Hanoi Places To Stay

Places To Stay

Hanoi Train Street – The Full Travel Guide

Hanoi Train Street – The Full Travel Guide

3 years ago, you could have asked any tourist about Hanoi Train Street and received nothing but blank looks in return. Now, the track that curves through the center of the Vietnamese capital is one of the best places to visit in Hanoi and a popular tourist attraction for anyone wanting to see something a little out of the ordinary on their holiday.[incredible_toc] This full travel guide to Hanoi Train Street, brought to you by one of Vietnam’s leading tour operators – Incredible Asia Journeys - will tell you everything you need to know about the city’s newest tourist attraction.If you’re looking for more things to do in Hanoi after your trip to Hanoi Train Street, feel free to take a look at our full-day Hanoi tour all run by a professional guide from Incredible Asia Journeys.1. What is Hanoi Train Street?The name gives away the game with Hanoi Train Street. At its most simple, it’s a street for trains in Hanoi. If you’re thinking “Isn’t a ‘train street’ called a railway?” You’re absolutely right, but that name doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.The street cuts through the western side of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the bustling ancient heart of the capital where businesses and local houses are literally piled on top of each other. This clamoring for space eventually led to residents settling down next to the train tracks, with the government’s comically lax health and safety laws allowing it to happen.Houses are built high here and are mere inches from the trains when they pass through at multiple times a day. Because the locals of Hanoi Train Street have been putting up with the inconvenience for so long, they are very nonchalant about ceasing their activities, moving their possessions to the side, and waiting for the train to pass before carrying on their activities.Life has operated this way for years, since the early 20th century when the Hanoi railway station was built and Tonkin (north Vietnam) was connected to Annam (central Vietnam) and Cochinchina (south Vietnam) under French colonial rule. The generations of locals living on the train tracks have seen much, but many are still confused about the fascination in the cramped area of Hanoi they call home.Hanoi Train Street2. What to do at Hanoi Train Street?While, in the past, visitors to Hanoi Train Street might have been content with simply standing to the side and snapping pictures of the trains and the gorgeous street lined with houses and green foliage, tourists nowadays can expect a lot more. Here’s your guide to Hanoi Train Street and the things you can do by the side of the tracks:2.1. Get the perfect photoHanoi is considered a hugely photogenic city and it’s not hard to see why. Hanoi Train Street is one of the best places to take photos in Hanoi, especially when the train is coming around the corner and is framed beautifully by mismatched buildings and trees that lean over the tracks to create a beautiful tunnel. Of course, when the train is not passing through, you can take excellent, Instagram-friendly selfies, though it’s getting increasingly harder to avoid tourists doing the same thing.2.2. Sit down for a coffeeThis wouldn’t really be one of the top things to do in Hanoi if there weren’t any cafés here! Fortunately, Hanoi Train Street has you covered in this regard. Many cafés have sprouted up along the tracks as tourism continues to go, all providing an excellent, unobstructed view of the train pass about a metre in front of you. Like any tourist attraction in Vietnam, be prepared to pay a little extra for your coffee, beer or fruit shake here, but still at a price that is very affordable for most international visitors.2.3. Enjoy shots of rice wineIf you want to ramp up the energy a bit, consider going to Hanoi Train Street at night and taking a seat at Ray Quan, a fantastic bar that was one of the first businesses along the tracks. The gimmick here is to take a shot of rice wine every time a train passes in front – so grab some friends, grab a table, and grab some local liquor from the wide selection available here.2.4. Find fantastic and unique souvenirsOne shop stands out amongst the tourist-hoarding cafés on Hanoi Train Street – The Zó Project. This is a shop that specialises in traditional paper made by ethnic minorities, which was a piece of heritage almost lost until the Zo Project stepped in. Now you can buy postcards, sketchbooks, paintings and fans made of zó paper, with much of the proceeds going to the ethnic minorities in Mai Chau that produce them. Incredible Asia Journeys runs day tours from Hanoi to Mai