Things To Do

Best things to do in Hanoi and around

Best things to do in Hanoi and around

The consistent appeal of Hanoi , for the millions of tourists who visit it every year, is the fact that it is usually unlike anything they have ever seen before. The uniqueness of Vietnam’s capital city has been over 4,000 years in the making, rising from the depths of an alligator-infested swamp to become one of the most vibrant, exciting and beautiful cities in Asia. Amidst the modern flurry of motorbikes and the perennial echoing of horns that engulfs Hanoi on any given day, you’ll find a city grounded in tradition and locals cherishing its enchanting, pulsating energy. Best things to do in Hanoi – Vietnam’s Culture-Soaked Capital Stroll Around the Old Quarter Hanoi’s central district is the best place to see the city’s mesh of influences from its ancient  beginnings  to the present day. On a stroll, visitors can see the incredible colours of eclectic architecture along the Old Quarter’s Vietnamese, Chinese and French-built streets. Walking around Hanoi Old Quarter Visit the Temple of Literature Built with beautiful stone blocks, wooden columns and low-slung tiled roofs amidst a verdant garden, the Temple of Literature acted as Vietnam’s first university from the year 1070. The brightest students in the country were invited here to take an extremely difficult entrance exam and to learn the treasured teachings of Confucius. Temple of Literature Pay Homage to Uncle Ho at Ba Dinh Square The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum at Ba Dinh Square is an immense symbol of independence for the Vietnamese, who make pilgrimages here to see the embalmed body of the Father of the Nation. Outside here is where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence from the French in a speech broadcast to millions. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Take in the Views at Tran Quoc Pagoda Hanoi’s oldest religious building is an excellent location for views of Tay Ho Lake, Truc Bach Lake and the city skyline. The pagoda was built in the middle of the 6th century by the Red River but moved to its current spot on the resplendent Thanh Nien Street in 1615. Tran Quoc Pagoda Get Educated at the Museums Between the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Museum of Ethnology, Hoa Lo Prison and more, Hanoi is the place to learn about the history and current state of Vietnam through society, culture and war. Most museums have excellent English translations and a wealth of interesting displays opening a window onto the birth of a nation. Hoa Lo Prison Things to do Outside of Hanoi – A Lush Playground on the Capital’s Doorstep As hard as it might be to tear yourself away from Hanoi, there is a huge playground lying directly on its doorstep. The scenery of Northern Vietnam is defined by deep and lush colours, stretching to soaring mountain peaks, rolling over terraced fields of rice and shimmering amongst lakes, rivers, waterfalls and the ocean. Take a Cruise around Halong Bay Halong Bay is Vietnam’s number 1 tourist destination and the scenic icing on the cake for a country bursting with breathtaking nature. For the duration of 1, 2 or 3 days, visitors can live the unmissable Vietnam experience amongst towering limestone spires, permeating an emerald sea in consistently dramatic fashion. A fleet of cruises sails around the 1,600 forested islands of Halong Bay on a daily basis, showing their passengers an alternative world in the caves, beaches and incredible floating communes of fishermen living defiant of the modern approach to life. To experience the uniqueness of Halong Bay Day Tour with thousands of 5-star Tripadvisor reviews. Please click on: Halong Bay Tour with Incredible Asia Journeys . Having more time in Halong Bay you can stay overnight on the cruise. Please see: Halong Bay Cruises. Opt Instead for the Serenity of Lan Ha Bay Lan Ha Bay, located just to the south of Halong Bay, is a limestone copy of its infinitely more famous neighbour, but with a fraction of the touristic attention. The bay is the earthen Sea of Tranquility and a 1-day, 2-day or 3-day cruise reveals its majesty for the relatively few tourists who make the trip here. 367 islands make up the tropical archipelago and Cat Ba Island sits as the jewel in the crown, containing a sea of healthy jungle clinging to imposing mountain ranges. To really absorb the special atmosphere of Lan Ha Bay, click on itineraries of 2-day and 3-day Lan Ha Bay tours. Explore the Diversity of Ninh Binh Province In scenery reminiscent of Halong Bay, Ninh Binh Province stands 100km south of Hanoi as a land-based alternative to the country’s number 1 tourist attraction. A strong palette of colours finds a home in Ninh Binh, splashed across stretching fields of rice and incredible karst rocks coated in trees, all viewable on bamboo rowboat rides at across Trang An, Van Long and Tam Coc. Click on Hoa Lu Tam Coc Day Trip for more information of the day tour from Hanoi offered by Incredible Asia Journeys. Get Lost Amongst the Mountains of Sapa Much of northern Vietnam’s hugely attractive natural features can be found amongst its mountains, but the crown of the region belongs to Sapa. The country’s final flourish of elegant mountain ranges, before its border with China, offer unbelievable vistas and a look into how rural ethnic minorities express their individual cultures in front of the most astounding of backdrops. Trekking remains the most popular activity in Sapa and is the best way to slowly unfurl the beauty of the region.  Our one-day or multi-day treks around the jaw-dropping Muong Hoa Valley are available across our Sapa Tours – clickable through this link.

