Visiting the temples and pagodas in the beginning of the year is a beautiful custom of the Vietnamese. Along with the aim of praying, it is also a chance for people to go sightseeing and enjoy the spring. The following pagodas and temples in Hanoi attract a large number of tourists in the capital that most visitors cannot ignore in the spring days.

Quan Su Pagoda (No. 73 Quan Su Street, Hoan Kiem District): The history witness of Buddhism in Vietnam
Built from the reign of King Le The Tong, Quan Su Pagoda today are more than 500 years old. Served as the headquarter of Buddhism, the pagoda has witnessed many historical events of the Buddhism in Vietnam. The typical event is the unity of Buddhism in Vietnam and the integration of Buddhism in the country with the world. In the freezing air of the first month of the new year, walk through the entrance gate and 11 steps, guests will enter a historical, dignified as well as peaceful space, and admire the parallel sentences written entirely in the national language and pray for a new year of peace and happiness.

Quan Thanh Temple (Quan Thanh Street, Ba Dinh District): Everlasting existence in the mind of the Vietnamese
Along with Bach Ma Temple, Voi Phuc Temple, and Temple Kim Lien, Quan Thanh temple has become one of the “Four towns of Thang Long”, the four most sacred temples of the city. This place locates a copper statue of the god Huyen Thien Tran Vu who was respected in the consciousness of Vietnamese people with many thrilling anecdotes when he protected the country. Visit the temple, visitors can admire the architectural, cultural, artistic values of the monument located on the banks of the West Lake.

Ngoc Son Temple (Hoan Kiem): A harmonious complex of ancient architecture
For years, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower, and the Writing Pad have become a famous architectural complex, attracting a lot of tourists in the country and internationally. There rarely has a certain architectural ensemble concentrating all the solemn in spiritual aspects and the harmony, unique in terms of architecture and art as such complex. Therefore, the complex has become one of the symbols of the capital and has become the first impression in the hearts of those who arrived in Hanoi. Here, visitors can pray for career and admire the poetic landscapes that the scholar Nguyen Van Sieu designed two centuries ago.

Tran Quoc Pagoda (Tay Ho, Hanoi): One of the 16 world’s most beautiful temples
For more than a millennium and a half, Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi. The pagoda was born at the birth of Van Xuan under the reign of King Ly Nam De, as a result, it was originally named Khai Quoc Pagoda.
For over 1,500 years with much restoration, relocation, the pagoda is now famous not only for its age but also for its architecture which was sequenced and complied with the stringent requirements of Buddhist architecture. Combined with the elegant and harmonious landscape of romantic West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda has been put in one of the 16 world’s most beautiful temples voted by Dailymail in 2016. In spring days, visiting the superlative ancient pagoda in Vietnam with marvelous architectural beauty is a pleasant experience to start a new year.

The Most Visited Temples & Pagodas in Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

The heart of Hanoi – Hoan Kiem Lake
Nguyen Thanh Van

You won’t be disappointed when picking Phu Quoc as your next holiday destination. This stunning island is a true jewel, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the most splendor ocean view in Vietnam, and maybe in the whole of Southeast Asia.

So while being on this paradise island, let’s see what can you achieve besides taking a leisure walk on a perfect sandbank, or being embraced in crystal clear and calm waters?

Having fun at the magical “Disneyland” of Vietnam

To be named as the Vietnamese Disneyland, Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc is built to impress its visitors with the unique architecture and fun activities. This amusement park is located on Bai Dai Beach – a “super cool” destination with the Westernized beauty of the island. A visit to Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc will give you opportunities to admire the magnificent beauty of the park, and also participate in hundreds of exciting indoor and outdoor activities: water music repertoire, giant aquarium, etc. in a miracle atmosphere.

Diving into the spectacular ocean

The impressively diverse coral reef systems and colorful marine life are the experiences that will make you fall in love with this paradise island. To the northwest of Phu Quoc, there are a number of dive sites that offer the top conditions for beginners. The waters here are clear and calm, sheltered from the strong currents that affect other areas around the island. Marine life in these dive sites includes a variety of hard and soft corals and colorful reef fish.

The 15 islets known as the An Thoi Islands off the southern tip of Phu Quoc provide a more challenging environment for divers. From October to May, the currents and visibility here are highly changeable. While you probably won’t spot any big sharks and mantas, the currents do allow for some larger life such as bamboo sharks or blue spotted rays. The area is better known for its macro life and reef system which is making a recovery from decades of dynamite fishing.

