VIETNAM_How To Enjoy HANOI in 48 Hours

Hanoi is the chaotic capital city of Vietnam, the gem of the North with a rich history and culture. Hanoi is a city that embraces its future whilst preserving the past as well as boasting a mixed match of colonial buildings, ancient pagodas and even epic skyscrapers. Are you wondering how you should spend your time in Hanoi? Well, today we will look at the ultimate guide on how to see Day 1. Explore Hanoi Old Town Corridor For many tourists to Vietnam's capital, the major attraction is strawling the city's ancient core streets. This labyrinthine corridor of narrow alleys is basically the commercial heartbeat of town and has a history which stretches back 1,000 years. It is a beautifully dilapidated place where the odd piece of medieval area architecture has managed to cling on within the modern hubbub of whizzing motorbikes, street vendors and pulsating commerce. If you look up while you're exploring, the area has plenty of vernacular shophouse architecture where merchants used to traditionally live above their shops in very long but narrow two-story dwellings as well as squeezed together on the alleyway rows. Moreover, the backstreets of Hanoi are a great opportunity to soak up the buzz of Hanoi's street life. There's plenty of street food on offer and lots of pavement vendors selling fruits and vegetables. There are also stalls selling traditional medicines as well as Buddhist religious trappings. The Old Town Corridor is a relic of French colonial rule right in the heart of the Old Town Corridor's St. Joseph's Cathedral which is on Nga Tho Street. It was built in 1886 and is a fine example of Neo-Gothic architectural style. The facade is intricately decorated with two bell towers which inside are some delicate stained-glass window details. The main entrance is kept locked except for masks. At other times, you can access the church interior from the back through the offices for Diocese of Hanoi. Always Coffee and Butter Beer There's no doubt that Vietnam is pretty famous for its coffee and Hanoi is one of the best places to find in abundance. The Old Quarter is home to many notorious cafes and coffee shops in Hanoi. You can take your pick and indulge in some traditional Vietnamese coffee. If you happen to be a huge Harry Potter geek, then it is recommended that you visit the Potter-themed cafe. Always Coffee and Butter Beer Take a Straight Food Tour When visiting cities in Southeast Asia, tourists always have a straight food tour on their bucket list. It is believed that Southeast Asia is home to delicious cuisine. From noodle soups to spicy curries, Asia has it all. Vietnam is very famous for its Pho. It is said that Hanoi's Old Quarter is a paradise for Vietnamese street food, so you should definitely check it out. Hoan Kiem Lake After you have had your fill of street food, you can head to Hoan Kiem Lake to take in the sights around its perimeter. Hoan Kiem is a 12-acre lake and is one of the most famous attractions in all of Hanoi. Its name Hoan Kiem basically means Lake of Returned Sword. When you are walking around the lake, you should spot attractions such as Turtle Tower, the Hug Bridge, and Ngoc Son Temple. Drink Beer on Ta Hien Street Hanoi is famous for its Ta Hien Street and it has the best beer in Vietnam. It is also a great place to drink and people watch. However, there are no proper bars here and customers have to sit on small wooden or plastic stools by the side of the road to enjoy their cup of beer. There's no need for decent tables and chairs here. All you need is cold beer and straight food to chat with your friends all night long. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh is a place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. This mausoleum is a sprawling complex that is set within the Hanoi's gardens where it took the tomb of Ho Chi Minh, as well as many other well-known museums and monuments. The actual mausoleum itself is an austere marble building where Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body is preserved in a glass case. Within the complex is the Ho Chi Minh Museum which has an eclectic collection containing Ho Chi Minh's personal memorabilia along with a lot of information on the history of the Vietnamese Revolution. It is also worth visiting the Stilt House which was once home to Ho Chi Minh and is excellently preserved. You can visit the One Pillar Pagoda which is a reconstruction of the original 11th century temple and later destroyed by French colonial troops. Day 2. Explore the Imperial Citadel Even though it might not look like much at first, Hanoi's Imperial Citadel area was once the most important seat of military power and it continued to be an important strategic role right up to the 1960s as well as the Vietnam War. This site even reached a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition in the year 2010 for its long role in Hanoi's past. The area's 1,000 years of history are highlighted by the archaeological work that has unearthed the foundations of a variety of palaces that once stood on this spot. Moreover, there is a bunker here that dates from the Vietnam War where military maps along with equipment are displayed. Admire the Temple of Literature Hanoi's most interesting religious building is probably the beautiful and incredibly peaceful Confucian Temple which was initially built as a university in the 11th century. Today, the Temple of Literature stands as a tribute to the nation's scholars. It was present in the Near the entranceway, you can still see the names of the students who studied here as they etched into a series of pillars. When you go inside, you see a series of manicured gardens that lead to pavilions and a well-preserved pagoda where a statue of Confucius sits. Hanoi Train Street You can head towards the old corridor to Train Street. Every twice a day, a speeding train passes through just inches from the homes of the local residents. The residents of the street press tightly against the walls and before continuing on as if nothing has happened as soon as the train has passed. All the drying clothes are carried inside, the bikes and chairs are moved into doorways and children are ushered indoors. French Quarter If you want to see a completely different side of Hanoi, then you can make your way down to the French Quarter with a hint of the French colonial buildings and architecture. You will find grand government buildings, boutique stores as well as high-end restaurants. It is a nice place to wander around and be sure to check out the Colonial Opera House and Presidential Palace. Watch a show at the Water Puppet Theater Hanoi's water puppet shows are a great way to experience traditional Vietnamese artistry and entertainment and as an excellent evening activity if you have children in tow. This ancient art form first evolved in Vietnam's rural areas during the months of the monsoon paddy field flooding and today, it is now primarily performed in custom-made water pools rather than outside. Performances usually center around well-known local legends and are accompanied by a live band using traditional Vietnamese instruments. Hanoi is the heartland of contemporary water puppet theater with five shows daily at the Municipal Water Puppet Theater. Enjoy cocktails at Apricot Hotel If you're looking for a slice of luxury on your final night in Hanoi, it is recommended by many tourists to have a few drinks at Apricot Hotel. It's located on the west shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. Although it is a bit pricey for Vietnam, you can enjoy cocktails on the rooftop bar overlooking an unparalleled view of the lake. Well, there you have it. Which place was your favorite from today's video? Will you visit Hanoi? Let us know in the comments below. If you have enjoyed today's episode, please leave a thumbs up and don't forget to subscribe to our channel and click on the bell icon to be up to date with the most exciting content as soon as it's uploaded. Thanks for watching, see you again in another video.