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 –

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How to spend 3 days in Hanoi
Nguyen Thanh Van

While modernity has swept Vietnam’s southern capital, it’s not hard to find pockets here and there that celebrate its complex history. The architectural imprints of colonial rule still stand, alongside relics of the city’s commercial and oriental roots. If you’re a fan of history, here are seven top Ho Chi Minh City attractions in easy walking distance from the centre.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN HO CHI MINH CITY

War Remnants Museum

Piqued curiosities at the War Remnants Museum in District 3

The War Remnants Museum is a three-story museum holding countless artefacts and graphic photographs, including photographer Nick Ut’s Pulitzer Prize-winning shot, “The Terror of War.” Out-of-commission planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters decorate the courtyard. It is a sombre experience but one that leaves a lasting impression.

Admission: 15,000 VND
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 28 Vo Van Tan Street, Ward 6, District 3

Notre Dame Cathedral

The area around the Notre Dame Cathedral is a solid spot for people-watching

The twin-spired Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception sits at the head of Dong Khoi Street, a peaceful oasis in the busy downtown area. Built entirely from materials imported from France, the construction of the cathedral lasted nearly two decades, from 1863 to 1880.

FUN FACT: The alabaster statue of the Virgin Mary perched in the centre of the square is said to have wept tears on a single occasion in 2005, witnessed by crowds there at the time.

Admission: 15,000 VND
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 1 Cong xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1

Saigon Central Post Office

Send a postcard from the city’s impressive old post office

Opposite the cathedral is Saigon’s charming general post office. Take a stroll inside, where you’ll find a massive foyer flanked by rows of Victorian era wooden phone booths, historic maps on the walls, and a huge portrait of Ho Chi Minh. The architect of the building is sometimes incorrectly credited as Gustave Eiffel, however the design of the complex was based off his blueprints.

Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 2 Cong xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1

The Reunification Palace

Peep the swanky helicopter landing pad on the rooftop.

On the site of the former Norodom Palace sits the Reunification Palace, also known as the Independence Palace. Designed by architect, Ngô Viết Thụ, the palatial estate was the residential and administrative quarters of the President of South Vietnam. These days, visitors can walk the halls and meeting rooms, upholstered in red carpet.

TIP: Don’t miss the former command centre and war rooms in the basement.

Admission: 15,000 VND
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh, District 1

Nguyen Hue Street and City Hall

City Hall overlooking Nguyen Hue Street

Expansive Nguyen Hue St. has become the new stomping ground for pedestrian activity in Ho Chi Minh City. Skirting the perimeter are dozens of high rises, upscale restaurants, commercial arcades and luxury boutiques. Spanning from City Hall to the Bach Dang Wharf, this walking street is perfect for an afternoon stroll and is at its liveliest at sundown. At the northernmost end of Nguyen Hue sits City Hall, the administrative post of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.

Admission: City Hall is not open to the public
Address: 86 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe, District 1

Ben Thanh Market

The city’s most well-known commercial centre

Ben Thanh Market in the centre of the city is a timeless marketplace built atop a reclaimed plot of land which was formerly known as Bo Ret Pond. Today, the indoor market faces Quach Thi Trang Square. Inside, a matrix of aisles sells everything from fresh produce to conical hats, weasel coffee to lacquerware. Toward the end of the hall is a maze of food stalls selling sizzling bánh xèo and freshly assembled bánh mì.

Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: 32-30 Phan Boi Chau, Ben Thanh, District 1

Cu Chi Tunnels

EXPLORE 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR- CU CHI TUNNEL

A guide shows travellers the secret tunnel entrances in Cu Chi

Tunnel your way back in time during your visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Located on the northwestern fringes of greater Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi District is home to a network of over 250 kilometers used by the Viet Cong to evade American and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Enter the tunnels at either one of two entrances, Ben Dinh, which is 35 kilometers away, and Ben Duoc, which is 70 kilometers away. Getting dirty is part of the package, so dress accordingly.

5 HISTORIAL TUNNEL YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE

Admission: 15,000 VND
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 – 5 p.m. every day including holidays
Address: Phu Hiep, Phu My Hung, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Source: vietnamtourismboard

7 must-see attractions in Ho Chi Minh City
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