Gà Tần Hàng Cót (Hàng Cót’s Simmered Chicken)  

Simmered chicken, until now, is still an unforgettable dish to all Hanoians. Simmered chicken has been there with all generations living in this capital. From the time when they were very little, they have been taken to simmered chicken shops by their parents to taste a wonderful dish for the first time in their lives. Simmered chicken is a very special dish. Despite most people usually have the dish in winter, some still love to eat it around the season, simply because they love it!

Simmered chicken is very sophisticatedly made with around ten different ingredients which are mostly Chinese traditional medicinal herbs. In the past, most people wanted to make simmered chicken would have to go to Chinese traditional herb shops to buy the ingredients. However, until recently, the development of the industry has made it much easier by putting all the needed ingredients in small packs and sell them in most grocery stores. Nevertheless, if everyone could make it and make it good, then simmered chicken shops as in Hàng Cót would no longer exist.
What makes it so special about gà tần Hàng Cót is probably how the ingredients are bought, carefully selected and seasoned. If you are looking for a taste that will change your view of Asian cuisine, just spend some time dropping by Hàng Cót. You can have normal simmered chicken or black simmered chicken (gà ác tần) or eat them with noodle (mì gà tần, mì gà ác tần).

Address: #12C Hàng Cót Street, Hòa Kiếm District, Hanoi

Hoa Quả Dầm Hàng Cót (Hàng Cót’s Mixed Fruits)

Mixed fruits, what a lovely snack that most people would love to enjoy when they want treats to comfort their mouth. Mixed fruits are something very special to Asian people, especially Asian girls! In the past, people would mostly catch sight of a group of girl students after school talking and eating mixed fruits. Until now, mixed fruits are still a treat in favor of most teenagers for its sweet and sour taste with a little bit of chili that will easily get you addicted! You can choose from hundreds of flavors that you want. However mostly, people would choose mango, dracontomelum and plum flavors.

Address: Thủy Khế’s mixed fruits shop, 10 Hàng Cót Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Hoa Quả Dầm Ngọc Thạch Quán (Ngọc Thạch Quán’s Mixed Fruits)

You should also pay attention that there are two kinds of mixed fruits. The first one is the mentioned above, which is mostly in packages. The second kind is also in favor of lots of people. The fruits are altogether mixed in a bowl of cream sauce and coconut oil with different kinds of with white bubbles (trân châu trắng) as in bubble milk tea. For this kind of mixed fruits, it would be recommended that you go to Ngọc Thạch Quán in Tạ Quang Bửu Street because it is said to be one of the best shops for mixed fruits of this kind in Hanoi. The dish will be a perfect treat in summer. However, if you still want to try it in winter, just go for it!

Address: Ngọc Thạch Quán, 101 K5 Bách Khoa Ward, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi

5. Khoai Lang Xí Muội Hàng Cót (Hàng Cót’s Salted Dry Fried Sweet Potato)

The first time you discover this treat is also the time that you fall in love with it. It may sound simple to Vietnamese but once you try it, you will probably talk to yourself like: “Oh God, what did I just eat?” because is insanely delicious. Fried Sweet Potato is like a treat that mostly fits for a cold winter in Hanoi. You will love the feeling of walking on the street, enjoying the beautiful old scenery while eating those scrumptious pieces of fried sweet potato. 

The best place for this treat you can find is in Hàng Cót Street, the Big Uncle Shop (Tiệm Chú Mập). Apart from salted dry fried sweet potato, you can also have some spicy Korean tokbokki (bánh gạo cay Hàn Quốc) or cheese mixed tokbokki. Everything is put in the paper bag if you want to take-away so it is quite convenient and eco-friendly.

Address: #12E Hàng Cót Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Hải Sản Hương Kiều (Hương Kiều’s Seafood)

Mentioning of seafood, apart from most big restaurants in the West Lake, Hương Kiều’s Seafood in Hàng Thùng is a good example of fresh and delicious seafood that you can get in the center of the capital. The restaurant also receives positive comments from the customers and rated as a must-visit seafood restaurant in Hanoi.

Address: #18 Hàng Thùng Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Cháo Sườn Tạ Quang Bửu (Tạ Quang Bửu’s rib gruel)

If you are wandering around Tạ Quang Bửu, the rib gruel shop on the street side is definitely a must-visit place if you want to have a taste of this notorious dish of Hanoi. It has been a long time since the shop for the first time sold its first bowl. There is no restaurant and no space for what we call “shop” but only plastic table sets on the street side or sometimes steps of stairs as a place to sit. Well, but people still love it. It is like being back to the past when the simplest thing can be that wonderful. For college students near that area, each afternoon will be the time for a get-together on the side street, gasping for those bowls of hot rib gruel while the stomach is craving for something to digest.

The bowl is the perfect match of each and every single ingredient in the bowl from the chewy meat of rib, the beautiful smell of fennels and the spiciness of pepper. All together create the most delicious treat of winter that you can ever imagine. Rib gruel is the best fit with some sticks of quẩy. You can either cut them in to piece or leave the whole stick. However, the first way is still recommended because it is easier to eat.

Address: #17 Tạ Quang Bửu Street, Bách Khoa Ward, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi

Lutulata – Desserts and Drinks

Lutulata is a very special café shop in the center of the capital. Here in Lutulata, not only can you get the sensation of a relaxing tranquil heaven, you can also soak yourself in the sweetness of all kinds desserts and drinks such as sweeten porridge, sticky rice cake, lotus seed porridge and so on. Most people wanting to find an escape from a hard day will find to Lutulata. The café shop has a great view from the second floor to the street with the evergreen tree and an ancient pagoda. If you are finding yourself a place like this, take some time to drop by Lutulata – the land of dreams and tranquility.

Address: #39 Hàng Cót Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

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

Long Bien Bridge

Constructed from 1899 to 1902, Long Bien Bridge was the first bridge across Red River. At that time, it used to be called “Doumer”, the name of Indochina president - Paul Doumer. If you go there by motorcycle and bike, park your vehicle on the side of Long Bien Bridge, stand there and watch the antique attractiveness of our “historical observer”. Not shiny or modern like other bridges as you may see in Da Nang or Quang Ninh, Long Bien Bridge can lure tourists into the primitive color of rust. Combining with the fierce Red River, the whole scenery may make you feel breathless. Moreover, if you are lucky, sometimes you will be able to see the train pass by and experience a little bit of fear when the bridge vibrates slightly.

 

Address: Cầu Long Biên, Phúc Tân, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội

Hang Dau Booth

In 1894, the French built two booths calls Hang Dau and Don Thuy (located at the end of Dinh Cong Trang street) to provide water for the citizens as well as Western soldiers in the Old Quarter. The tower looks like an ancient fortress constituting three floors, cylinder with 19-meter diameter and 25-meter height. Continuing to explore inside, you will find some stone walls with doors to wander around. Since 1954, Hand Dau booth has been abandoned and turned into a touristic spot in Hanoi. Furthermore, the presence of this water tower appears as an evidence for a historical period of our capital.

Address: Hang Dau booth is located at the intersection of Hang Dau, Hang Than, Quan Thanh, Phan Dinh Phung, Hang Cot and Hang Giay (Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội)

Hanoi Opera House

If Sydney’s symbol is the opera house and Norwegian people are also proud of their opera house in Oslo, Hanoi’s opera house is a must- visit place in our capital. Resembling the model of an Opera house in Paris, this site was constructed from 1901 to 1911 on Trang Tien Street. If there is a classical band or musician arriving in Vietnam, definitely Hanoi opera house will be the place to hold their performance. Recently, Hanoi opera house has cooperated with Institut Francophone International to open a virtual tour around the house combining with the gentle melody of French classical music in 15 minutes, which gives the audience a clearer view about the establishing history as well as the sophisticated architecture of this site.

Address: 01 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3933 0113
Website: http://www.hanoioperahouse.org.vn

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

With the typical features of Gothic style in Europe with high stone walls, dome and lots of windows, for a long time, St. Joseph’s Cathedral has become an ideal place for couples to take wedding photo. Inspired by the design of Notre Dame in Paris, the construction of this site began in 1886. Therefore, this is the oldest church in Hanoi. Inside, the church is sculptured with sophisticated pattern beneath an admirable system of holy pictures on colorful glass. If you are a type of dreamy person, this place will make you feel like a princess living in her antique castle.

Address: 40 Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3928 6350

Dong Xuan Market

Tired of historical sites, then you might be interested in this one - Dong Xuan Market, where you can find almost everything in the world with cheap price if you know how to bargain. Located in the old streets, Dong Xuan market is known as the “stomach” of Hanoi. The history of this area is attached to the establishment and development of Thang Long, which once was the name of Hanoi. Dong Xuan market was built in the middle of 1889 by the French government. Despite the fast pace of modern life, for more than 100 years, Dong Xuan market has still been so lively and always full of customers. Not only is this the most crowded in Ha Thanh (another way to call Hanoi), Dong Xuan market comprises a significant amount of cultural and mental values illustrating divergent lives of old Hanoi people.

Address: Đồng Xuân, Hà Nội

National Museum of Vietnam History

To understand better about the glorious history of Vietnam in general, you should visit National Museum of Vietnam History. National Museum of Vietnam History is one of the oldest museums inheriting the infrastructure of Louis Finot, which was erected in 1926. Visiting the museum, you will be amazed by the grand exhibition through 30- 40 thousand years until today. Not only can you emerge in the solemn atmosphere but you are also able to witness an important part of Vietnam during the colonial period.

Address: No. 1, Tràng Tiền – No. 25, Tông Đản, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Website: http://baotanglichsu.vn

Government Guest House

After passing by National Museum of Vietnam History, you can easily see a grand yellow mansion with Vietnam’s flag held in the front roof. Government Guest House possesses the classic beauty of French architecture, with the symmetrical ground and façade complex resembling authentic European style.

Address: 10 Lê Thạch, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3825 5853

Hoa Lo Prison

If you are a brave person and fond of a terrifying experience, then this prison should definitely be included in your checklist. Hoa Lo prison was held up by French colonists in 1896 called “Central prison” to imprison Vietnamese patriots and politicians during that time. The Vietnamese history says that the Frech colonists applied many savage methods from hitting, locking people in iron cache to sentencing them to death in order diminish the spirit of Vietnamese soldiers. Today, Hoa Lo prison has turned into a touristic spot for who wants to comprehend the difficulties as well as incredible strength of Vietnam to be able to defeat the French colonists.

Address: 1 Hoả Lò, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3934 2253

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel

Constructed in 1901 by two French investors André Ducamp and Gustave-Émile Dumoutier, Metropole is the first 5- star as well as oldest hotel in Hanoi. For a long time, this place has been chosen to be the accommodation of many politicians, movie stars, and famous writers when they visited Hanoi such as Charlie Chaplin, Jane Fonda, George H. W. Bush, etc. Metropole hotel comprises of two main area: the ancient Metropole and the new Opera.

Address: 15 Ngô Quyền, Hoàn Kiếm
Website: http://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/

Cua Bac Church

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

 Address: 56 Phan Đình Phùng, Quán Thánh, Ba Đình
No matter how the French colonists had sabotaged Vietnam, we cannot unrecognized their effort in constructing many impressive sites in Hanoi. Not only do these places help us to attract a substantial amount of tourists but it also represents the glorious past of Vietnamese people in general.

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

Giảng

Giảng, one of the most popular cafés in Hanoi, was named after its founder - Mr. Nguyen Van Giang - a former bartender at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel from 1930 to 1945. After retiring, Mr. Nguyen himself created a new kind of coffee inspired by cappuccino - the egg coffee or “cà phê trứng” - and opened his first shop in 90 Cau Go in 1946. Egg coffee is the concoction of espresso, condensed milk, a little sugar, butter, cheese and egg yolk, resembling a tiramisu in taste. Except for the espresso, all the other ingredients are mixed until they become a lovely creamy foam in a small cup by a bamboo whisk originally – which is now replaced by a stainless steel one or egg beater. The mixture is then poured over the coffee to complete the drink. Giảng offers you two versions of this wonderful beverage - the hot and the cold one. Should you find espresso layer of egg coffee too bitter, try hot egg chocolate – “ca cao trứng” instead. And for you guys who don’t, why not trying all at one time as a coffee cup here is pretty small and may make you feel like having one after another.

 

Address:

• 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
• 106 Yên Phụ, Tây Hồ District, Hanoi

Open – close: daily from 7.30 am to 22.30 pm.

Phone number:

• 04 3294 0495
• 098 9892 298/ 090 3479 032

Price: 15.000VND – 33.000VND ~ Egg coffee: 25.000VND & Egg with Chocolate: 20.00VND

Đinh

Situated on the second floor of a small old house in 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Dinh was named after this street and opened by the daughter of Mr. Nguyen Van Giang - Mrs. Bich in 1984, who was a former high school teacher. This used to be a popular spot for students in the 1900s as the price was pretty cheap while the coffee was delicious and the owners were very friendly. Dinh is still at the same address nowadays and because it is very small while everyone wants to have a seat in the balcony outside, make sure you set off early and don’t come at weekends as it would be very crowded. Last but not least, egg coffee is also Dinh’s specialty but it has a different taste from that of Giang. Try and experience yourself. The coffee shop opens the whole week from 7.00 am to 21.30 pm.

Video shot by Chi Le & Van Duong | Edited by Van Duong

 

Address: Second floor of a bag store, 13 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Open – close: 7.00 am - 21.30 pm (whole week)

Phone number: 04 3824 2960

Price: 12.000VND – 20.000VND ~ Egg coffee: 20.000VND

Nhân

Opened in 1946, Nhân café has been run by Mr. Thi’s family for decades. Starting out as a meeting place for Vietnamese communist people during the war, Nhân is now a well-known coffee shop with many branches, but the most popular one is still that in Hàng Hành. Famous for its self-roasted coffee bean, Nhân café will definitely please even the most punctilious drinker.

Address:

• 39D Hàng Hành, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
• 9 Láng Hạ Street, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
• 143 Nguyễn Thái Học, Ba Đình District, Hanoi

Open – close: 8.00 am – 22.30 pm

Phone number: 098 4444 254 (39D Hàng Hành, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi)

Price: 25.000VND - 50.000VND
[endd-div]

Open – close: 7.00 am – 22.00 pm

Phone number:

• 04 3822 7751 (1)
• 04 3822 9653 (2)
• 04 3822 7713 (3)
• 04 3822 9652 (4)

Price: 34.000VND – 100.000VND

That's all about the beauty of the five Vintage Coffee shops in Hanoi. They always stay in all Hanoians' hearts. How about Saigon - the country's largest city. To see all the Vintage Coffee Shops in Saigon, click here

The post Hanoi’s Oldest Coffee Houses appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

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