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How to Spend One Day in Hanoi

How to Spend One Day in Hanoi

Through 1000 years of being the political and economic centre of Vietnam, Hanoi has accumulated a history that many other cities around the world would envy. Its proud traditions are still worn very much on its sleeves, through its pagodas, temples and ancient universities. Even the influences of the French colonials who lived here remain an important part of Hanoi; their grand buildings flank the sides of wide boulevards lined with overarching trees, as a constant reminder of from what this modern Hanoi has emerged.Though the prestige of the capital requires a few days to soak up, many tourists fly into Hanoi just to visit its outer attractions like Sapa, Halong Bay and Ninh Binh. For those pushed for time, we hope that this guide on how to spend one day in Hanoi will prove useful. This is not an itinerary, but a suggestion of how to travel, what to eat, and things to do in Hanoi, that we at Incredible Asia Journeys hope will prove useful for your trip to the beating heart of Vietnam.Hoan Kiem LakeMorningIf you’re looking to just spend one day in Hanoi, then you’re going to want to start early. Life in Hanoi begins before sunrise, with elderly ladies rolling outside in their invariably flowery pajamas and beginning their morning exercises, either performed solo along the pavements or through group classes in parks.Start with breakfast at about 6:00 am by finding any of the buzzing masses of locals, sitting on plastic chairs and shoveling hot phở into their mouths. 25,000 – 30,000 VND should see you full with a delicious bowl of Vietnam’s national dish. If beef-stock soup doesn’t sound like your idea of a good breakfast, you can start instead with bún riêu, a tomato-based soup with tofu – the perfect way to begin your one day in Hanoi.Starting this early gives you a great chance to watch the sunrise from Long Bien Bridge. Following breakfast, either walk or take a motorbike taxi to Long Bien Bridge, a favourite spot for photographers because of the colourful train that passes regularly through the rustic iron girders along the bridge. On either side of the train tracks, you will experience the continuous whirring of motorbikes, as commuters cross the Red River, illuminated by a vivid red sun that rises from the east. Buy some fresh bananas from any of the vendors on the bridge who collect them from the verdant plantations running underneath, along the banks of the Red River.Long Bien BridgeHead back out into the Old Quarter and follow the activities of the locals over a Vietnamese coffee, one of the most unmissable Vietnam experiences. For 20,000 VND, you can sit in a street-side café and watch the organised chaos of Hanoi’s roads. Tread the paths of the Old Quarter’s 36 ancient roads, where people of the same trade have settled alongside each other, creating close-knit communities and a very outward-living atmosphere. Explore the various winding alleyways, where smoke from both cooking and incense combine and seep upwards through the tangled mass of electricity cables. Getting lost in the Old Quarter is not only inevitable, it’s one of the quintessential things to do in Hanoi, as so many small and personable treasures can be located down its side streets.Continue your Hanoi one-day itinerary with a visit to Hoa Lo Prison, the infamous POW camp where former senator John McCain spent many long and excruciatingly difficult years, along with Everett Alvarez Jr., the first POW of the American War. A tour around the prison will reveal some of the horrors (if a touch biased) that the captured Americans went through, along with a full account of the French torturing of Vietnamese prisoners during their colonial occupation.Money SpentDistance TravelledBreakfast: 50,000 VNDHoan Kiem Lake to Long Bien Bridge: 1.5kmBananas (0.5kg): 20,000 VNDLong Bien Bridge to Old Quarter: 1kmVietnamese coffee: 30,000 VNDOld Quarter to Hoa Lo Prison: 1kmHoa Lo Prison entrance fee: 30,000 VNDMotorbike taxi: ~35,000 VNDTotal: ~165,000 VNDTotal: 3.5kmAfternoonRest and refuel for the rest of the day’s activities at 12:00 pm with a classic Hanoian dish, bún chả. This meal has been a firm lunch favourite of the northern Vietnamese for years, but a visit to Bun Cha Huong Lien by then-president Barack Obama in 2016 pushed this dish of noodles, leafy greens, pork rind and meatballs into the international limelight. For 30,000 VND, you can be following in the footsteps of America’s widely loved president, and kicking off the afternoon of your one day in Hanoi with one of the city’s most delicious meals.Jump into a taxi or onto the back of a Grab bike after lunch to check out Hanoi’s attractions that lie outside the Old Quarter. Around Ba Dinh Square, you will find a whole host of history-soaked sites, as well as the large open square itself where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam an independent country, following over 60 years of rule by the French. Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house is located just behind here, and his body lies in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the middle of the square (closed in the afternoons). Take the time to check out the One-Pillar Pagoda before taking a cursory look at the bright yellow building used by the French Governor-General of Indochina, the Presidential Palace.Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh SquareWalking north from here for about 5 minutes, you will reach Thanh Nien, the beautiful tree-lined road that snakes in between the twin lakes of Tay Ho and Truc Bach. Grab a cheap bò bía (coconut roll) as a belated dessert from one of the roadside vendors and take a stroll around the quiet shores of Truc Bach Lake, where John McCain crash landed and was captured after being shot out of the sky.  The views across Tay Ho Lake are of the city’s skyline, and this makes the perfect westerly-facing platform to enjoy sunset, which is one of the most naturally beautiful things to see in Hanoi. Explore the lakeside outcrop of the beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda to learn more about the city’s Buddhist history.In the last daytime hours of your Hanoi one-day itinerary, take a motorbike taxi to the Temple of Literature, just south of Ba Dinh Square. Van Mieu, as it is known in Vietnamese, is the country’s oldest university, specialising in the teaching of Confucian principles for the incredibly small collection of gifted students who passed the entry tests. The names of successful graduates are engraved on steles atop statues of tortoises, surrounded by beautiful gardens, temples and areas of study.Money SpentDistance TravelledLunch: 50,000 VNDOld Quarter to Ba Dinh Square: 3kmHo Chi Minh’s Stilt House: 40,000 VNDBa Dinh Square to Truc Bach: 1kmTemple of Literature entrance fee: 10,000 VNDTruc Bach to the Temple of Literature: 2.5kmMotorbike taxi: ~70,000 VNDTemple of Literature to Old Quarter: 2.5kmTotal: ~170,000 VNDTotal: 9kmEveningReturn to the Old Quarter to enjoy an evening of either relaxation or nightlife. Start the whole thing with some mỳ xào bò (fried instant noodles with beef) or, if you’re slightly bored of noodles by this point, cơm rang dưa bò (fried rice with beef and pickled vegetables) for around 40,000 VND. If you’re looking for what to do in one day in Hanoi during the weekend, then head to the city’s night market, which runs the length of Hang Dao street from Hoan Kiem Lake to Dong Xuan Market. You can find great deals on clothes, electronics and food here, as well as having the opportunity to practice your haggling skills with the vendors.You may want to return to your hotel or retire to a café for some relaxation, but if you’re feeling more social, you can head to Hanoi’s famous Bia Hoi Corner to drink some of the cheapest beer in the world. Bia Hoi is brewed daily and is a very light, but refreshing beer, and the swarms of people that crowd the blue plastic stools of the Bia Hoi Corner can attest to this. This is one of the best spots in the city for cultural exchange; you can learn a lot more about Vietnam from the friendly locals here.Have "Bia Hoi" in the Old QuarterIf, afterwards, you don’t feel like drawing your one day in Hanoi to a close, walk up one of the adjacent roads of the Bia Hoi Corner to find a plethora of nightclubs, most famously amongst the twinkling lights of Ta Hien Street. This narrow alleyway is flanked by bars and clubs, where patrons spill out onto the pavement – a nightly communal atmosphere is a given. Just around the corner lies Hang Buom and Ma May, two streets where the party continues until the police shut it down (or try to, at least).Money SpentDistance TravelledDinner: 700,000 VNDNight Market to Bia Hoi Corner: 400mNight MarketBia Hoi Corner to Ta Hien Street: 5mBia Hoi: 7000 – 10000 VND per glassNightclubTotal: Depends on your shopping and drinking habits!Total: 405mOf course, all of the above is just a suggestion, though it guarantees you the best of Vietnam’s capital in a short timeframe. Ideally, you would stay for at least three days to get the most out of the city, but with time or budget pressures, this is a comprehensive suggestion on how to spend one day in Hanoi. 

