9 unusual attractions in Hanoi that the locals recommend you to discover

Let’s check it out Top 9 unusual places in Hanoi that the locals recommend you to discover with Living Nomads below.

1. Old Town, Hanoi

For those who visit Hanoi with a genuine desire to have a grasp of the city’s culture or a curiosity to travel back in time, Hanoi Old Quarter is a must-go place that they definitely should not be missed by any means.

2. Cafe Giang, 39 Nguyen Huu Huan street.

With bland chains taking over Hanoi’s café scene, ancient holes such as this one have become revered treasures. To be sure, Cafe Giang’s timeworn patina is almost a bleak exaggeration of communist-era non-chic.

3. Highway 4 Restaurant

Highway 4 is a restaurant everyone in Hanoi should visit at least once – despite the terrible name. This stylish venue has classic Vietnamese furnishings, English speaking staff and a large menu running through Vietnam’s entire culinary heritage. The specials are highly recommended, particularly the cat fish spring rolls.

Add: 31 Xuan Dieu str, Tay Ho dist.
Tel: +84-4 3715.0577
Website: highway4.com

4. Bit Tet Hai Ty

Wonderful Bit Tet place, one of the few places that is enjoyed by Vietnamese and Foreigners alike.

Vietnamese food is widely regarded as one of the world’s healthier cuisines. There’s nothing particularly holistic or nutritious about this traditional favorite however. A local variant on steak and eggs, the dish is a calorific wonder. Steak is sautéed in butter on a sizzling platter, an egg is added and some hot-dog style sausages complete the picture. Mop it up with a banh mi baguette and wash it down with a glass of potent coffee.

The Bit Tet comes with fries and a piece of bread. It is covered in delicious gravy that you can sop up with the bread and fries. It is very delicious.

Add: 20 Hang Giay str, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem dist.
Phone: +84 4 2202 0819

5. Blacksmith Street

The tools of the last blacksmith in Hanoi. One of the smallest shops I have ever seen in Hanoi, this is the last location of a trade that was once an entire city block.

6. Thang Long Water Puppets shows

Located at 57B, Dinh Tien Hoang street, nearby Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is a familiar address for both domestic tourists and foreign ones, who want to enjoy water puppet shows and discovery the beauty of this unique Vietnam traditional art.

Don’t leave Hanoi without seeing a Thang Long Water Puppet Theater show. These musical stories portrayed are of historical legends and folk tales.

Show schedule: There are puppet show every day at 15:30 – 17:00 – 18:30 – 20:00 – 21:15 and Sunday at 9:30

Tickets: Ticket costs between 60.000 – 100.000 VND ($3-5) and can be purchased at doors or by contacting the theatre.

Add: 57b Dinh Tien Hoang Str., Hanoi – Vietnam
Tel: +84 4 39364335 – 39364334 – 38255450
Website: www.thanglongwaterpuppet.org

7. Old Railway

This is the main line railway that passes through the residential old quarter and commercial neighbourhoods of Hanoi, Vietnam. The trains pass through the heart of the city twice a day, just inches away from the doorsteps of residential buildings.

8. Motorbike Market

You can go to the used motorbike market on Chua Ha which is a side street off Cau Giay. You’ll be surprised at the number and variety of bikes for sale there. There are literally thousands of bikes, every make and model. If you’re looking for a used bike this street is a must visit.

9. Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison, or “Hanoi Hilton,” or Maison Centrale was built a French colonial jail for political prisoners and later used for American pilot POWs during the Vietnam War.

Add: Hoa Lo, Tran Hung Dao street
Tel: +84 4 3824 6358
Prices: Admission 30,000d
Opening hours: 8am-5pm

Are you finding more top things to do in Hanoi: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out at here.