Con Dao is an island group off the southeast coast of Vietnam. They are known for their sandy beaches, coral reefs and marine life. The coast of Bay Canh Island is a breeding ground for turtles and there are many dive sites in the surrounding clear water. At the eastern tip of the island there is a path through the forest to the lighthouse Bay Canh from the colonial era. This place offers a panoramic view.
5 reasons to visit Con Dao
Region
North Vietnam, Hanoi Capital Region
Number of residents
7,600,000
Recommended travel days
2 days
Vietnamese name
Hà Nội
Hanoi has many ATM’s. Currency exchange is often the cheapest in gold and jewellery stores. The rates in these stores are often surprisingly fair, without extra costs.
There is a lot to do in the city, you can see the top 10 best things to do in Hanoi below. But Hanoi is also a good base to explore the region. You will also see that if you visit many destinations in the north during your trip in Vietnam, you will have to travel back a few times via Hanoi to your next destination. But there are also a number of destinations from Hanoi that you can visit in one day trip.
1. Old Quarter
A fascinating district where you can enjoy beautiful colonial architecture, packed along narrow streets and endless traffic of motorcycles, bicycles and cars zigzagging around street vendors.
2. Water puppet show
An old traditional art form where dolls dance and glide elegantly over the stage of water. The Thang Long Puppet Theater is the best known place to view this.
3. Hoan Kiem Lake
This lake is a central point in Hanoi and is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists all day long and with a temple on a small island in the middle of the lake connected by a red bridge.
4. Drinking beer at Bia Hoi Junction
This junction in the center of the old quarter is the best nightlife spot. Here you will find various shops that have converted their entrances into bars with plastic tables and stools. They serve fresh beer for just 0.30 cents.
5. Visit a museum
Hanoi has many high-quality museums. Hoa Lo Prison Museum are the remains of an old prison, the Ho Chi Minh museum shows the life of Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese Women’s Museum about ethnic minorities and the role of women in wartime.
6. Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh has left an indelible mark on Vietnamese history and he is honored in Hanoi as the country’s greatest leader. Nicknamed “Uncle Ho” by the locals, his preserved body is now laid to rest in a glass box in the Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum.
7. Food tours
Vietnamese are of their food. You’ll see street food everywhere in Hanoi; withplastic blue stools and stall on the sidewalk selling local food. You can go exploring yourself, but a much nicer way is with a food tour.
8. Imperial Citadel or Thang Long
The imperial citadel of Thang Long is one of the oldest sights in Hanoi and a beautiful remnant of Vietnam’s history and, as a sign of its historical and cultural importance, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. Markets
Dong Xuan Market is known as the largest indoor market in Hanoi. Hanoi Weekend Night Market is every weekend in the Old Quarter with stalls everywhere on the street. The Quang Ba flower market starts very early, where you can find flowers from all over Vietnam.
10. Hanoi Train Street
You probably have seen the iconic photos of Hanoi with a train track through a residential area. This street is also called Hanoi Train Street. Trains run daily through these busy and inhabited streets of Hanoi.
Favorited experiences, day trips and tours in Hanoi booked by fellow travellers.
Hoan Kiem (the Old Quarter) – The historic soul of the city, it is clear why most tourists choose to stay here. Temples, old gates and traditional shops create a busy neighborhood that will stimulate all your senses! From luxury hotels to backpacker hostels, there is something for everyone here. Hoan Kiem is the best area to stay in Hanoi if you want a convenient and cultural experience in the center!
Budget hotels & hostels
Mid range hotel
High end hotel & resort
Deciphering Hanoi’s street food scene can be astonishing, but it is worth keeping up and diving into. The city’s best food comes from the dozens of vendors that line the city’s sidewalks with smoking charcoal burners, tiny plastic stools and queues of locals.
Local restaurants
Fine dining
There is is a lot to do at night in Hanoi. You can join the locals with a beer on the street, go clubbing, chill in a bar or enjoy a impressive performance in the Opera House.
1. Bia Hoi Junction
2. Hanoi Opera House
3. Dragonfly
4. Legend Beer
5. Water Puppet Theatre
6. Hoan Kiem Lake
7. Craft Beer Pub
8. Weekend Night Market
9. Hero Club Hanoi
10. Savage
Hanoi has fewer direct international flights than Ho Chi Minh City. Read all about flights to Vietnam here.
Jetstar Airways, VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines connect Hanoi with destinations throughout Vietnam. Popular routes are Hanoi to Dalat, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, all daily flights. Read more about booking domestic flights in Vietnam here.
Hanoi has four major bus stations. They are fairly well organized, with ticket offices, fixed prices and schedules. It is often easier to book through a travel agent. From Hanoi there are buses to everywhere in Vietnam such as Sapa, Da Nang, Dalat, Hue, Ninh Binh. Cao Bang and Ha Giang. Many open-ticket bus tours through Vietnam start or end in Hanoi.
Tourist minibuses can be booked at most hotels and travel agents. Popular destinations are Halong Bay and Sapa. Prices are usually about 30% to 40% higher than those of the regular public bus, but include a hotel pick up service.
The train station is in the center. You can buy tickets for trains that can take you all the way south to Ho Chi Minh City, or north to Sapa and across the border to China.
Hanoi’s taxis have meters, but not all drivers want to use them. The problem with taking a taxi is that they cannot all speak English well. The most reliable taxis are: Hanoi Taxi, Mai Linh Taxi and Taxi CP. A good alternative is to use the Grab taxi app.
Metro: Hanoi is working hard to build a metro network. It is expected that the first connections can be used by 2021.
Cyclo are Hanoi’s bicycle taxis. Passengers drive in the front cabin, while the driver is behind the passenger. Cyclo cabins are made for two passengers and are ideal for exploring short distances in the center of Hanoi.
Xe Om are Hanoi motorbike taxis. You will find them especially on street corners. The best way to use an Xe Om is with the Grab app.