Chau where you can see the beautifully simple lives of the valley’s ethnic minorities and their gorgeous green home.Enjoy a cup of authentic Vietnam coffee in Hanoi Train Street3. When to go to Hanoi Train Street?If you’re looking to get some great snaps, you’ll likely want to know the Hanoi Train Street schedule. Trains pass by here regularly, far more common than many other sources, who only report two passings per day, would have you believe.3.1. Weekdays- Afternoon: 3.30 pm - Evening: 7 pm, 7.45 pm, 8.30 pm, 10 pm 3.2. Weekends- Morning: 6am, 9am, 11.20am- Afternoon: 3.20 pm, 5.30 pm, 6 pm- Evening: 7 pm, 7.45 pm, 8.30 pm, 9 pm, 11 pmAs you can see by the table, the best time to go to Hanoi Train Street is on the weekend, as trains are more common and more evenly spaced throughout the day. Naturally, coming at either 6 am or 11 pm will mean you’ll run into far fewer tourists than at the peak times of the day in the afternoon and early evening.It should be noted that the train times at Hanoi Train Street can be rather approximate, given that Hanoi’s public transport system can be pretty unreliable. Trains can be held up at road crossings because of Vietnamese motorists who refuse to obey the traffic lights (no surprises there!) and delays are common. Get to the street early and stay there for a while – your train will be with you at some point.Coffee shops on Hanoi Train Street4. Is it Safe to Visit Hanoi Train Street?Totally. Other sources might have you believe that the trains that run along the cramped tracks do so in a ‘hurtling’, ‘whizzing’ or ‘speeding’ manner, but this simply isn’t the case. All trains putter along the tracks very slowly and make their arrival known by a loud whistle beforehand. Business owners and other locals will ensure that everyone is safe on the side of the track before the train makes its passing. In fact, with all of the chaos of Hanoi’s overflowing pavements and its crowded roads, walking down Hanoi Train Street might even be the safest way to explore the city!5. Where is Hanoi Train Street?Unsurprisingly, if you follow the train tracks in Hanoi for long enough, you’ll find Hanoi Train Street. It’s located to the west of the Old Quarter, around 167 Phung Hung Street; or this is at least where many of the tourists gather. This is the corner where the train looks the most impressive in its arrival, though the street carries on for longer in both directions.If you want to get away from the tourists, we advise following the tracks down to the train station on Le Duan Street or heading further up Phung Hung Street, where the cafés and shops give way to residential houses.6. Nearby Attractions to Hanoi Train StreetHanoi Train Street is an excellent stopping point for your explorations of the Vietnamese capital. It lies in between the Old Quarter and Ba Dinh district, meaning that some of the city’s most attractive things to see can be found on either side of it:• St Joseph’s Cathedral (850m away) – This is Hanoi’s most famous cathedral and serves as an excellent if slightly out of place, background to photos.• Hoan Kiem Lake (1km away) – The true centre of Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake, where walkers, joggers, tourists and locals meet at all hours of the day. Come here on weekend evenings when the surrounding road is closed off to motorists.• Temple of Literature (1km away) – Vietnam’s oldest university is also one of the most ancient buildings still standing in Hanoi, with a 1000-year-old history and some gorgeous architecture and grounds to show for it.• Ba Dinh Square (1.3km away) – This is the political heart of Hanoi and the place where Ho Chi Minh gave his famous independence speech after breaking free of French colonial rule. The revered leader’s mausoleum is also here along with the Presidential Palace and One-Pillar Pagoda.Visit these attractions and more on a full-day Hanoi city tour with Incredible Asia Journeys. We are committed to showing you the best of our capital through safe and professional guidance. When you are in Hanoi you may wish to visit Halong Bay as it is the MUST destination in Vietnam to visit. There are a lot of cruises in Halong Bay for you to choose from. You can choose a 1-day itinerary, a 2-day 1-night cruise itinerary, or even a 3-day 2-night itinerary.For a 1-day cruise to Halong Bay, you may check Halong Bay Tour with Incredible Cruise or Lan Ha Bay Luxury Escape Sails for more information.For 2-day or 3-day cruise itinerary please check Halong Bay Cruises or Lan Ha Bay Cruises for different options for different budgets and styles of the cruise to pick up the best cruise and itinerary for your group. Thanks for reading this full travel guide to Hanoi Train Street!

