I had one free day in Hanoi after finishing the business trip in Can Tho and fly to the capital of Vietnam by Vietnam Airlines. It was Sunday what is the holiday for the other too. I had planned to start my trip in the morning at Hoan Kiem Lake to gradually walk and/or ride the motorbike taxi to visit historic places around Hanoi. Then, in the evening, came back to the Hoan Kim Area again and spent the time with local walking street and attractive show. Herewith the things to do in one day at Hanoi from morning until end of the day.

Start the day by walking around Hoan Kiem Lake

About 9am, I began my trip at the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake. This lake is also known as “Sword Lake“. It has the legend that after Emperor Lê Lợi defeating Ming China with magic sword what was given by the Dragon King, he was cruising in this lake. Then, the golden turtle god had surfaced to meet him and asked him to return the sword to its owner. Suddenly, the sword was automatically moved to the mouth of the golden turtle and disappeared in the lake. Around the lake, it has walk way and public park for the people to rest and do the outdoor activities. On weekend, the street around the lake had been closed and transformed to be walking street. I could see the happiness of “Hanoian” with the family came out together and do activities like picnic, skateboarding, photographing, etc. Next to the lake, I could walk to see the Hanoi opera house, one of the historic place of the nation too.

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HANOI OPERA HOUSE

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Ngoc Son Temple

Ngoc Son temple is located on jade island, in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected by Thê Húc Bridge. The temple was built and dedicated to Confucian and Taoist philosophers and the national hero (Trần Hưng Đạo) in 1865. This temple had been used as the place of worship. It has Pen Tower and Dac Nguyet Lau to decorate the Taoist art and god statues. The most interesting thing is this temple is the stuffed golden turtles from the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple is open daily, 8am – 18pm. The admission fee is 30,000 VND/person (1.50 USD).

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The Huc Bridge

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St.Joseph Cathedral

Next to the lake, Nhà Chung Street (small square of Old Quarter), it has one of the most beautiful and oldest Catholic church in Hanoi, St.Joseph Cathedral. It was built in 1884 by French Colonial Government in Neo-Gothic style. The exterior was built with stone slabs and in brick with concrete facing. The height of the two towers is 31 meters. Inside the cathedral was designed with colorful tall glass windows and high domes. The walls are decorated by the pictures of story of Jesus Christ. The St.Joseph Cathedral is open daily with free admission (Monday-Saturday 8am-11am / 14pm-20pm and Sunday 7am-11.30am / 15pm-21pm).

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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

From Hoan Kiem Area, I caught the motorbike taxi (Grab Bike by Grab Application) to one of the most famous landmark of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. This is the mausoleum for resting place of President Ho Chi Minh, the Great Vietnamese revolutionary leader. It is in Ba Dinh square, only 3 km from Hoan Kiem Lake. At here, I could see the huge 21.6 m height building. This mausoleum was built since 1973 to show the respect to the father of Vietnamese nation. Near to the mausoleum, it has The Presidential Palace which is designed by the French architect Auguste Henri Vildieu. Some area of the palace has been transformed to be the museum to decor invaluable objects of the nation and show the history of President Ho Chi Minh. The presidential palace is open daily, 8am – 16pm. the admission fee is 40,000 VND/person (about 1.80 USD).

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Panorama view in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Admission ticket for Presidential Palace : 40,000 VND

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One Pillar Pagoda

The uniquely pagoda (local name : Dien Huu Pagoda) with single pillar is located in the Buddhist temple at the back of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This is the iconic place of Hanoi what you MUST NOT miss. It is extraordinary architectural in the middle of lotus pond. The Buddhist temple was built since 1028 – 1057 during Ly dynasty. The legend tells that Emperor Ly Thai Tong once dreamed of Quan Am Bo Tat, a female Buddhist goddess, took him to sit on a lotus. After this dream was interpreted by the monk, the emperor had decided to build a sanctuary resembling the shape of lotus flower. The temple and one pillar pagoda is open daily, 8am – 6pm.

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Thang Long Water Puppet Show

This is only one place in our planet what you can see the puppet show in the water ! Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is located near to Hoan Kiem Lake. After I hopped around Hanoi all day long, I came back Hoan Kiem district again to see this fabulous traditional and legend show since 1969. Actually, the show is started since 16pm (first round). But the most popular time is 18pm and 20pm. I recommend you to buy the ticket at the counter in front of the theater in advance (about 4-6 hours before showtime). For me I bought the ticket at 16pm to see the show at 20pm. Ticket cost is 100,000 – 200,000 VND/person (4.50 – 9.00 USD), depended on the seat. The show was about an hour. This is the activity what. you cannot miss when you visit Hanoi 🙂

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The Showtime Schedule

The Ticket – 2nd Class

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Weekend Walking Street & Night Market

Hanoi is the sleepless city, especially on weekend. At night (after sunset, 6pm – midnight), it has walking street and night market every Friday/Saturday/Sunday. I could enjoy the walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake until P. Hàng Bạc street. It has many of local food stalls and restaurants as well as local merchandise, souvenir shops and street shows. If you ask me to describe the night market in Hanoi with one word, “COLORFUL” is the first popped-up word in my head.

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Herewith just the guide for Hanoi trip in one day according to my experience. Frankly speaking, I did not plan in advance. Just check information in Google one day prior I arrived. This made me believe that “The plan is no plan”. It made me feel free than ever. Despite it was only a single day, but I could get unforgettable moment from the capital of wonderful country. I hope to see you again…….Hanoi.……Because I trust that “We never met once” 😛

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Written By : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

https://www.facebook.com/shipyshipdotcom