Experiencing the local life at Ham Ninh Village

Ham Ninh Village is a picturesque fishing village and a great spot to get a glimpse into the everyday life of the local fishermen. For those who love fresh fish, the village is a great spot to eat some bargain-priced seafood as well as try some unusual dishes such as sea cucumber soup. This is also the best place on the island to admire the beautiful sunrise. The peaceful atmosphere of the early morning on the sea will make you really relax on your Vietnam trip.

Exploring Phu Quoc on a bike

Phu Quoc is not only famous for its idyllic beaches, but there are also numerous destinations you can see on a bike such as pepper garden, Tranh waterfall, Da Ban stream, museum, vigorous fern forests and so on. You should spend time discovering other places on this pearl island after an abundant time on the beach or in the water. For sights on the mainland, riding a bike is a perfect choice. You can wander all of the roads, explore all the corners to see a new world that you might miss when driving around in a car.

Touring a jail?

Phu Quoc Prison is where Northern Vietnamese soldiers were imprisoned during the Vietnam-America War. It is now a museum displaying torture instruments, photographs of former prisoners and various exhibits with life-sized mannequins depicting graphic scenes of what life was like in prison during its operation. Whilst this may not be for everyone, the prison is a way for tourists to learn more about Vietnam’s history and a reminder of the brutalities of war.

Bathing in the golden light of sunset on the beach

After a day full of activities, find yourself a bean bag at a trendy beach bar, order a cocktail and watch the spectacular sunset. The sun looks like a small pearl glowing in the west, slowly goes down to bedsore and brightens the immense sea. The silver waves catch this magical light and “dance” which create an extremely lively painting. Sunset on the sea has become Phu Quoc’s specialty and that’s why every traveler comes here should experience it once in their Vietnam vacation. You can unwind with a few drinks while your kids are playing on the sand, sounds perfect right? Enjoy the breathtaking landscape in lovely background music, and get yourself time for chilling out!

Wandering night markets for the mouth-watering street foods

The night markets in Phu Quoc (like Dinh Cau, Duong Dong) are the most atmospheric and best-value places to dine on the island. These vibrant markets offer stalls of snacks, coconut ice cream and a parade of outdoor restaurants serving a delicious range of Vietnamese seafood, grills and vegetarian options.

 Let Us Help You Plan Your Vietnam Trip.
Don’t let the planning stress you out. Tell us your travel ideas and our travel advisors are very glad to give you suggestions and guidance for your trip planning. We can tailor-make your trip according to your interests and requirements, and help to create the best Vietnam vacation for you.

How to explore Phu Quoc Island?
Nguyen Thanh Van

Where is Ha Long Bay?

Ha Long Bay is located around 144km  east of Hanoi. There are 1600 islands and islets- mostly inhabited – it is one of the most popular travel hots-post in Asia

Today, Ha long Bay also is one of the main tourist hotspots in Vietnam, receiving more than 6 million travelers each year, mostly on Cruise Boats

Ha Long Bay Cruise Tips: 6 key Steps

#1 Decide How long you want to go:

There are three types of cruise tours operating in Ha Long Bay:

• 1 day tour on cruise 
• 2 days 1 night (2D1N) on cruise
• 3 days 2 nights (3D2N) on cruise 

Day trip cruise are short journeys created to give you a little taste of the feeling of navigating between forest of islands. You can book a day cruises with no overnight stay departing from Hanoi , Ha Long City or Cat Ba island Town.

In the limit, you can do a long day trip from Hanoi with half day cruise in the bay.

Overnight Cruises are more classic choices and allow some more time to relax and truly enjoy the scenery out in the water. Plus , you get to sleep on board and wake up with a sea view. 2D1N cruises last exactly 24 hours and with suit most traveler. Longer itineraries are recommended for people looking to unwind and explore more remote areas of the bay.

In 3D2N cruise, you are transferred from the main boat to a smaller one for the daily activities, returning to the main ship in the evening.

In a nutshell, how long you stay depends on how badly you need/want to relax and what your budget is. The longer you stay, the more chances you will have to navigate through areas far from crowds and to do more outdoor activities.

#2 Decide where exactly  you want to go.

Although the whole area is mostly known as Ha Long Bay, there are in fact 3 different bays: Ha Long, Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha Bay.

#3 Always double check what is included.

A common rule amongst cruise operators is that everything is included food, activities, etc – except for the drinks. Double check that. Read carefully the itinerary proposed by each company and check the daily activities they have. Also, some companies do not include in the price the transportation from Hanoi. Make sure you ask all the questions.

#4 Research the cruise boats.

