Trà Chanh - the lemon tea

‘Trà Chanh’ – the lemon tea

Ho Chi Minh lemon ice-tea

It was a weekday night when more than 200 youths gathered at a riverside area on Ton That Dam

Street in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 to enjoy lemon tea, the drink which has been called tra chanh chem gio (lemon tea for chit-chat).

Spending VND10,000 (US$0.48) for a cup of lemon tea, taking a canvas or a plastic chair and talking from 7pm to 11pm: that’s what hundreds local youths have done over the last two months in the area.

Hanoi lemon tea and ice-tea

The drinks were first sold at some small street coffee shops and then spread widely in Hanoi in recent years. To many young people, you can’t say that you’ve been to the capital city without having a cup of lemon tea on Nha Tho, Ly Quoc Su or Dao Duy Tu streets.

Lately, Hanoi’s tra chanh chem gio, which is considered a local specialty, has come to the southern city.

There are several areas where many teenagers gather to enjoy lemon tea, including District 1’s Nguyen Trai Street and the area near Coopmart Rach Mieu supermarket in Phu Nhuan District.

Still, the most crowded place is the riverside area at the end of District 1’s Ton That Dam Street.

“I feel a joyful atmosphere since there’s a lot of people here and it’s also cool here,” My Duyen, 18, a freshman at the Industrial University of HCMC, said in explaining why she likes to come to the venue once a week.

“I like such a crowded place,” Thuy Giang, 18, a first year student from the HCMC University of Economics and Law, added.

Street foods in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city.

Besides lemon tea, a group of vendors are always willing to serve customers famous street foods, including banh trang nuong (barbecued rice paper), ho lo nuong (barbecued meat balls) and pho mai que (fried cheese stick). Since they originated in Hanoi, lemon tea shops in HCMC also bring their customers a taste from the northern city through specialties like sua chua nep cam (yogurt mixed with sticky rice), nuoc sau (melon juice), hat huong duong (fried sunflower seeds) and Nem nuong (barbecued fermented pork).

 “I’ve brought all the ingredients from Hanoi, except for the lemons from Da Lat, so the flavor of lemon tea here and Hanoi’s famous lemon tea are not much different,” Minh, a shop owner on Ton That Dam Street, said.

Danh, a teenager who sometimes visits the area seven times a week, preferred the diversity of food and drink as well as the reasonable price.

“I drink Hanoi lemon tea and feel the same flavor here, but the atmosphere here is much joyful than there, I think,” he added.

Sourced: Vietnamtourism.com.vn

Money in Vietnam - How much you should tips for services in Vietnam

Money in Vietnam - How much you should tips for services in Vietnam

Money in Vietnam

You will be using local currency Dong (Vietnam dong). The dong (VND) is Vietnam’s official currency. Paper notes come in denominations of 200VND; 500VND; 1000VND;  2000VND;  5000VND; 10,000VND; 20,000VND; 50,000VND; 100,000VND and 500,00VND. In 2003, coins were reintroduced in denominations of 200 VND; 500 VND; 1000VND; 2000VND and 5000VND but after one year, coins are hardly to accept by people so now Vietnamese use papper money only.

The government Banks check rate is Vietcombank the website for exchange rates: http://www.vietcombank.com.vn/ExchangeRates/ , if you exchange money from other banks the rate will be a bit lower than head bank.

Money for spending or payment:

The shops in tourists places love to get cash than credit cards (not in local area such as northern provinces). Credit cards you can pay and the bank will charge on your credit card 3% or 4% or you can take money from ATMs. The ATMs dispense dong in 50,0000VND, 100, 000 VND, 200,000VND, 500,000VND denominations. The limit of 5,000,000VND for each withdrawal. ATMs will charge a fee of each transaction about 75,000d – 100,000d.

The USD, the government’s crackdown on the use of foreign currency within Vietnam, but all the most of shops still get US$. But the use of dollars is less easy than it used to be in the country. Exchange your money at the banks or other authorized currency exchange centers such as at the airport or post offices.

The banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM lunch time is from 11:30 to 1PM you can exchange money from the bank, they will charge from 3 – 4%.

