The most well-known and beautiful city in northern Vietnam is Hanoi, the country’s capital, which you will undoubtedly visit while there. With a population of over 10 million, Hanoi is the second-largest city in Vietnam and is located along the Red River Delta.
I stayed at the Grand Mercure which is a very new property. The concept for the hotel’s interior was inspired by rice, and it features the symbol on numerous surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, and tapestries. This sign is displayed in many parts of the hotel, such as the walls, ceilings, and tapestries, from the rice-growing region’s water-filled fields and hillside terraces to the grain’s color and shape. The talent of regional artists is also on exhibit around the hotel. The rooms are big and modern with subtle Vietnamese touches throughout. The hotel offers a choice of 181 rooms and suites ranging from 291-square-foot Deluxe Rooms to the 1,249-square-foot Presidential Suite. The 11 suites offer separate living areas and the Executive Lounge provides an exclusive space for guests staying in the hotel’s premium accommodation.
The property houses four restaurants and bars with originally curated culinary concepts, comprising four diverse culinary and social venues; LỘC-ALLY, Cat Vi, Van’s lobby lounge, VIVU Rooftop Sky Bar. The hotel also has a unique glass-sided rooftop pool and a well equipped fitness center, both of which are perched on the 16th floor. For deeply soothing therapies, the fourth-floor SỐNG Spa offers wellness based on time-honored Vietnamese techniques.
https://www.grandmercure.com/city/hanoi/: Hanoi: Experience the beautiful city in northen VietnamThings to do in Hanoi
Explore the old quarter by walking around: The Old Quarter of Hanoi is an intriguing neighborhood, home to a mix of everything – architecture, greenery, ancient shops, and fresh street food — all of which can be easily explored on foot. If you wish to get a first-hand experience of it yourself, take this self-guided walking tour.
Party at beer street: Ta Hien Beer Street Hanoi is a popular destination for those who are looking to experience the local culture and nightlife in Hanoi. This bustling street is filled with a wide range of thrilling activities, from food, drinks, and live music to bars and pubs, making it a must-visit spot for everyone.
Tran Quoc Pagoda: Tran Quoc Pagoda, with its stunning architecture, calming ambience, and significant cultural values, is unmissable when it comes to exploring Vietnam’s capital
When it comes to Hanoi travel and tourism, tourists should not miss out on Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in this city with a long-standing history. Being a sacred “gem” in the middle of West Lake, this religious site is an ideal spot for any cultural enthusiast in Vietnam’s capital.
Tay Ho district during sunset: Hanoi’s immense Ho Tay (West Lake) offers a peaceful alternative to the bustle of the city. Take a boat cruise and explore historic temples, meander through markets, enjoy the breeze off the water, and relax in a serene atmosphere. You must visit it during sunset, it looks breathtaking.
Train Street: Located between the streets of Phùng Hưng and Lý Nam Đế, in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, is the famous Train Street or the Đường Phùng Hưng railway street. It is a narrow residential street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, where you get to have one of the most unique experiences in Vietnam. Here, the train tracks run incredibly close to the homes and shops! When a train passes through the street, the residents living along the tracks move their belongings and themselves out of the way to avoid being hit by the passing train. And this happens multiple times a day.
Day trip to Ninh Binh: Famous for its beautiful scenery and incredible landscapes, from ancient temples to hidden caves and green rice fields, Ninh Binh is one of the top destinations in Vietnam. It is also called the Halong Bay on land. A day trip is an ideal way to explore the area.
Overnight cruise to halong bay: Indulge yourself with a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Vietnam by embarking on our Emperor Cruises and cruising around Ha Long Bay. Venture off-the-beaten-track, go kayaking, swimming and visiting cave. There is plenty of time for nature lovers to discover many secluded beaches, lagoons, coves, and caves.
Stay on the luxurious hermes cruise: Hermes Cruises boasts 18 luxury cabins, high-class restaurants, 2 outdoor swimming pools, and a host of outstanding facilities to cater to your every need. The spacious rooms, ranging from 28 to 64m2, are meticulously and passionately designed in a neoclassical style, ensuring the most comfortable moments of rest. When you travel with Hermes, you not only immerse yourself in the majestic natural beauty of Ha Long Bay, but also get to enjoy exclusive activities and experiences available only with Hermes Cruises.