This is key. You will notice there is a huge range of boats styles, sizes and quality standard to cater to all types of travelers. make sure you ask which boat you are going and do some research online before you pull your wallet. Does it look decent? How old is the boat? what are the reviews like?

The number of passengers it can hold is important. Remember you won’t be alone aboard. You will be eating and doing all the daily activities all together, so the number of people doing all that affects tremendously your experience. it is not more than 36 member should be good.

#5 Prepare your budget

A cruise in Ha Long Bay is not the time to suddenly go on a shoestring budget but you dont need to hurt your wallet either.

A quick search on the web will reveal stories of low quality food, poor accommodation and unwanted animals as your roommates. While you can endure a bad accommodation option for one night in land, while you’re out there in the sea things are different. Because you know, YOU’re In The Middle OF THE SEA. A “simple” food poisoning can turn into a nightmare aboard! Be Smart.

If you want to book with a Tour Agency in Vietnam, Rubicon Tours Vietnam is committed to providing the best service and reasonable  price.

#6 Book Through the Right Place

There are so many tourist scams in Vietnam and people looking for cruise in Ha Long Bay are one of the best targets. Do not go walk in into any hole in the wall travel agency. It is better if you book the cruise from your Hotel or Rubicon Tours Vietnam (rubicontours.com)

Rubicon Tours Vietnam Official: 7th floor at No.27 Nguyen Trương To Street, Nikko Building, Ba Dinh District, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi capital, Vietnam.

6 easy steps – How to choose the best Cruise for exploring Ha Long Bay?
Nguyen Thanh Van

Every visitor come to Vietnam are surprised that Vietnam is the second largest coffee producing country in the world and how Vietnamese enjoy coffee is not the same with the rest of the world. People enjoy coffee while working, meeting, and discussing with the partners, chatting with friends or when entertaining. . . Coffee consider as a part of work and life. Cafe originated from the West, followed by the French imported into Vietnam from colonial times. This drink was originally served for social elite. Gradually, coffee became a popular drink for everyone. Now Vietnam is famous for many coffee brand for instance Nescafe, Vina cafe, Trung Nguyen café… But the Vietnamese has style to enjoy their very own coffee. Due to the habits and the region, coffee drinking style in Hanoi, Hue and Saigon is very different.

Coffee Habit of Hanoi People

The drinking coffee style of Hanoi people is quite similar to in Hue. They also have two kinds of coffee: coffee with sugar or milk. Because of colder weather than Hue so Hanoi people often drink less ice. They have to divide into 4 different coffee: brown iced coffee, black iced coffee, brown and black coffee Hanoi people also create a kind of coffee that should be tried in every Hanoi day tour: Egg coffee

Then every time they go to a café, they also have the habit of sitting, enjoying coffee and looking at the sky. But Hanoi doesn’t have a quiet and peaceful space like Hue. So you will not be surprised if Hanoi people sit and drink coffee in a very old poor shop silently watching the noisy and crowded streets. However, Hanoi people are not as diligent in drinking coffee as Hue people. They do not have a morning coffee habit, except for the retirees or those who have no job for the time. They often go to coffee shops in the evening. They drink coffee in small glasses or porcelain cups. The amount of coffee mixed into each cup a little more than Hue, so the coffee is weaker.

Coffee Habit of Hue people

Because of the lack of the amusement park, Hue people can go to the café at any time of the day. The coffee culture of the Hue people can be encapsulated in three words: dense, delicate and slow. Whenever they want to drink coffee, they just sit on a street stall along the river or sidewalk. Hue people only drink “phin” coffee (filter coffee). The stall uses small glass cups to hold coffee, ice for the coffee must be the big ice, leaving a couple of ice waiting for it to melt slowly. There are only two types of coffee in Hue: iced coffee and milk coffee.

Café in Hue is very quiet and peaceful. People play music often light music like Trinh music or pre-war music. Hue people are rarely coarse laugh, they often murmured chat, sometimes they silently watching the Perfume River, or hear the night flutter.

Coffee Habit of Saigon people

Unlike Hue and Hanoi, Saigon coffee culture is very generous. Saigon people consider coffee not only to sip, enjoy but also is a kind of beverage. So, when in the summer in Saigon, you will occasionally see, someone rushed to a counter or street vendor, bought a coffee, finished in a second and then went away. The Saigon coffee mix is also very special: a lot of ice, less coffee. Saigon coffee cups look like cups of coke, both in color and weight as well as function. In the coffee shop, if you order a glass of milk coffee or iced coffee, they will give you a large glass of all the ingredients you need to drink. If a Hanoi and Hue citizen first goes to Saigon, then going to drink coffee will create a light culture shock.