Credit cards payment: Many hotels, restaurants and shops centered in tourist area honor Visa, American Express, JCB Cards or Master Cards. Each transaction will be charged an additional 3 – 4%. VietcomBank offers cashes advances against your Visa or Mastercards Credit card if you need cash in a hurry.

Please Note with Travellers cheques: 

The travelers cheques are accepted in larger cities in Asia but can only be changed at the money exchanges or bank (particularly in Vietnam). Should remember bring your passport to present. It will be charged 2 – 5% transaction fee.

This process of changing travelers cheques in Vietnam can be quite time consuming. An alternative to Travellers cheques are prepaid Cash cards that are preloaded with amount prior to travel. Funds can be withdrawn through local cash machines. If you travelling in remote areas you bring adequate funds in cash.

Tipping in Vietnam:

Major hotels and restaurants add a 5% service charge to bills you can choose no tip at these places.

Small tips are always a good things such as for drivers, waiters, boat and the tour guides.

For small services: if possible you can exchange money in Vietnam dong should be easy for you to tip

For Waiter, boat and other services: you can tips about 50,000VND to 100,000 VND (= $2 - $5) should be great for them.

For drivers: it depends on your using day, you can devide into day each day you tips for him $2/day.

For guide: $2/day/person should be good for him (her).

Hotel services: Government run hotels will add a 10% services charge on bill

Taxi:  a small gratuity should be greatly appreciated, tips are not necessary.

Restaurants & Bars: normally 10% service charge is already added onto your bill so many restaurants do not require tippings.

Porters: A tip for them will be greatly appreciated about US$ 2 – 5 that depends on you.

Other tips for budget:

Low budget: you can expect to spend up 25$ a day on food and lodging.

Middle – budget: You can enjoy good restaurant food,  stay comfortable in good hotels, hire cabs you can pend about $65 - $100/day.

High budget: Staying at the luxury hotel, eat at the luxury restaurant and good goods pend about $ 180 - $250/day should be good.

Useful tips:

You should store cash, credit cards, and other valuables in a safe place (in your safebox in hotel), if you have to bring with you should put in your back –pack and wear it carefully and keep an eye on your stuffs.

To calculate currency conversions you shoul bring a small calculator.

When you visit pagoda, you should leave some small donation into donation box just before you leave.

Hanoi shopping you can find more in this site: http://myvietnamtravel.net/vi/bvct/id87/Hanoi-Shopping/

Have a great journey,

Sourced by Myvietnamtravel.net

HANOI ART GALLERIES

HANOI ART GALLERIES

Hanoi has many art galleries, if you are considered to Art you might want to find some galleries in Hanoi, maybe for shopping or maybe you just want to have look and admire art. There are some famous galleries:
Nguyen Art Gallery
Add: 40 Hang Manh - Hoan Kiem - Hanoi
Tel: 04 3561146 / Fax: 04 35561147
Email: order@nguyenartgallery.com
Website: http://www.nguyenartgallery.com

A Dong Art Gallery
61 Trang Tien - Hoan Kiem - Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 39361477
Art Gallery of Hanoi's potential artists and it often has new exhibitions.

Apricot Gallery
Add: 40B Hang Bong street - Hoan Kiem Dist - Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 3828 8965   Fax: (84-4) 3828 7304
Where is presentation of Vietnam leading artists.
 Bauhinia Gallery
185 Hang Bong street - Hoan Kiem Dist - Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 3828 8070 / Fax: (84-4) 3825 8905

Gallery Thanh Binh
25-27 Trang Tien - Hoan Kiem Dist - Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 3825 1532
This place displays Modem art depecting the beauty of Vietnam in a comfortable and creative space.

Green Palm Gallery
Add: 15 Trang Tien street - Hoan Kiem Dist - Hanoi
 Tel: (84-4) 3936 4756
Where is central location and it is close to The Opera House

Hanoi Art Gallery
Add: 36-38 Trang Tien Street - Hoan Kiem Dist - Hanoi
 Tel: (84-4) 3934 7192
Where is central location close to Hoan Kiem lake

Kinh Bac Art - Dang Anh Tien
Add: 19 Trang Tien street- Hoan Kiem Dist - Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 9 366 199 Email: kinhbacart@yahoo.com
Which displays the Art of the past, the crossroads of art and culture.

