Hanoi, a fascinating city with a millennium-long history
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is located in the northern region. With a brilliant history that can be traced back to one thousand years ago, Hanoi has become Vietnam's political, economic, and cultural center since the eleventh century. Deeply influenced by the cultures of France and China, Hanoi is rich in cultural artifacts and historical legacy and is now a popular travel destination with historical sites and scenic spots spread around every corner of this ancient city.
Exploring Hanoi
Hanoi has profound cultural deposits thanks to its long and extensive history. Nestled in the heart of the Old Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) attracts travelers with its folktales and forms a popular scenic area along with the Ngọc Sơn Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) and Turtle Tower. The St. Joseph's Cathedral, known as The Big Church, contrasted starkly with the Maison Centrale. These two unique architectures built by the French not just recorded history but told stories about the old times in the French colonial period, so sacred and devout yet solemn, respectful, and cruel. Located separately by the lakeside of the Sword Lake and West Lake, the Temple of Literature Hanoi and Trấn Quốc Pagoda symbolize the far-reaching impact of Confucianism and Buddhism on Vietnam's culture. The Vietnam National Museum of History preserves over 200,000 exhibits introducing Vietnamese history from prehistoric to the present.
As the trading center of Hanoi since the fifteenth century, the 36 Old Streets of the Old Quarter demonstrate the daily life of Vietnamese people. The products sold along these old streets classify into several characteristic districts, such as Hang Bac Street (the Silver Street), toy street, and Hang Gai Street (the Silk Street). It's worth treasure hunting and enjoying the fun of driving a bargain with street vendors. The Đồng Xuân Market is the largest and most popular indoor mart in Hanoi for the locals. The market's white exterior appearance expresses an exotic French style. Apart from daily necessities, cashew nuts with skins and coffee are the top two bestsellers on the souvenir rank for tourists. Performed on a water stage built over a waist-deep pool with on-site orchestral music, the Vietnamese Water Puppetry show introduces the folk stories of Vietnam to the audience. It's a must-see, classic, traditional opera while visiting Hanoi. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is the most celebrated theatrical Troupe. Even though the Troupe performs in Vietnamese, it's worthwhile to admire the lifelike puppet play.
Except for the urban area of Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Tam Coc, known as Halong Bay on land, are the other two must-visit tourist destinations in the city's outskirts. Halong Bay was included in the UN World Heritage Sites in 1994 and selected as a part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Thousands of islands sit in this vast maritime region, fog enveloping the water throughout the year. When you take a boat to cruise the sea area, you'd feel like placing yourself inside a landscape painting. The Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprises) and Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace Cav) are among the two most famous grottoes at Halong Bay, creating incredible natural landscapes in the caves with stalactites, stalagmites, and cave columns. Located in the interior region of Ninh Binh, the Tam Coc is the perfect spot for travelers to cruise on the water and see the river flows through the cliff and mountain valley while admiring the uncanny craftsmanship of nature.
The best travel season
Located in the subtropical region, Hanoi has distinct seasons, and the weather tends to be hot throughout the year. November to March is the dry season and the best time for traveling in Hanoi as it is not so hot and rains less.
City transportation
Leisurely wandering is the best way to explore the beauty of this 1000-year-old city, as the distances among the tourist spots of Hanoi are not quite far away. Rickshaws and motorcycle taxis are the most common transportation for travelers to experience the local culture deeply. It is comfortable and convenient to explore the city by taxi in Hanoi with two local taxi companies that charge the fare by meter, Hanoi Tourist and Mai Linh, or you may simply book a cab by Grab, which is a popular taxi App among many counties.
Search for direct flights of STARLUX Airlines to plan a trip to Hanoi, and enjoy a safe and high-quality flight experience worth to be treasured in your heart!
FAQ
Are there any current entry restrictions in Hanoi?
During the pandemic, the entry restrictions of various countries have been adjusted on a rolling basis. Kindly remind you that please be sure to check the entry restrictions of your destination and prepare relevant documents before your departure. For details, please refer to the latest travel restrictions.
When can I fly to Hanoi with a lower fare?
You can plan your trip by taking the reference of the lowest fares found by travelers within the latest 48 hours. Log in as a COSMILE member at the time of ticket purchase to earn mileage upon completing your flight.
How many flights are there to Hanoi every week?
STARLUX Airlines offers daily flights from Taipei and Los Angeles to Hanoi. You can check the detailed flight dates and information via timetable.
How many international airports are there in Hanoi?
The Noi Bai International Airport (IATA: HAN) is not merely the gateway of air traffic to Hanoi but the second-largest international airport in Vietnam. The Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) has two terminals. International flights mainly take off and land at Airport Terminal 2.
How far is Hanoi International Airport from downtown?
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is about 21 kilometers away from Hanoi downtown. Kindly remind you to plan your transportation to the city before departure.
How to get from the airport to downtown?
It is convenient and cost-saving for travelers to get to the city center from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) by taking the No. 86 airport shuttle bus. The design of the shuttle bus is quite eye-catching due to its bright orange body. It takes around forty to sixty minutes and only costs about NT$ 50. If you are traveling in a big group, booking a cab by Grab or arranging a driver in advance to take the group to the hotel directly is recommended.
