Hanoi Things to Do Tips by bcatton

Obviously i'd read about Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) before i came to Hanoi, but i definitely wasn't prepared for how much i would like it. 'The Rough Guide to Vietnam' describes it as 'not particularly spectacular'. I have to totally disagree with these thoughts/feelings, i personally think the writer has got it completely wrong.
This lake to me is more than spectacular. To capture the essence of the lake i think you have to do what i did, which was to visit it on different days (and at night) and for more than just a half hour to truly understand it. I just found myself drawn to it time and time again.
It's wonderful to sit on one of the many benches beside the lake to relax, read a book or watch people go about their everyday lives. It's also a great place to meet people, i had numerous people approach me just to talk or in a couple of cases for me to help them pronounce their English language skills!! Throughout the day and particularly at night couples would sit or snuggle up on the benches or on the banks beside the lake enjoying one anothers company. I have to say i think it's quite a romantic place at night.
If you're in Hanoi you have to go visit Hoan Kiem Lake. (Not that you can miss it!).

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Directions: Walk south of The Old Quarter, you can't fail to miss this beautiful lake.

Crossing over The Huc Bridge leads you onto an island on which is Den Ngoc Son; "Temple of the Jade Mound". (Cost of entrance is 3,000 VND; about 16,000 VND to the dollar).
This is a fairly small temple founded in the fourteenth century and is dedicated to a varied group of people. A national hero General Tran Hung Dao (1228-1300) who sits on the main altar, defeated the Mongols in 1288, (he commanded the Dai Viet armies that repelled THREE major Mongol invasions. His victories over the mighty Mongol Yuan Dynasty are considered to be among the greatest military feats in history. He also never lost a single battle under his command).
Van Xuong, God of Literature; physician La To and a martial arts practitioner; Quan Vu are the others featured.
The temple buildings date from the 1800s; most of the buildings house souvenir shops. In one room off the first sanctuary hall resides a giant turtle which is over 2m long! (One of the other four photos is of this turtle).
I enjoyed looking at the turtle and sitting outside viewing Hoan Kiem Lake.

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Address: On Hoan Kiem Lake.
Directions: Hoan Kiem Lake!

I arrived in Hanoi on the 30th September 06, unfortunately by the time i visited Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum he was no longer there! I, like so many others had discovered that the Mausoleum closes for two months (October & November). Apparently this is to allow Ho to undergo "maintenance".
When Ho Chi Minh died he requested that he be cremated and his ashes divided between the north, centre and south. It seems a little ironic looking upon this Mausoleum which is so grand and so at odds with his wish.
The building is certainly imposing and impressive. Although Ho wasn't there when i visited i thought it well worth the time to come and look at the Mausoleum.
Times; (April - Sept, Tues - Thurs 7-30am - 10-30am, Sat & Sun 7-30am - 11am; Dec - Mar, Tues - Thurs 8am - 11am, Sat & Sun 8am - 11-30am). There is no charge for entrance although be warned that anyone who wishes to enter must leave cameras and bags at one of the reception centres. You will receive them back upon exiting the Mausoleum. Also shorts or vests cannot be worn and you must remove hats and also be quiet once inside.
Update; i finally made it inside the Mausoleum (April 07)!! Well worth the queing up, even if you were only in the 'inner sanctum' for a few minutes. An experience not to be missed.

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Directions: Ba Dinh District

This was the first place i decided to visit in Hanoi. And i wasn't disappointed!!
The Temple of Literature is Hanoi's most revered temple complex; both Vietnam's principal Confucian santuary and historical centre of learning. (Cost of entrance is; 5,000 VND. Which equates to roughly £0.25!! Opening hours; April - Sept, 7.30am - 6pm; Oct - March, 8am - 5pm).
The Temple was founded by King Ly Thanh Tong in 1070 and the first National University was founded by King Ly Nhan Tong in 1076.
The ground plan is modelled on Confucius's birthplace in China, consisting of a succession of five walled courtyards. The first two have nice lawns and trees, with paths and benches placed at various points. Entry to the third courtyard is via the Khue Van Cac, a double-roofed gateway, it's upper storey ornamented with four radiating suns, quite a sight to behold! In the centre of the third courtyard is the Well of Heavenly Clarity (walled pond) to either side stand 82 stone stelae mounted on tortoises. Each one records the results of a state examination held at the National Academy between 1442 - 1779.
Continued on my next tip page due to having more photographs .....