Life Photo Gallery
Add: 39 Trang Tien street, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi
Tel: (84-4)3 936 3886
Which is displayed 4,000 years of tradition and customs.

Mai Hien Studio
Add: 99 Nguyen Thai Hoc street, Dong Da district, Hanoi.
Tel: (84-4) 846 9614
Which is good outlet for decent Vietnamese art.

Ngan Pho Gallery
Add: 81 Hang Bong street- Hoan Kiem Dist- Hanoi.
Tel: (84-4) 3828 9484 -  Fax: (84-4) 3928 7365

Ngoc Mai Gallery
Add: 6 Hang Hanh street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 3828 9979 / 0983 5678 62
NGOCMAl GALLERY brings original moments of Vietnamese life to people who appreciate arts.

Thang Long Gallery
Add: 41 Hang Gai street and at 12 To Tich street
Tel: (84-4) 825 0740

Vine Annex Art & Antiques- a Gallery of Fam Luc’s Arts:
45 Au Co street,Tay Ho District, Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 3719 8757
Hanoi for Private Parties, Art and Antiques- Fam luc's painting, a venue for wine tasting, wine maker dinners,
cigar dinners, ladies nights, holiday buffets, that can fit 50 guests seated and 75 standing.
Sourced by: Dragonfly Travel website: www.myvietnamtravel.net

Get Your VAT refund in Vietnam

Let’s get your VAT Refund in Vietnam

From July 01, 2012 to June 30, 2014, Vietnam has been running pilot implementation on VAT refund for goods bought in Vietnam by foreigners whose passport or immigration documents are not issued by Vietnamese authorities or foreigners who are not members of flight crew of aviation organization when they leave Vietnam via Noi Bai airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh city.

Under this VAT refund pilot scheme, foreigners are entitled to obtain a refund that accounts for 85% of VAT on goods eligible to VAT refund they bought at VAT refund shops and take home when leaving Vietnam via Noi Bai airport or Tan Son Nhat airport. The VAT refund will be made in Vietnamese dong, which can be converted to other currencies using the listed exchange rates at VAT refund counter. At Noi Bai airport, refunding agencies are Vietcombank and Maritime Bank. At Tan Son Nhat airport, refunding agencies are BIDV and Vietinbank.

Goods are subject to VAT refund have to meet below requirements:

-      Goods are subject to VAT, not second-hand and allowed to be brought in flight in accordance with aviation security and safety regulations.

-      Goods are not in the list of goods restricted or prohibited to export.

-      Goods supported by invoice and VAT refund declaration from issued within 30 days before the date of departure.

-      Goods value on invoice and VAT refund declaration from issued by 01 VAT refund shop in 01 day is 2 million VND at least.

How to get VAT refund in Vietnam

1.   When purchasing the goods:

-      Submit valid passport or immigration documents (original copy) to retailer to make a VAT refund declaration form.

-      Check all the information on VAT refund declaration form, sign in and take away original copy.

2.   At airport, present the following documents to VAT refund customs inspection office:

-      Passport and immigration documents (original copy)

-      Invoices and VAT refund declaration form (original copy).

-      Goods of VAT refund. For check-in baggages, Customs office shall check invoices and VAT refund declaration forms at VAT refund customs inspection (outside the restricted areas).

For hand lugguages, Customs office shall check the invoices at VAT refund customs inspection in restricted areas.

3.   At VAT refund counter (inside restricted area), present the following documents:

-      Boarding pass of international flight (original copy).

-      Invoices and VAT refund declaration form with the “checked” seak if the custom office (original copy).

List of VAT refund shops for foreigners in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city.

