Trang Tien Shopping Mall
Trang Tien Shopping Mall is a high-end shopping mall that is home to many famous international brands, such as Bvlgari, Dior, Zegna and Louis Vuitton. It was originally built in 1901 in the French colonial style design and was renovated in 2013.
In 1960 it was still called “Bach hoa tong hop” and officially became an iconic landmark of Hanoi and thanks to the renovation this iconic landmark regained its former glory and still breaths a sense of style and class.
The shopping mall consists of six floors in where you can find everything you might need. On the first floor you find Apparel and Fashion, second floor Fashion and Cell-phones, third floor Household equipment, Fourth floor Super market and Grocery retailers, Fifth floor Offices and Restaurants and on the Sixth floor you only have Offices.
Trang Tien Shopping Mall is one of the oldest shopping malls in Hanoi and is located on a corner next to Hoan Kiem Lake. Due to its location it can easily be reached from the old quarters and will take you only five to ten minutes to get there by foot. Under the Vietnamese community this shopping mall is known for its history and beautiful architectural design.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09:30-21:30 and Sa-Sun 9:30-22:00
Location: 24 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Map coordinates: 21°01'29.1"N 105°51'11.9"E
Tel: +84 (0)4 3944 9700
Savico MegaMall
Savico MegaMall is the largest commercial centre you can find in Vietnam and is located roughly around five kilometres from the city centre of Hanoi. In this so called MegaMall you can not only shop but there are also entertainment, leisure and dining possibilities available for you.
The construction finished in 2011 and immediately Savico MegaMall gained popularity under the local community. Consisting of three floors and a total area of 60.000m2 this is a true shoppers paradise. You can find here everything from Fashion and Retail to Electronics and Household products.
Besides this there is a wide variety of fast food restaurants available with choices like; KFC, Lotteria, Pizza Hut, Hot wok and so on. If you are particular a fan of seafood you should try the Seafood One restaurant on the third floor as it serves good food with a nice view through the huge glass wall.
When you have children make sure you visit the Mega Fun Centre as here there are many games to play for children. You can also make a visit to the Cinema or Ice skating ring if that is more of your liking. All in all you can have a day of fun here for all your family members.
Opening hours: 09:00-22:00
Location: 07 – 09 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Long Bien District, Hanoi
Map coordinates: 21°03'01.5"N 105°53'36.2"E
Tel: +84 (0)4 6266 8855
Vincom Mega Mall Royal City Thanh Xuan
Vincom Mega Mall Royal City Thanh Xuan is a modern and luxurious, multipurpose, commercial centre that is entirely underground. It has two underground floors that are home to many retail shops but besides this they also have an indoor ice-skating rink, water park and restaurants.
As soon as you enter the main gate of the above ground complex of Royal City Thanh Xuan you will have the feeling you are walking around in an European park. This area has nice fountains, sculpted gardens, sculptures and broad walking paths surrounded by massive apartment buildings.
Upon entering the Vincom Mega Mall you will have the opportunity to shop at one of the many international fashion, cosmetics and jewelry stores on the second floor or have a look at furniture, electronics and appliances on the first floor. During your shopping spree you are probably getting hungry so you can visit their restaurant section which is home to street food from Vietnam & China, and you find Japanese, Korean, European, Barbeque, Thai, Seafood restaurants and several Cafes & Snack bars.
It is also a great place to spend a day with your children as it houses an indoor ice-skating ring, cinema, children games centre and indoor water park. Vinpearl Water Park Royal City is divided into 14 different fun attractions, such as a family pool and children pool, whirlpools, wave pool and thrilling games with up to 12 slides. Fourty five minutes outside the city centre but definitely worth the trip.
Opening hours: 09:30-22:00
Location: 72A Nguyễn Trãi, Khu đô thị Royal City, Thượng Đình, Thanh Xuân, Hànội
Map coordinates: 21°00'11.9"N 105°48'54.2"E
Tel: +84 4 6664 9999
Lotte Center Hanoi
Lotte Center Hanoi is a shopping mall where the latest fashion trends and lifestyle needs can be found, with a broad offer of 250 brands. In this one-stop shopping spot you can find different categories of retailers under one roof and it also provides entertainment and dining possibilities so you can easily spend a half day in here. The first to the sixth floor are specifically tailored with different retail categories which will make your shopping experience a more comfortable one.