Read more
Shopping Centres in Hanoi

Shopping Centres in Hanoi

Through the turbulent ancient history of Vietnam, its invasion by Mongolia, China, Japan, France and the USA has made Vietnam rightfully suspicious of foreign powers. However, in modern-day Vietnam, communist ties are loosening and foreign companies are setting up huge projects in the form of shopping centres. The number amounts to over 20 in Saigon and is a signal of the unbelievable rate at which symbols of capitalism appeared after Vietnam had, ironically, ousted the capitalists after the American War.[incredible_toc] The capital has been playing catch-up with Saigon’s modernity for a while, but with 15 shopping centres in Hanoi, it’s fair to say that it’s pretty even between the rival cities at the moment. Hanoi has opened up to the world of investment and a megacity is on the horizon. Here is our list of some of the best shopping centres in Hanoi.Shopping Mall in Hanoi1. Some Tips to Explore Hanoi Shopping Mall1.1. BargainingHanoi’s shopping centres are a world away from the ladies selling fruit and fish on the street. While bargaining is intrinsic to Vietnamese culture, its shopping centres are products of Western countries where bargaining is non-existent. Stick to the fixed price on the label and don’t try your luck, it won’t go down well.1.2. ParkingIf you’re driving a motorbike to any of these malls, you’ll be parking it in a tiny section of the vast, dimly lit parking lots that roll on endlessly below. Every lot looks identical and there is very little to help you should you leave your bike and forget where it is. Spaces for about 1000 cars and 9000 motorbikes are usually guarded by a small group of parking attendants, many of whom like to nap, watch TV in the back office and generally take life as easy as possible. You’ll likely be on your own if you lose your bike, so take a picture of where you leave it.1.3. Peak HoursTo avoid the mad rush of a country that has recently come into untold wealth, it’s best to avoid peak hours at all costs. Saturdays and Sundays can be manic from mid-morning to late evening, while lunch and dinner times throughout the week are the domain of rich families looking to splash as much cash as they can on high-end restaurant chains. Avoid mealtimes and weekends if you would like to take everything in at your own pace.2. Best Shopping Mall in Hanoi2.1. Vincom Royal CityThe imperial appearance of Vincom Royal City makes it look somewhat like a palace of evil from the outside. It’s fair to say that the only design plan preceding this project by Vingroup was to make Royal City look as generically European and soullessly grandiose as possible. In all fairness, Vingroup has been very busy becoming Vietnam’s third colonial power, with a staggering 18 other subsidiaries of their company around the country, amassing assets worth about $9.2 billion. Still, they really could have afforded to pay the designers more.Nevertheless, it’s the inside that counts, and Vincom Royal City has plenty of great options within. A large ice rink is a major attraction, as is its art gallery (the largest in Vietnam), bowling alley, and huge arcade with state-of-the-art virtual reality games. Despite all of this, really what visitors notice first and foremost is the incredible size of the building; comprehensive visits to this Hanoi shopping centre’s many, many shops would take days.Royal City in HanoiHow do I get there?Motorbike – About 25 minutes from Hoan Kiem LakeBus – The Number 1 runs through the Old Quarter and down Nguyen Trai Street, dropping you off outside for about 7,000 VND (¢33 USD).Grab Taxi – Around 80,000 VND ($3.50) from the Old Quarter.2.2. AEON Shopping MallA product of the Japanese company AEON, you can see the country’s efficiency with one glance at the AEON Shopping Mall. As you might expect from its home country, everything is clean, modern and easily accessible to everyone; their motto of ‘Japanese Heart with Vietnamese Smiles’ seems pretty genuine. The food court is the real draw here, as its ‘Ngon Pho' (delicious street) is decked with some of the finest names in world food. The Japanese-oriented stalls are numerous and serve up traditional Japanese fare in the forms of sushi, ramen, takoyaki, okonomiyaki and many more.How do I get there?Motorbike – About 30 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake, down Nguyen Khoai and over the Vinh Tuy Bridge.Bus – You can walk to Yen Phu Street or Tran Nhat Duat Street to catch the 55B or the 98 from the Old Quarter to AEON Mall for 7,000 VND (¢33 USD).Grab Taxi – About 90,000 VND ($4) from the Old Quarter.AEON Mall Long Bien2.3. Lotte CentreRising high into the city skyline, the Lotte Centre is the tallest of all the buildings from the Lotte Company, coming from South Korea. Unfortunately, it fell short of another of South Korea’s Vietnam ventures, Landmark 72, the tallest building in Vietnam until the title was claimed back for the country with the cheekily named Landmark 81 (by Vingroup, of course) in Ho Chi Minh City.The interior of the Lotte Centre is mainly residential apartments and a large department store, but its business is up top for this shopping centre in Hanoi’, as its Skywalk and Top of Hanoi observation deck are huge draws. With multiple ‘zones’ including the ‘Welcome Zone’ ‘Love Zone’, ‘Attraction Zone’ and ‘Experience Zone’, it’s clear where you can find the new-age of technological interaction in Vietnam; 272m above Hanoi. The rooftop is a great place to get those killer rush hour time-lapse shots and is free to attend as long as you buy a drink and look somewhat respectable.The 65th floor of Lotte CenterHow do I get there?Motorbike – 25 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake, directly west along Kim Ma Street until you see the Lotte Centre looming in front.Bus – The number 09 runs from Hoan Kiem Lake for 7,000 VND ($33).Grab Taxi – 60,000 VND ($2.80) from Hoan Kiem Lake.2.4. Trang Tien PlazaOn April 30th 2000, Vietnam celebrated the 25th anniversary of the banishment of capitalist rule by beginning construction of an incredibly opulent shopping mall in Hanoi, overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake in the centre of the city. With the irony lost on those who were planning it, construction continued unabated until the next year, during which time the Vietnamese market that stood here was torn down and replaced with one of the biggest symbols of Western influence imaginable.The two flags outside subtly remind visitors that they are in fact, still in a communist country. The insides, however, are nothing but pure opulence. Shiny gold walls and escalators surround the central floor space and shops like Dior, Prada and BVLGARI are dotted throughout. The outside area is a popular place to take wedding photos for the Vietnamese, perhaps convinced that posing for the happiest day of their life in front of a Louis Vuitton advert will somehow grant them financial prosperity.How do I get there?Trang Tien Plaza is located incredibly close to Hoan Kiem Lake. You can walk there, take a taxi or even a cyclo for cheap within the old quarter. Inside Trang Tien Plaza2.5. Hang Da GalleriaAnother of the Old Quarter smatterings of shopping centres in Hanoi, Hang Da Galleria overlooks one of the crazier ‘roundabouts’ (a tiny circle of plastic arrows that most drivers tend to ignore) and is, therefore, an adventure in itself to get to. Once inside, tourists can find exactly what tourists want to find, authentic souvenir stalls running in a vaguely organised row. The coconut bowls, silk scarves and lanterns give Hang Da Galleria a more genuine feel than some of the western mega malls around the city, and you will have time to shop with space, without a baffling amount of choice and to the background of traditional music or K-pop, as are the two CDs they seem to have on rotation. Many food courts and café options offer a relaxing time and a view of the chaos around the roundabout outside. Hang Da GalleriaHow do I get there?If you’re on the other side of the road and manage to cross the roundabout between Hang Da and Duong Thanh streets, you’ve definitely earned yourself a relaxed seat at the food court. Take a walk to get the full experience, but a taxi or cyclo should be able to get you there safely.You May Like:Best Restaurants in Hanoi Old QuarterHanoi Street Food