Hanoi City:

1.   Parkson  Hanoi  -  Address: No 198 Tay Son street, Dong Da District, Hanoi

2.   Grand Plaza (level 1) – No 117 Tran Duy Hung street, Cau Giay District.

3.   Savico Megamall (level 1 – Shop no 195) – No 7 – 9 Nguyen Van Linh street, Long Bien.

4.   Ipa – Nima Vietnam

Address: No 73 Trang Thi street, Hoan Kiem

Shop1: No 73 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem

Shop 2: No 5 Nha Tho street, Hoan Kiem District

5.   Louis Vuitton Vietnam – 17 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District.

6.   Garment Joint Stock Company 10

Shop 1: Level 3 shop 307 and 310 Vincom tower – 191 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi.

Shop 2: No 6 Le Thai To – Hoan Kiem – Hanoi.

Shop 3: No 42C Ly Thuong Kiet street, Hoan Kiem.

Shop 4: 14 Ly Thuong Kiet street – Hoan Kiem District

Shop 5: 136 Quan Thanh street – Ba Dinh District.

Shop 6: No 42 Hang Voi street – Hoan Kiem District.

Shop 7: No 2 Le Thanh Tong street – Hoan Kiem District

7.   Doji Jewelry Join stock Company

Shop 1: Hermes – Metropole Hotel  No 1 Le Phung Hieu street, Hoan Kiem

Shop 2:  Hugo Boss – No 60 Ly Thai To Street – Hoan Kiem

Shop 3:  Korloff  - Level 1  No 32 Hang Bai street, Hoan Kiem.

Shop 4: Kenzo  - Lan Vien Hotel, ground floor – no 32 Hang Bai street, Hoan Kiem.

Shop 5: Atelier – No Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem.

Ho Chi Minh City:

1.   Louis Vuitton Vietnam – 161 Dong Khoi street, District 1.

2.   Viet Tien Garmet Joint Stoct Company

-      Parkson Tan Son Nhat

-      Parkson Le Thanh Ton

-      Vincom Le Thanh Ton

3.   Duy Anh Fashion & Cosmetic Co., Ltd

-      Diamond Plaza

-      Rex Hotel shop 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

-      Vincom tower A shop Versace

4.   ADI company

5.   Au Chau Fashion & Cosmetic

-      Zen Plaza shop 1, 2, 3, 4

-      Parkson Paragon Shop 6

-      Rex Hotel shop 7

-      Crescent Mall shop 8

-      Crescent Mall shop 9

-      Crescent Mall 10

-      Parkson Saigon Tourist Plaza shop 11

-      Parkson City Plaza shop 12

-      Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza Shop 13

-      Parkson Flemington shop 14

-      Diamond Plaza Shop 15, 16

-      Crescent Mall shop 17

-      Parkson Sai gon Tourist Plaza shop 18, 19, 20

-      Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza Shop 21

-      Parkson Hung Vuong Plaza shop 22

-      Parkson City Plaza shop 23, 24, 25

-      Parkson Paragon shop 26

-      Diamond Plaza shop 27, 28, 29, 30

-      Vincom Center A shop 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40

6.   Chau My Fashing & Cosmetic Co., Ltd

-      Vincom center shop 1

-      Crescent Mall Shop 2

-      Diamond Plaza shop 3

7.   Lien Thai Binh Duong Import and Export Co., Ltd

-      Rex Hotel shop 2

-      Diamond Plaza shop 1

8.   Song Viet Joint Stock

9.   Parkson Vietnam Co., Ltd

10.               Kim Lien Trade Co., Ltd

-      Diamond Plaza

-      Parkson Saigon Tourist

-      Parkson Flemington

-      Vincom Center A

-      Zen Plaza

-      Clarks Shoes Shop

11.               Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company

-      PNJ An Dong

-      PNJ Go Vap

-      PNJ Phan Dang Luu

-      PNJ Phan Dang Luu

12.               Duy Anh Trade Co., Ltd

-      Diamond Shop 1, 02, 03

13.                Kien Lam Handicraf

14.               FPT Joint Stock Company

Trading office number 9, 6, 12

15.               Shop Rimowa  - 1C, 1/F Opera View Building 161 Dong Khoi street Tel: +84 (0) 8 38225 034

16.               Thien Nam Hoa Electric and interior Centre

Add: 227B Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.

