Activities & Things to do in Hanoi
Hanoi offers good environment for active and enjoyable vacations. There are beautiful parks that are suitable for hiking and sports. There are also vibrant marketplaces, sophisticated shopping centers, excellent entertainment venues, and nightclubs. Ho Tay Lake Water Park is a beautiful location for those who enjoy water activities. It is well-known for its captivating attractions. Huge pools with crystal-clear water, a profusion of colorful slides and pleasant places to relax, well-equipped children’s playgrounds and an appealing cafe – there is everything you need to have a wonderful day. The water park is next to lake Ho Tay, so after some active days, tourists may wander through a lovely park and appreciate the natural beauty of these locations.
Nola bar is one of the most unconventional entertainment venues. It is not a regular bar because it is also a botanical park, a museum, and a culinary institution. It is an incredible antique structure. Exotic flora and flowers are the primary ornaments of the surrounding environment. There you can also find authentic vintage accessories.
Young and active travelers enjoy the VietClimb climbing wall, where they may have a good time in a large group. Those who can easily win all available rides will be able to arrange trips to the most popular mountain climbing destinations. The floral gardens of Vuon Bach Thao will please nature lovers. It is difficult to discover something as exciting as this in the nation. On the park’s land, there are numerous meandering paths where you can spend hours roaming among the towering trees and examining the unusual vegetation. There is a garden, a gorgeous lake, and a peacock-adorned pavilion.
You can continue to become acquainted with the local flora and wildlife diversity in the Hanoi Zoological Gardens. Monkeys, elephants, and tigers, typical members of the local fauna, are among its occupants. They are surrounded by cages containing ostriches and other “guests” from different continents. Those who want affluent forms of recreation should visit the prestigious King’s Island Golf Center. It is situated in a beautiful region and is well-appointed. A favorite sport played amidst incomparable tropical settings will leave you with several impressions.
Still, many travelers prefer to stroll through local markets and retail malls. At the specialty shop Lacquer and more, you can purchase a wide variety of unique souvenirs featuring intricate ornamental painting. The store Bat Trang Ceramic sells traditional ceramics that is exquisite. The diversity of things at the Dong Xuan Market will undoubtedly amaze you. There you can purchase really exquisite dishes, excellent linens, and home decor, as well as souvenirs created by local artisans.
A lively and welcoming nightclub Bia Hoi was recently built for busy travelers who are not accustomed to ending their day at dusk. This colorful and fashionable eatery is quite popular among beer enthusiasts. It serves excellent beer and numerous branded snacks. The club guarantees its guests an unforgettable evening and great sensations.
Spas in Hanoi
Hanoi has a good number of spas that range from simple yet classy wellness centers in the Old Quarter to fancy and award-winning ones found in 5-star hotels. The spas offer a wide range of conventional massages and body treatments provided by well-trained therapists who are able to easily personalize every session according to your personal wishes.
Evian Spa at Lotte Hanoi Hotel
A lovely design of interior is inside The Evian Spa located in Lotte Hanoi Hotel, making it a very special one. Spas have been part of the culture of Evian since the early 1800s, a town in the French Alps that has natural clean water springs. This hotel’s Evian spa is unique for its use of water from the natural spring and ancient methods of treatment.
The main color used in its interior is white representing purity and beauty like that found in Alpine Scenery and View of Evian. The whole atmosphere in this spa is soothing. You can be sure you will relax when you step in here.
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Le Spa du Metropole at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Le Spa du Metropole is situated inside the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and it offers various beauty, massage and treatment services during your stay in Hanoi. This luxury spa features seven spa suites, therapeutic booths, massage cabins, Finnish sauna, Hammam bath and shower rooms as well as artifacts of high quality music for relaxation with mood lighting.
The spa also offers a broad range of treatments such as facials, massages, manicures and herbals using top-notch Clarins , Laurent Severac essential oils and Ystara blends.
Open: Daily from 10 am to 9 pm
La Siesta Spa at La Siesta Hotel Hanoi
La Siesta Spa at La Siesta Hotel Hanoi is a contemporary wellness center located in the Old Quarter area of Hanoi that provides different facial and body therapies to refresh tourists after a long day of sightseeing in the city. Furthermore this facility is conveniently located near Hoan Kiem Lake making it easily accessible from many tourist attractions and hotels within Hanoi.
La Siesta has separate treatment rooms for men and women or couples with warm-colored walls inside its lovely interior while their therapists are friendly experts who customize each therapy session to suit you. Apart from facials, foot care, scrubs massages wraps on its menu there are four elements based signature treatment packages namely; forest theme package, ocean theme package sky theme package earth theme package.