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Shopping Centres in Hanoi

Shopping Centres in Hanoi

Through the turbulent ancient history of Vietnam, its invasion by Mongolia, China, Japan, France and the USA has made Vietnam rightfully suspicious of foreign powers. However, in modern day Vietnam, communist ties are loosening and foreign companies are setting up huge projects in the form of shopping centres. The number amounts over 20 in Saigon and is a signal of the unbelievable rate at which symbols of capitalism appeared after Vietnam had, ironically, ousted the capitalists after the American War. The capital has been playing catch-up with Saigon’s modernity for a while, but with 15 shopping centres in Hanoi, it’s fair to say that it’s pretty even between the rival cities at the moment. Hanoi has opened up to the world of investment and a megacity is on the horizon. Here is our list of some of the best shopping centres in Hanoi.Shopping Mall in HanoiSome Advice…Bargaining - Hanoi’s shopping centres are a world away from the ladies selling fruit and fish on the street. While bargaining is intrinsic to Vietnamese culture, its shopping centres are products of Western countries where bargaining is non-existent. Stick to the fixed price on the label and don’t try your luck, it won’t go down well.Parking – If you’re driving a motorbike to any of these malls, you’ll be parking it in a tiny section of the vast, dimly lit parking lots that roll on endlessly below. Every lot looks identical and there is very little to help you should you leave your bike and forget where it is. Spaces for about 1000 cars and 9000 motorbikes are usually guarded by a small group of parking attendants, many of whom like to nap, watch TV in the back office and generally take life as easy as possible. You’ll likely be on your own if you lose your bike, so take a picture of where you leave it.Peak Hours – To avoid the mad rush of a country that has recently come into untold wealth, it’s best to avoid peak hours at all costs. Saturdays and Sundays can be manic from mid-morning to late evening, while lunch and dinner times throughout the week are the domain of rich families looking to splash as much cash as they can on high-end restaurant chains. Avoid mealtimes and weekends if you would like to take everything in at your own pace.Vincom Royal CityThe imperial appearance of Vincom Royal City makes it look somewhat like a palace of evil from the outside. It’s fair to say that the only design plan preceding this project by Vingroup was to make Royal City look as generically European and soullessly grandiose as possible. In all fairness, Vingroup has been very busy becoming Vietnam’s third colonial power, with a staggering 18 other subsidiaries of their company around the country, amassing assets worth about $9.2 billion. Still, they really could have afforded to pay the designers more.Nevertheless, it’s the inside that counts, and Vincom Royal City has got plenty of great options within. A large ice rink is a major attraction, as is its art gallery (the largest in Vietnam), bowling alley, and huge arcade with state-of-the-art virtual reality games. Despite all of this, really what visitors notice first and foremost is the incredible size of the building; comprehensive visits of this Hanoi shopping centre’s many, many shops would take days.Royal CityHow do I get there?Motorbike – About 25 minutes from Hoan Kiem LakeBus – The Number 1 runs through the Old Quarter and down Nguyen Trai Street, dropping you off outside for about 7,000 VND (¢33 USD).Grab Taxi – Around 80,000 VND ($3.50 USD) from the Old Quarter.AEON Shopping MallA product of the Japanese company AEON, you can see the country’s efficiency from one glance of the AEON Shopping Mall. As you might expect from its home country, everything is clean, modern and easily accessible to everyone; their motto of ‘Japanese Heart with Vietnamese Smiles’ seems pretty genuine. The food court is the real draw here, as its ‘Ngon Pho' (delicious street) is decked with some of the finest names in world food. The Japanese-oriented stalls are numerous and serve up traditional Japanese fare in the forms