There is clear pathway which leads visitors to the Mausoleum. Once you reach there visitors are expected to be very disciplinary and walk in a steady pace. You can only whisper if you must and are not allowed to smile, or put your hands in your pockets. Food, water bottles, jewellery and electronics items including mobile phones are prohibited. All these belongings must be handed to the guard before entering the mausoleum and you can have it after you are to leave from the complex.

Tip: children under three years are not allowed to go inside the mausoleum.

Once you enter the mausoleum in a never ending puzzle pattern, you reach the Ho Chi Minh’s preserved body neatly resting in glass casket. The room is dimly lit, and visitors have only a short time to look at it (just like Indian temples, haha).

The entire complex is quite big, and there are many other things to see other than Mausoleum like Ba Dinh Square, The Presidential Palace (which you can see only from a distance), Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda. The entire visit will easily cost you about 2 – 2.5 hours but it is totally worth it.

Entry fee: 40,000 VND/person

Timings: Tuesday – Thursday 07:30 – 10:30, Saturday & Sunday 07:30 – 11:00

Dress Code: Anything that covers your entire body. Shorts, skirts, tank tops, and hats are not allowed.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

As soon as we left from the Mausoleum, it started drizzling and it continued to do so till be reached Tran Quoc Pagoda. According to me it is one of the most stunning temples in Vietnam.

It just seemed these 2 days in Hanoi would be full of rains! Tran Quoc Pagoda is a symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism which is built in an intricate way. It is a masterpiece of Vietnamese sculptural art, with a tranquil backdrop. The temple is spread over 3,000 square metres and the main pagoda of the temple is 15 metres tall and has eleven levels. A gemstone lotus sits proudly symbolising the Buddha at the top of the tower and there are many carved statues on the walls.

In the pagoda’s garden stands a Bodhi tree, which is attached to a past story that in 1959, Indian President Rajendra Prasad offered the Pagoda a bodhi tree as a gift. The plant was grafted from the holy bodhi tree where Sakyamuni sat in meditation and achieved enlightenment in India 25 centuries ago. Today, the tree green and luxuriant, shading over part of the pagoda’s yard.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem lake is an idyllic destination for tourists and locals in Hanoi. Watch the locals go about their daily activities . Some locals do exercise near the lake, others commune to work and prepare for the coming busy day. You can just sit by the lake and take in the city’s vibe.

Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature was built as a place of learning and is known as Vietnam’s first national university. In earlier times, students at this university studied literature, poetry, and philosophy. The university closed in 1779 and is now used a quiet retreat to read, walk in the courtyard or spend time in meditating by the locals and tourists alike.

The Temple of Literature has five different courtyards, which has gardens, ancient trees, topiary animal sculptures, and ponds.

Entry fee: 10,000 VND

Timings: 8:30 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 16:30 everyday except Mondays

We spent the evening at Hanoi’s Old Quarter having coffee, dinner and shopping for souvenirs and looking at the traffic go by.

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR HANOI

Halong Bay

Second day was all about Halong Bay! It was really difficult to pick a boat tour for the day as there are a zillion options giving 3 to 5-star rating services and 2 days at Halong Bay or even 3 and 4, up to a week! We were low on days so had to choose a day tour. We started pretty early at 8 am from the hotel wherein we were picked up from our hotel doorstep. Thank god there was no rain but it was extremely humid.

After a couple of more stops to pick more tourists from their hotel, we started out in the van and stopped halfway to visit crafts workshops, where you can buy marble stone sculptures, plaque paintings, and hand-embroidered items. They are extremely overpriced. However, it acts as a good loo stop. We started again and reached Halong pier at around 12:00 PM.

We waited in the lounge till our tour operator got us our tickets. We were lead to our boat after crossing through a long street of shops selling souvenirs. Few minutes into the boat, lunch was served. Being a vegetarian we did not have many options but they did manage to get us some noodles and peanuts. We enjoyed the food with breathtaking scenes of the limestones in the bay.

We stopped at Thien Cung cave. It is hard to tell what it would contain looking for its exterior but the beauty of stalactites and stalagmites formation inside the cave is mesmerizing. Our tour guide showed us possible formation of shapes like those of animals and gods and it was an amazing session.

We got into the boat and made another stop after a while. Here there were options of 45-minutes of kayaking or a bamboo boat around the islands and water tunnels. We chose the bamboo boat wherein the boatwoman paddled us into this tranquil portion of Halong Bay. It was so peaceful and untouched. It was here that I thought we could have stayed in Halong for probably one more day. The emerald water and the huge cliffs just kept us in awe!

We came to our boat and it was time to head back to the pier. We returned to the Halong pier at 5:00 pm and boarded the bus and reached Hanoi at 8:30 pm.

Ha Giang Loop

If visitors have more time on hand then Ha Giang Loop is one of the adventurous and amazing journeys they can participate in. The Ha Giang loop is an awe-inspiring adventure that takes travelers through the remote and rugged landscapes of Northern Vietnam. The loop can be completed in 3-5 days depending upon each traveller.

