What to Do in 5 Hours in Hanoi?

29 March 2016

For the visitors would like to discover some well-known destinations in 5 hours in Hanoi, the following itinerary will be a great suggestion.

The short-break starts with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Complex, which is a system of some historical sites including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, and the Presidential Palace. The most highlight is the Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, where keeps the great President’s body. But if the time is limited, visitors should not come into the mausoleum because it takes time (about 1.5 – 2 hours) for buying tickets and queue.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

After that, tourists can take a short stroll at the stilt house area, where the President Ho Chi Minh stayed in American War period. If time permits, a visit to Presidential Palace will bring the visitors a clearer view about this great Vietnamese person.

Stilt House of Ho Chi Minh

Presidental Palace

After 1.5 hours visiting Ho Chi Minh Complex, tourists can spend 30-45 minutes on heading to Temple of Literature, another important historical site of Vietnam. Built in 1070 at the time of King Ly Thanh Tong, this temple is a Temple of Confucius, which is considered the first university in Vietnam. The various pavilions, halls, statues of turtle and stele of doctors are places where offering the ceremonies, study lessons and the national exams of the Dai Viet Dynasty took place. The steles in the Temple has recognized as a World’s Documentary Heritage by UNESCO in 2010. Thus, a visit to Temple of Literature will be a fascinating chance for those who would like to learn about Vietnamese history of education.

The last destinations in the short journey should be a 1.5-hour trip to Hanoi Old Quarter and Sword Lake. If someone comes to Hanoi without a visit to Hanoi Old Quarter, he would not know about the city yet. The major beauty of this city is the narrow but busy streets with many stores and vendors on the walk-side. Strolling on the ancient streets, tourists can meet the popular images of the daily life which has become a characteristic of Hanoi. Tourists can also try some Hanoi traditional food such as Trang Tien ice-cream, Pho, Vong green rice flakes…

The Simple Beauty of Hanoi Old Quarter

Continue the discovery with a circle around Sword Lake, which is known as one of the most beautiful places in Hanoi thanks to its emerald water, the peace of Ngoc Son Temple, and the ancient of Turtle Tower. Tourist should take a cyclo on this short journey to explore every single corner of Hanoi Old Quarter and Sword Lake in a more interesting way.