17.               Khai Silk – 107 Dong Khoi street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

18.               Tic Tac Boutique – 72 Dong Khoi Street

-      Omega Boutique 171 Dong Khoi street

-      Omega Boutique 115 Dong Khoi street

-      Omega boutique L1 – 08, Level 1 Vincom Center A

19.               Phong Vu Computer – 125 Cach Mang Thang 8 street, Ben Thanh ward, District 1.

Source: http://myvietnamtravel.net/vi/bvct/id94/Get-your-VAT-Refund-in-Vietnam/

Places to visit in Hanoi

Places to Visit in Hanoi:
 
Introduction
 

Hoan Kiem Lake

Hanoi, with an estimated population about nearly 7 milion, the area of 3328.9 km2. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. The city is located on the right bank of the Red River, in the centre of North Vietnam. Hanoi is the heart of a thriving modern, country and its economic, cultural and political centre. For about a thousand years, the capital was called Thang Long (Dragon ascending), then changing to Dong Do, Dong Kinh and finally, in 1831, to Hanoi which means “the hinterland between the rivers”. The city became the Vietnam capital in the 7th century. It was oocupied by the French in 1873 and passed to them ten years later. From 1902 to 1953 Hanoi was the capital of French Indochina. In 1940, the city was occupied by the Japanese and was liberated five years later when it became the seat of Vietnam’s government. From 1946 to 1954, it was the scene of heavy fighting between the French and Viet Minh forces. After 1954 Hanoi became the capital of North Vietnam and following the 1975 events it became the capital of the unified country. Today, Hanoi is a modern city full of charm, with remarkable colonial architecture, large shady avenues, and numerous lakes and gardens.

Travel guide:
Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, Hanoi still preserves many ancient architechtural works worth a visit including the Old quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Marvellous places include the One pillar pagoda (built in 1042), the Teple of Literature (built in 1070), Hanoi citadel, President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum & Museum (Inside the beautiful Ho Chi Minh complex), the National Fine Arts Museum, the Quan Thanh temple and the Hanoi Opera House. Hanoi’s unique beauty is improved by 18 charming lakes such as Hoan Kiem lake, West lake, Truc Bach Lake, Thien Quang lake, Seven hectas lake… that really deserve a visit. Many traditional handicrafts are also practiced in Hanoi including bronze silver carving, lacquer, embroidery.

Land Marks and historic sites
1.    Hanoi city tour
From Hanoi we organize several tour around Hanoi city and in Vietna. We propose you to try our city tour, to discover the enchanting and cultural capital. The First step of our city tour is important heritage of our nation’s great father, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, which were his home between 1985 to 1969. Now it’s a museum where you can get to know the life of this president and what he did for Vietnam. We continue our tour in Hanoi at the One pillar pagoda: a group of buildings erected as a symbol of peace, this structure consists of a pagoda and a tower built in the shape of a lotus in the middle of a lake. Our city tour of Hanoi proceeds with the visit of the Temple of Literature, built in the early 11th Century as a dedication to Confusius and later become the first university of Vietnam. After a cultural immersion in the history and art of Hanoi we will have lunch at a popular local restaurant and taste typical flavours of Vietnam. We will continue to visit of Ngoc Son temple on the Hoan Kiem lake, and the ethnic of history museum where is displayed culture, custome and house of 54 minorities of Vietnam. Or if you travel on Monday and Friday we will visit Bat Trang village stead of Ethinic Minority Museum. Bat Trang which is far from Hanoi around 18km, is a traditional pottery and ceramic village. Check more details of Hanoi city tour
Price ( join with group tour) is 28 US$/person (included: entrance fees, local English speaking guide, transfer, lunch).

2.    Ho Chi Minh MausoleumAddress: No 2 Ong Ich Kiem street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi tel: +84 4 38455 124
Ho Chi Minh is the father of the Republic of Vietnam and former prime minister and resident of the democratic republic of Vietnam. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was built in his honour. The tomb complex encompasses a palace museum, a traffic free zone and some parks. The centre of the structure has a large tomb where the body of the great leader rests in a bier inside a glass case. No photographs are allowed within the mausoleum and visitors have to leave their personal belongings outside. The grand mausoleum overlooks the pond and, through the windows, visitors get a glimpse of the rooms where furnishings and belongings of the late leader still exist. Near the tomb is the Presidential place and a short walk from this is the tomb of the unknown soldier which looks stunning when lit up at night. Here you can also find the Hanoi citadel.

