Hanoi, Vietnam | DIY Travel Guide

Another unplanned trip. Wynne had a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam and it falls on a weekend. I wasted no time and booked a flight. Same with my other out of the country trip, I did a little research on the place. I just know that it is the Capital of Vietnam and part of the Southeast Asia Region. This means I will be going to another tropical destination (and so I thought) :D

My plane arrived in Noi Bai Airport Terminal 2 past midnight. Look for a vacant spot in the airport to sleep but for some reason, I stayed wide awake until dawn.

Since this was a short stay, I wanted to maximize my time and explore Hanoi as early as possible. Around 5:30am I rushed to go out and look for the bus station. As soon as I stepped outside, I realized I made a mistake. I did not expect Hanoi to be cold. I thought Hanoi’s climate is the same as Philippines. When I checked the weather, it was 14°C.

I took the earliest trip of Bus 86 and alighted at Cua Bac bus stop. From there, I walked several blocks to see West Lake. This is the biggest fresh water lake of Hanoi.

Explored the West Lake until I reached Tran Quoc Pagoda. This is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Hanoi. Situated on a small island within West Lake. This temple is accessible by road.

I walked south of the same road and stumble upon Quan Thanh Temple. This 11th century temple, is one of the Four Sacred Temples that protects the city from evil spirits.

From Quan Thanh Temple, continued my journey southeast to the Old Quarter up to Hoan Kiem Lake. This Freshwater Lake is also known as the “Sword Lake”.

Tried Cong Ca Phe, a coffee shop with a view of Hoan Kiem Lake. I ordered the coconut coffee, my first coffee here in Hanoi.

Then, I went to Crowne Plaza West Hanoi to meet Wynne. Since this is the land of motorcycles, I tried to ride one.

That night, we went back in Old Quarter for a dinner at Highway 4 Bar and Restaurant. A famous restaurant in Hanoi that offers traditional Vietnamese Cuisine with modern twists.

After the sumptuous meal, we walked around Old Quarter up to Hoan Kiem Lake.

The next day, the plan is to go to Train Street as early as possible to experience the place without a crowd. The weather was same as day 1. It was cold and gloomy with light drizzle. Old houses and cafes were still close. The street was quiet. Few locals doing their morning routine. A slow-paced atmosphere until I felt the vibrations in the ground and heard the powerful train horn sound. A little bit of the authentic local experience really deepen my appreciation of this city.

We went back to Hoan Kiem Lake. More than a calming lake view, this is where Ngoc Son Temple or Temple of the Jade Mountain is located. The temple sits on a small island within the lake. Accessible by its picturesque Huc Bridge. A wooden bridge with scarlet red handrails. The vivid red color makes the bridge stand out of this scenic view.

Next, we went back to Old Quarter because Hanoi experience won’t be complete without trying a hawker stall and eating on sidewalk. We ate Bun Cha for our breakfast. Bun Cha Dac Kim is famous for this dish.

We also need caffeine, so we went back to Cong Ca Phe. This time we ordered the egg coffee and the coconut coffee.

Our next stop is Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. This is the final resting place of President of ho Chi Minh. Entrance here is free.

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam

From the Mausoleum, we walked south to the Temple of Literature. A well-preserved Vietnamese structure. This Temple was built to honor Confucius and other Confucian scholars.

As we enter the premise, I noticed that it was a complete opposite of the bustling city. The greens from the well-maintained garden perfectly contrast the faded red brick pathways. Street noise was replaced by rustling leaves and birds chirping. The fast-paced environment slowly transitioned to a relaxing one. As we explored further, we can only marvel at the intricate design of the structure; from the gates to the main temple.

We went back to Old Quarter for lunch. Another meal on Old Quarter’s sidewalk. This time with Pho and beer.

Before ending our DIY walking tour of Old Quarter, we decided to enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee at Dong Phu 1932.

In a short span of time, I fell in love with this beautiful city that is rich in history. A cultural blend of Eastern and Western Influence, just like their coffees. Temples hidden around the bustling city. A Calming lake view. Hawker stalls and Cafes on every corner. Mayhem of motorcycles on the streets and a sidewalk is a place to eat. A balance between chaos and serenity. This is Hanoi.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HANOI

The best time to visit Hanoi, Vietnam is during the dry season. This is from November to February. Also this is the time when climate is coolest.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO PACK TO HANOI

Comfortable outfit
Sneakers / Sandals / Slippers
Protection from the sun
Jacket
Camera / Action Cam
Batteries /Memory Cards
Universal Adaptor
Powerbank
Charger

HOW TO GET TO HANOI FROM MANILA

The most convenient way to get to Hanoi from Manila is via a direct flight. The plane will depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. Plane will arrive at Noi Bai Airport Terminal 2. Travel time is around 3 hours 30 Minutes.

HOW TO GET TO OLD QUARTER FROM NOI BAI AIRPORT

To get to Old Quarter from Noi Bai Airport, exit Noi Bai International Airport and Cross the road. Go to the left and look for the Bus 86 Terminal. From Terminal 2 Airport, alight at Cua Bac Bus Stop. This is the 4th stop in this route. Travel time is around 40 minutes. This route opens around 6:15am and closes around 11pm with a 30 minutes interval.

HANOI BUDGET AND ITINERARY

The estimated budget for an overnight stay in Hanoi is around USD100.00. This is exclusive of the plane fare and accommodation. See breakdown below:

NOTE: Prices indicated above may change.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN VISITING HANOI

Accommodation
- For this trip we stayed at Crowne Plaza West Hanoi since Wynne got a free accommodation. I suggest to stay near old quarter.
Transportation
- Use Grab to go around the city.
Food
- You should try the coffees in Vietnam: Vietnamese coffee, egg coffee and coconut coffee.
- Highway 4 Bar and Restaurant is on the expensive side but famous in Hanoi.
- Bun Cha Dac Kim is a must try.
- Dong Phu 1932 is permanently closed.
Credit card is widely accepted but do bring cash just to be sure.
There are plenty of Banks and ATM around Hanoi.

HANOI TRAVEL TIPS

Check the weather and pack accordingly.
You can buy your SIM card at the airport.
Use the bus transport from Airport to save cash.
Bus 86 do not have reservations. Best to go in advance and fall in line. You can only buy ticket directly from the conductor.
For better rates, exchange currency in banks. There are plenty of banks around Old Quarter.
Practice your street crossing skill if you want to explore Hanoi.
If you plan on visiting temples, wear proper attire.
Wear comfortable shoes.
The Cong Ca Phe in Cau Go street facing the rotunda, has a great view of Hoan Kiem Lake.