Hanoi
- where your journey starts
Tourists usually arrive in Vietnam in one of the country’s two main cities- Ho Chi Minh City and Saigon – with the capital Hanoi being the ideal starting point for an itinerary that takes visitors from the north down to the south of the country.
Hanoi is a gateway both to the magnificent mountainous area of the north, home to a multitude of different colourful ethnic minority groups,
and to UNESCO World Heritage Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone karsts rise out of the sea creating a dramatic landscape.
Though serving as a starting point for exploring the country, Hanoi is a fascinating destination in itself and we recommend visitors set aside at least several days to discover the city’s many hidden charms.
Hanoi attractions
Much of the pleasure to be had in a visit to Hanoi is in simply soaking up the atmosphere – wandering the streets, people watching and chatting to the friendly locals. Several days can be spent exploring the bustling Old Quarter, once the centre of commerce, and sampling the flavoursome street food the country is famous for. However, no trip to the capital is complete without taking in some of the most famous sights and discovering the city’s somewhat turbulent past.
Topas Adventure Vietnam offers city day tours of Hanoi that take in some of the most interesting sights including Hoa Lo Prison Museum, the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake. The city boasts some first-rate museums including the excellent Women’s Museum that highlights the pivotal roles women play in Vietnamese culture and society and the Museum of Ethnology, which is well worth a visit particularly for those travelling to the mountainous northern region, to learn more about the country’s vibrant ethnic minority cultures.
Things to do in Hanoi
Getting to Topas Ecolodge from Hanoi
Sapa tours from Hanoi
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Hotels in Hanoi
Topas Travel
Topas Ecolodge is owned by Topas Group and operated by Topas Adventure Vietnam (TAV). TAV can organise tours in the country that include a stay at Topas Ecolodge. TAV seeks to offer adventurous, authentic and unique experiences that respect the local environment and communities while bringing visitors a little deeper into the real country and away from the tourist sights.