t r i p
j o u r n a l
104
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DIALING CODE
+84 (4)
CURRENCY
VND10,000=PHP19.68/
US$0.48
TOUCHDOWN
The Noi Bai International
Airport is located 45km away from the
city center. Transportation services like
public taxis, mini and public buses are
available at the arrivals level.
hanoiairportonline.com
SEE &DO
Don't see the "sights". Just walk
around the city and stop in anywhere that
looks interesting: cafés,
bia hoi
(
beer stall)
and street food stalls. Walk around the lakes
at dawn and dusk —you'll get to actually
see Hanoi. You'll do better learning about the
history and the culture this way than from
reading placards in the current museums.
SLEEP
If you spring for an expensive hotel,
do it at The Sofitel Metropole. On a budget?
Try 6 on Sixteen Boutique Hotel.
MUST-TRY
Bicycle or motorbike ride
around the new-ish West Lake road.
EAT
Pho Ga
(503
Lac Long Quan)
for
brekkie and Cua Hang An Uong Mau Dich
37
(37
Nam Trang, Truc Bach)
for lunch.
SHOP
Kilomet 109, Hanoi designer Vu
Thao's fashion line for men and women.
DIALING CODE
+84 (8)
CURRENCY
VND10,000=PHP19.68/
US$0.48
TOUCHDOWN
Tan Son Nhat
International Airport is a 30-minute
drive away from District 1. A taxi ride
costs about VND80,000 (PHP157). You
can also hire a motorbike and driver for
VND20,000 (PHP39).
SEE &DO
Visit the Tan Dinh Catholic
Church along Hai Ba Trung St in District
1.
Opposite is Tan Dinh Market where
locals shop for textiles. Catch the Water
Puppet Show on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai
St, a 10m walk from Tao Dan Park. Head
to Bachdang Wharf for dinner on a cruise
along the Saigon River (9–10pm daily).
SLEEP
For three- to five-star lodgings,
head to Nguyen Hue Street, the Flower
Street of Saigon.
EAT
Beef pho from Pho 2000 near Ben
Thanh Market. Ingredients are very fresh.
MUST-TRY
Visit the parks in District 1 early
to see the locals exercise while enjoying
banh mi
(
local baguette) and iced coffee.
INSIDERTIP
Smile and haggle with
shopkeepers. And always pay attention
when crossing the streets!
Caitlin
Worsham
academic
director
Ann Carlie
Gaton
Abalena
ESLteacher
VIETNAM
HOCHIMINHCITY
VIETNAM
HANOI
Hanoi's Sofitel Legend Metropole was
built in 1901.
DIDYOU
KNOW?
