Hanoi, the art capital not to be missed when traveling to Vietnam, will certainly surprise tourists with its irresistible food, fascinating coffee culture and sacred temples.
Why visit Hanoi? One of the essential destinations in your Vietnam tour is the capital, Hanoi. This city has numerous interesting attractions that draw tourists year-round, such as favorable weather, diverse cuisine, and a rich history with famous monuments and museums.
Therefore, Hanoi is consistently recognized by renowned international magazines as an ideal destination for foreign tourists. Let’s explore the 8 reasons why you should take a Hanoi city tour in the article below!
1. Favorable weather, with four distinct seasons
Hoan Kiem Lake, the highlight of Hanoi in autumn
Hanoi is the most ideal city in Vietnam with a tropical monsoon climate. Therefore, Hanoi experiences four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. For travel enthusiasts, the diverse weather conditions across the four seasons is the reason why should visit Hanoi, making them want to visit this city multiple times a year.
In fact, each season has its own unique beauty and characteristics. However, the best time to visit Hanoi is in the autumn (from September to November). During this season, the blue sky, the fresh air and the cool climate make tourists feel satisfied and relaxed while exploring the sights around Hanoi.
2. Hanoi Old Quarter – An icon of Vietnam’s capital
One of the reasons why we should visit Hanoi, the Old Quarter here is regarded by locals as the heart of the capital. Narrow, winding streets lined with ancient houses create a fascinating maze that every visitor wants to get lost in.
The atmosphere in the Old Quarter is always bustling and lively. From the shops warmly welcoming customers, to the small street vendors on the sidewalks, and the cyclos and motorbikes navigating the streets, all these things combine to create a captivating picture of Hanoi’s Old Quarter that attracts international tourists.
Cyclo around Hanoi Old Quarter
Visiting Hanoi’s Old Quarter, you will have the opportunity to wander all day through its 36 streets to explore various trades. Additionally, you can admire the solemn beauty of the old houses, which have retained their original appearance since the 19th century.
Here, you will experience the inherent tranquility of Hanoi. At the same time, you will appreciate the charm of Hanoi’s residents through their simplicity and friendliness when meeting international visitors.
3. Combination of Eastern and Western architecture
Hanoi is a city with a rich history and long-standing cultural and traditional values. Additionally, Hanoi possesses many structures that combine Vietnamese and French architecture.
Some notable landmarks featuring French architecture in Hanoi include the Vietnam National Museum of History, the Hanoi Opera House, the Presidential Palace of Vietnam and the Long Bien Bridge, etc.
Long Bien Bridge with French architectural beauty in Hanoi
Moreover, Hanoi still retains its own classic, traditional beauty. This beauty is most clearly expressed through the temples and pagodas built in Hanoi.
Among them, some famous historical sites and tourist attractions representing Vietnamese history include the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and the Perfume Pagoda, etc.
4. Irresistible and delicious food famous all over the world
When talking about reasons why visit Hanoi, you cannot overlook the renowned dishes that contribute to Hanoi’s diverse culinary reputation.
Hanoi not only boasts many beautiful landscapes but is also famous for its diverse and unique cuisine. You can enjoy many famous dishes in Hanoi at affordable prices, such as pho, bun cha, Trang Tien ice cream, banh mi, and more.
Notably, the British newspaper The Telegraph ranked Hanoi 2nd on its list of 17 cities with the most diverse and impressive cuisine in the world.
5. Fascinating coffee culture – Enjoy the best coffee in Vietnam
For a long time, Vietnam has been famous for having the best coffee in the world. Among its offerings, egg coffee is no longer an unfamiliar name to international visitors. When visiting Hanoi, any tourist is curious to try egg coffee.
This is because only in Hanoi, you can find authentic and delicious egg coffee that can’t be found elsewhere. The rich flavor of the egg cream, combined with the bitterness of the coffee, leaves an unforgettable impression on those who taste it.
Moreover, in Hanoi, every three steps you take, you will encounter cafes with different styles. This is because drinking coffee has become an indispensable habit for Hanoian. Drinking coffee while working, meeting friends, or reading books has led the locals to share the saying: “In Hanoi, there’s no need to rush!”
Enjoying coffee on Train Street is one of the reasons why you should visit Hanoi
Not only is egg coffee a unique feature in Hanoi, but coffee in the Train Street is also a distinctive aspect of the capital. Enjoying Train Street coffee while watching the trains pass by will be an exciting and unforgettable experience for visitors when they visit Northern Vietnam.
Read more: Vietnamese Coffee: Where to go for the best flavor
6. Traditional Craft Villages in Hanoi
Among approximately 5400 craft villages in Vietnam, Hanoi alone accounts for a quarter with about 1350 craft villages, including over 300 notable traditional craft villages.
In particular, the Bat Trang pottery village boasts the largest number of artisans nationwide with 75 craftsmen. Hanoi’s craft villages also encompass 47 out of the country’s total of 52 traditional crafts, covering a wide range including lacquerware, ceramics, gold and silver, lace embroidery, bamboo and rattan weaving, textiles, paper, folk paintings, wood carving, stone carving, flower and bonsai cultivation.
Paradise Travel customers make pottery by themselves
7. Sacred Temples in Hanoi
Hanoi is famous not only for its scenic spots and tourist attractions. One of the reasons why visit Hanoi is the abundance of sacred temples here.
The thousand-year-old capital attracts many international tourists due to the temples scattered throughout the city. As a predominantly Buddhist country, temples and pagodas outnumber churches here.
Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi
Some famous temples that many people visit to pray for peace include Quan Su Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ha Pagoda, Phuc Khanh Pagoda, Perfume Pagoda, etc.
8. Rich and distinctive street food cuisine
With clearly defined four seasons, Hanoi offers visitors uniquely impressive street foods.
If you visit Hanoi on a summer day, a refreshing sweet sugarcane juice or sour tamarind drink will be what you remember most. In the autumn, the fragrant scent of freshly cooked green rice in Hanoi flakes permeates the streets, capturing the hearts of visitors. And in the bitterly cold winter nights, the aroma of grilled corn and sweet potatoes wafts from charcoal stoves on the sidewalk.
Prepared not by professional chefs, the street foods here still win hearts with their familiarity and simplicity flavors.
There are many street food vendors in Hanoi where visitors can try dishes such as nem chua ran, banh gio, etc. And street vendors are always cheerful and friendly with customers, which leaves a lasting impression on foreign visitors to Hanoi. A Western newspaper once described Hanoi’s street cuisine as “irresistibly tempting at first sight.”
Banh mi – one of the most famous street foods in Hanoi
Here are 8 reasons why you should visit Hanoi, the charming capital of Vietnam. If you’re interested in exploring the beauty of its streets, lakes, and local people, why hesitate? Contact us directly to create a specialized itinerary tailored to your preferences in Vietnam!
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