Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and rich Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influenced culture.
At its heart is the chaotic Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade, also known as the 36 Streets, a collection of small scale artisan villages evolved into craft guilds, and the streets were named after the products they made. Besides, there are many famous temples and pagodas to visit, including The Temple of Literature, the first national university of Vietnam, constructed 1,000 years ago in the 11th century. There is also the Đồng Xuân Market, where tourists can buy street food or household goods. Visitors seeking a thrill can visit the “train street,” and feel the rush of a train blazing past their coffee shop as they enjoy the delicious local specialty, egg coffee.
Moreover, Bat Trang Pottery Village is a good place to visit near Hanoi. Located in the southeast of Hanoi, the Bat Trang Pottery Village has been making pottery in the traditional way for over 500 years. According to local legend, Emperor Gia Long gifted the community with a wall plaque honoring Bat Trang for their contribution to the construction of the Imperial City of Hue in the early 1800s. A visitor to Bat Trang can see all kinds of glazed pottery, but in the past the craftsmen specialized in brickmaking. Enjoy a visit to the local museum, and wander around the tight alleys nuzzled behind shopfronts, brimming with pottery, teapots, dinnerware and urns.
