Hanoi Tours

1.  History and Culture of Cyclo Hanoi  

A French gentleman from Charente was invented in 1939 and brought to Vietnam. At that time, only 40 cyclos were made in Saigon, Vietnam, and in 1940 the number of Cyclos in Vietnam reached 200 throughout Hanoi or Hoi An city. 

Many drivers could speak common English phrases and could be able to explain tourist city’s landmarks and provide insights into the local way of life for you. Cyclo tours in Hanoi offer a unique way to experience the city’s history and culture. Visitors can explore the Old Quarter’s narrow streets and alleyways, lined with old houses, temples, and shops selling traditional handicrafts and street food. 

The cyclo has faced challenges in recent years, as modern transportation options have become more prevalent in Hanoi. However, many people believe that the cyclo remains an essential part of Hanoi’s cultural identity and are working to preserve this unique form of transportation and the culture that surrounds it.

2. Tours cyclo in Hanoi 

In Hanoi today, you can find cyclos anywhere in the city center. Here are a few tours in Hanoi for your reference. 

1-day Hanoi City Sightseeing with Cyclo Tour 

This tour will take you around famous places like Hoan Kiem Lake, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and Ngoc Son Temple, as well as admire these magnificent landscapes. Throughout the journey, you will be provided with drinking water, a Vietnamese set lunch at a local restaurant, and hear interesting stories about the people here.

Vietnamese Cyclo Experience in Hanoi

This is a short tour, but you can still roam around Old Hanoi and glimpse the Hanoi Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake. Besides, the drivers will bring information to help you learn the history of Hanoi.

Small-Group Street Food Cyclo Tour of Hanoi Old Quarter

This is a very interesting Hanoi cyclo tour because you can not only visit The Old Quarter, discover the cultural history around this area, but also experience the food in a small group. You will be taken to the eateries on the street, and enjoy the famous and traditional dishes in Hanoi.

mazing Hanoi Sightseeing Cyclo Tour An Hour 

Cyclo would take you around Hoan Kiem Lake with a famous view of Dong Xuan Market, Joseph Cathedral Church, and Opera House in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. You can stop at any location to buy clothing and souvenirs or take your pictures.   

Tran Quoc Temple is a Buddhist temple located on the West Lake of Hanoi, Vietnam. It is considered the oldest temple in Hanoi, with a history dating back over 1,500 years. The temple was originally built during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De in the 6th century and was named Khai Quoc, which means “National Founder.” It was later renamed Tran Quoc during the Tran Dynasty in the 13th century. The architecture of the pagoda has an ancient, golden and ochre color, and the highlight here is the 11-storey lotus tower. Tran Quoc Temple attracts tourists not only for its rich history but also its thousand-year sacredness.

• Location: No. 46 Thanh Nien, Yen Phu ward, Tay Ho district, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Open time: From 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM – From 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM / everyday
• Entrance fee: Free

Transportation to Tran Quoc Temple 

• By bus: 

The bus No. 50, E05 or E09 stop right away at Thanh Nien Street, after getting off the bus, you take a 2-3 minute walk to Tran Quoc Temple easily. 

• By taxi or Grab:

To take a taxi, you can look for a reputable taxi company in Hanoi, such as Mai Linh or Taxi Group. Alternatively, you can book a Grab ride using the Grab app on your smartphone. Simply enter your pickup location and destination as Tran Quoc Temple, and a Grab driver will pick you up and take you directly to the temple.

• By motorbike:

You can use your own motorbike or rent it at your hotel and ride it to the temple quickly and conveniently. However, you should notice that the parking lot is opposite the pagoda, next to an ice cream shop. The parking fee is from 5,000 to 10,000 VND/motorbike. 

About West Lake Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital and one of the two largest cities in Vietnam. With a tropical monsoon climate, when traveling to Hanoi, you can enjoy all four seasons of the year. Hanoi’s West Lake has long been one of the most attractive places for tourists to come here.

West Lake, also known as Kim Nguu Lake, Sac Cao Dam, Doai Ho, Dam Dam, and Lang Bac, is located in the northwest, in Tay Ho district, Hanoi. The lake is surrounded by Thanh Nien, Au Co, Thuy Khe, Lac Long Quan, and Nghi Ham streets. The lake was formerly a section of the Red River, undergoing a process, but the stagnation and flow of the river made it the largest natural lake in the capital. With an area of about 500 hectares, the length of the lake around the lake is about 18 km.

Where is West Lake? How to get to West Lake?

West Lake is located in West Lake District, Hanoi City. West Lake is about 11 kilometers from the city center. 

The road to West Lake is not too difficult, and you can move in many ways. If you are in the inner city, you can follow a separate road. If you are far away, you can take a plane, bus, or train to Hanoi and then hire a Grab taxi or bus to go to West Lake.

What season is the most beautiful to travel to West Lake?

West Lake has each season’s own scenery and beauty, so you can come here at any time of the year. The ideal period will be in the summer (May to August), when the weather is also very reasonable to travel and experience the attractive games here, or in the autumn (August to October). At this time, the weather in the capital is quite cool; there is no rain or strong sunshine, so it will be very convenient to visit many famous landmarks.

If you have a chance to visit Hanoi, it will be regretful to miss the Water Puppet Theater even if you don’t know much about puppet things. The Hanoi Water Puppet show is not just geared for children but meant for adults as well because it holds Vietnamese traditional culture. 

Metta Vogaye’s team has tried our best to acquire related information and gather them in this article for you to explore. 

Location: Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hanoi

Ticket price: VND 60,000 – VND 150,000/pax ($3 – $7/pax)

Opening Hours: 

• Mondays – Saturdays: 3.00 pm; 4.10 pm; 5.20 pm; 6.30 pm; 8.00 pm 
• Sundays: 9.30 am

Duration: ~45 minutes

A brief history of water puppet shows

There is a long history of water puppet shows from 1000 years ago, the Ly Dynasty is when water puppetry first appeared. The first water puppet performances took place in northern Vietnam’s rice paddies near the Red River Delta. 

The first water puppet shows were only performed outside, with the stage being set up in a big open area beneath the sky. It is also stated that the performances were initially meant to keep mystical spirits amused so they wouldn’t cause trouble as well as to amuse rice growers.

The main point of the show hasn’t changed until now, only the setting and the locations. The typical concepts of a water puppet show have deeply rooted in rural Vietnamese traditions that combine fishing, planting, harvesting of rice, and village folklore.

The first modern water puppet shows were played at Thang Long Theater in 1990. It’s said that about 500 shows are performed in front of approximately 150,000 people each year. This theater has also brought water puppetry to more than 40 foreign countries through performance tours, international cultural exchange programs, and puppetry festivals. This is a great chance to bring a signature Vietnamese culture to the world. 

Hanoi has a lot of high-quality spa and massage centers that you can visit and take your time there. Going to massage centers is one of the best things to do after a long and busy trip. 

Here is the list of best-serviced massages in Hanoi that Metta Vogaye’s team carefully choose for you. We hope you can find your favorite one and have an extensive experience while you are in Hanoi. 

1. Oriental Spa Hanoi 

Location: 

• Branch 1: 26 Au Trieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

• Branch 2: 18 Bao Khanh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

La Belle Vie Spa

• Location: 48 Luong Van Can, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Serene Spa 

• Location: 58 Ma May, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Spas Hanoi

• Location: 18 Hang Manh

Le Spa du Metropole

• Location: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi- 15 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

SF Massage 

• Location: 7 Cau Go, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

La Siesta Spa

• Location: 94 Ma May, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam

Overview of Hanoi

Hanoi is one of the important cultural, political, commercial, and tourist centers of Vietnam. Hanoi, through more than a thousand years of history, has become a famous tourist destination around the world. Traveling to Hanoi is an extremely attractive experience for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Hanoi is a city that preserves the cultural and historical values of the nation. Along with the development of society, besides the ancient and traditional features, Hanoi also has modern features, a dynamic life rhythm, and cultural beauty, combined with youthful features, all of which contribute to a Hanoi. The interior is colorful and charming enough to attract any guest from afar.

Coming to Hanoi, visitors have the opportunity to explore many cultural and artistic works, beautiful and charming natural landscapes, or ancient alleys, along with the outstanding typical cuisine in Hanoi.