Read more
Famous Places in Hanoi

Famous Places in Hanoi

With more than 1000 years of history, Hanoi is home to a number of cultural and historic sites that attract tourists from all over the world. It is easy for you to map out an itinerary to enjoy your trip and deep into the beauty of the old and the new in Hanoi. Incredible Asia Journeys is pleased to recommend foreign tourists with some famous places in Hanoi that should not be missed out on your memorable trip.[incredible_toc]Sunset in West Lake, Hanoi1. Hanoi Old QuarterLocated in the middle of Hanoi, Hanoi Old Quarter with 36 old streets is a special historical site remaining its ancient beauty in this rapidly developing city. Here you can find narrow streets with many street vendors who sell food or souvenirs. Also, you will see several antique brick houses standing along the small streets in the dynamic atmosphere of the modern city. Hanoi Old Quarter is always bustling with scooters, bicycles, and cars. It is easy to get lost when discovering these 36 busy streets on your own. Most of the foreigners travel around the Old Quarter on electric bikes of cyclos. It is truly an interesting experience that will give you an idea of how life in Hanoi is. Besides, you can try some tasty street food from street vendors nearby. Especially, if you visit Hanoi Old Quarter on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday you will have a chance to walk around the night market here and get some special souvenirs.Street vendors in Hanoi Old Quarter2. Hoan Kiem LakeJust a few minutes walking from Hanoi Old Quarter, you will see Hoan Kiem Lake (which means “Lake of the Returning Sword” in English translation), one of the best places in Hanoi. Sword Lake and Turtle Lake are two other names. Hoan Kiem Lake is considered the symbol of Hanoi's capital and is visited by hundreds of people every day. The lake is a sparkling colourful natural picture with Ngoc Son Temple (reached by a graceful red bridge, The Huc Bridge), Pen Tower, and scenic surroundings. Visiting Hoan Kiem Lake, tourists can have a chance to enjoy a different world from the bustling city, with no high-rise buildings or too much traffic. Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street takes place on three days of weekends, so you can walk on the street without bothering any traffic. However, it can be crowded on these days.Hoan Kiem Lake3. Temple of LiteratureThe thousand-year Temple of Literature is Vietnam’s first national university called Quoc Tu Giam. It was constructed to honour Confucius and now to celebrate the nation's scholars. From the entrance, you can see Dai Trung Gate, and Khue Van Cac (Pavilion of Constellation), then head to where doctor names were listed on a tombstone above tortoise backs. Keeping moving, you can see the place worshipping Confucius and his 72 honoured students. The last courtyard is the Thai Hoc house, which is for teaching and learning in the past. A lot of students in universities in Hanoi come here to take photographs of yearbooks before graduating.To get to the Temple of Literature, you can take a bus, a taxi, or ride a motorbike to travel.Khue Van Cac in Temple of LiteratureAddress: 58 Quoc Tu Giam St., Dong Da District, Hanoi.Opening days: Every day except holidays     - In summer ( From April to October): 07.30-17.30     - In winter (From October to April): 08.00-17.00Entrance ticket price:     - Adult: 30,000 VND for Vietnamese and foreigners     - Students: 15,000 VND (ID, student card required)     - Children under 15: FreeNote: As the Temple of Literature is a formal historical site, visitors should pay attention to the dress code. In detail, no hat, shorts, mini skirt or tank-top…when being in the worshipping area.4. Ho Chi Minh MausoleumLocated in Ba Dinh District, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (standing on Ho Chi Minh Complex) is a must-see place in Hanoi. Due to the dedication of the Ho Chi Minh President, the Vietnamese government decided to build the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to keep his body remain so later on people from any part of the country and foreign friends could visit him. The words “President Ho Chi Minh” are written in red plum marble in the front of the mausoleum, which is considered to be the symbol of the lofty and morality of President Ho Chi Minh. Go inside, you can see the golden sentence “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom” – one of the most famous sayings of the President in the past. Also, you can see the traditional trees in Vietnam – bamboo trees on both sides as defences for this museum.Besides, you can take time to visit other places in Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ba Dinh