of sushi, ramen, takoyaki, okonomiyaki and many more.How do I get there?Motorbike – About 30 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake, down Nguyen Khoai and over the Vinh Tuy Bridge.Bus – You can walk to Yen Phu Street or Tran Nhat Duat Street to catch the 55B or the 98 from the Old Quarter to AEON Mall for 7,000 VND (¢33 USD).Grab Taxi – About 90,000 VND ($4 USD) from the Old Quarter.AEON Mall Long BienLotte CentreRising high into the city skyline, the Lotte Centre is the tallest of all the buildings from the Lotte Company, coming from South Korea. Unfortunately, it fell short of another of South Korea’s Vietnam ventures, Landmark 72, the tallest building in Vietnam until the title was claimed back for the country with the cheekily named Landmark 81 (by Vingroup, of course) in Ho Chi Minh City.The interior of the Lotte Centre is mainly residential apartments and a large department store, but it’s business up top for this shopping centre in Hanoi, as its Skywalk and Top of Hanoi observation deck are huge draws. With multiple ‘zones’ including the ‘Welcome Zone’ ‘Love Zone’, ‘Attraction Zone’ and ‘Experience Zone’, it’s clear where you can find the new-age of technological interaction in Vietnam; 272m above Hanoi. The rooftop is a great place to get those killer rush hour time-lapse shots and is free to attend as long as you buy a drink and look somewhat respectable.The 65th floor of Lotte CenterHow do I get there?Motorbike – 25 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake, directly west along Kim Ma Street until you see the Lotte Centre looming in front.Bus – The number 09 runs from Hoan Kiem Lake for 7,000 VND (¢33 USD).Grab Taxi – 60,000 VND ($2.80 USD) from Hoan Kiem Lake.Trang Tien PlazaOn April 30th 2000, Vietnam celebrated the 25th anniversary of the banishment of capitalist rule by beginning construction of an incredibly opulent shopping mall in Hanoi, overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake in the centre of the city. With the irony apparently lost on those who were planning it, construction continued unabated until the next year, during which time the Vietnamese market that stood here was torn down and replaced with one of the biggest symbols of Western influence imaginable.The two flags outside subtly remind visitors that they are in fact, still in a communist country. The insides, however, are nothing but pure opulence. Shiny gold walls and escalators surround the central floor space and shops like Dior, Prada and BVLGARI are dotted throughout. The outside area is a popular place to take wedding photos for the Vietnamese, perhaps convinced that posing for the happiest day of their life in front of a Louis Vuitton advert will somehow grant them financial prosperity.How do I get there?Trang Tien Plaza is located incredibly close to Hoan Kiem Lake. You can walk there, take a taxi or even a cyclo for cheap within the old quarter. Inside Trang Tien PlazaHang Da GalleriaAnother of the Old Quarter smatterings of shopping centres in Hanoi, Hang Da Galleria overlooks one of the crazier ‘roundabouts’ (a tiny circle of plastic arrows that most drivers tend to ignore) and is, therefore, an adventure in itself to get to. Once inside, tourists can find exactly what tourists want to find, authentic souvenir stalls running in a vaguely organised row. The coconut bowls, silk scarves and lanterns give Hang Da Galleria a more genuine feel than some of the western mega malls around the city, and you will have time to shop with space, without a baffling amount of choice and to the background of traditional music or K-pop, as are the two CDs they seem to have on rotation. There are many food courts and café options offering a relaxing time and a view of the chaos around the roundabout outside. Hang Da GalleriaHow do I get there?If you’re on the other side of the road and manage to cross the round about between Hang Da and Duong Thanh streets, you’ve definitely earned yourself a relaxed seat at the food court. Take a walk to get the full experience, but a taxi or cyclo should be able to get you there safer.You May Like:Best Restaurants in Hanoi Old QuarterHanoi Street Food