Hoang Thanh Citadel

3.    Hoang Thanh citadel (Hoàng Thành Thăng Long in Vietnamese)
Address: 18 Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Also known as the central old citadel of Hanoi and it was former residence of the Vietnamese monarchs. This was the time when the city was known by all as Thang Long. In 1009, King Ly Cong Uan was enthroned, founded Ly Dynasty. In July, 1010, the King promulgated the royal decree (Chiếu Dời Đô) to change the capital city from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) to Dai La citadel. After transferring the capital city, The Thang Long citadel was built and finished in early 1011.
This UNESCO SITES was constructed in 1010 under Ly dynasty and till 1810, it remained as the seat of the Vietamese court. In late 19th century, this place was destroyed by the colonial French people, though some strctures remained like the Flog Tower of Hanoi, the Down Mon gate and the steps of Kinh Thien Plalace along with the Hau Lau (Princess Palace). It was in 2010 that this beautiful citadel of Thang Long on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, this complex is in the process of being released by the Army, with two building being accessed.
This place is highly recommended for who is keenly interested in knowing its historic background and some insight into glorios Vietnamese heritage.

4.    Temple of literature
Adress: 58 Quoc tu giam street, Dong Da District, Hanoi.
Opening time: 8:00 to 16:30 everyday from Mon to Sun. Entry fee is 20,000 VND
This architectural masterpicece from 1070 is dedicated to Confucius. The Temple of

Khuê Van Cac

Literature was initially the first university of Vietnam. But, nowadays, the temple is a relaxing park in the centre of Hanoi. It is a symbol of the rich and great Vietnamese culture. When the temple was a university, it was a highly renowned centre which awarded doctorates to many eligible students. The 82 stone diplomas on the stone tortoises is an extraordinary sight. These stone sculptures hold the names and birthplaces of all the graduates from the university. The ealiest stele is in 1484 and the last one is in 1780.
The original reason for the construction of the temple was to make a place of worship of the saints of Confucianism. Six year after construction, the temple was turned into a centre of education. Altars to Confucius can still be seen and many fervent believers also visit the temple to pay homage to the site. There is a belief that if you rub the tops of all 82 tortoise steles, you will be blessed. That why if you have chance to visit temple of literature in summer (after summer holiday for student and nearly examition for university) you can see thousands of students come to Temple of literature to rub the tops of tortoise.

History Museum

5.    Museum of History
Adress: No 1 Pham Ngu Lao street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Tel: (84-4) 38241384
Entry fee is 20,000VND. Opening time 8:00 to 16:30 everyday from Mon to Sun.
National museum of Vietnamese history is situated in the district of Hoan kiem behind the Opera House. The history of Vietnam is showcased here with large displays that cover each and every period. Housed in a colonial French building that got completed in 1932, the museum building was exclusively designed by architect, Ernest Hebrard. He is known to be a successful architecture using a blend of traditional Vietnamese and French colonial architecture, a style known as Indochina architecture. Visitors to this amazing museum are locals as well as tourists. It is worth for visiting and it is vast collection of displays, this historic museum focuses more on the history of Vietnamese people and their lifestyle. This museum is an beautiful display of ancient as well as historic relics of nicely displayed items with some basic descriptions in English to help along the way.