Generally done on motorbikes, this iconic motorbike route offers an unforgettable journey, showcasing stunning mountain passes, vibrant ethnic villages, and breathtaking natural beauty making is one of the best things to do in Vietnam.

SHOPPING IN HANOI

Like Hoi An, all cities in Vietnam are popular for their clothes and how quickly they are custom made. There are many shops selling ready made Vietnamese garments too in Old Quarter. Since I get my clothes stitched in India and the dress are similar, I did not want to indulge in shopping. If shopping is still on your mind, here are some of the must buy souvenirs from Vietnam.

MUST TRY FOOD IN HANOI

Vietnam is super popular for its food and coffee. Must try is the Pho (beef soup), spring rolls, Bun Cha, Banh Mi and green papaya salad all available as street food and in fancy restaurants. However if you are a vegetarian like me, there are a lot of options in the same restaurants too. Just tell your tour guide and he will make sure you get good vegetarian option. There are many Indian restaurants too. Just keep an eye open and you will find authentic thali meals. For more authentic food, check out this food guide.

HOW TO GET AROUND HANOI

Not just Hanoi, but the entire country is notoriously known for its bike traffic. Check this guide for how to get around Vietnam.

Final Verdict for Things to do in Hanoi

Overall, our visit to Hanoi was good, though I wish we had given it more time and also had travelled in non rainy season. Hanoi city needs atleast 2 days in total and I would highly recommend 1N2D Halong Bay tour so that you do not regret later. Plan your trip accordingly. Wondering what else can you do in Hanoi? Check out a guide on 25 things to do in Hanoi. 

SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR BEST THINGS TO DO IN HANOI

• Try the local food – it is cheap and helps the local economy.
• Do not throw your waste at heritage sights and in the Halong Bay waters. There is enough plastic in it which is an eye sore for the locals and tourists who come to enjoy the nature..
• Use public transportation is not a great option so best is to take the group tour option. It is economical and who knows you may make some friends on the bus.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate link, meaning that if you make a booking using this link I get some bonus at no additional cost to you which keeps my website up and running.

The Temple of Literature 

The Temple of Literature is a popular Vietnamese temple in Vietnam, situated in the capital city of Hanoi. It was originally built as a university dedicated to Confucius, all the way back in 1070. 

It was built to attract wealthy scholars – as education was once only accessible to the wealthy and royal. Because of this, it now stands as one of the most beautiful and picturesque temples in the whole of Vietnam. Its traditional Vietnamese architecture is surrounded by tranquil courtyards – featuring the names of successful students of the past, carved into stone turtles. 

Visiting hours: 8am to 6pm

The Van Thuy Tu Temple

The Van Thuy Tu Temple is known as the whale temple – and just as the name suggests, it is dedicated to the most impressive mammal – whale. In Vietnamese culture, whale is considered as a holy animal, worshiped in a multitude of different ways. It is estimated that there are over 100 whale temples in Vietnam, and Van Thuy Tu Temple is the oldest and largest and is located in Phan Thiet. 

Visitors can see a range of historical artifacts – from whale skeletons, fishing boats and Nguyen Dynasty relics – as it was built way back in 1762. It was erected to commemorate the ancient story of the Lord Whale, who earned his title by saving a team of fishermen from bad weather. 

Visiting hours: 7am to 5pm 

The Tran Quoc Pagoda

The Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of Hanoi’s most popular historical landmarks. It is said to have been built in the 6th century as ‘An Quoc’, but it was renamed ‘Tran Quoc’ following renovations in the 17th century which were largely overseen by Emperor Le Huy Tong. 

It is one of the liveliest temples to visit as a tourist. Apart from its museum of historical artifacts, the main pagoda is often used to hold special events for devotees, such as the celebration of Buddha’s birthday, and the famous Tet Festival.

Visiting hours: 7.30am to 6pm

The Giac Lam Pagoda

This beautiful Buddhist temple was built in 1744, and in 1988 gained status as an important historical site according to the Vietnamese Department of Culture. This temple is truly breathtaking and tranquil, with gorgeous gardens to lose yourself in. Of all the temples on this list, this is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a peaceful experience. Its ceremonial hall is a huge attraction, thanks to its famous statue of Amitabha Buddha.

Just like the Emperor Jade Pagoda, Giac Lam Pagoda is situated in Ho Chi Minh City. It is open from early morning, allowing you to experience its beautiful scenery in the morning, noon and night. 

Visiting hours:  5am to 8pm

Sustainable tips for visiting temples in Vietnam

• Most of these temples in Vietnam are ancient heritage sites of historical importance. Visitors must respect the structures by not sitting on them. 
• Do not harm the temple structure by carving or writing on it.
• Wear respectable clothes while visiting the temples in Vietnam. Cover your shoulders and knees. You may not be allowed to enter otherwise. 
• Do not litter temple premises and maintain its sanctity by keeping it clean.

Disclaimer: This is contributed blog post and may contain affiliate and commercial links.

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