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Top 10 Vietnamese Souvenirs to buy in Hanoi

Top 10 Vietnamese Souvenirs to buy in Hanoi

Vietnamese SouvenirsThough you probably won’t be forgetting your trip to Hanoi any time soon, it’s nice to have a few souvenirs from your time here to remind you of the magnificence of the city and of Vietnam overall. A souvenir is whatever you want it to be, but the ones that people love from Hanoi often come in small and colourful packages. Here are the top 10 Vietnamese souvenirs to buy in Hanoi.ClothingThough the Vietnamese are very slender people, there are tailors around Hanoi catering to the Western market. Vietnam has some of the most iconic clothing on the planet and a Vietnamese Ao Dai or Non La can really add a touch of exoticism and class.1. Ao DaiOne of the most popular of the Vietnamese souvenirs; there is really no finer ambassador for the beauty of Vietnam than a traditional long dress, or Ao Dai. The Ao Dai has developed over several hundred years to become the sleek, form-fitting dress and trouser combination that features in every special Vietnamese occasion, such as weddings and graduations. Where can I buy an Ao Dai?There is no shortage of places to get a good quality Ao Dai in the capital. Buy your coloured silk from Hang Gai Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, or at Hom Market in the French Quarter, before taking it to a tailor. Duc Minh – 24 Hang Da is a popular tailor, as is Yen Boutique – 115 Han Gai.2. Non laThe ubiquitous Vietnamese straw hat is a thing of beauty and necessity around Vietnam. Its conical shape protects from sun and rain and its ancient design remains unchanged today. As a Vietnamese souvenir, it poses a bit of a problem when it comes to the packing stage, but a tactical adjustment to the layout of your suitcase should see it fit in just fine.Where can I buy a Non La?For the adventurous, Chuong Village in Hanoi’s outlying Thanh Oai’s district is the home of Non La production in Hanoi, with regular Non La markets featuring every variation imaginable. If this is too far to travel, then try any of the souvenir shops around Hoan Kiem Lake or look out for ladies selling Non La on the street. The cost for a Non La is about 2 to $US 3.3. Woven handbagsOf the many beautiful products made by ethnic minority tribes around Northern Vietnam, hand-woven handbags from tribes such as the Hmong and Tai always become popular Hanoi Souvenirs for tourists and local Vietnamese. The colourful patterns amid a plain black background are a trademark of these tribes and they add an authentic international flavour to any ensemble.Where can I buy woven handbags?If you’ve missed the chance to go to the amazing Bac Ha Market in Sapa where Hmong tribes gather every Sunday to sell their beautiful wares, then you can find several authentic shops in Hanoi. Craft Link – 43 & 51 Van Mieu is a shop near to the Temple of Literature that sells all kinds of genuine tribal goods for a fair price, along with donating a very healthy amount of the profits to community projects in impoverished regions.4. SilkThe elegance of Asia is woven into its silk, and there are few countries more adept at creating gorgeous silk products than Vietnam. Aside from the Ao Dai, silk scarves and tablecloths make fantastic Vietnamese souvenirs to present as gifts, and they are usually very cheap because of how prolific their production is around the country.Where can I buy silk?Van Phuc Silk Village is the only place you need to go for these graceful Hanoi souvenirs. Located about 8km from the Hanoi Old Quarter in Ha Dong district, you can see the processes of production at the factories before heading to the many surrounding shops to pick up a bargain on the soft, nimble material.DecorationsThousands of years of creating handicrafts in unchanged ways has made the Vietnamese incredibly skilled at the production of house decorations. Vietnamese souvenirs on display in the house always add a certain shine.5. Coconut bowlsThe lacquered shells of coconut bowls create quite an artistic scene. Usually dark brown around the outside and one or two colours on the inside, these are constantly popular souvenirs for their easy transportability, price and versatility around a Western household.Where can I buy coconut bowls?All of the souvenir shops in Hanoi sell these beautiful bowls, where you can usually bargain for a cheaper price if you buy a few. If its absolute quality and choice you want, then a trip to Vietnam Handicraft Co. – 1/194 Nguyen Thai Street in Thanh Xuan district will prove very fruitful.6. CeramicsComing in an incredibly vast array of sizes and shapes, works of pottery in Hanoi create beautiful impressions within a room. From thumb-sized tea drinking cups to flower pots taller than the person who created them, you’re sure to find a decorative piece of work for your home.Where can I buy ceramics?Bat Trang Ceramics Village just outside of Hanoi is the perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon of shopping around the ceramic markets. Most ceramic souvenirs in Hanoi come from Bat Trang anyway, so you can save a bit by going straight to the source. The ceramics here are sturdy and should last the journey home if wrapped in soft clothing.7. Paintings and propaganda postersThe traditional art of Vietnam mostly features a very graceful series of brushstrokes depicting romantic scenes of flowers, boats, mountains and farm life. More modern art is an interesting take on propaganda posters, with idealistic communist scenes coupled with Vietnamese wartime slogans.Where can I buy paintings and propaganda posters?Most markets in the capital feature an art section where you can see the range of art and bargain accordingly. Dong Xuan Market has a decent selection of old-style art, while the interesting and colorful propaganda posters can be browsed on Ly Quoc Su Street.8. Pop-up cardsThese simple but beautifully-crafted cards are a great decoration to have around the house. They are usually plain red on the outside but open up to a fantastic 3D scene of an iconic Vietnamese item; some are basic bicycles but others are incredibly intricate boats or fields of flowers.Where can I buy pop-up cards?Usually sold from the back of a bicycle around Hang Gai Street, these cards are usually only $1 or $2 each, which is crazy considering the amount of skilled work that goes into them. Make sure to get 4 or 5 to give yourself more bargaining leeway.9. ChopsticksAs useful as they are beautiful, chopsticks are used throughout Asia for the consumption of foods where a regular fork just won’t cut it. The practical, disposable wooden ones are obviously not a great Vietnamese souvenir, but vibrant, patterned ones are available to take on a decoration role, reminding you of the delicious Vietnamese food you had during your trip.Where can I buy chopsticks?A huge choice of chopsticks sit in their adorable cases alongside a wealth of other bamboo products on Hang Hanh Street in Hanoi Old Quarter. Souvenir shops around the centre also stock these popular Hanoi souvenirs.10. Military MemorabiliaThere’s usually one member of the family who’s into military history, and Hanoi obviously has a lot of its own. Many replicas and genuine products can be found throughout the city in the form of helmets, boots, jackets, dog tags and various other surplus military items.Where can I buy military memorabilia?Just to the left of Hanoi’s main train station on Le Duan Street is a paradise for army fanatics. You can buy several items of the army or even police surplus, but it is hard to tell which are replicas and which are authentic. Xom Phuot - 31/279 Giang Vo is a great shop exclusively selling the real deal.