Open: Daily from 9 am to 9 pm
Anam-QT Spa Hanoi
Known as a refuge for the senses, Anam QT Spa Hanoi offers an oriental feel with its little pavilions that double up as treatment rooms. At one of Vietnam’s oldest luxury spas, certified therapists provide body treatments, aesthetic services and hair care. Apart from individual 1-time appointments the vast spa menu also has packages to maximize your day at the spa.
Open: Daily from 10 am to 7 pm
Marvel Spa & Massage At Marvelous Hotel
Marvel Spa & Massage offers a range of body and foot massages, as well as wraps and scrubs within the Marvelous Hotel & Spa. This spa is proud to use only natural essential oils and substances in its treatments including honey, milk, coffee, and fruit. Marvel Spa & Massage has one-way shuttle service for Hanoi Old Quarter residents who book 60-minute or 100-minute treatments. The Relax treatment which includes a full-body massage, hot pillow, and heated stone foot massage is advisable.
Open: Daily from 10.30 am to 10 pm
O’Spa Hang Dao At Oriental Suites Hotel & Spa
O’Spa Hang Dao in Oriental Suites Hotel & Spa Hanoi is like a modern rainforest with a twist as it combines leather seats, lacquered bamboo columns, wooden and stone floors, and different picture frames of plants. After sightseeing for the day you have an option of a 30-minute upper body massage or opt for the whole package which is offered daily. O’Spa Warming Winter package is the favorite choice on rainy days since it includes a steam bath in traditional pot, hot ginger spice scrub, all natural ginger oil full body massage, paraffin foot wrap and free drinks during the session as well.
Open: Daily from 10 am to 11 pm
Spa by JW at JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi
Adding more charm to your visit at JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi, Spa by JW is a stunning spa lounge that boasts two swimming pools, modern treatment rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer an impressive view of a large lake and the Vietnam National Convention Center. To help you manage stress and reduce pain, this spa offers the 60- or 90-minute Signature Spa by JW body therapy where two massage therapists work together. This is due to the fact that they have professional therapists who give each customer an individual spa session with remarkable services despite the slightly high prices at Spa by JW.
Open: Daily from 9 am to 10 pm
Sante Spa at Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi
The Sante Spa at Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi has a wide range of beauty treatments after a day of exploring Hanoi, primarily focusing on personalised treatments. Moreover, it is known for high-end services, experienced therapists and well-known wellness facilities. It is important to mention that this award-wining spa facility is placed on the third floor of this five-star hotel that prides itself in its provision of luxurious services.
Open: Daily from 9 am to 11 pm
Ciel Spa Hanoi
Ciel Spa Hanoi is an autonomous health retreat just a few minutes’ walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, which offers several types of traditional massages, facials and body treatments. The place has cozy wicker seats, fashionable interior as well as many separate treatment rooms. It is known for its unique Bamboo Massage that infuses the conventional flowing deep tissue massage with heated bamboo sticks differing in sizes – a nice idea to revitalize sore muscles before heading on another tour tomorrow.
Cinemas in Hanoi
- August Movie Theater (Rap Thang 8) (On Hang Bai St, 5 min away from Trang Tien Plaza and the commercial area, such as Pho Hue, Hai Ba Trung and Trang Tien St). 35,000-60,000 dong.
- Megastar, 191 Ba Trieu (On the 6th floor of the Vincom City Towers). The films are quite fresh, arriving possibly one or two months after the United States. Although there are subtitles, the films are not dubbed, so both non-Vietnamese speakers and natives can enjoy them. Sixty thousand to two hundred thousand dong, depending on the film and showing time.
Cooking classes in Hanoi
- EZ Cooking Class, 49 Lane, 49 Huynh Thuc Khang St.
- Hanoi Cooking Centre, 44 Chau Long St (close to Truc Bac lake), +84 4 3715 0088. Cooking school, retail store, and lovely courtyard cafe serving delectable Asian and Western cuisine. Short courses and hands-on culinary instruction in a casual environment.
- Hidden Hanoi, 137 Nghi Tam Rd (aka Duong An Duong Vuong), Tay Ho (On the bund road in the Tay Ho District), e-mail: info@hiddenhanoi.com.vn.Hidden Hanoi offers guided walks and cookery workshops. There are other options available, including a one-hour walking tour of the local market followed by a three-hour cooking session. Menus for cooking classes vary everyday, and additional walking excursions are available. Additionally, language programs and a dancing school are offered in the same building. USD50 per person.
- Vietnam Culinary School, e-mail: hanoiculinaryclass@gmail.com. Facilities are equipped for learning Vietnamese cuisine. A typical day will begin with a trip to the morning market with an instructor to purchase goods for the culinary instruction. The session will be followed by a restaurant supper featuring both your own creations and traditional Vietnamese fare.
