The Lakes
When you fancy a change of scenery and pace from Hanoi’s bustling and vibrant streets, seek out the stunning lakes for endless space and tranquillity. Set an early alarm and head to the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake at sunrise for a glimpse of timeless Hanoi, where city-dwellers practise the art of Tai Chi amid the mist, as the metropolis starts to stir. An equally beautiful but significantly larger lake, Ho Tay or West Lake is some 15km in circumference and fringed with smart suburbs. You can take a leisurely stroll part way around, or cycle the complete loop, discovering plenty of places to eat and shop along the way.
Street Food
Hanoi is famous for its street-food culture, boasting a high-spirited gathering of locals and visitors jostling for seats at the top stalls in town. The best way to sample Vietnam’s fragrant and exotic flavours is to book a place on a walking tour with a handful of other foodies; call in at local markets laden with delicacies, watch chefs at work in noisy kitchens and, of course, sample a variety of authentic goodies (such as pork crêpes and flame-grilled meats) in Hanoi’s atmospheric side streets. Finish with a cup of fresh fruit mixed with crushed ice and condensed milk – a sweet treat loved by locals.
History
Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, overflowing with striking colonial architecture, and encounter the friendly traders selling everything from light-hearted souvenirs to noodles. The city’s French Quarter houses impressive government buildings and residences; historical landmarks include the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the centre of ancient Hanoi for 800 years, and the Temple of Literature - an ancient complex of learning originally dedicated to Chinese scholar, Confucius, featuring gardens, pavilions and shrines. Designed after Lenin’s burial chamber in Moscow, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is the final resting place of iconic leader, ‘Uncle Ho’, and a must-visit piece to the jigsaw of Hanoi’s intriguing history.
Flight Information
Direct flights to Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines from London Heathrow. British Airways from London Heathrow to Bangkok and Hong Kong. Thai Airways from London Heathrow to Bangkok. Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific from London Heathrow to Hong Kong. Onward connecting flights to Hanoi with: Thai Airways from Bangkok. Vietnam Airlines from Hong Kong. Hong Kong Dragon Airlines from Hong Kong.
Flight Times
From London Heathrow to Hanoi: 11 hours, 40 minutes. London Heathrow to Bangkok: 11 hours, 40 minutes. London Heathrow to Hong Kong: 11 hours, 55 minutes.
Onward connecting flights from Bangkok and to Hanoi: 1 hour, 50 minutes.
From Hong Kong to Hanoi: 2 hours.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.