Square, Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s House on Stilt, One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Museum.Ho Chi Minh MausoleumOne thing you need to note is that you are not allowed to bring a camera, cell phone, bare-shoulder T-shirts, or mini-skirts inside.Opening time: 5 days per week, except Monday and Friday     - Cold seasons (from November to March): 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM     - Hot seasons (from April to October): 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM      - Closed once per year in October/ November/ or December for the body maintenance5. Vietnam Museum of EthnologyIf you want to know more about the characteristics of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology will be an ideal place to visit in Hanoi. There are both inside and outside sections. The inside one is for the exhibition, while the outdoors is for you to take a rest with some activities and interesting displays.You can enjoy the Water Puppetry Show here. It will be one of the most fascinating experiences in Hanoi when you enjoy it in such a tranquil garden.Vietnam Museum of EthnologyAddress: Nguyen Van Huyen Road, Cau Giay District/ Nghia Do, Cau Giay, HanoiOpening hours: Every day except for Monday, 8:30-17:30Entrance fee:      - Adult: 40.000 VND     - University students with ID: 20.000 VND     - Children (6 years old to 16 years old): 10.000 VND     - Children under 6 years old: FreeCheck our best tours to discover famous places in Hanoi:Hanoi Street Food TourHanoi Scooter TourNorth Vietnam 5 Day TourHighlights of the Vietnam 12-Day Tour6. Long Bien BridgeLong Bien Bridge was constructed from 1989 to 1902. Passing through more than 100 years with decades of war, the bridge is not only a traffic construction, a nice French architecture but also a living historical relic. Long Bien Bridge is one of the best places in Hanoi to look at sunrise and sunset and take nice photos. It is also chosen to be a nice background for wedding albums of a lot of brides and grooms. Many foreign tourists want to visit this historical construction and nice scenery. While many teenagers come here to take nice photos to keep their memorable moments. Long Bien Bridge is not only a historical witness but also a memorable saver.Sunset in Long Bien Bridge7. Bat Trang Ceramic VillageBat Trang is a seven-century-old ceramic village, which attracts tourists with their own handmade products. There are a lot of making the ceramic place and you can try to make and paint by yourselves as ceramic makers. It will be an unforgettable memory on your trip to Hanoi. Besides, you will also be really impressed by the incredible styles and beautiful and colourful ceramics of Bat Trang Ceramic Market. Please click on Bat Trang Ceramic Day Tour from Hanoi to see more details about this day tour.Address: Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District.Distance: 10km or 30 minutes by car/motorbike. You can take the bus No. 47A from Long Bien to Bat Trang. It may take you 45 minutes to 1 hour to wait for the bus and transfer to Bat Trang Ceramic Village.Opening hours: 8:00 – 20:00Make your ceramic products8. Thang Long Water Puppet TheatreIf you like traditional art, Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is an ideal place for you. Water Puppet is a unique Vietnamese traditional art that has existed for more than a thousand years. Water Puppet Show performs the daily life of Vietnamese farmers like catching fish, tending buffalo, cultivating and so on. It is very interesting to enjoy.Address: No.57b Dinh Tien Hoang St. (near Hoan Kiem Lake).Opening hours: 15.00, 16.10, 17.10, 18.30, 20.00 every day from October to April.                                   16.10, 17.10, 18.30, 20.00 every day from May to September.Ticket Price: Around 60.000-100.000 VND per ticketWater Puppet Show9. Tran Quoc PagodaTran Quoc Pagoda is a famous place in Hanoi that attracts people who love religious places. The pagoda is extremely magnificent as a small island on West Lake. It is considered the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with more than 1,500 years of history. Besides, you can walk around to enjoy the fresh and peaceful atmosphere of West Lake.Address: Thanh Nien St. Ba Dinh District, HanoiOpening hours: 7.30 – 18.00 every dayNote: Tran Quoc Pagoda is a formal place, so you have to pay attention to your dress code. Hat, shorts, mini skirt or tank-top are not allowed.Tran Quoc PagodaOne day is not enough to discover the beauty of Hanoi. Hanoi has many cultural and historic sites attracting your curiosity. If you plan your trip to Hanoi, spend 2 days or more to discover this lovely city. Reach out to Incredible Asia Journeys now to plan your trip and more!