Only in Saigon, people drink coffee with a straw. Saigon people drink coffee also very sweet, almost overwhelm the bitter taste of the coffee. Not to mention, their coffee mix has been very weak. Few Hanoi and Hue people can drink a cup of Saigon coffee because it is tasteless and too sweet. Meanwhile, the Saigon people cannot drink coffee Hanoi – Hue style, too strong and too slow
Saigon People go to the café to have lunch and talk about work, drinking coffee to go to work … After finishing their coffee, they go to do some work, not delay.

Source: vietvisiontravel.com

Coffee Habit of Vietnamese people
Nguyen Thanh Van

If you have 3 days in Hanoi, do not only discover around city center but to begin explore Northern Vietnam.

Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha By is landscape you should not miss,  glide through the karst landscapes of Tam Coc, cycle through rice fields to ancient pagodas, and perhaps even go on an overnight adventure or mingle with hill tribes in Sapa. Here’s how.

Day 1: Hanoi city Tours

Soak Up the City Spend your first day in Hanoi discovering the city’s signatures: delicious street food, ancient temples, Vietnam War sites, and water puppets. Soak up the atmosphere at the Temple of Literature, wander the streets of the Old Quarter (eating as you go), and visit the notorious Hoa Lo Prison, once known as the Hanoi Hilton. If Hanoi’s cuisine has you hooked—and it will—consider a cooking class so you can bring your favorite dishes home, perhaps with a market tour. In the evening, discover northern Vietnam’s own unique art form: water puppetry. The special effects, including fireworks, will amaze.

Hanoi Street Eats Food 3 Hours Walking Private Tour

Hanoi Spring City Tour 1 Day

Day 2: Ha Long Bay – Lan Ha Bay on Cruise

Catch a Cruise With three days in Hanoi, you’d be remiss not to experience Halong Bay, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its spectacular seascapes of karst islands and caves. The longer you spend on the water, the more you beat the crowds, so it’s worth at least considering an overnight tour—approach by seaplane and travel on an authentic junk for a truly decadent experience. If you’re struggling to decide, focus on the extras as well as the route: many boats offer experiences from bamboo-boat rides to sea kayaking, from cooking classes to tai chi.

Escape with Amazing Halong Bay 1 Day Tour

Mimosa Cruise 01 Day

Day 3: Hoa Lu Ancient Temple – Trang An Grottoes – Tam Coc – Bich Dong Pagoda- Mua Cave

Farther Afield If you don’t spend the night on the water, three days in Hanoi give you ample time to explore the scenic countryside of north Vietnam. Some call the UNESCO-listed karst landscapes around Tam Coc “Halong Bay on land,” and a boat ride through the rocks and rice fields is just magical. The Perfume Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most sacred sites, offers dramatic temples amid lush green vistas. Or, if you’ve opted against Halong Bay altogether, it’s possible to venture out to Sapa, where the cool mountains are home to Hmong, Dao, and Tay people, among other ethnic groups.

Hoa Lu – Trang An – Mua Cave 1 Day

Hoa Lu – Trang An – Bich Dong Luxury Tour 1 Day

Read more about How to Spend 3 Days in Hanoi – 2020 Travel Recommendations | Tours, Trips & Tickets | Viator –

tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293924-d15809828-Reviews-Rubicon_Tours_Vietnam-Hanoi.html

How to spend 3 days in Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

If you only have one day in Ho Chi Minh City, spend the day eating. Vietnam’s most dynamic city is filled to the brim with good food. People from all over Vietnam come to Ho Chi Minh City to work, bringing with them recipes from their hometowns that over time make up the metropolis’ exciting culinary scene. Here’s our insider guide to three dishes you don’t want to miss.

Broken rice equals a wholesome breakfast

Ask anyone in Ho Chi Minh City and they will tell you the go-to breakfast here is Cơm Tam (broken rice). Cơm tấm is one of the few dishes that originated in Ho Chi Minh City. In the old days, these special broken rice grains were not fit for sale, so farmers would save and eat them. In fact, the tấm rice grains are so symbolic of humble beauty and grace that in the Vietnamese version of Cinderella, she was named Tấm whereas the evil stepsister was called Cám, after a different kind of rice byproduct.

Cơm tấm has all the right stuff to kickstart your day: honey-glazed barbecued pork chops, sunny-side-up eggs, spring onions, and pickled papaya on a bed of rice. Of course, these days you can have cơm tấm for any meal. Everyone in Ho Chi Minh City has his or her favourite cơm tấm spot, but don’t be afraid to try out the one closest to you. It will likely be just as good. Pour a generous amount of sweet fish sauce on top of everything on your plate, and dig in.

