Hanoi Travel Forum

Hi VT,

please help...

My friend & I plan are planning to be in Hanoi (for 5 days) in mid May. We have visited HCM last year.
Questions:
- we searched for as much info as possible on VT, however, seems that there are many interesting spots are located outside Hanoi...
- any advice on must-see-places in Hanoi and near-by Hanoi?

thanks a lot for any info you can provide!

I would recommend Tam Coc which is a couple hour drive outstide of Hanoi, its described as the Halong Bay on land , we did a two day tour of the area and really liked it. Obviously there is Halong Bay which is great and not to be missed but I really like Tam Coc. In Hanoi I would recommend getting up early walking around Hoan Kiem Lake to see the locals doing their exercise for the day, it was such a nice way to start the day no traffic and for second you get to see the locals relaxing.

If you're into culture, then I'd highly recommend the Ethnology Museum. I prefer Halong to Tam Coc/Hoa Lu. Also if you've got extra time, then the northwest areas of Sapa/Bac Ha.

Thanks for the input!

My family stayed 7days in Hanoi. We went to some famous places, they are very beautiful, specially Halong bay. When we arrived hotel, they said "if you have been Vietnam, but you haven't been Halong bay, that mean you haven't been Vietnam". I think that right, Halong very beautiful. You can spend 2 days at Halong bay, 1day for Hanoi city tour, 1day for Hoa Lu Tam Coc, and 1day for Perfume pagoda or traditional village (Bat trang pottery or Van Phuc silk village).
How about your hotel in there? you should book hotel before you arrival Hanoi. I want to recommend for you Hanoicapital Hotel. That hotel is good, they are very professional, their tours are cheap and wonderful.