VIETNAM-HANOI- HALONG BAY

We arrived in Hanoi with a connecting flight from Istanbul. We learned that there is a daily or one-to-two-night boat tour to Halong Bay, which is 170 km away from Hanoi, a must-see on a Vietnam trip and a natural wonder included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the New Seven Wonders of the World. We preferred to stay two nights in Hanoi and one night on the boat in Halong Bay. This way, we experienced both the day and night of Halong Bay, which was enough for us.

In Halong Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin in northeastern Vietnam, around 2,000 limestone islands and islets formed as a result of geological formations that took millions of years have created an incredible landscape. These islands also host many endemic plant species and animals.

Vietnam has got a traditional Water Puppet Theater. This theater is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the past, it began as a way to entertain children in rice paddies, and as it gained interest among people, it evolved into the art form that has reached us today. During the performance, the puppeteers perform their art while remaining behind bamboo screens and standing in water. You can see them during the final bow after the show. It's truly a theater worth watching.

Hanoi is also famous for its cuisine. Here are some dishes which must be tried in Hanoi: Pho: Vietnam’s famous dish pho is also one of the most popular foods in Hanoi. It’s a soup dish made with rice noodles, beef or chicken broth, spices, and vegetables, typically consumed for lunch or breakfast. Bun cha: A famous dish in Hanoi, bun cha is served with grilled pork or meatballs, rice noodles, and fresh herbs. Banh mi: Vietnam’s famous sandwich, banh mi, is sold in many places on the streets of Hanoi. Bread, lettuce, pickles, mayonnaise, fresh herbs, and various meat options are used in its preparation. Nem: A type of Vietnamese summer roll filled with fresh herbs and vegetables, wrapped in rice paper, and served with various sauces. Cha ca: Hanoi's famous fish dish, cha ca, is prepared by sautéing spicy marinated sea bass or sardine fillets. It is served with spicy sauces, fresh herbs, and various garnishes. Xoi: Hanoi's famous rice ball, xoi, can be sweet or savory. It is usually consumed for breakfast or lunch and can be prepared with different ingredients.

Night Market is a market set up around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi at night. I had the chance to visit most nights. The market is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Here you can find many products such as traditional Vietnamese products, clothing, accessories, souvenirs, food and beverages.

Hanoi is the city where we can get to know Vietnam the most, thanks to its status as the capital. The buildings from the French colonial period in the Old Quarter are still preserved. There are 36 streets in the Old Quarter and each street is named after the products sold on that street. Such as Bamboo Street, Shoemakers Street.

The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is located right next to Ho Chi Minh's house. Inside the mausoleum is the mummified body of Ho Chi Minh. Here we were also able to see the temple built on a single column by King Ly Thai To in 1049.

On the Old Town side of Hoan Kiem Lake, within the lake, reached from the shore by the Vietnamese-style red The Huc Bridge, is the small Confucian temple Ngoc Son Temple

Phủ Tây Hồ Pagoda is located on the northern side of West Lake. Unlike the general Buddhist pagodas, this is a temple dedicated to the Mother Goddess. Although it was originally supposed to be a palace, the structure, which is considered a temple by the locals, is an extremely enjoyable place to visit with its fine, elegant workmanship and tasteful decoration.

My facility suggestionAurora Central Hotel 53 Phố Hàng Chiếu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam • In the city center