6.    Museum of the Revolution
Adress: 24 Tong Dan street, Hanoi. Entry fee is 20,000VND
Location: it is located in the Tong Dan street and opposite to Vietnamese History Museum

Revolution Museum Hanoi

in the French style architecture area of Hanoi city (or we call French boulouvard). It was established in August 1959 in a two stories building and it was redesigned in 2008 with 30 galleries, it contains in excess of 40,000 historical exhibits, formerly used by the Trade Department of Vietnam. The content is divided into three parts
Part 1:1858 – 1945 which correspond with the French colonialism period. Topic covered are the National liberation movements of the Vietnamese against French troops.
Part 2: 1945 – 1975 with period Vietnam war and the Post-war
Part 3: and since 1975 – now with the social construction of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
As impressive as the range of topics covered is the interior and exterior design of the building, which can be found only in other historic places put up during the eary 20th century.
How to get here:
It takes about 10 – 15 minute walk from the Hanoi Old quarter area. Either you can take taxi, Xe-om or walk down to French architecture area and it is easy to ask people the way to Opera House (Nha Hat Lon in Vietnamese).
7.    Geology Museum
Adress: No 6 Pham Ngu Lao street, Hoan Kiem District.
The Geology Museum or Bao Tang Dia Chat narrates the stry of the geologic processes. Most of the explanations here are in Vietnamese though. This museum is  housed inside a beautiful French building that was constructed in early 20th century. The museum displays endless rocks and minerals kept on display. There are also sketchy blurbs that offer basic details for the geo-novice visitors. Moreover, the museum offers multicolored maps which look similar to works of art, offering visual glimpse of the complex geological history and resource lifestyle oof Vietnam. Further, there are also display of sampling of ores gemstones and fossils offering students other than researcher an insight of the extensive collection of practical materials. Many can see rubies too, which are the most abundant gem stone in Vietnam and can be bought at the shop for a reasonable price right next door to the Museum.
8.    Aircraft Museum or Air Force Museum
Address: No. 171 and 179, Truong Chinh Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi. Tel: 04.8522658 : 04.5630630The Vietnam people’s Air Force Museum (Bảo tang phòng không – Không quân in Vietnamese) is on the edge of the disused Bach Mai airfield.
The museum tells the history of the Vietnam People’s Air Force from its formation in 1954 through to the present day. There is a heavy emphasis on its role in the second Indochina War and the Cambodian – Vietnamese War.
The Museum comprise one main building where displayed on the history of the Vietnam People’s Air Force, biographies of Vietnam People’s Air Force aces, uniforms and fightsuits, aircraft weaphonry and engines, items from downed US aircraft and the forward fuselage of a MiG-21. And Museum outsite is a static park with aircraft of Vietnam people’s Air Force including tanks, guns and American airplane which are explained and tell story of victory during the war. Some planes were created by Vietnam people’s Air Force.
It opens  from Mon – Thurs and Sat from 8: to 11 and 13:00 to 16:00. And the entry free is 5,000VND for Vietnamese visitors, 20,000VND for foreign visitors.

B52 - History Museum

9.    B52 Victory Museum
Address: No.157, Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi Tel: 04.8237075 Website: http://www.btlsqsvn.org.vn . It opens from Tues – Sat from 8:00 – 11:30AM and 1:00 – 4:30PM.
The B-52 Victory Museum situated in Hanoi opened in 1998. This museum illustrates the Hanoi people’s victory and about the armed forces over the US strategic B-52 air raid held in late December 1972. Whether the display is of the scrap heap of giant tires, pieces of wing poking out or of engine parts, the museum takes one back t the usage of powerful artillery by the US military against Vietnam.
Moreover, this museum displays two surface to air missiles, Soviet made MG fighter and an entire room that is devoted to prisoners of the war. One can find photos, mental battle days and the victory along with the cunning and creative resources in the struggle of the People against the American empire. The section includes geographic and physical sand table,  sound and light systems, documentaries, models and smoke, bringing Hanoi’s 12-day and night air defence campaign in late 1972 to life. This museum is worth visiting for any tourst whilst in Hanoi, who interested in history can visit this museum.

Military History Museum

10.     Vietnam Military History Museum (or known by the name “the War or Army Museum)
Address: 28A Dien Bien Phu street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Tel: (+84 4)  3733 4682
The Vietnam Military History Museum (Bảo tàng lịch sử Quân Đội in Vietnamese) the first opening is on 22nd December 1959 on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of establishment of Vietnam People’s army.
It is considered as one of the seven national museums in Vietnam. It has an impressive collection of war relics charting the struggle of Vietnam for liberation.

