Peaceful days, colorful nights: Hanoi
Tourists pray at the Huong Tich Grotto located near the Huong Pagoda. The vast complex in the area encompasses Buddhist temples and shrines built into the limestone of the Huong Tich mountains in Hanoi, Vietnam. / Korea Times photos by Jun Ji-hye
By Jun Ji-hye
HANOI, Vietnam — From peaceful mountains, rivers and temples to the colorful neon lights of pubs and clubs, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has much to offer, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia.
The long-historied city, which officially marked the first 1,000 years of its establishment in 2010, boasts about 1,170 historic sites, such as Duong Lam Ancient Village, in addition to about 1,300 traditional handicraft villages, such as Van Phuc Silk Village, according to the Hanoi Department of Tourism.
Tourists can also enjoy a number of delicious dishes, including bun cha — a dish of fatty grilled pork and noodles that became a worldwide sensation in May after U.S. President Barack Obama was photographed eating it at a Hanoi restaurant with celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain, who is known for seeking out the best local eats around the world.
One of the main attractions in Hanoi that fascinates tourists is the Huong Pagoda, located in a vast area that includes mountains, rivers, lakes, villages, grottoes and other pagodas surrounded by the Huong Tich mountain range.
It takes about two hours by bus to get to the pagoda from downtown Hanoi — tourists can explore the area through various tours organized by local travel companies, including Hanoi Tourist Travel Co.
At the Huong Pagoda area, tourists can take a boat trip on the Yen stream, which will take them to the Huong Tich grotto, as well as the Long Van pagoda and Long Van cave.
A night market at Hoan Kiem Lake district in central Hanoi. / Korea Times photos by Jun Ji-hye
During the hour-long travel on the stream aboard a boat rowed by a middle-aged local woman, tourists take in the beauty of the mountains and mist that surround them, taking advantage of the chance to empty their minds of all thoughts about their tiring daily lives as they listen to the flapping of the oars against the water.
Instead of a manually driven boat, tourists can choose to ride an electric motor boat, albeit the motor’s loud noise would make the ride a less romantic one.
After arriving at the dock, the tourists take a cable car, get off and then go down 121 steps to see the Huong Tich grotto, where the Vietnamese pray for their children’s studies and their businesses. Then, they climb a short distance up a mountain to see the Long Van cave, where they can meet rock goats, if they are lucky. Hiking boots are essential, as the mountain trails and stairs are slippery.
After the peaceful, static tour of the rural area during the day, tourists can enjoy the lure of the night at the Hoan Kiem Lake district in central Hanoi. The district becomes a vehicle-free promenade from Friday to Sunday, and wireless Internet is available almost everywhere, one of the great services provided by the city’s tourism department.
A club at Hoan Kiem Lake district in central Hanoi. / Korea Times photos by Jun Ji-hye
The district features night markets, pubs, clubs, and venues in which people can join traditional Vietnamese games. Some pubs and clubs are allowed by the government to be open until 2 a.m., making the district a perfect place for young people from all over the world to meet and have fun.
The clubs’ entrance fees and drinks, such as gin and tonic, are relatively cheap at about $4 and $2.5, respectively. Taxi fare is also cheap, starting from about $0.4. But to avoid getting lost and consequently, getting overcharged, tourists need to clearly tell the driver the exact name of their hotel or destination.
Tourists can enjoy the rest of their holiday by joining the Hanoi city tour, which takes them to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and House, Thang Long Royal Citadel and Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to the 11th century.
Tourists can also visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay, which is about four hours by bus from downtown Hanoi. They can spend one night there on a cruise to enjoy the beautiful scenery of seas and mountains, as well as fresh seafood.
“As of October this year, the number of tourists has increased by 25 to 30 percent compared to last year,” said Hanoi Department of Tourism Director Do Dinh Hong. “We will make the most use of the advantages of Vietnam, including its delicious food, to boost tourism.”