Explore Hanoi
Museums & Galleries
One of the best ways to learn about Vietnam’s rich cultural diversity. A fabulous space and brilliant display. Well worth an afternoon. For sketchers, you can spend a day there, big open grounds, architectural displays, gift shop and large cafe areas.
Love this museum. If you have booked the North East Experience, it is included in your trip. If not, then make the effort to visit this one. You can walk from the Old Quarter and it will take a few hours to view all the floors.
Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
A must see if you love art and wish to learn more about Vietnamese art and artists.
Gallery focuses on the antiques, artifacts and art of Vietnam's 53 minority groups and the Kinh majority people. Textiles, sculptures and objects of worship. The owners are knowledgable about the customs and traditions of Vietnam's ethnic groups and have carried out research which is available for the public in fact sheets at the gallery.
Fine arts gallery. A small and dedicated gallery that works with Vietnamese modern masters located in the centre of Hanoi. Đông Phong Gallery is also a place where many important Vietnamese artists have begun their careers.
Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (VCCA)
A non-profit art center, sponsored by Vingroup, with a mission to connect artists to the community, artworks to the public, and Vietnamese contemporary art to the global arts scene.
An artist run cafe where art exhibitions, talks, workshops, book introductions, movie screenings, music and dance performances all take place. Housed in an elegant turn of the 20th century French villa.
Work Room Four is a multidisciplinary art and design studio based in Hanoi, working in art, design and education.
Cafes
Famous Hanoi Egg Coffee. Think coffee flavoured custard, or zabaglione. Egg yolks are whipped with sweetened condensed milk, and heated with a shot of coffee. Delicious and a must try when in Hanoi.
The Vietnamese Coffee scene is big. A strong theme throughout the country is retro and vintage. Also hidden, or down an alley, or only found because of social media. Generally, go upstairs when you have discovered a hidden gem, the young hipster crowd and digital nomads will be there with lap tops, sitting on the one coffee for hours. A great way to people sketch!
This one is on the itinerary if you are on the North East Experience. If not, check it out! It has a number of levels with different themes, and the view of the iconic Long Bien Bridge is why we visit.
Another cafe with vintage vibes, crumbling walls, groovy floor tiles and cool patinas that is very suited for sketching, journalling and photographing. Our kinda scene.
Food
Bun Cha is a must try dish in Hanoi. Street food, grilled pork, smoky, sweet, savoury and delicious. Served with noodles, a dipping sauce and herbs. There s a famous Bun Cha place that Anthony Bourdain took president Obama too in Hanoi. The table they sat at has been preserved under a glass box.
Bun Dau mam tom is my favourite northern dish. Fried tofu, sliced pork, and delicious rice noodles are dipped into a strong fermented shrimp sauce. Umami, textural, fresh and a delicious street food.
Pho, northern style must be tried when in Hanoi. Give this one a a go. I usually order “dac biet”-special of the day. It comes “mixed” with all the things. Just order Pho Tai if you want the thin sliced beef that gets cooked by the hot broth.
Another famous Northern dish. Cha Ca La Vuong was the first, and now there are many to try. It is fried river fish pieces, marinated in turmeric, served in the fry pan on your table with spring onions and dill, Finish cooking it yourself, and eat with thin round rice noodles (bun), and dip into fermented shrimp paste sauce, roasted peanuts and chilli. Delicious.
Shopping
Chie Dupudupa - Chie ở rừng ở núi
Showcasing ethnic minority textiles and arts.
Art Materials, pens, paper etc.
Phuong Noi Stationery & Souvenir Shop
Its fun to look through stationary shops in other countries.
Gifts and things. Ethnic minority crafts.
Ethnic minority brocade, weaving and crafts. Further out, but worth the visit if you are an enthusiast.
A typical Vietnamese market, well worth the visit.
My favourite market in Hanoi. It is small and easy to sketch in. Not too many tourists, and friendly locals.