Snails, skewers, and seafood

The area of District 4 is known for its many sidewalk BBQ seafood and snail joints. The small street of Vĩnh Khánh (District 4, Ho Chi Minh City) comes to life just after dark. Around 6pm, it transforms into a bustling neighbourhood, filled with diners gathering for a beer over some snails and seafood skewers, weekdays and weekends alike. For foodies who want to immerse in the lively atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City, head to the restaurants along Nhiêu Lộc – Thị Nghè Canal (bờ kè area), a branch of the Saigon River that runs through the city.

While snails may sound foreign to some, they are one of the city’s most famous specialties. Snail restaurants lay out fresh catches of the day in baskets or trays for you to choose from. They can go up to twenty different kinds. From stir-fried with butter and garlic, grilled with sea salt and chilli, to stewed in coconut milk, each way of cooking snails pairs perfectly with each type of snail. Sweet snails, cockles, and razor clams are some local favourites. Overwhelmed by these selections? Simply ask what the other diners are eating and they will be happy to help you.

The many faces of hủ tiếu

Because of its culturally diverse population, countless versions of a single dish are a common theme in the local food scene. Few dishes are as representative of this city as Hu Tieu . It has multiple origins (Chinese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese), and has seen many changes and adaptations, yet it’s embraced by Vietnamese everywhere. You can easily find a hearty bowl of hủ tiếu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh rice noodles) with thin strings of rice noodles submerged in boiling hot bone broth, topped with shrimp, pork, quail eggs, and fried garlic on small carts all over the city.

An alternative you don’t want to miss is hủ tiếu Sa Đéc, originated from the former Sa Đéc province in the Mekong Delta. This flavourful noodle dish comes with a special sweet sauce, a taste signature to the Delta region. As you bite into the rice noodle strings, you will notice the difference in their chewy texture. A plate of mung bean sprout and lettuce adds a cheerful crunch to every bite.

A bánh mì like no other 

You can find bánh mì anywhere in Vietnam, but each region puts its own twist on the classic sandwich. In Ho Chi Minh City, a typical bánh mì comes with char siu pork, homemade paté, soft butter, pickled papaya, and hot chili peppers. Some cooks make their own special sauce that magically ties everything together.

Bánh mì Huỳnh Hoa is a firm favourite among locals. Known for their generous fillings and spectacular flavours, the small shop always has a line of dedicated diners waiting in front, no matter what time of day. Each one sets you back 42,000 VNĐ, and is almost twice as big as your average bánh mì. But size is not the only thing that sets Huỳnh Hoa apart. Every wonderful bite contains equal measures of all the fantastic tastes and textures. In the words of the Huỳnh Hoa’s owner: “This is no ordinary bánh mì!”

Summertime spring rolls

For Vietnamese who grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls) are the food of childhood. Many of us would have these spring rolls on the sidewalks as an after-school snack. You can easily get a taste of this wrap at street food vendors around the city. Pull up a plastic stool, order a plate of gỏi cuốn, and see for yourself what makes this simple dish so special.

Freshness is at the heart of gỏi cuốn. Green lettuce and herbs are wrapped around rice noodles, steamed pork, and a single prawn. The simplicity highlights each ingredient’s pure flavours. However, the difference between a great gỏi cuốn and a mediocre one lies in its dipping sauce. The thick fermented sauce can be an acquired taste, but give it a try and you will see where gỏi cuốn gets its boldness. After hours of exploring the city, some gỏi cuốn and iced tea is perfect for a break. Not to mention, these beautiful rolls will definitely spice up your Instagram feed.

Eating like a local in Ho Chi Minh City
Nguyen Thanh Van

RUBICON TOURS supports a walking tour every day from Hoe Nhai Street – cross Phung Hung Street to the iconic Long Bien Bridge.

Taking place from 9.30am to 12pm, the English-speaking tour will start from Hang Dau Water Tower to Hoe Nhai Street which hosts Hoe Nhai Pagoda, before getting into Hang Than Street – the route leading to Long Bien railway station and Long Biên Bridge under the arches.

Tour members will learn about the history of the area, the French influence, what the streets were famed for in the past and what their modern-day activities are.

Get experience in Hanoi with Rubicon Tours: https://rubicontours.com/tour/hanoi-city-tour-1-day/

City walk from Hoe Nhai Street to Long Bien Bridge
Nguyen Thanh Van