On the first floor you find a Hypermarket; the second floor has Imported Fashion, Watches & Jewelry and Cosmetics; third floor Women's Fashion, Shoes & Handbags and Young Cosmetics; fourth floor Young Casual, Jeans & Unisex, Lingerie and Casual Watches; fifth floor Men’s Fashion and Sports & Golf and on the sixth floor you find Home Appliances, Home Living and Baby & Children.
The Lotte Center Hanoi is part of a 65 story building that can be reached from Hoan Kiem Lake by car in around twenty minutes. This high rise building is besides the Lotte shopping center also home to a Hyper market, Hotel, Residential apartments, Restaurants, Gym, Spa and Observation Deck.
So it is recommended to spend some hours here to get the full experience of the place. Make sure you visit the Observation Deck on the 65th floor to have some amazing photo opportunities as it provides stunning panoramic views of the city of Hanoi.
Opening hours: 09:00-22:30
Location: 54 Liễu Giai, Cống Vị, Ba Đình, Hànội
Map coordinates: 21°01'56.1"N 105°48'45.9"E
Tel: +84 4 3333 6000
Lotte Observation Deck Hanoi
Lotte Observation Deck offers beautiful panoramic views of the city of Hanoi as it is located on the 65th floor of the Lotte Center. It is divided into four sections namely being; The Attraction Zone, Welcome Zone, Experience Zone and Romantic Zone. Some things you find in these different zones are the ‘Skywalk’, bamboo road, welcome theatre, Photo zone, view terrace and Sky gallery.
Besides the ‘normal’ panoramic observation deck you also have the chance to make some once in a lifetime pictures in the ‘Skywalk’. The ‘Skywalk’ is a glass section of the observation deck where the floor, walls and ceiling are all made of glass. In the West part of the ‘Skywalk’ you can freely walk around and take pictures as in the East part you can take pictures with 3bird’s eyes view cameras after which you can purchase your picture at the Photo counter.
To visit they make use of different prices depending on your age and time of the day. It is more expensive to visit during the day then in the evening; evening time is considered from 18:30-22:00 (Summer) / 17:30-22:00 (Winter). For people aged between 3-7 years or 65+ the fee is VND 110.000-90.000 (day/night)(US$ 5-4). Aged between 8-19 years, VND 170.000-110.000 (US$ 7-5) and aged between 20-64 you have to pay an entrance fee of VND 230.000-130.000 (US$ 9-6).
Opening hours: 08:30-23:00
Location: 54 Liễu Giai, Cống Vị, Ba Đình, Hànội
Map coordinates: 21°01'56.1"N 105°48'45.9"E
Tel: (84) 04 3333 6042
Vinpearl Land Water Park – Royal city
Vinpearl Land Water Park is, what the name already implies, a water park where young and old can spend a day filled with amusement. The Land Water park is located in the ‘Royal City’ which is a big complex where you find high rise apartment buildings, a shopping mall called Vincom MegaMall, many restaurants and other entertainment and leisure facilities. The buildings are surrounded by an European looking environment with landscaped gardens, fountains, sculptures and walking paths.
Vinpearl Land Water Park is the first and still the only indoor Water Park that Vietnam has to offer. The park is uniquely designed with a combination of tropical wild and modern games systems imported from Europe and Canada. As the park consists of Tropical games and decoration set in a Tropical country the theme of the place is ‘Tropical Jungle’.
Vinpearl Water Park Royal City is divided into 14 different fun attractions, such as a twisted tube slide, superfast tube slide, super highway slopes, diving pool, wave pool, surf pool, sports pool and pool upstream.
The park is located around twenty minutes by taxi from the old quarters or can be reached by taking bus number 01, 02, 19, 21, 22 or 27. The entrance fee is VND 170.000 (US$ 7.5), lockers are available free of charge (deposit VND 50.000-US$ 2) and towels can be bowered for a small fee of VND 30.000 (US$ 1).
Opening hours: 09:30-18:30
Location: 443/72 Nguyễn Trãi, Thanh Xuân, Hànội, Vietnam
Map coordinates: 21°00'11.4"N 105°48'55.2"E
Tel: +84 1900 6677
Bach Ma Temple
Bach Ma Temple is believed to be the oldest temple of Hanoi, it has originally been built in the ninth century by King Ly Thai To to worship Bach Ma. According to a sign inside the temple it was originally built on Long Do mountain but has been moved to its current location in the old quarters of Hanoi. It has been moved here in the 18th century during the Ly Dynasty to guard the east side of Thang Long.
