Nem Chua Rán Bà Già (The Old Lady’s Fried Fermented Pork Roll)

Staying hidden in the side of Hàng Bông Street, the Old Lady’s is easily missed by most foreigners. With a small hand-drawn sign and not at all highlighted, the Old Lady’s, at first sight, seems to scare a bit. If you are not a meticulous person to notice the sign, the only signal that will tell is an old lady or old man at the entrance of the lane will ask you something like: “Nem chua không em ơi?!!” - Do you want some fried fermented pork rolls my pal? The feeling of entering the small lane (alley) for the first time seems quite scary because it is dark even in the day light but somehow very adventurous. However, when you finally get there, you will find yourself sitting in the tiny room with plain plastic table sets but miraculously fits about 10 people. The place has another back door which opens to the side lane which is another “snack’s heaven”!

About the fried fermented pork rolls, there is nothing you have to worry about because they are absolutely delicious! If compared to Ấu Triệu’s fermented rolls - a popular spot for nem chua, this dish will definitely be better and cheaper! Besides the rolls, the Old Lady’s also offers some other dishes and drinks such as fried fries, cheese sticks, iced tea, and kumquat tea and so on.

Address: #38 Hàng Bông Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Chén Trứng Nướng (Nguyễn Quang Bích’s Fried Eggs)

Nguyễn Quang Bích is well known as the night street of snacks and hotpots. There is also a market that opens late at night which sells mainly fish. On the side of Nguyễn Quang Bích, you will notice a few lines of chairs and tables set on the side of the street and people are sitting there, one side for hotpot and one side for snacks. As soon as you arrive there, just look to the opposite side, you will see a few people are cooking with small stove and grates, just go there and order your food, there will be a menu for you. If you cannot read Vietnamese, you can order these suggested dishes:
The first dish that you must try is small bowls of fried eggs (Chén trứng nướng) which is the specialty of the stall. If you go in a group of two, you can order 4 bowls because they are quite small portions.

The second dish you can order is oyster grilled cheese (Hàu nướng phô mai). The taste is absolutely mouth-watering! You can order 4 of them for 2 people.
The last but not least dish, which you will definitely like, is fried bread with salty chili powder (Bánh mỳ nướng muối ớt). The name may sound “spicy” and slightly creepy but believe me, you will fall for it in no time. The bread is well fried in butter, salted shredded meat and salty chili powder. There are also small slices of sausage to eat along with the bread.

You can also order some parchyrrhizus for dessert and lemon tea for drink.
Address: #24 Nguyễn Quang Bích Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Bánh Gối Gốc Đa (Gốc Đa Fried “Pillow Pie”)

There will only be one place where you can find the finest pillow pie (bánh gối), that is the popular family restaurant Gốc Đa, located in the Old Quarter. Gốc Đa has been selling fried pillow pie for years and despite the space is limited and it looks not-quite-hygienic but you can fully put your trust in the quality of the final dish because the pies are fried in front of your face, you can see the owner frying the hundreds of pie as soon as you stand at the front of the restaurant.

Gốc Đa serves with a wide range of different dishes from pillow pie, fried pie, jiaozi (há cảo) and so on. The cover is crispy and the stuffing is absolutely appetizing and there is nowhere to be found a stuffing as tasty as Gốc Đa’s. The difference that makes the name of Gốc Đa is not only the pie but the mouthwatering sauce. And as people say: “The soul of the dish is its sauce”.

Address: #52 Lý Quốc Sư Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Bánh Tráng Nướng Hàng Tre (Hàng Tre’s Grilled Girdle Cake)

A place where Hanoi’s teenagers usually come every weekend is probably 48 Hàng Tre, where has the well-known grilled girdle cake looking like another version of pizza. The making of grilled girdle cake is very simple but there are so many flavors that you can choose from such as butter, beef jerky or mixing of all kinds. If you go to Hanoi, then Hàng Tre’s girdle cake is a dish that you must try at least once!
The restaurant is not too big but there are two floors. Most of the time, the owner will ask you to go through a small lane to the second floor because it is cleaner and there are small table sets which fit three people. The price is also very cheap and competitive so you can enjoy your dish to the fullest!