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Address: Quoc Tu Giam Street.

Apparently up to thirty stelae have either gone missing or eroded over the years.
Upon entering the fourth courtyard you come upon the main temple buildings. There are two pavilions, one on each side which used to contain alters dedicated to the 72 disciples of Confucius. I think they now hold offices and souvenir shops. The temple's ceremonial hall is quite a low bulding with two dragons bracketing a full moon on the roof. In here the king and his mandarins would make sacrifices before the alter of Confucius. This is quite an interesting building to look at, especially the roof with the stone dragons on top.
In the fifth and final courtyard is housed the National Academy. This is regarded as Vietnam's first university, founded in 1076. Here there is a two-storey pavilion (in 1947 French bombs destroyed the academy buildings) inside of which is a museum and an alter which is on the second floor. This is dedicated to three monarchs; King Ly Thanh Tong, founder of Van Mieu; Ly Nhan Tong, who added the university and Le Thanh Tong, who instigated the stelae. I found this to be quite an interesting, though small museum.
I would, without doubt, recommend that if you are in Hanoi to visit here. As mentioned; a place to learn, admire and relax.

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Address: Quoc Tu Giam Street

Price of admission is 20,000 VND and 5,000 VND to use a camera. Opening hours are; 8-00am to 11-30am, 1-00pm to 4-30pm. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. (Closed on Monday and Friday).

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Address: 28 A Dien Bien Phu
Website: www.btlsqsvn.org.vn

The Presidential Palace was built at the turn of the 19th century (1901) for the governor-general of Indochina. Unfortunately it's closed to the general public and is now used to receive visiting heads of state. (Very interesting how they do not allow anyone to stand on the footpath outside and take photo's of the building, you have to stand across the street to photograph the building?!). You can however view it and the grounds while visiting Ho Chi Minh's house....
Opening times are, Tue - Thus & Sat - Sun; 7.30am - 11am, 2pm - 4pm.

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Address: No 1- Rue Bach Thao, Ba Dinh.
Directions: Just around the corner from Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.

The Opera House is based on the neo-Baroque Paris Opera and took ten years to build. It was finally opened in 1911. Unfortunately though there's no access to the public, unless of coarse you're lucky enough to see a performance.

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Directions: At the eastern end of Trang Tien, 5 minutes walking distance from Hoan Kiem Lake.

I, like many people had read of the Water Puppet Theatre before arriving in Hanoi. It was one of those things which you just had to go and experience for yourself.
There are three shows daily; one in the morning, one in the afternoon and of coarse a show in the evening. I decided on the one in the afternoon. Time of the show was at 2-45pm and the cost varied on where you wanted to sit. 40,000 VND for seats at the front of the theatre; 20,000VND for seats towards the rear. You also had to pay 15,000 VND if you wanted to take photographs during the performance.
The whole performance lasts around an hour or so and consists of a set number of scenes, (17 total). Out of these my personal favourites where; 3. Dragon dance; which as you may have guessed are dragon head puppets (with long tails and all) dancing on the water, each one shooting water at the other. 5. Agriculture; with animals farming and so on. 9. Harvest festival; this recalls the story of a boy returning home to his native village after college graduation. 12; this one features King Le Loi in a boat on Hoan Kiem Lake recalling the legend about the "Restored Sword". This is really great fun to watch as the sword is returned to the turtle.
I must also mention the musicians' to the left of the main area, they do a fantastic job of not only playing musical instruments but also of singing and creating an ambience that fits snugly with the puppets and their actions on the water. Not to mention the people who control the puppets by standing waist-deep in water the entire time of the performance!

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Address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street.
Directions: Right across from Hoan Kiem Lake.
Website: www.thanglongwaterpuppet.org
Other Contact: thanglongwpt@fpt.vn

This neo-Gothic cathedral was constucted in the early 1880's. Part financed by two lotteries, upon first glance you'll notice the exterior is quite worn and in need of some work.
To go inside, go to the left side of the church and walk it's length to the door at the left hand side corner. Upon entering the first thing that drew my attention was the high-vaulted interior and the quite wonderful stained-glass windows. (French originals).
There are other points of interest; one of which is a marble tomb where the previous cardinal of Viet Nam was buried in 1990.

Worth a visit for the stained-glass windows and high-vaulted interior. (You are permitted to take photograph's inside).

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Address: 40 Nha Chung Street
Directions: Within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake.