Are you planning your vacation in the lap of Mother Nature? Then a Hanoi City Tour will be the finest decision for you. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and has become a major tourist attraction for the past few years. It's enchanting beauty and rich culture soothe your mind by presenting a glimpse of French and Chinese influence.
You can experience some amazing places and activities like visiting different lakes, temples, museums, theatres, historic buildings, and restaurants. The nature-friendly environment and moderate temperature of this place ensure you provide the best environs to enjoy with your friends or family.
Numerous activities can be enjoyed in Hanoi for every type of individual. Religious people can offer their prayers peacefully, the foody people can taste the unique taste of Hanoi food presenting delicious Vietnamese cuisines, and literary peoples can witness the great classical buildings or museums for enjoyment.
Do you want to know more about unique things to do in Hanoi? Continue to read!
Visiting the Hoan Kiem Lake
This historical lake is famous for its clear water shining beautifully due to the dazzling city lights. Although this lake is slightly smaller compared to West Lake, Visiting this lake is one of the top things to do in Hanoi at night. This place stays open 24 hours, so you can visit any time you want.
The sunset looks so amazing from here that you will be forced to capture these moments in your gallery. Especially for photographers, this stunning lake is a perfect spot providing clear and enchanting views for them to showcase their photography skills.
Exploring Vietnam Museum
The greatest collection of ancient artifacts, classic objects, and old traditional instruments associated with the minorities of this area back then is preserved carefully in this museum. All the tools, paintings, and other ancient objects are labeled with the proper explanation and details of them.
This museum is located in Nguyen Van Huyen. It stays open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. You will witness the assemblage of 25 CDs, about 230 audio recordings, 373 video recordings, 2190 slides, 42000 pictures, and almost 15000 antiques. You must visit this astonishing place if you ever go to Hanoi.
Witnessing One Pillar Pagoda
It was constructed after a ruler who was fatherless, and he wished Avalokiteshvara to bless him with a baby boy being laid on the lotus flower. That is the reason why King Ly Thai contracted to build this One Pillar Pagoda resembling that lotus. Moreover, this is a great religious symbol in Buddhism.
You are said to dress according to the specific dress code consisting of a scarf, sleeve shirts, and trousers covering your arms, shoulders, chest, and legs. The holy place stays open from 7 am. to 6 pm, and you will be delighted by the heart-melting history, rich culture, and mind-blowing structure.
Visiting Ho Chi Minh Art Gallery
The ancient building is made up of marble and stores great historical monuments like old paintings and other tools formerly used by the forebears of Vietnamese. The museum stays open from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. during the weekdays and 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. during weekends.
The founder of Vietnam was Ho Chi Minh, also known as Uncle Ho. The architects constructed the statue of Uncle Ho, placed it in the shield of glass, and named the museum after him. This piece is sent to Russia every year for maintenance, so the museum stays closed between October and November.
Discovering St. Joseph's Cathedral
Are you wondering what is Hanoi famous for? Well, it is atually linked back to the colonial period and placed on the exterior of the French Quarter. The structure of this place was formed after Notre Dame de Paris, located on the west side of Lake Hoan Keim.
It is a historical church having its roots back to 1886. You can refresh your soul by visiting this holy cathedral. This church stays open from 8 am to 11 am and then 2 pm to 5 pm. The surrounding area of the cathedral is also as famous as the church.
Visiting the Temple of Literature
It was primarily built as a university by King Le Thanh Tong in the year 1070, and after six years, it was changed into a school. Moreover, this was the first ever university that was built in Vietnam, and today, the greatest scholars and philosophers belong to this university.
It is a different place to study and presents the preservation of old literature of Vietnam, unlike other holy places. Decorated with beautiful gardens, halls, ponds, and courtyards, this place presents a perfect view. Formerly, only the rich families were admitted, but later, it set off to be egalitarian.
Exploring Opera House
The opera house has a rich culture, having its roots back to 1911. The anatomy of this place resembles that of the Opera House situated in Paris. You will be amused by the heart-touching music and Western culture beautifully depicted by this place. The pillars, domes, and comfortable balconies will be perfect for your pictures.
The opera house stays open from 8 am to 11 pm and is considered more fascinating than the one in Paris. It was primarily built to present the culture of Europe but slowly transformed into Western. The administrators of French colonials used to visit this place with their life partners back then.
Conclusion
Hanoi is a fabulous city in Thailand, offering you unique things to do in Hanoi, like visiting ancient places and getting enlightened by the mind-blowing history of this city. Some of the best activities you should definitely consider whenever you go to Hanoi are visiting the Hoan Kiem Lake, exploring the Vietnam museum, Witnessing the One Pillar Pagoda, visiting Ho Chin Minh art gallery, enjoying a short tour of Joseph Cathedral – getting amazed by the temple of literature and discovering the history of the opera house.