The translation of Bach Ma is ´White Horse´ and refers to the story behind the construction of the Temple. King Ly thai To had been struggling building the temple as it walls kept collapsing and it is said that a white horse delineated the best area to build the temple with its hooves to help the king constructing the temple.
You will enter the temple through some ancient wooden doors after which you will be able to see the beautiful decorated interior and a red-lacquered funeral palanquin. Inside the temple you still find a statue of a white horse, a shrine to Confucius and a Phoenix Altar for offerings to the four seasons. Bach Ma Temple is still actively used by worshippers who come there to burn incense and pray, it is a well maintained small temple that is easily reached and gives a good view of how locals perceive their believe. Entrance is free of charge.
Opening hours: 07:00-17:00
Location: 76 Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hànội, Vietnam
Map coordinates: 21°02'08.5"N 105°51'03.6"E
Tel: +84 4 3860 0963
Ho Tay Water Park
Ho Tay Water Park is located inside the amusement park of West Lake Park, the Water Park is a modern entertainment complex that includes a wide range of water games for all ages. In Ho Tay Water Park you find water attractions like pools, slides and a lazy river, in total there are 10 state-of-the-art water features. Set in a green oasis in the heart of the city of Hanoi you can have a relaxing and cooling experience with your friends and family.
To enter the water park you have to pay an entrance fee of VND 80.000 (US$ 3) if you are below 130 centimetre and VND 150.000 (US$ 6) when you are above 130 centimetre. The Water Park is open from April till November and is closed on Tuesdays. This is a popular destination of Hanoians as well as tourists, so if you have the chance you should visit during the week as in the weekend it can get crowded in here.
As mentioned you also find an amusement park at the same location which has fifteen different attractions and a games zone (Sun and Moon Park). Some of the attractions you can find here include a rollercoaster, pirate ship, UFO, Crazy Wave and a 60 metre high ferris wheel. For the younger children you will find things to do like driving carts, bubble house, or bumping cars.
Opening hours: 09:00-21:00 (Wed-Mon)
Location: 614 Lạc Long Quân, Nhật Tân, Tây Hồ, Hànội
Map coordinates: 21°04'27.8"N 105°49'00.1"E
Tel: +84 4 3718 4222
The Observatory
The Observatory opened its doors in 2013, in the middle of the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, as a multipurpose venue that hosted a variety of different types of art and music events. After twelve successful months they decided to shift their focus to hosting underground music events, therefore the location had to change to a bigger venue to host bigger events.
Since 2014 they organize late night events that have a main focus on DJ’s performing live sets in an old industrial building right next to the Saigon River in the old harbour. Inside this club you find one of the best sound systems Saigon has to offer through which they play a good quality selection of electronic dance music in a laid-back and friendly atmosphere.
The Observatory is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and has acts playing from both Vietnam as well as Internationally, with primarily DJ’s but you can also find evenings on which they host live electronic musicians and bands.
A beer will cost between VND 40.000-150.000 (US$ 1.5-6) and soft drinks are priced at VND 40.000 (US$ 1.5). Their cocktail menu is extensive and are offered for VND 130.000 (original) and VND 150.000 (signature/special) which respectively is US$ 5 and US$ 6. The place is easily reached, by taxi, from the city centre within five minutes.
Opening hours: 20:00-06:00
Location: 5 Nguyễn Tất Thành, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City
Map coordinates: 10°45'59.7"N 106°42'24.4"E
Tel: +84 8 3925 9415
Banana Beach (Koh Hey)
Banana beach has white sand, a clear blue sea and is backed by bright green jungle. Part of Koh Hey island, Banana beach a popular destination for people visiting Phuket because it's less than 10 km from the mainland but mostly untouched by buildings and tourism. Koh Hey means Coral Island in Thai and this island is one of the most popular places to visit in the Phuket area Since the island is part of a national park and a marine preservation area, buildings have been limited to a few huts. Insead most visitors come for the day to experience various watersports. Banana boats are popular here (which is how the beach got its name), as well as snorkeling, sea kayaking and parasailing. Scuba diving is also available and because the area is protected, divers can see lots of colourful fish.
To get to Banana beach, you need to take a speedboat from Chalong Pier, which takes less than 30 minutes and offers good views of the ocean and islands. The speed boat is the start of an adventure for most visitors, and many people arrange a day of activities in advance. There is one restaurant serving food at Banana beach and it has been built from bamboo to keep the beach free from concrete. Don’t forget your camera because Banana beach looks like paradise.
Location: Banana Beach, Coral Island, Phuket, Phuket, 83130
GPS:7.744386, 98.382646 banana beach