Water Puppets
by SirRichard
This unique puppet show was first showed in North Vietnam, and the best place to see it is at the Municipal Theatre here in Hanoi.
They play it at a small pool inside the theatre, from behind a curtain. From there, with long bamboo sticks that go under the water (not visible) they move the puppets from below, making them look as if they were floating on the water.
Everything is in Viet language, but as the stories (rural scenes) are so simple and graphical, it is easy to understand it and is a gorgeous colourful show. There are peasants, brides, fishes, dragons (that spit fireworks!), cats, tortoises...
At the background, there is a local music group that play traditional music.
The show takes about 1 hour.
Halong Bay "Descending Dragons"
by MoeB52
While you are in Hanoi make sure you take a day trip out to Halong Bay. Better yet plan to spend a night there . No wonder Halong is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site ! The tranquil jade/aqua colored water and the surrounding landscape of majestic limestone peaks is breath taking! You can even charter your very own Junk with crew and lunch for around $30 for a 5 hr sail .
Dong Xuan Market
by Christianzagar about huge indoor market
This market is basically a general all purpose market catering to locals. There are the odd stalls that might interest tourists like ripp off bags, hats and clothes.. but generally it's just a place to look at the crowds...... (if you can handle them...)
Hip hop only
by hientonkin about Toilet Pub
Toilet Pub means... you see a lot of toilets around you. lol ;). Yes, it's true. Shelfves are toilets, fridge for soft drinks is bathtub, decorations are toilets.. ( I think they should make the sofa and chairs in toilet's shape, too ). Very popular for chics in Hanoi at early time ( 8 -12pm) , after that is time for foreigners.
With the slogan "hip hop only ", Toilet makes its own taste with a very cool music. The DJ is real good here. Drinks are more expensive than other bars/pub a bit. ( whisky : 50,000 vnd ).
French with a Vietnamese twist
by calilyliu about La Badiane
Featured in the New York Times Travel section ("36 hours in Hanoi"), this restaurant was a total winner. Set 3-course dinner menus go for either $23 or $29 (all USD), so it's pricey for Hanoi but it's worth every bit. The wine list also has some nice choices to complement your food. Of the food I tried with my group, everything was delicious, but I most highly recommend:
- Starters: Crab bisque, shrimp raviolis
- Mains: Australian beef, Gambas with sweet potato (the red wine reduction sauce was just heavenly; shrimp came on little tree twigs), Salmon
- Desert: definitely the warm chocolate cake. Lemon souffle was good, but not as good as it looked on the menu.
The cuisine is primarily French with some Vietnamese touches here and there. The chef is French and makes frequent appearances with the guests; he is a charming fellow.
The atmosphere is also lovely. It is an old home converted into a restaurant - most guests choose to sit in the airy patio in a two-story atrium, surrounded by pleasant white-washed walls and a Spanish tiled floor. It is very suiting for the tropical and busy feel of the city; it is simple while providing a refuge from its business.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone, in any city.
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Tran Quoc Pagoda,West Lake (Ho Tay),Ha Noi.
Side view of the Opera House
Dalbergia tonkinensis - Foreign Affairs Ministry
Fruits for sale