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Best Things To Do In Hanoi

Best Things To Do In Hanoi

When you travel to Vietnam, you may choose Hanoi for the first destination before travelling to Central Vietnam and Southern Vietnam. You may choose a hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter near Hoan Kiem Lake. There will be a lot of places to visit and a lot of things to do in Hanoi which you may see as below. I. Top 5 attractions in Hanoi 1. Hoan Kiem Lake This small lake between the Old Quarter and the French Quarter is central of Hanoi. As known as the Restored Sword (or Hoan Kiem Lake), refers to a legend of the great Vietnamese hero who led a success against the enemies in the 15th century. You will be recharged and have full energy by the refreshingly cool air of the lake. Furthermore, if you are lucky, you may find the old men playing cheese at the corner while jogging around the lake. Early morning around 5 am every day, you will also see locals practising Tai Chi. There is no doubt, Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the top attractions in Hanoi when you travel to North Vietnam . Turtle Tower - A Symbol of Hanoi capital 2. Hanoi Old Quarter Listed in the best places for tourists while travelling in Hanoi, visiting Hanoi Old Quarter is one of the best things to do in your free time in Hanoi. The city of Hanoi is an amazingly energetic place that forms harmony within contradicting elements: old world and new world, traditional and modern. One cannot say they have been to Hanoi if they have never visited the Hanoi attractions - Hanoi Old Quarter. Being considered as the heart of the capital– is the oldest as well as the busiest district of Hanoi for centuries. If you do not have enough time to explore Hanoi, we highly recommend you to spend your precious time in Hanoi Old Quarter. White daisy in Hanoi The streets are always alive and bustling. Start the whirlwind day at around 5 am, locals people are out for morning exercise; some people jogging around Hoan Kiem Lake, some playing badminton or aerobics. The economic activity starts at 06:00 am with restaurants opening for breakfast such as Pho (noodle soup), Banh Mi, Banh Cuon, etc; shopkeepers getting ready for the new day as well as street vendors along with local market and sidewalk of the street. All this goes on till 09:00 pm at nighttime and by 09:30 pm the streets become quiet. The best part of the walk is that you can easily observe how local people are living and you will have a valuable chance to interact with Hanoians.  Have breakfast with Hanoi's Beef Pho 3. Ho Chi Minh Complex Ho Chi Minh Complex consists of Ho Chi Minh ‘s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, Uncle Ho’s House on stilt, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot). This is an important historical place and priceless values of Vietnamese people. You may learn about Uncle Ho’s life, his contributions to the independence and freedom for Vietnamese people. The quiet line that forms to view his body in Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is a vision of respect and may even feature a few tears. Ho's mausoleum is open only in the mornings, every day except Monday and Friday. The mausoleum sits in front of Ho's stilt house. Ho Chi Minh Museum Furthermore, you will see a unique architecture of One Pillar Pagoda, which was built in the shape of a white lotus flower in 1049. This is a unique complex with a gorgeous garden and mature trees around will make you feel peaceful and relax when you visit these popular attractions. List it in your notebook for the best things to do in Hanoi. One Pilar Pagoda 4. Temple of Literature If you see some tour itinerary you will see that Temple of Literature is always in the list of best places to visit. Temple of Literature - the Hanoi‘s symbol of wisdom, talent, and study. As known as the first University of Vietnam, it was constructed in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty in order to honour The Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and high-rank scholars of Vietnam. It has five’s courtyards, which covers 54000 square meters with Van Lake and Giam Park. Each year, there are thousands of students come here and pray for their studying; some prays for a good result at the final exam to University; some prays for a smooth year coming with lucky and health as well. From April to June, you could see many beautiful young ladies in colourful traditional dress “Ao Dai” and boys in the suit and tie to make yearbook photos in Temple of Literature. That is the reason why Temple of Literature becomes one of the best Hanoi attractions.  