Hanoi is an ancient city with a rich heritage. It has been the capital of Vietnam for about a thousand years and a focal point of civilization and culture. It has cradled many dynasties, imbibing unique features from each regime, evolving and growing in both size and depth. Hanoi still retains an old world charm and aura about it. Lining the walls of its many relics are legends and stories that give character to the city.
Choosing the right mix of hotel location, travel distances and times, things to see and do, price and amenities in Hanoi can be difficult. You can find accommodation in Hanoi quickly and easily. Search by destination on our Hanoi Map or by price range by clicking on Hanoi Budget Accommodation, Hanoi Mid Range Accommodation or Hanoi Top End Accommodation.
Hanoi has an elegant and understated appeal of its own. It balances its old word charm with a bustling modernity and yet retains a laidback attitude, perhaps the biggest attraction of the place. The people are very courteous and helpful and given to appreciating the good things in life without being pretentious.
The best times to discover this city are Spring and Fall. Avoid the winter months from October to December which can be rather chilly and wet. May to July are unbearably hot. It is a good idea in Hanoi to consult the locals regarding other little known places that you can visit. So rather than limiting yourself to typical tourist spots, you can venture into unknown territory and see the life here from close quarters.
The most dominant influence here has definitely been original Vietnamese, as Hanoi was the capital of independent Vietnam for almost 8 centuries. From 1887 to 1954 it was the capital of French Indo China, so there are definite French, Indian and Chinese influences in the architecture, art and language. If the Indian influence manifests itself in beautiful, ornate temples, the Chinese is obvious in over 600 pagodas dotting the landscape of the city.
If you want to get in touch with the original Hanoi, venture into the Old Quarter near the Hoan Kien Lake. This was a busy business area once upon a time, with each of its 36 streets dedicated to a particular kind of trade. The streets got their unique names from the kind of transactions that took place in them. These names have been retained and it is interesting to visualise how they might have looked originally. Today you can get some of the best silk in this area. Hanoi is also a great place to sample authentic Vietnamese dishes. There is no dearth of nice restaurants and bars in this bustling area.
During the rule of the Nguyen Dynasty, the Capital of Vietnam was temporarily shifted to Hue. This was a nadir in the city's progress but fortunately the change was short-lived. The turn-around happened under the French in the late 19th century, when they restored many of its destroyed structures and created new buildings in the classic French style, lending a very European feel to the cityscape.
If you want to delve deeper into Hanoi's culture, there are many museums showcasing fascinating artefacts and exhibits. Some of these include The National Museum of Ethnology, The National Museum of Fine Arts, The Vietnamese National History Museum, and The Revolution Museum.
If you want your trip to be a combination of sight-seeing and exploring, do visit the West Lake, known here as Ho Tay. It is a good picnic spot and you can easily spend a day here boating, dining at the floating restaurant and visiting the exquisite temples in this area. Another popular spot is the Ban Gioc Waterfall. It is a four-hour drive from Hanoi and is as idyllic as it can get. Soak in the natural beauty of the place and let the incredible experience soothe your senses.
This local Hanoi Hotel Reservation Service is owned and operated by Viet Holiday Travel; a company formed by a team of experienced tour guides and computer specialists. Luu Hoang Anh had a vision to optimise travel services, Pham Van Ngoc had a passion for international relations, and Tran Trung decided to tap into the tech realm to advance this dream.
We are a Vietnam hotel booking service, which lists guesthouses and hotels in Hanoi. These are conveniently spread right across the city and across the available price range. We are sure you will find the right accommodation in Hanoi - even use our interactive maps to choose hotels by location!
Meet the team from Viet Holiday Travel - we are your local connection in Hanoi! Together we have taken our love of both Hanoi and tourism; and formed a company to help travelers experience the wonder that is the historic city of Hanoi. Our venture enables us to experience cultures and learn about travelers from various backgrounds. We believe in educating our staff about the importance of sustainable tourism, and embody this through our own personal and business practices.