Amazing things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam

Visiting President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Museum

Visiting President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum

President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, also known as Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum, is the resting place of Uncle Ho. This is the work with the most precious cultural value of the nation and the pride of the country with foreign tourists.

The landscape around the mausoleum is green, with more than 250 species of plants; each tree and each flower planted have their own meaning. In front of and behind the mausoleum are planted 79 perennials, symbolizing the 79 years of President Ho Chi Minh’s life.

• Address: 02 Hung Vuong Street, Dien Bien Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City.

Every Monday and Friday, Uncle Ho’s mausoleum will be closed. If that day coincides with the holidays of May 19, September 2, and the 1st of the Lunar New Year, Uncle Ho’s Mausoleum is still open to welcome visitors.

• Ticket price to Uncle Ho’s mausoleum:

Completely free tickets are available for all Vietnamese when visiting.

Collect 1.05 USD for foreigners when visiting the mausoleum.

Ba Dinh square

Ba Dinh Square is the largest square in Vietnam, located on Hung Vuong Street, in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Ba Dinh Square has a large campus with many large grass squares that are images of mats spread on communal courtyards in ancient Vietnamese villages, interspersed with a 1.4-meter-wide walkway. In the middle of the square is the national flagpole.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Ho Chi Minh Museum, located south of Ba Dinh Square (behind the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum), is one of the favorite destinations of many domestic and foreign tourists when traveling to Hanoi for one day. 

Discovering the unique One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda is an ancient temple in Vietnam built during the reign of King Ly Thai Tong. It is also known by many different names, such as Mat Pagoda, Lien Hoa Dai, or Dien Huu Tu. The pagoda was built entirely on a single pillar in the middle of a lotus pond.

One Pillar Pagoda is one of the most unique architectural temples in Asia and a cultural symbol and spiritual destination in Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital.

Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is a natural freshwater lake located in the center of Hanoi, also known by other names such as Sword Lake, Luc Thuy Lake, or Ta Vong Lake. Sword Lake with its azure water, surrounded by trees casting shadows on the surface of the water, creates a romantic beauty. This is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll in Hanoi.

Turtle Tower is located in the middle of Sword Lake and also has other famous heritages such as Pen Tower, Dai Nghien, The Huc Bridge leading to Dac Nguyet Floor, or Tran Ba communal house on the entrance to Ngoc Son temple… creating an image of Hoan Kiem Lake bearing a characteristic imprint in the hearts of tourists.

Exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Hanoi’s Old Quarter has long been famous for its 36 streets. This is a busy and bustling trading place for Ha Thanh people from ancient times to the present. Not only that, but this place also preserves and faithfully reproduces the cultural and historical values of the people of the capital.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter seems to have become a must-visit place for most tourists when traveling in Ha Thanh. Coming to the old town, you will admire the beauty of the architecture, quiet lifestyle, and culture of the landscape and people here.

Visiting Ma May Ancient House and St. Joseph’s Church in Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Ma May Ancient House 

Ma May ancient house is one of the ancient houses with typical Hanoian architecture. This old house was built around the end of the 19th century and changed owners many times. At the same time, it is also a place to combine the display of handicraft products from craft villages, such as tea, silk weaving, ceramics, etc.

Saint Joseph’s Church 

Saint Joseph’s Church, also known as Hanoi Cathedral, is hundreds of years old and one of the first architectural works built by the French. Coming to this place, visitors will admire typical European medieval Gothic architecture, built to resemble Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Experiences not to be missed when coming to Hanoi Cathedral: Attending services at the cathedral, Celebrate Christmas at the Cathedral, take “virtual living” photos with the Cathedral background, Enjoy specialties like the famous “lemon tea” of the Cathedral.

Visiting Hoa Lo Prison, a former prison turned museum

Hoa Lo Prison has the French name Maison Centrale. Hoa Lo Prison was originally built by the French to hold political prisoners. A place to witness barbaric crimes, the will, and the unyielding spirit of so many patriotic Vietnamese children.

After buying tickets to visit, there will be a guide for you to follow. From the first exhibition space, you will be able to go through many different areas in turn, with realistic images exposed right in front of your eyes.

Watching a traditional water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet

Water puppetry is a tradition dating back to the 11th century, originating in the villages of the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam. Water puppetry is a traditional folklore art bearing the imprint of the wet rice agricultural civilization.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is the place where Vietnamese water puppet shows take place. This art form attracts a lot of domestic and foreign tourists.

Visiting Hanoi Opera House

Hanoi Opera House is located on Cach Mang Thang Tam Square, overlooking Trang Tien Street. It is modeled after the Opéra Garnier in Paris but is smaller in size. The Hanoi Opera House is one of three large theaters that the French built during their time in Indochina.

Visiting Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a complex of relics of the ancient Thang Long citadel associated with the heroic history of thousands of years of national construction and defense of our nation. In 2010, UNESCO recognized Thang Long Imperial Citadel as a world cultural heritage.

Visiting the Temple of Literature Quoc Tu Giam

The Temple of Literature Quoc Tu Giam is a complex on the list of special national monuments of Vietnam and the pride of Vietnamese people. With a rich culture and long history, the relic has become an attractive destination for tours and the discovery of Hanoi tourism. At the same time, this is also the place where the boys and girls come to pray for good luck before each important exam.

Pho

One of the most well-known Vietnamese dishes is definitely “Pho”. Vietnamese soup known as pho is created with broth, noodles, beef, and fresh herbs. To create its distinctive flavor, various  ingredients, including beef and chicken bones, are cooked for a very long time. A chef shrouded in steam assembles each bowl to the customer’s specifications. A boiling broth is poured over rice noodles, sliced pork, and a few handfuls of chopped chives and herbs. The customer can add lemon squeezes, red chili slices, basil sprigs, and dabs of hoisin sauce to their dish as desired. Without this experience, a vacation to Vietnam would not be complete.

Banh Mi

There is no doubt that banh mi Vietnam has become one of the world’s most famous street foods. The bread varies from region to region in Vietnam. This popular Vietnamese bread was originally a western dish. However, its quintessence and unwavering creativity have positioned it prominently on the world culinary map. During the French colonization of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Banh Mi was a localization of the French baguette that was introduced there in the first place. The original french baguette has become shorter in length, hollower and fluffier inside because local people have made the dish more accessible and convenient for the Vietnamese lifestyle. Commonly, locals adapt the fillings to go along with the local cuisine preferences by utilizing regional ingredients and sauces.

Bun Cha (Vietnamese Meatballs!)

Bun Cha is the famous caramelized pork meatballs from the streets of Hanoi and is one of Vietnamese traditional dishes, particularly in the Northside. In addition to rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and herbs, seasoned pork patties and caramelized pork belly slices are served in a stock with rice noodles. Another indispensable food on your list and is highly recommended during your trip to Vietnam. During a visit to Hanoi by the President of the United States – Barack Obama , he enjoyed the food and Vietnam people: “Bourdain will explore the purpose of the President’s trip and his interest in the people, food and culture of Vietnam” – a CNN spokesperson said

Bun dau mam tom (Noodle and Tofu with Shrimp Sauce)

One of the street foods with a special flavor and very popular is bun dau mam tom. Mam tom is a famous spice in Vietnam, used a lot and has a very “strong smell”. It’s for that reason, some people who cannot smell will find it uncomfortable. With its name alone, Bun Dau Mam Tom reveals that it’s a noodle dish with shrimp sauce, tofu, noodles, marjoram, mint, and other vegetables are also served with Bun Dau Mam Tom. The element which makes the dish unforgettable is the Shrimp Sauce. If you come to Hanoi, you should eat this dish once to experience the unique and new flavor it brings.

Bun Oc (Vietnamese Escargot Noodle Soup)

Hanoi is the origin of Bun Oc. It is a broth-based soup made of tomato-based vermicelli rice noodle noodles in which chicken bones and/or pork bones are slowly simmered in tomato-based broth. Served with a plentiful tray of fragrant Vietnamese herbs (rau thom) and lime wedges, it’s topped with escargot and other proteins like fried tofu, prawns, and fish cakes. For those who want a bit of customization, a side dish of fermented shrimp paste and chili oil is available.