Read more
Thach Xa Dragonfly Village

Thach Xa Dragonfly Village

There are few craft villages in Vietnam that create a more adorable product than Thach Xa. While other villages throughout the country are focusing their efforts on rice paper, silk, pottery, paintings, and a bounty of other artisan merchandise, Thach Xa Dragonfly Village, in the western stretches of Hanoi’s outer area, dedicates itself to the creation of one popular Vietnamese toy: a weighted bamboo dragonfly.[incredible_toc]Dragonfly in Thach Xa VillageThe dragonflies are beloved by adults and children alike for their magical appearance and acts of gravity defiance. The weighted noses of each dragonfly mean that they can balance on a finger or a table with the vast majority of the body hanging over the edge. The sense of wonder is added to by the decoration of each dragonfly, which comes in a rainbow of garish colors along with spotted or striped patterns down the body and along the wings.1. Where is Thach Xa Dragonfly Village?The one-hour drive time to Thach Xa from central Hanoi means that a visit can form part of a short day trip to the temples of the area or part of a long trip to Duong Lam Ancient Village and Son Tay. Heading straight down the Thang Long Highway from Hanoi, Thach Xa is only one right turn away, making it pretty hard to get lost.Information on buses to Thach Xa Dragonfly Village is pretty scarce, but it is certainly possible to get the number 73 bus from Hanoi’s My Dinh Station to Thay Pagoda, from where you can get a quick car or motorbike taxi to Thach Xa.2. How are the Bamboo Dragonflies Made?The Dragonfly Village is in full production mode for most of the year, with demand only really quiet after the Vietnamese New Year. Many people visit the village at this time to place bulk orders for the dragonflies, either for use as simple gifts to loved ones or for big extravaganzas.There are only 10 families in Thach Xa Dragonfly Village that engage in the craft, but their hard work of producing 20,000 dragonflies per month is rewarded with 10,000,000 VND ($440) of pure profit, which is a lot for the region.2.1. Step 1: The bambooAlthough Thach Xa is surrounding my bamboo forest, villagers still have to invest serious money in getting bamboo from far-off regions like Ha Giang and Hoa Binh for quality reasons. Once the bamboo has arrived, the craftsman chops it into small pieces, using the supple, top end of the log for the wings.Step 1: Choose the bamboo2.2. Step 2: The stickingThe wings of the dragonfly are measured to perfection and are stuck into the drilled holes of the body. The craftsman has to make sure that the balance of the dragonfly is perfect by ensuring that its nose is in perfect equilibrium with its body, checking over and over again by attempting to balance it on a chopstick.Step 2: Sticking2.3. Step 3: The paintingOnce the dragonfly can balance, Thach Xa artisans paint the dragonflies one color before adding their chosen patterns. Flowers are a popular theme in Thach Xa Dragonfly Village, as are dots, spirals, zigzags, and geometric shapes; the wealth of artistic liberty is endless and no two dragonflies are the same.Step 3: PaintingThen we have a completed colorful bamboo dragonflies!  Finished Bamboo Dragonflies

