most precious artifacts of the temple

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Address: near Pho Quoc Tu Giam and Van Mieu
Directions: 2km west of Hoan Kiem Lake.