Explore Hanoi and Halong Bay in 3 Nights and 4 Days

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

The old quarter of Hanoi centers around Hoan Kiem Lake, which is also a popular gathering spot for tourists, dotted with cafes and high-end shopping stores; the north bank of the lake features the nostalgic 36 Old Streets, perfect for a leisurely stroll in the early morning or afternoon to soak in the ancient city's charm. To the west of the old town lies the Citadel area, the site of the 11th-century Ly Dynasty royal palace. Unfortunately, the Ly royal palace was destroyed by the late 19th century. Today, the most impressive structure in this area is the Presidential Palace, along with nearby landmarks such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. In addition, Halong Bay, a Vietnamese UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises thousands of limestone islands and is a must-visit attraction for first-time travelers. Independent travelers can purchase one-day tours to Halong Bay and Ninh Binh in Hanoi city to make their itinerary more convenient and enriching.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Hanoi. For foreigners, it’s a place to witness the founding of Vietnam’s socialist ideology, and for Vietnamese people, it’s an important site to pay homage to their revered “Uncle Ho.” This tall, square-shaped building is minimally decorated and was constructed between 1973 and 1975. On September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence here, making this day Vietnam’s National Day.

After climbing the steps, you will see Ho Chi Minh’s remains lying peacefully in a small transparent glass coffin, his pale skin highlighted under soft lighting. Although Ho Chi Minh had expressed a wish to be cremated and have his ashes scattered across northern, central, and southern Vietnam, with just a simple shelter over the burial spots, he now rests in this cold grand mausoleum—seemingly contrary to his wishes.

 

The full name of the Temple of Literature is "Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam," and it is one of the best-preserved and most beautiful ancient sites in Hanoi. Built in 1070 during the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius and his four disciples, the temple was later complemented in 1076 by the establishment of Quoc Tu Giam (Imperial Academy), ordered by the emperor to educate royal and noble children or exceptional commoner students. Despite undergoing numerous renovations and reconstructions over more than 900 years, it has retained its original style. Covering an area of 55,027 square meters, it includes the Lake of Literature, Quoc Tu Giam Park, and an inner courtyard enclosed by red brick walls.

 

Under the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Spanning 1,553 square kilometers, it encompasses approximately 3,000 limestone islands. These karst formations originated from tectonic extensions from southeastern China and were shaped over millions of years through erosion, sedimentation, and seawater intrusion, resulting in the spectacular karst landscape.

According to legend, Halong Bay was formed when a celestial dragon descended to assist the Vietnamese people in fighting off invaders. The dragon spat out pearls that turned into islands to block the enemy, who were eventually defeated. The pearls fell into the sea and became the scattered limestone islets seen today, while the dragon then retreated into the ocean. Another tale says a mother dragon used her long body to shield Halong Bay from giant waves, and with her baby dragons, gave the bay’s northeast area the name Bai Tu Long Bay (Bay of the Descendants of the Dragon). Both legends reflect the sacred status of Halong Bay in the hearts of local people. Bai Tu Long Bay is also within the protected area of the World Heritage Site, as is Cat Ba Island and its national park. These areas, developed for tourism later, retain more pristine scenery but require longer travel times due to their distance.