Address: #48 Hàng Tre Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Address 2: A17 Tạ Quang Bửu Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi

Nộm Long Vi Dung (Long Vi Dung’s sweet and sour grated salad)

Sweet and sour grated salad or also known as “nộm” in Vietnamese is an absolutely delicious treat that you must never ever forget to try when setting foot to Hanoi. The Old Quarter is indeed a heaven for snacks in the capital. Here you will find dozens of scrumptious treats but only if you look closer, can you find the best dish! Long Vi Dung’s Nộm is an example. This nộm restaurant has been in working for such a long time. In the past, it was run by Mr. Long, who is native of China, and the ingredients, as well as the recipe, were brought by him from the country to Vietnam. Nộm at Long Vi or in general is generated from China for a long time and now it has been changed partly to fit with Vietnamese’s appetite. After Mr. Long passed away, the restaurant was passed on to his son and the flavor is still stay the same.

The dish is a harmonizing mix of papaws, carrots, fennel and different kinds of beef and jerky. Again, the soul of the dish is still the sauce, which is mixed together with all the ingredients to create the most unforgettable taste that one can find. The restaurant is relatively small but there are always so many customers so sometimes you will find yourself sitting on the side of the street with the same plastic table sets, except for the table is now replaced with a plastic chair and a metal tray. Well, but that is just the thing that creates the unique street-eating style of Hanoi! Besides nộm, you may be interested in bánh bột lọc, a kind of cake with a transparent cover made of flour and mixed stuffing of mushrooms, chopped pork and small shrimps. The place also serves fried fermented pork rolls and iced tea (trà đá), lemon tea (trà chanh) and kumquat tea (trà quất) in case you are interested.

Address: #23 Hồ Hoàn Kiếm Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Mỳ Vằn Thắn Đinh Liệt (Đinh Liệt Street’s Vằn Thắn Noodle)

Đinh Liệt Street in the Old Quarter is definitely another place you should drop by if you are a noodle lover. Vằn thắn noodle in Đinh Liệt has been so popular for such a long long time since the time of our parents, they have gone there hundreds of times just to have a bowl of noodle. It even used to be a dating place for former generations in our city! Having a taste of vằn thắn in the middle of the winter is somewhat an indescribable feeling.

Usually, in other vằn thắn restaurants, they will only offer normal vằn thắn bowl in which the noodle is soaked in bouillon; but at Vằn Thắn Đinh Liệt, you will find another dish known as dried or mixed vằn thắn noodle dish in which the noodle is mixed with a very special sauce. The first time tasting this dish, most people also bear the same question in mind of what ingredients is this sauce made of; but of course, it is the restaurant confidential information!

Address: #9A Đinh Liệt Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Dong Xuan market

Established since Nguyen dynasty, Dong Xuan is known as one of the oldest markets in Hanoi. Therefore, tourists normally visit here to peep into the corridors of history rather than for shopping purpose. This market is quite large with hundreds of small shops along its narrow idles, which enables it to serve different needs of customers from clothes, toys, household utilizes to traditional silk. Moreover, we recommend you visit Dong Xuan market with an empty stomach or else you will miss the chance to taste much typical and appetizing food of Hanoi such as bun cha, sweet tea, pho, etc.

Address: at the end of Hang Dao- Hang Ngang- Hang Giay Street
Opening hours: 7am- 6pm

Long Bien wholesale market

Long Bien wholesale market used to rank in top five most interesting markets in South East Asia by Gobackpacking magazine. As the largest wholesale market in Hanoi, notwithstanding hot or cold, rain or dry weather, we can never see a day-off at this place. Different from others, Long Bien market ignites its lively atmosphere from 11 pm until dawn, when traders start to move to another part of the city. Products sold in this area are the most divergent in Hanoi as they are imported from plenty of different places like the Hanoi suburb, the South or even China.

Address: Hồng Hà, Phúc Xá, Ba Đình

Quang Ba flower market

If you are a nocturnal person then this suggestion would match you perfectly. As one of the most famous night markets, not only does Quang Ba flower market provide fresh flowers for the whole city but it also represents a cultural charm of Hanoi at night. The market looks like a huge flower garden with various kinds such as rose, orchid, daisy and even some rare ones that you might never know before. Opening all year but if you want to visit this place, you have to wait until midnight; however, not until 2-3am does the market truly exposes its characteristic- vibrant, gorgeous and appealing with full of buyers. To be able to find the best flower, you should carry along a flashlight.