Read more
Duong Lam Ancient Village – Hanoi’s Hidden Time Capsule

Duong Lam Ancient Village – Hanoi’s Hidden Time Capsule

The bustling construction activity in Hanoi symbolizes the city's rapid transformation into an Asian megacity. Opinions on this change vary widely among residents, with some embracing the growth while others express concerns about its speed. As Hanoi evolves and traditional establishments make way for modern alternatives, it presents a dynamic view of societal progress. However, Duong Lam Ancient Village hits differently![incredible_toc]Overview of Duong Lam Ancient VillageDuong Lam Ancient Village, by comparison, is leading a resistance. The small collection of 9 hamlets about 50km northeast of Hanoi is a bastion of the Old World way of life. Red laterite bricks are a ubiquitous sight here, as are the tiled roofs and smiling farmers riding buffalo along the rice paddies. It is an idyllic scene and a very rare one too; certainly an experience not to be missed if visiting Hanoi.1. Where is Duong Lam Ancient Village?You’ll find Duong Lam just as the Red River begins to bend northwards, from central Hanoi to Duong Lam Ancient Village 50 kilometres away. It is just a 10-minute drive from the old citadel of Son Tay and some day tours from Hanoi often make a stop here. Son Tay was an important military outpost in the past because of the advantageous position that the Red River offered, providing an effective defence against enemies from the north.Location-wise, Duong Lam is in its own advantageous position, sitting just 1.5 hours from the capital. This makes it part of an easy day trip from Hanoi and it means that Duong Lam gets to revel in some of the tourist money that Hanoi’s other satellite villages like Bat Trang, Tho Ha and Van Phuc enjoy. As an added bonus, day-trippers ensure that Duong Lam retains its Old World charm, as this is the sole reason that people visit the village.A small stop in Duong Lam VillageTrips to Duong Lam Ancient Village are relatively common for people with an extended itinerary, while those on a tight schedule tend to skip it for the more promoted draws of Sapa and Halong Bay. Independent travellers can rent a bike from Hanoi to explore the whole Son Tay area, including Duong Lam and Ba Vi National Park, passing the attractive Tay Phuong and Thay Pagoda as well as Thach Xa bamboo dragonfly village on the way. Buses from My Dinh bus station in Hanoi head to Son Tay City (Number 70A or 71) and you can get a cheap taxi to Duong Lam from here.2. What is the history of Duong Lam Ancient Village?To locals, the crowning achievement of Duong Lam Village to this day is not its dogged retention of ancient culture amid modern times, but its production of two successful kings, Phu Hung (761-802 AD) and Ngo Quyen (896-944 AD). After resisting Chinese invaders by leading battles for Vietnam’s independence, the two kings died honourable deaths and have been immortalised in their hometown ever since by having two temples built in their names.The Mausoleum of King Ngo QuyenThough the various ravages of time and war have stripped Duong Lam of most of its original housing, there are a few 300-year-old houses that contain their initial courtyards, gardens, lobbies kitchens etc., with the rest of the town comprised of houses of at least 100 years of age. There is nowhere around Hanoi where houses of this era exist, which explains the interest that Duong Lam Ancient Village receives from enraptured foreign tourists and nostalgic domestic ones.Very few aspects of its humble, 1,200-year existence have changed. Rice fields lining the road to the village remain a valuable source of income for farmers, while the lotus flowers in its ponds have been blooming and perishing in a constant cycle since they came into existence. Motorbikes have replaced bicycles and water tanks and air conditioning gives residents of Duong Lam an ancient Vietnamese village a touch of the luxurious, but day-to-day farming, carpentry and forgery jobs are still done in the laborious, ancient way.3. What is there to do at Duong Lam Ancient Village?The 9 hamlets that comprise the umbrella term of Duong Lam each have a tradition at their core and there are plenty of places to see this. Most buildings are built of red bricks of laterite; hard to find in modern-day Vietnam but an iconic symbol of Duong Lam and its proud heritage. This can be seen best in the hamlet of Mong Phu, the communal house of which is a wonderful showpiece of laterite architecture. Locals here are proud of their houses and will often invite visitors in for a closer look at the well-preserved history.The Hamlet of Mong PhuA walk around the drooping banyan trees, lakes, rice paddies and wells of Duong Lam Ancient Village is a serene experience and not one that is too far removed from that of King Ngo Quyen, who would have walked the same streets about 1,100 years ago. Shrines devoted to King Ngo Quyen and his predecessor, King Phu Hung are commonplace, as well as large temples and communal houses dedicated to the various gods of Vietnamese folklore.Huge clay pots are sometimes seen lined up in rows outside of houses. The soybeans that are fermenting inside will go on to create soy sauce, the popular Asian condiment and source of income for many families over many generations of their members. You can try the other various specialities of the village throughout the day: roasted pork (Lon Quay), peanut brittle cakes (Keo Cu Do) or sticky rice pudding with ginger and peanuts (Che Lam).Che Lam in Duong Lam Ancient VillageDuong Lam Ancient Village is a great place for tourists who want to experience the traditional Hanoi. Contact Incredible Asia Journeys now to plan your trip to Hanoi and other Vietnam attractions such as Sapa, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City,...

