{"id":9232,"date":"2016-08-22T12:24:52","date_gmt":"2016-08-22T11:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/?p=9232"},"modified":"2023-01-26T17:23:33","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T17:23:33","slug":"5-unusual-experiences-vietnams-hanoi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/5-unusual-experiences-vietnams-hanoi\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Unusual experiences in Vietnam’s Hanoi"},"content":{"rendered":"

Along with much of the country, Vietnam\u2019s capital city, Hanoi, has become a booming destination to travel to.\u00a0But where do you go in a city with so much to offer? Well, trying some of the more unexpected delights Hanoi boasts is a sure way of coming home with some lasting memories. We\u2019ve gathered five\u00a0of the best.\"Tran<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

1. Eat fresh street food<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Eating in one of Hanoi\u2019s many food stalls is a must when visiting the city. With so much choice on offer, we recommend choosing local specialities such as pho noodle soup or bun cha (pork with rice noodles). The best stalls often attract a gathering of locals, so don\u2019t be put off by the crowds. Just pull up a toy-sized stall and join in.<\/p>\n

For those who are feeling more adventurous, you can try a meal at Snake Village. This involves choosing a snake, haggling a price and watching it \u2018prepared\u2019 in front of your eyes. The animal\u2019s bile, blood and sometimes the beating heart are served in shot glasses, before the rest of the snake is taken into the kitchen. You\u2019ll be presented with numerous traditional dishes, made with the entire snake.<\/p>\n

See our Hanoi street food tour<\/a> and read about Melissa’s foodie extravaganza throughout Vietnam<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"27520488916_b6ba086235_k<\/p>\n

\n

2. Drink great coffee<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking for tastes a bit closer to home, they take coffee extremely seriously in Vietnam and grow their own crop in many parts of the country. The Secret Traveller suggests ordering \u2018ca phe sua da\u2019, iced coffee with milk, and names Hanoi as one of eight cities with the best coffee<\/a>. You can also have coffee with yogurt, coffee with egg or a coffee smoothie. Take your pick.<\/p>\n

\"P1070114-3476359119-O<\/p>\n

\n

3. Relax with spa treatments <\/strong><\/h2>\n

The city\u2019s motorcycle-packed streets can be overwhelming at times, so it\u2019s worth checking out the calmer side of Hanoi. Peace and quiet can be found in the small massage shops sprinkled throughout the city. What\u2019s more, prices are very reasonable. Even in the more comprehensive spa centres, the low cost of most treatments makes them hard to resist.<\/p>\n

\"vi-spa-2\"<\/p>\n

\n

4. Listen to jazz music<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The karaoke bars in Hanoi draw in tourist crowds \u2013 if this is something you fancy,\u00a0be wary of unexpected costs. It\u2019s best to ask for the price upfront.\u00a0But picking up the microphone isn\u2019t going to be for everyone, so to see how the professionals do it, we recommend going to Minh’s Jazz Club. It attracts locals and tourists alike, and is a great place to see live music.<\/p>\n