 

Hanoi Opera House

11.    Hanoi Opera House (Nhà Hát Lớn Hà Nội in Vietnamese)
The Oprea house is stading as the architectural, cultural and political symbol in central Hanoi. It was built under colonial administration of the French between 1901 to 1911.
It was modeled on the oldest opera house of Paris, the Palais Garnier. The opera house is considered to be one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi. It is not only the venue for art performances, but also a popular destination for tourists and visitors to enjoy the historical architecture of almost 100 years. It is the largest theatre in Vietanm and has always been one of the favorite haunting grounds for those who love theatrical performance, traditional music, songs, symphonies, classical opera and opera.
Opera House is located in French quarter. History Museum, Hoan Kiem Lake, Sofitel Metropole, Hilton Opera Hotel situated near Opera House.

12.    Quan Thanh Temple (Đền Quán Thánh in Vietnamese)
Address: The corner of Quan Thanh Street, Thanh Nien street Near West Lake
Quan Thanh temple built in 11th Century, the temple was dedicated to Xuan Wu or Trấn

Quan Thanh Temple

Vũ in Vietnamese, one of the principal deities in Taoism Who is one of the Four Sacred temples of the capital including Bach Ma temple (Hang Buom street) in the East, Voi Phuc temple in the West, Kim Lien temple in the South, Quan Thanh temple in the North.
Quan thanh temple is located the end of Thanh Nien street on the left hand of Ho Chi Minh museum.  Quan Thanh is attractive tourist places because of structure, culture and history.
Quan Thanh temple has been renovated several times, most recently in 1893. Architecture is a mixture of the many different styles of the imperial era. The main furtures of Quan Thanh temple are a large yard shaded by a giant bayan tree and a shrine that contains that famous bronze statue Tran Vu.
For more information of Quan Thanh temple you can find in link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qu%C3%A1n_Th%C3%A1nh_Temple

Tran Quoc Pagoda

13.    Tran Quoc pagoda (chùa Trấn Quốc)
Address: Thanh Nien road, Tay Ho district, Hanoi.
Opening everyday from Mon to Sun from 8:00 to 18:00
The Tran Quoc pagoda is situated on an island to the east of West lake. This pagoda is a remarkable place worth visiting for any tourist as it has a history of 1500 years. It known to be an oldest pagoda with highest tower in Hanoi, the architecture is a beautifully done. This place is a popubar sacred place of Buddha, an attraction for many Buddhist devotees as well as visitors.
In 1989, this pagoda was recognized as a historical monument to the national culture. As years passed, the site has been renovated many times and presently is surrounded by modern amenities like shops, otels, restaurants… The historic place is situated on a single island of biggest freshwarter lake in Hanoi (West Lake).
This pagoda is a must visit place while you are visiting Hanoi for any tourist with family and friends.
14.    Fine Arts Museum (Bảo Tàng Mỹ Thuật in Vietnamese)
Address: 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc street, Hanoi.
Opening time: Opened from Tues to Sun time from 8:30 to 17:00. Entry fee is 20,000VND (1US$). It is just cross the street from back wall of the Temple of Literature. For more information you can visit their website: http://www.vnfam.vn/index.php?lang=en
The Fine Arts Museum is housed in a building with two floors of exhibition with planty of

Fines Art Museum

artworks from Vietnam and foreign country and two floor for new wings with selling art and souvenir and display costumes and decorative arts of Vietnam’s ethnic group. It is served as the French ministry of information. The structure and form is very classical.
The ground floor of the main wing houses the oldest artifacts. These include tha sandstone sculptures of the Champa and Funan kingdams. The best reason to visit Fine Art Museum is the evolution of lacquer as a fine art in Vietnam. In the first floor there is one of the largest and most impressive works is the “One thousand Eye, One thousand arm Guan Yin”.  In the last rooms on the first floor contain lacquer Buddha images from the late 18th century.
On the second floor that is changing from sculpture to painting. In the early 20th century, the works are very impression with oriental touches.
On the first floor of New wings, there are some galleries lining the walkway selling art and souvenir.  On the second floor displayed the costumes and decorative arts of Vietnam’s various ethnic groups.