Temple of Literature 5. Hoa Lo Prison ( Hanoi Hilton) As known as Hanoi Hilton – nicknamed by U.S pilots during the American War and also in the top list of Hanoi attractions. Hoa Lo Prison was the place to keep the American prisoners in 1990s, including the first Ambassador to Vietnam- Pete Peterson and John McCain – the Republican Nominee of US also arrested here. Covered by the tiny, damp, and dark with the mannequin, which depicted the prisoners and their living in the past. Today, only a small section remains and it is preserved as a museum. Each day, Hoa Lo Prison attracts many tourists come to visit and learn more about the history. Just list it in the best places to visit in Hanoi. Hoa Lo Prison Below are some of the best Hanoi City Tours for you to discover beautiful attractions in Hanoi in only one day: + Hanoi Motorbike Tour + Hanoi Street Food Tour + Hanoi Scooter Tour II. Shopping in Hanoi – best things to do in Hanoi When you travel to a new place, new country or everywhere in the world, I am sure that you will think about what to buy and where to shopping after exploring the city. Hanoi is not the exception. These places below might help you to find out the interesting about shopping in Hanoi and also is a good idea for things to do in Hanoi. 1. Shopping in Hanoi Old Quarter As mentioned above about Hanoi Old Quarter, this one is one of the best Hanoi attractions as well as the shopping. You may hear before about the 36 Streets- Hanoi 36 Pho Phuong which each street is named after, and often still linked to, the artisanal trade specific to it over centuries ago.  Shopping in the Old Quarter is amazing and fantastic. We will start with Hang Gai Street (or Silk Street). This is one of the most popular shopping streets in Hanoi. Located in the North of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Gai has a variety shop for high-quality silk, fashionable silk materials, traditional Vietnamese costume, and home decor.  You may also see many quality hotels surrounding there with restaurant and crowded people prepare their feet for walking the street to go shopping in a convenient way. You can pass by the Tan My Design for silk goods or Thao Silk if you would like to do the best and the fastest tailor clothing within a few days.  Shopping in Hang Gai Street 2. Shopping in a local market One of the most interesting things to do in Hanoi as well as discovering the local market. Many people are wondering about what to see in the local market and are it possible to buy anything there or not. There are several local markets such as Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi Weekend Night Market, Hang Da Market, Cho Hom Market or Quang Ba Flower Market are the best 5 local market recommended for tourist for shopping in Hanoi. Some of the markets are indoor and some are outdoor. For example, Dong Xuan Market is the largest indoor market and you will see a wide range of goods from foods, material for producing, kitchen tools, clothes, souvenirs and wet market with fresh fish, bird, prawn, and so on. People normally call Dong Xuan is a wholesale market because of its variety of goods. You could find almost everything from fabrics, school uniforms, handbags, handicrafts, shoes, ceramics goods, etc with wholesale prices. Of course, the quality is not high but sometimes tourists still love the local things and want to try the bargain experience while shopping in Hanoi. Overall, all the local markets are same with the products there like handbags, clothes, shoes; however, each market has a different feature such as the Hom Market sales many fabrics, Hang Da Market has secondhand clothing or Quang Ba Market just only have the flower. Hanoi Night Market 3. Shopping in the Malls Besides local shopping, tourists also want to purchase the high quality and authentic goods during their vacation in Hanoi. There are many shops in Shopping Malls which has internationally-renowned brands including Zara, H&M, Topshop, Topmen, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Adidas, etc or cosmetics such as Lancome, MAC, