Tag: Pan Pacific Hanoi

Ultimate Hanoi Guide – Plan well and enjoy every bit of your tour

Hanoi is an interesting destination because of its attractions and multi-cultural vibe. If it’s going to be your first time in Hanoi, make sure you plan it well.

Places to explore

Hanoi is a destination with many great attractions. But, if you are running short of time during your tour, prioritize the Hanoi Opera House, Water Puppet Theatre, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ngoc Son. They shouldn’t be missed out on at any cost.

Shopping

The best place in Hanoi for shopping is indeed the Hanoi Weekend Night Market. If you have time, head to Hang Gai Street and Lotte Centre for some good shopping moments.

Christophe95, Hanoi Night Market 1, CC BY-SA 4.0

Accommodation

Finding a good hotel in Hanoi is important. It’s not that difficult as long as you have world-class options such as Pan Pacific Hanoi. They offer great dining facilities too.

Nightlife

Head to Binh Minh’s Jazz Club at night when you are in Hanoi. For an authentic experience, head to the Bia Hoi Junction and mingle with the locals in style.

Things to know

Traffic is so intense in Hanoi, so you will have to tolerate this. Nights can be chaotic and busy, but you can enjoy all of it if you have a little patience.

Explore the Chu Chi Tunnels

A day at the Cu Chi Tunnels is considered one of the best things you could do during your stay at a hotel Hanoi has to offer such as Pan Pacific Hanoi. Combined with a visit to the nearby War Remnants Museum, it also makes for a great learning experience.

Overview

Chu Chi Tunnel Entrance|Image by Lars Curfs (Grashoofd) via Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 3.0 NL

The Cu Chi tunnel network spans across an extensive network of underground tunnels, running as far as toward the Cambodian border. It was built over two decades and its construction was commissioned in 1948. The tunnels were originally intended to pass communication between villages and help the locals evade French soldiers.

Tunnels to Visit

At present, only two sets of tunnels can be visited by the public – Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc sections. The former served as Cu Chi District Party Committee’s base while the latter also served as headquarters.

Getting Around

There are several options when it comes to getting to these tunnels from Saigon – motorbike, speedboat, car, or bus are several of them.

Things to Do

As you enter the caves, you will be shown a video detailing the lives of the Viet Cong and locals who lived nearby during the war. After that, you can see the exhibits, take photos, explore traps, and even shoot a gun!

Explore the Sacred Quan Thanh Temple

Quan Thanh is a beautiful temple that also goes by the name of Tran Vu Quan. It is a temple that is dedicated to the worship of HuyenThien Tran Vu who aided the Vietnamese in the fight against most invaders. It has changed a lot in the last 10 centuries. Learn more right here.

An Introduction

The temple is located in the West Lake near the north gate of ancient Thang Long. It is very easy to find from a hotel in Hanoi, the likes of Pan Pacific Hanoi as it is considered one of the four antique towns of Hanoi and everyone knows where to find it.

The Unique Architecture

The temple is a great place to visit if you are one of those people who are interested in the architecture of Vietnam’s historic buildings. The temple was influenced by both the Taoist and Confucianist sects of Buddhism, something that is more apparent with the Nguyen Dynasty.

How to Get There

Getting to Quan Thanh temple is easy if you make your way to the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi. There are various modes of transport to get there, which we can discuss below.

Going byBus

The cheapest way of getting to Quan Thanh is by bus. Hanoi buses are common and fast and cost 7,000 VND. It’s a great mode of transport especially if you find it hard to find your way around the city.

Other Modes of Transport

Other modes of transport include the most expensive which is a chauffeured vehicle or taxi as well as motorbike rentals or the Hanoi cyclo.

 

Top Attractions in Hanoi

If you’re vacationing in Hanoi, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding new and exciting attractions to visit. From ancient historical landmarks to sprawling marketplaces – there’s much and more to do in Vietnam’s wonderful capital city.

Nicolas Lannuzel from Singapore, Singapore, Hanoi opera house. Made as a copy of the Opera Garnier in Paris (22334215449), CC BY-SA 2.0

The Imperial Citadel

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Imperial Citadel is an important historical landmark. It once served as the ruling centre of Hanoi in ancient times and remained as such for over 8 centuries. If you’re staying at a major hotel Hanoi has on offer – say for example the Pan Pacific Hanoi – the citadel should just be a short walk away. Meaning, there’s no reason to miss out on this fantastic attraction!

Water Puppet Theatre

The ancient form of art that is water puppetry is still well and alive in Hanoi. The original – perhaps the best – theatre in town is the Thang Long Puppet Theatre. Here, you can watch whole casts of puppets sing, dance, and re-enact famous tales of the country’s past.

The Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda is a series of Buddhist temples believed to have been constructed in the late 15th century. These continuously stretch upwards along the incline of the Son Mountains. As you begin your own ascent, you’ll find the serene surrounding lend a peaceful atmosphere to this fantastic attraction.

Dong Xuan Market

The Dong Xuan Market is the largest shopping precinct you’ll find in Hanoi. After a long tour of all the city’s sights and attractions, this is the perfect place to pick out some souvenirs and memorabilia to remind yourself of all the adventures you had in Hanoi.