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Planning to visit Hanoi? You'll need this guidebook to help you find your way. It'll show you where to stay, eat, visit and shop. It also contains useful travel tips, and lets you in on what to expect with the local food and culture. Explore and enjoy Hanoi to the fullest with our guidebook!
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| Help save the Black Gibbon! |
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| The Black Gibbon is a small arboreal ape that is listed by the IUCN Red List as an endangered species. It was once widespread in forests throughout southern China, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, but is now threatened by loss of habitat, hunting for food and Oriental medicine, as well as the detrimental effects of heavy military activities within its range. They usually live in troops that consist of around half a dozen individuals, including one adult male, one or more adult females and several young gibbons of various ages. You could say that male Black Gibbons are the 'playboys' of the gibbon world, because they prefer to have multiple partners, unlike other gibbon species. |
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| What's an a4trip guidebook? |
| An a4trip guidebook is a travel guide that'll provide you with the information you'll need to plan your trip and to find your way around. Our guidebooks are downloadable in PDF format, and are designed to be so compact, you can take it with you everywhere you go. |
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| How can I pay for a guidebook? |
| We accept credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express (USA only) and Discover (USA only) via PayPal. Your transaction will appear as 'PAYPAL*A4TRIP' on your credit card statement. |
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| Help! Why can't I download the guidebook? |
| Don't worry, just get in touch with us and we'll deliver the guidebook right to your inbox. |
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| Just how often do you update your guidebooks? |
| We try to update our guidebooks at least once a month. |
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| Just Contact Us, we'd love to hear from you. |
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The city of Hanoi, situated on the banks of the Red River, has been the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years. Having survived wars and the ravages of time, it remains the cultural and education hub of the country. Served by Noi Bai International Airport, which is located in the Soc Son District, many direct flights connect Hanoi to other Asian and European countries.
The main modes of transport within the city are taxis, buses, motorbikes and trains. It is possible to explore Hanoi by foot, but you'll need to keep a map handy, as the city's thoroughfares can be quite daunting. Hanoi is said to possess more cultural sites than any other city in Vietnam. It is also home to many scenic lakes including Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halais Lake and Bay Mau Lake, which you may explore by boat.
At the heart of the city lies the Old Quarter, famed for its artisans, merchants, bars and night markets. Despite its rather hectic pace, it retains much of its original layout and architecture. Many visitors opt to stay in the Old Quarter, as it has a good selection of budget guesthouses and mid-range hotels. But, if it is plush accommodations you seek, head on to the French Quarter, which is situated south of Hoan Kiem Lake. The area, which thrives with bookshops, art galleries and cafes, has grand boulevards and wide pavements.
History buffs are in for a treat, as there are quite a number of museums in Hanoi, such as: the National Museum of Vietnamese History, the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the Vietnam Museum of Revolution, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Contemporary Arts Centre. If colonial architecture tickles your fancy, look out for Phan Dinh Phung Street, The Grand Opera House, The Presidential Palace, the Cathédrale St-Joseph and the Hotel Sofitel Metropole.
There's certainly much to see and do in Hanoi. The city is most festive during the celebration of Tet, Vietnam's New Year. The traditional water puppet theatre is available all-year round, but as they are so popular, you should make bookings well in advance. Traditional markets offer embroideries, silk and lacquerware, as well as sandalwood and stone carvings. Shopping centers like Metro Hanoi, Vincom City Towers and Trang Tien Plaza offer more trendy alternatives.
While Vietnamese cuisine is gaining popularity around the world, there are dishes you can find only in Hanoi. The gastronomically adventurous should visit Le Mat, a.k.a. the 'Snake Village', where you'll find restaurants serving cobra. Here, the typical aperitif is cobra wine, which requires the waiter to fetch a live cobra and kill it right in front of you. The blood is then drained into a shot glass of rice wine and the cobra's still beating heart will be served on a small dish for you to gulp down.
Another popular local delicacy is dog meat. Locals love it so much that there are quite a number of restaurants specialising in it. Another local favourite is ca cuong, an extract from a giant water bug. Typically it is served as a condiment, much like soy sauce, with a few drops flavouring soups and noodles. However, if you're not that adventurous, you'll be better off with a comforting bowl of pho, a rice noodle soup served with chicken, beef or seafood and fresh herbs.
To visit Hanoi, apply for a Visa at any Vietnamese embassy or consulate. If there aren't any in your country, you can opt for a Visa on arrival, which requires an application to the Immigration Department or consult a travel agency. A tourist entry visa to Vietnam can be valid for up to 6 months (upon request and approval). The cost, which may be between USD45 to USD100 (inclusive of service and stamp fees), may depend on your country of origin, length of stay and where you applied for the Visa. If you're traveling in a group, your Visa will likely be less expensive. Citizens of certain ASEAN and Scandinavian countries, as well as Korea and Japan, will not require Visas for the prescribed duration of stay determined by the Vietnamese government.
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