Since we were on a time crunch, we only had 1 day scheduled for Hanoi.  On our whirlwind tour of the city, here is what we did…

Stay:

We stayed at Little Hanoi Hostel 2.  It is one of 3 different locations, all of which are in the Hoan Kiem Lake area, so it’s very central.  We arrived early in the morning from an overnight train, exhausted and dirty.  They immediately offered us a shower in someone else’s checked-out room, which we really appreciated.  As it was before our check-in time, we were able to leave our bags in the lobby while we headed out to start our day.

Sites:

We started our city tour at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum since we were warned of long lineups.  The line was indeed long, but moved consistently.  Although I have to say that after having all our water bottles confiscated and going through security twice, it was pretty anti-climactic when we got there.  There were a lot of Vietnamese nationals paying their respects to their great leader.  It was interesting to see how many locals are still moved by Ho Chi Minh and his contributions to their country.

Note:  Rules of entry are strict.  Wear shirts that cover your shoulders and long pants (capris should work also).  No bags/cameras.  Also, check the opening hours before visiting as they are closed over the lunch hour, on mondays/fridays, and are closed in Oct/Nov each year.

Within the same complex is the Presidential Palace and the House on stilts (admission:  25,000 VND).  We weren’t actually able to enter the Presidential Palace, so only snapped a few photos of the exterior.  Ho Chi Minh lived mostly in the House on Stilts, which also has a bomb shelter right next to it.  There is a secret door that connects the office in the House on Stilts to the bomb shelter.

Since you’re in the area, you may also want to visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum (admission:  25,000 VND).  It documents the life of Ho Chi Minh and his accomplishments.  If you are a history buff, there’s a wealth of documentation here.

Presidential Palace

House on Stilts

Stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake in the morning, and you will see locals doing their morning exercises.  If you have a chance, take a stroll at night as well.  It is lit up nicely and a great place to wind down for the day.

Spend 2-3 hours strolling through the Old Quarter of Hanoi.  Be prepared for a lively shopping experience, with each street lined with small shops specializing in different products.  Let yourself get lost in here.  No matter where you turn, there will be something new.  Even if you aren’t looking to purchase anything, it is an experience in itself to walk through the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Quarter.  And if you get tired, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés for you to take a break.

See my next post on where we ate in Hanoi.

Hoan Kiem Lake

Old Quarter