Is Hanoi Worth Visiting? Reasons to Visit or Skip in 2026
I’ve spoken to plenty of travelers who loved visiting Hanoi (plus, lots of expats live there for a reason) and others who visited and couldn’t wait to leave. ...
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Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City: Which is Better to Visit?
I’ve received more than a few emails from readers asking whether it’s better to visit Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. With interest in visiting Vietnam growing over ...
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Where to Stay in Hanoi: Best Area and Hotels for First-Timers
Planning your first trip to Hanoi can be overwhelming. If you’ve never been to Vietnam’s capital, zooming in on a map of Hanoi can lead you down rabbit ...
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Exactly What to Do in Hanoi for First-Timers
I recently flew from Da Nang up to Hanoi to get fresh first-hand info for this new guide. I spent considerable time and energy (walking between 5 and ...
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The Water Puppet Show in Hanoi: My Review & What to Expect
No trip to Vietnam is complete without seeing a water puppet show in Hanoi (or Ho Chi Minh City). Water puppet theater is a traditional Vietnamese art dating ...
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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Museum and Stilt House in Hanoi
In Hanoi’s Ba Dinh Square, there are several attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his namesake museum, and his former house — the Stilt House. Ba Dinh ...
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Visiting the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi
The Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi is the main art museum in Vietnam. It was opened in 1966, but it’s very clean and well-maintained inside. There ...
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The Temple of Literature in Hanoi: Vietnam’s First University
The Temple of Literature in Hanoi was built in 1070 and was Vietnam’s first university. Part of the temple (the Khue Van Pavilion and the Well of Heavenly ...
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Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi
The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is a few minutes south of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. This is a very relaxed museum, spread over a few floors. The museum ...
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Hanoi Train Street Mini-Guide for First-Timers
I found it difficult to find clear information on visiting Hanoi Train Street, so after my first clueless visit, I decided to write this mini-guide. First of all, ...
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