Much of Hanoi’s historic appeal, including its coffee culture, is a result of French colonialism. Vietnam received its first coffee shipment from the French in 1857, and by 1950, the nation was producing and exporting instant coffee, which shifted the emphasis to Robusta. Vietnam is currently the second-largest coffee grower in the world, producing about 1.5 million tonnes of coffee annually, up to 40% of the global Robusta supply. Hanoians prefer to sip their stronger concoction outside in front of a tiny shop with sweetened milk and a little sugar and consume a lot of dark, caffeinated beverages. You may readily see some folks here in the mornings on hot summer days and gloomy chilly winter days, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Try coffees in Vietnam like salt coffee, yoghurt coffee, Vietnamese coffee and coconut coffee. The best part? There are tiny chairs and tables outside cafes to just sit, drink coffee and watch the people walk by! You will find world’s most expensive coffee in Vietnam. It’s called weasel or poop coffee where weasels eat the coffee cherries and the whole beans are removed from their poop and processed.
You mustn’t miss the snake wine which is supposed to be healthy and a local delicacy. It’s quite weird see in whole cobras in wine bottles. If you’re gusty you could try it.
Places to eat in Hanoi
Uu Dam Chay: It’s a place where you can get Vietnamese food which is all plant-based. The interior, the food, and the service are on point. Moreover, this is a vegan paradise.
Vi Lai: Located on Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Vi Lai is one of the famous vegan restaurants in Hanoi, which quickly become familiar to the people in public and vegetarians in particular. Not only want to bring the best vegan food to everyone but Vi Lai vegetarian restaurant was also founded with the mission to bring “the unique vegetarian food experiences” to every diner who comes. The best dish was the mushroom hot pot. It is a must try!
The Note Coffee: The Note Coffee is not only known for its unique and unplanned decor, but it also serves some of the best coffee in Hanoi. You must try the Coconut Iced Latte. The place has stunning views of the river and the hustle and bustle of the circle below. You can sit and people watch from above whilst sipping on something delicious from their wide variety of coffee and snacks to choose from.
Hidden Gem Cafe: Hidden Gem Cafe is a warm and cozy cafe. It also makes a deep impression on tourists with unique recycled items inside. Despite being located in a small alley, Hidden Gem Cafe possesses a spacious area with four floors. Hidden Gem Cafe’s cozy atmosphere also comes from paintings that evoke familiar images of Hanoi.
Salt Mate: After a trip to Hue, the little owner of Salt Mate has collected all the recipes of salt coffee with the “nearest Hue” flavor to bring them back to Hanoi. To suit the taste of Hanoi people, Salt Mate has adjusted and reduced the amount of salt to make the overall taste more harmonious and balanced.
Always Cafe: Right in the center of Hanoi, there exists a small cafe called Always Coffee. At first glance, it may appear to be an ordinary cafe. However, if you recognize the unique Harry Potter font and Deathly Hallows symbol, you’ll soon realize this cafe is more than meets the eye. The cafe is a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, and is located a bit far away from most of the tourist posts, but it definitely pays off to explore off the beaten path! Inside the cafe, you’ll find a menu full of different kinds of coffee, cocktails, smoothies, and anything else you could ask for. Each cocktail is named after a potion or spell from the books.
Ma Xo cafe: Sitting on the picturesque Truc Bach Lake is Hanoi’s latest addition to the ever-growing brunch scene. This earthy escape serves up the best avo toast in the city along with a killer cà phê sữa đá to match. Along with these classics they also specialize in craft cocktails, have an expertly curated wine list, and with a space this cool it is sure that your brunch very well may run into happy hour.
In addition, Hanoi is a well-liked tourist destination that welcomes millions of visitors from abroad every year. Its strong life energy, delicious cuisine, and rich history will win you over. Hanoi offers a wide range of activities and experiences for any traveler, from its bustling daylife to its vibrant nightlife.