Address: Quang Ba flower market, Âu Cơ, thôn Bắc, Nhật Tân

Hom market

Beside Dong Xuan, Hom market has also been constructed for an excessively long time. Compared to the small size in the part, now Hom market has the capability to satisfy any housewives from clothes, silks, and bags to dry food, sweets, fresh food, spices, and especially seafood, which is carefully selected to guarantee the quality standard. Not only inside but outside the gate, there is a variety of street vendors that you can buy stuff for your family without entering the gate. Nevertheless, if you are not used to purchasing things in Hom market, you should be active in bargaining, particularly clothes or else you will lose money for nothing.

Address: Phố Huế, Ngô Thì Nhậm

Hang Be market

Through hundred years, Hang Be has been an indispensable part of Vietnam capital. For an authentic Hanoian, Hang Be market is a place for socializing, a cultural space of people in the old quarters. Moreover, thanks to its location, people usually feel that food here holds better taste than other places, which maybe is just a subjective perspective and no longer correct but it has deepened into Hanoi people’s mind. After centuries, Hang Be still remains the same discipline as the old days. Every morning, small shops are held up and when the sun disappears, everyone collects their stuff and comes home. Each one has their own space that has been decided together in advance that never in this market could we observe an infringement case between vendors for a trading area.

Address: Hàng Bè, quận Hoàn Kiếm

Buoi market

Located at the intersection of Hoang Hoa Tham and Buoi street, Buoi market is well- known for its distinctive products – plants and pets. Although through times, the simplicity and ease of this market have diminished somehow, it still remains as one of the oldest market fairs that exists until today in the middle of Hanoi. At present, this place has been elevated to become a modern shopping mall with a variety of products. However, to maintain and hold the antique beauty of the old Buoi, behind the shopping mall, there comes a small piece of land to trade seedling and pets.

Address: 743 Hoàng Hoa Thám, Vĩnh Phúc, Ba Đình

Green house market

Among all the markets we have told you until now, this is the youngest one, a market for students – Green house market. Located close to lots of schools and universities in the area, the market is always filled up with lots of students from dawn till dusk so even you are busy with your work, you can visit this place anytime as it opens all day. To suit different tastes of students, products here are divergent and easy to buy, nonetheless, be careful with low- quality or error ones. People are often overwhelmed by the heterogeneity of things to choose.

Address: Phan Văn Trường, Khu tập thể Đại học Sư phạm, Dịch Vọng Hậu, Cầu Giấy

Nghia Tan market

One more market youngster is Nghia Tan Market, one of the most prominent and favorable cuisine center in Hanoi. At this place, you would feel like being lost in a paradise of food with a sensible price. The special thing here is that each season you visit, it would give you completely brand new flavor. For instance, in summer, you will have the chance to taste many kinds of fresh and cool beverages such as tao pho, Sai Gon sweet tea, cold drinks and fresh fruit. Especially, a distinctive dish of Nghia Tan market that you should not overlook is Vietnamese bread serve on a frying pan, which definitely brings you an unforgettable memory. we suggest you should pass by this appetizing market during the noon to midnight as not until then does this place really emerges into its regular hectic style with lots of attractive food.

Address: 2 Nghĩa Tân, Khu tập thể Nghĩa Tân, Nghĩa Tân

Hanoi flea market (Hoa Binh market)

Existed for more than half century, this is the oldest flea market in Hanoi comprising lots of mysterious and strange goods that you can never find anywhere else. As a result of the subsidy period, for official goods, you have to purchase coupons or stamps in advance or else for non- official or even stolen things, these will be sold outside on the pavements or temporary shops. If this is the first time you have ever been here, you will easily get lost as this market is designed as a maze with hundreds of tiny shops selling nearly everything on Earth, especially for rare goods such as antiquated things, you just need to ask the seller beforehand and they will able to get it for you.

Address: 33 Thịnh Yên, Phố Huế

Banana market on Red Riverbank

Talking about float markets, everyone will definitely think about the famous Cai Rang in Can Tho or some others in Cuu Long province. However, right in the center of Hanoi, next to the gorgeous Red River, on Ham Tu Quan street, hardly does anyone, even Hanoi people, know about the existence of a floating market selling a typical fruit of our tropical country- bananas. This market is one of the largest banana suppliers for Hanoi, with many boats, weighted up to tons and full of bananas arriving every day. Although selling bananas is not a tranquil job at all, scarcely could you find a man but only women.

Address: Ham Tu Quan street, at the south part of Chuong Duong bridge
How to get there: when you arrive at Ham Tu Quan street, you have to pass by a restaurant’s parking area to reach the destination

Binh Minh Jazz Club

Away from the hectic atmosphere of our capital city, you can find Binh Minh Jazz Club tucked behind the Opera House. Known as a legendary place for jazz lovers in Hanoi, this is a place to catch live jazz music performed by talented musicians, especially the jazz artist Quyen Van Minh, who has traveled around the world to perform. Normally, the live performance would take place between 21:00 till 23:30 every night.

Address: 1 Trang Tien, Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Rail hamlet

At the end of crowded Kham Thien Street intersecting with Le Duan, there is a small street with the only 500m in length but it possesses unique and bizarre characteristics. That street is called “Rail hamlet”. You might be curious what is so special about this tiny hamlet that we have to mention it. Well, like no other places, the origin for the name is thanks to the existence of a railway cutting through this hamlet. Regardless of the fact that this might be one of the most dangerous places to live in the world due to train accident’s threat, many households have lived here for decades. Within just 500m, you will be amazed by the lively combination among the antiqueness, the modernity, and the diversity in the design of houses here.

For more photos of the Railway residents, click here

Address: along the railway at the intersection of Kham Thien and Le Duan Street

Middle warp of Red River

If you are looking for the inner peace of your soul, this place is definitely a perfect match. Although the middle warp is the home of many poor fishermen and households along Red River, the difficulty in living condition cannot diminish its natural beauty. Slowly riding a bicycle or walking along Long Bien bridge, you are able to see many poetic sceneries such as an immense cornfield, green plants, small fishing boats and white sandbank. Furthermore, sunset in middle warp is outstanding, which gives you a totally different feeling from watching this on a beach. The gradual disappearance of sunshine along with familiar smell of smoke from straw burning will bring a warm and intimate atmosphere that can hardly be explained.

How to get there: From Long Bien bridge, there is a small stair leading to the middle warp. This stair is mainly used for pedestrians, however, bicycle and motorbike can still go through.

Le Mat Snake village

Situated in Long Bien quarter, since 1054, which belonged to Ly Thai Tong dynasty, Le Mat village has been famous for raising cobra. These cobras are kept inside cement storages that are taken care of in a careful manner. Notwithstanding the perilousness, this business offers huge economic benefit for people here. Cobras after processing can be used in different ways such as mixing it with alcohol, cooking many delicious dishes, etc.

Address: Lệ Mật Street, Việt Hưng, Long Biên, Hà Nội

O Quan Chuong

Being the last entrance left of the old Thang Long (another name of Hanoi in the past), not only does O Quan Chuong contain ancient beauty in architecture but it also marks the glorious history of our capital. In the past, O Quan Chuong was one of five entrances used to enter Thang Long, opened during daytime and closed by night. Each door was always guarded to prevent invaders and fire. Opposite to this antique site, you can easily find a small shop selling “bun oc nguoi” (a type of Vietnamese traditional snail noodles) that I guarantee this is the best place to enjoy this significant dish.

Address: 15-17 Ô Quan Chưởng, Đồng Xuân, Hà Nội

Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural

Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Road was built and completed in 2008 to celebrate 1000 – year anniversary of Thang Long- Hanoi. Recognized by UNESCO as the longest ceramic road in the world, this construction started in 2007, with nearly 7000 m2 width and 4km length. The ceramic road has attracted a significant amount of participants including 20 national and 15 international artists from different countries in the world, not to mention more than 100 local artists, 500 citizens, students, children, etc. Illustrating various delightful topics such as capital through different dynasties, “Hanoi- the city of peace”, modern arts, etc. Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Road undoubtedly will make visitors unable to take their eyes off these walls.

Take a look at the road in one minute via this video:

Address: Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Road runs along the road of Âu Cơ, Nghi Tàm, Yên Phụ, Trần Nhật Duật, Trần Quang Khải, Trần Khánh Dư and terminates at the pier of the Long Biên Bridge. (Wikipedia)

West lake flower valley

Have you ever dreamt of immersing yourself in a field full of lavenders such as in Provence (France) or tulips in Keukenhof (Netherlands)? Then visiting West lake flower valley, maybe your dream will no longer be a fantasy. This area contains massive kinds of flowers originated not only locally but also internationally. Once you have entered this valley, I bet that you can hardly resist the temptation of flowers’ aroma and their gorgeous appearances.

Address: 3 Nhật Chiêu, Nhật Tân, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội
Opening hours: 7 AM- 10 PM

More Hanoi Secret Destinations here

Cua Bac Church

Cua Bac Church is a Roman Catholic church constructed by the French colonist in 1932. The site constitutes the uniqueness of French architecture, which creates an unforgettable mark whenever people visit here. Designed by Ernest Hébrard – a French architect, Cua Bac Church was built with an asymmetric style, which is totally different from the normal design of other cathedrals built during this time. Moreover, thanks to the harmonic designs between Eastern and Western culture, Cua Bac Church is highly evaluated as a typical model of European and Vietnamese style’s combination.

Address: 56 Phan Đình Phùng, Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Hanoi Creative City

If you have been fed up with historical sites, this suggestion might light up your day. Hanoi Creative City is a modern complex for young people with many types of entertainment such as game center, fashion shops, colorful restaurants, etc. To meet the need of young customers, this place also creates various areas for taking pictures with a creative arrangement and design.

Address: 1 Lương Yên, Bạch Đằng, Hà Nội
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 10PM

Tranquil Books & Coffee

Tranquil Books & Coffee is not only a romantic place for couples but it is also a favorite stop for “worm- books”. Exposing itself by the name, Tranquil possesses an impressive amount of books that can satisfy different preferences. The café is situated in an ancient French “Maison”, which is not too large but the brilliant architecture here creates many spaces for reading that you might be surprised to see. Enjoy a cup of coffee, listen to the gentle melody of old music,, and read a romantic novel! All of this can bring you relaxing moments after a stressful week.

Address: 5 Nguyễn Quang Bích, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Opening hours: 8 AM – 11 PM

More destinations for a good cup of coffee here

1. Tràng Tiền Lane

The gorgeous Sword Lake and the beauty of the old quarter seem to overwhelm almost all the locals and tourists that they hardly notice a small lovely lane hidden inside the quarter. Many of us – young girls and boys love to call this lane the supermarket one, as it offers you nearly all the must-try street foods in Hanoi, with such a well-known stand serving Bún đậu mắm tôm - tofu & shrimp paste noodles and a sweet bakery shop just as its name “Floating butter cake” – “Bánh bơ bồng bềnh” at the end of the lane. Abandoning itself from the noisy, crowded streets outside, “Tràng Tiền Lane” is not only an escape from the bustle Hanoi but also a paradise for food lovers. The lane is busiest at noon when the well-dressed employees of all modern offices nearby swarm here, sit on cheap plastic chairs, let their hair down after hard working hours.

Address: Tràng Tiền Lane, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

2. Hang Dau’s Water tower

You may mistake this construction for a prison, which is built in the form of a closed cylinder with worn out and tall wall giving people a feeling of sorrow. It is, however, one of the oldest water towers of Hanoi, officially out of order in 1960 after 66 years providing fresh water for the city. Constructed in 1894, even before Long Bien bridge, the 1.250 m3 water tower is popular with Hanoians for many generations, becomes a beholder of all the capital’s changes. In 2010, Hang Dau’s Water tower experienced a reformation but remains its outlook and most of the internal systems till today.

Address: Hàng Đậu St, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

3. Đinh Cafe

Housed in an ancient French villa, this coffee shop is a time machine taking you back to the old days of Hanoi!

If you are a coffee lover and want to visit Hanoi's Oldest coffee shops like Dinh Cafe, you should read our previous article:

https://www.mazevietnam.com/2017/07/06/hanois-oldest-coffee-houses/ 

Address: 13 Đinh Tiên Hoàng St, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

4. Long Biên Market

Bustle, crowded, hurried – it is what you will find in the early morning shift of Long Bien market. As almost all the people of the city are sleeping soundly, merchants from different regions arrive in the market, start a day by loading cartons of fruits and seafood, bargaining, selling and packaging goods. In the usual cold misty weather of Hanoi from midnight to about 4 am, the market is always wet, the paths are slippery, and the atmosphere is the blend of many smells also noises. It is, therefore, highly recommended that you wear boots and not stop for too long at any stands or take photos without permission as you will get scolded by the Vietnamese that you hardly make sense!

Address: Hồng Hà, Phúc Xá, Ba Đình, Hanoi

6. Bird Cafe

Raising pet birds is quite popular in Vietnam – you come across cages everywhere, beautiful, old, vintage-looking bird cages, with gorgeous little-feathered creatures sitting inside. Enjoying the enchanting voice of such lovely birds while sipping a cup of dark coffee or a condensed milk iced one is the perfect way to start a day for many lots of bird lovers. Lying by Thiền Quang lake, which was once called Halais lake, this bird cafe needs no signboard but serves dozens of drinkers each day. People come here, bring along their birds, turn the cafe into a meeting spot for all bird lovers and somehow an amazing concert every morning! All kinds of birds but mainly the white-eye ones with beautiful voices seem to sing a blended melody, just like a natural masterpiece standing out in the bustle, crowded city life. The cafe opens daily but is busiest on weekends between 8 am to 10 am. Do come by to experience the two most local habits of Hanoi people which you could hardly find elsewhere!

Address: T-section Trần Bình Trọng – Thiền Quang St, Hai Bà Trưng district, Hanoi

7. Red River Rock – Nhật Tân Flower Garden

Wet tropical climate gives Hanoi a unique biodiversity with dozens of kinds of flowers that blossom all year round regarding four distinct seasons. About 30 minutes driving from downtown Hanoi, the Red river rock, and Nhật Tân flower garden are the best spots to experience the natural beauty of the city. From November to the end of the year, the rapeseed garden of “Bai da song Hong” turns itself into a spectacular sea of bright yellow. Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy a wide variety of seasonal flowers such as roses, cosmos, sunflowers or Cortaderia Selloana flower with fresh color of white. Well-known for its tradition of growing peach blossoms, Nhật Tân flower garden transfers into a sea of punch and magenta by the early January in the lunar month, with all the flowers bloom fully to greet a happy new year!

Address: 264 Lane, Âu Cơ St, Tây Hồ district, Hanoi

Price: 40.000 – 50.000 VND/adult, 30.000VND/child

8. Lệ Mật Village

8 kilometers to the Northeast, “Lệ Mật” is an old village that took its name from a legend passed down for about 9 centuries up to now. In the dynasty of king “Lý Nhân Tông” (1128), there was a strong and brave man with extraordinary skills in catching snakes and aquatic monsters. The legend told that one day, as the princess was cruising on Thiên Đức river (part of Đuống river today), an ogre in the shape of snake attacked her and disappeared. Grieving for his daughter’s death, the king announced to award whoever bringing back her body to him. After fighting bravely against the monster, the young man defeated it. He, however, asked for nothing but a land for his people to settle up. Since then, the village was set up and keeps the tradition of raising snakes till nowadays. Moreover, “Lệ Mật” has many unique constructions such as pagodas, temples, gates and lots of grand trees; delicacies all from the snake, varying from stirred, fried to grilled. The village’s festival is held annually on 23/3 in the lunar month, which is April in the solar month.

Address: Lệ Mật village, Việt Hưng, Long Biên District, Hanoi

9. Al Noor Mosque

Situated on a quiet street of the old quarter, Al Noor Mosque-the Enlightening is just like a marble castle in the city’s heart! Built in 1885 by the Indian community from Bombay (now Mumbai, India), the masjid was designed in the typical Islamic style, with a dome, the curved doors, and the pinnacle, and officially put into use 5 years later as the only place for believers in northern Vietnam. There are 5 prayer times a day: Fajr: 04:55 AM; Sunrise: 06:12 AM; Dhuhr: 11:44 AM; Asr: 2:52 PM; Maghrib: 5:14 PM; Isha: 6:27 PM and a holy Friday. Muslims can pray anywhere providing that it is a clean place rather than at the mosque, but on Friday, they do come here to perform their holy pray. Although the grids of the masjid can be closed between prayers hours, you can enter into the premises by the small door located at the left of the main entrance and bear in mind some rules and tips to have a lovely visit without disrespecting the etiquette.

A few things to remember when you come here:

- Remove your shoes before you enter the mosque. The children should remove their shoes too.

- Don’t wear short or sleeveless clothes; women should wear a headscarf or if you do not have one, just ask for it.

- After entering the mosque, wait silently outside until the prayer hours end or go to sit quickly at the back of the mosque, behind the group. Just remember that men cannot sit behind women. And women should sit with the other women.

There are some few more rules but don’t worry, just follow all the above, be quiet and keep the place tidy that you will break no rules!

Address:12 Hàng Lược St, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

10. Binh Minh Jazz Club

Binh Minh Jazz Club's owner is a well-known Vietnamese saxophonist Quyen Van Minh. He opened up this place for people who love jazz or simply want to learn more about jazz. It is located behind Hanoi Opera House, so it might not be too difficult for you to find. It offers local and international live jazz, good foods, and drinks.

Address: No.1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Website: http://minhjazzvietnam.com/