Distance: 3 km
Don your comfiest sneakers for a culture crawl through Ba Dinh. From home-style coffee to temples – this is the home of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, colonial buildings and manic roads that are best explored on foot. Go early to beat the heat.
A. Cong Caphe
Cheeky, urban, hipcat gig parodying the days of red with its military vibe, propaganda splashed walls, Lenin’s edicts and khaki-clad staff. Several branches around town, it’s the Hanoi-ite go-to for local joe and people show.
32 Dien Bien Phu, Ba Dinh, +84 9 1181 1141, 7.30am-10.30pm daily, congcaphe.com
B. Military History Museum
Gain a Viet perspective on the war and admire (or abhor) the range of toys for big boys, including a jet fighter and tank. When you’re done, exit right and turn right into Hoang Dieu to whizz around the UNESCO World Heritage Site Thang Long Imperial Citadel which dates back to the 11th century.
28a Dien Bien Phu, Ba Dinh, +84 24 6253 1367, 8am-11.30am, 1pm-4.30pm Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun, btlsqsvn.org.vn
C. Fine Arts Museum
Superb display of ye olde art, relics and treasures in an equally impressive 1930s colonial-era, former government building. Go for a cultural double whammy by tying it in with a visit to the nearby Temple of Literature.
66 Pho Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh, +84 24 3733 2131, 8.30am-5pm daily, vnfam.vn
D. Temple of Literature
If you get temple-itis easily, forget the rest, just visit the best. Vietnam’s oldest ‘university’ dates from 1070AD and is a series of courtyards with ponds and gardens. It’s a tad confusing and often packed (especially around tet) so book a guide – it’s worth it.
58 Quoc Tu Giam, Van Mieu, Dong Da, +84 438 452 917, 8.00am-5.30pm in winter, until 4.30pm in summer, vanmieu.gov.vn/en
E. Ashima
After a day of gallivanting; come for the warm, nourishing cauldrons of cook-your-own hot pots, not the trappings. Mushrooms are the star ingreds, with over 23 prime varieties flown in from Japan and Korea – plus fresh veg and meat.
21 Dieu Bien Phu, Hanoi, +84 243 7344 600, ashima.com.vn
ManulifeMOVE has no association with any of the landmarks, dining venues, galleries or retailers included within this walking guide, selected by LUXE, and disclaims any liability as to the accuracy, adequacy or reliability of any information contained herein.
Photo Credit: Temple of Literature
