Hanoi Vacations, Hanoi Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Also known as: Ha Noi

Hanoi Accommodations and Lodging

Check-in:
Check-out:
Guests:
Rooms:
Also compare (in different windows):
Sponsored Links

Hanoi Vacation Guide

While many Asian cities have simply mown down their history over the last few decades, replacing it with an influx of ugly modern skyscrapers, Hanoi has simply… well… layered. The historical and the modern mix here in a way that’s often unbendingly bizarre, allowing the visitor to dive head long into both, sipping cappuccino from their air conditioned coffee house whilst watching t’ai chi in front of a temple backdrop just opposite.

French colonial influences still stand tall here, with the city having largely escaped the devastating affects of US bombing elsewhere, and left behind colossal mansions and tree-lined boulevards that haven’t changed too much in centuries. The ‘City of the Golden Dragon’ is a commercial hotbed, home to that typically Vietnamese swarm of motorbikes in amongst silk shops, rustic coned hats and market stalls flogging the best pho and rice rolls you’ll ever taste.

In amongst it all you’ll find serenity of the reconstructed one-pillar pagoda (the original dates back to 11th century), the temple of literature (where exams determining your job and social rank were once undertaken) and the gruesome Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the former leader is preserved in state in a similar way to Lenin in Moscow. The mausoleum stands in the massive Ba Dinh Square, looking down on a vast grassy field, its pillared façade staring over at a high-flying Vietnamese flag and making for a stark travel experience.

With most Vietnamese travelers being backpackers on a more long term trip, The Perfume Pagoda (actually a striking collection of pagodas southwest of the city) and the stunning ‘image of Vietnam’ that is Halong Bay, with its sharp islands and old-world boats, are also must see (if lengthy) trips from Hanoi.

Surprisingly, North Vietnam finds itself frigid – in fact almost icy – in the winter, but nothing can take away from the age-old charm of an Asian city drenched in history, but home to many a modern cultural influence, too. Pull on your pointy hat, grow your beard, and get right in the thick of things.

Popular Hotels in Hanoi

  1. Classic Street Hotel/Ph…
  2. Serenity Hotel
  3. Duc Thai Hotel
  4. Charming Hotel
  5. Pacific Hotel
  6. Brothers Hotel
  7. Intercontinental Westl…
  8. Kim Hoang Gia Hotel
  9. Little Hotel
  10. Sofitel Metropole Hotel
  1. Viet Anh 2 Hotel
  2. Hong Ngoc 1 Hotel
  3. Luxury Hotel
  4. North No 2 Hotel
  5. Camellia Hotel
  6. Asia Queen Hotel
  7. Democracy Hotel
  8. Advisor Hotel
  9. Elegance 1
  10. Golden Plaza Hotel
  1. Hostel
  2. Hotel
  3. Maison D' Hanova Hotel
  4. Mikes Hotel
  5. Somerset West Lake Hote…
  6. Venus Hotel
  7. Anise Hotel
  8. Glory Hotel
  9. Amazing Hotel
  10. Amazon Hotel
  1. Annam Junk Cruise
  2. Apt EZ Holiday Hotel
  3. Apt Guesthouse
  4. Asean International Hot…
  5. Asia Hotel
  6. Asia House Hotel
  7. Asia Palace Hotel 1
  8. Asia Palace Hotel 2
  9. Astoria Hotel
  10. AuLac Hotel

Hanoi Travel Blogs

Sinjao ... Hanoi
posted by:
Feb 11, 2006
February 11-14, o6 - Hanoi, Vietnam. It happened when one of my friends asked me "Do you want to go to vietnam during valentine's weekend?". I thought just a minute, no boyfriend to hang out with at that time, don't want to be home alone on that weekend so i said yes so easy. She asked the s…
Overview 1,073 words 112 93 143
This trip was featured on Saturday April 28th, 2007
Hanoi is so crazy!
posted by:
May 28, 2008 – Aug 16, 2008
There's a motorcycle in this internet cafe. INSIDE! Come on, can it not get any louder? And I love the pollution thats coming out of it. I guess this is so Vietnamese and I love experiencing new things really. 7 am, everyone's already out and about, millions of motorbikes pass by honking and honkin…
Overview 17,526 words 992 749 1,207
This trip was featured on Saturday May 31st, 2008
hanoi the first place
posted by:
May 06, 2008 – May 30, 2008
I leave montreal the 4 of May 2008 direction vietnam!For sure i didnt know what i want to see there but that what i know its history about this wonderfull country and all the people saids to me if u go there be sure u will live a great experience so i was very exiting to be there!!!!! I arrive the…
Overview 1,794 words 239 87 134

TravBuddies going to Hanoi

TravBuddies who live in Hanoi

Popular Nearby Cities and Destinations:

  1. Halong Bay
  2. Ninh Binh
  3. Tam Coc
  4. My Son
  1. Haiphong
  2. Bac Ma
  3. Van Dinh
  4. Cuc Phuong
  1. Quang Yen
  2. Trang Bang
  3. Dong Dang
  4. Chi Chu
  1. Van Long Nature Reserve
  2. Lang Son
  3. Tam Diep
  4. Dong Ha