Read more
Hanoi Parks – The Capital’s Humidity Shelter

Hanoi Parks – The Capital’s Humidity Shelter

For Vietnam, life is best lived outside. The nationwide culture of street-level activity, be it buying, selling, playing, conversing, transporting, or exercising, is one that lends itself to a much more open and social environment than many other countries. For Hanoi’s population of about 8 million, plenty of space is needed to conduct themselves outdoors, and a hive of activity can normally be seen at Hanoi parks around the city, usually at sunrise and sunset and all day on weekends.[incredible_toc] The range of ages at parks in Hanoi spans the gamut, with heavily sun-protected toddlers sharing walking paths with their equally well-protected great-grandmothers. These parks are used largely for exercise and to escape the heat of Hanoi’s three hot seasons, with many being created by the French who struggled to cope with the change in climate during their colonial period. Here are the top 5 places to beat the heat at Hanoi’s parks. Red River Park 1. Reunification Park – Cong Vien Thong Nhat One of the largest of all of Hanoi’s parks is also one of its most splendid. Reunification Park features a large, central lake with a couple of islands and a vast walking path around the outside. The park is just a walk or short bike ride away from Hoan Kiem Lake, but it provides a good opportunity to get off the bustle of the Hanoi Old Quarter and into the wide tree-lined avenues of the French Quarter.  Depending on the time of day, a walk around the lake’s perimeter will either see you meandering slowly on your own or edging along the side to avoid the many joggers who exercise here. Exercise takes a high priority in Vietnamese culture and you can see old men outpacing teenagers when on their sunset jog around Hanoi’s parks. Reunification Park is a consistently popular destination for joggers, but also for families and couples who come for the weekend of clothing and food market stalls that lead from the entrance to the top of the lake. A small train track runs adjacent to the walking path; the miniature train that runs on it is a popular activity for kids. Families also enjoy the swan boat rides on the lake and the wealth of shaded shops that operate around the water. It’s hard to beat a cold coconut on a humid Hanoi day! Reunification Park 2. Lenin Park – Cong Vien Lenin Confusingly, Reunification Park is often referred to as Lenin Park because of the statue of Lenin on one of the islands there. There is, in fact, another Lenin Park opposite the Flag Tower of Hanoi and the Military History Museum, this one featuring a very prominent Lenin statue at its center. Lenin Park is very small compared to other Hanoi parks but is a very popular one for tourists and locals alike. Similarly to other parks in Hanoi, exercise activities can start before sunrise, and tourists wandering around after a night out are often amazed by the Vietnamese commitment to early morning tai chi sessions and dance classes. Within the space of about an hour, Lenin Park goes from a tranquil tai chi spot to a hub of exercising activity, with the morning motorbike rush punctuating the peace of the park on its three sides. In the evening, the park becomes abuzz with families playing badminton, children in little remote-controlled cars, teenagers practicing their skateboarding, old men jogging around the perimeter and tourists taking pictures of it all with the backdrop of the iconic Hanoi Flag Tower. Lenin Park 3. Botanical Gardens – Cong Vien Bach Thao Situated just behind Ba Dinh Square and the Presidential Palace, the Botanical Gardens are a great place to get away from the sometimes debilitating humidity. Hundreds of tall trees cast shade throughout a lot of the park, as was the idea of the original French creators. Banyan, coconut, and palm trees tower above the walking paths that encircle two lakes and several indigenous and imported plants flank the outsides. Hanoi parks are usually a good mixture of French organizations and Vietnamese applications. There are wide, open spaces throughout the Botanical Gardens that are used for football, evening dance classes, kickboxing lessons, exercise, karaoke, or a game of Vietnamese Da Cau – a skillful shuttlecock kicking game that features in all parks in Hanoi and also throughout the country. While the lakes are too small for the usually ubiquitous swan boats, there are many interesting facets to the park including a small island with homes for pigeons, a full outdoor gym, many art pieces, and several enclosures for animals such as peacocks and monkeys. Botanical Garden 4. Peace Park – Cong Vien Hoa Binh The theme of peace runs throughout a few of Hanoi’s parks. Reunification Park was built to honor the amalgamation of South and North Vietnam, while Peace Park features references to reconciliation throughout. Visitors are greeted by a giant crane, an international symbol for peace, while at the back of the park stands a tall statue of a woman holding a row of doves above her head. As far as green places go, there aren’t many here. Peace Park feels like a very manufactured, but very well-planned park, with vast areas of the tiled floor being put to use by couples and families who rent rollerblades from the park entrance. Skating and of course, jogging are popular here, and the three lakes are vast enough to jump into a swan boat and pedal out into the middle for fishing.  Peace Park is probably the furthest park away from the Old Quarter but the clean atmosphere, coupled with the fact that it is never busy, means that it is worth the bus or motorbike trip. Peace Park 5. Red River Park – Bai Da Vuon Hoa Song Hong Located just on the banks of the Red River, this park in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district is a hidden gem, one that almost no tourists will have heard about. Down a few dusty, largely unmarked roads you will find a wide, unshaded park full of life, whether it’s among the flowerbeds or on the huge grassy field. This park belongs to a very small group of Hanoi parks that feature enough space to play full-team sports as well as host picnics on its soft lawn.Red River Park Adults tend to leave their kids (with a supervisor) at the impressive playground while they meander around the park and take romantic-looking selfies in front of the vast fields of flowers. Whole days out in Vietnam can center around the taking of selfies in various positions, and other Hanoi parks and attractions cater to this cultural need too. However, the choice of the backdrop at Red River Park in particular is pretty diverse, with many windmills, cars, and little houses built to create the perfect selfie background.

Read more

Categories Blog

CREATE MY TRIP
Planning your perfect Tailor-Made trip

[email protected]

Thank you for submitting your booking request with us. Please kindly check your email!

24/7 Customer Support
Incredible Asia Journeys - Vietnam Tour Operator and Cruise Packages

Incredible Asia Journeys - Vietnam Tour Operator and Cruise Packages

Build
WhatsApp
© 2024 Incredible Asia Journeys. All rights reserved DMCA.com Protection Status
Build Enquire WhatsApp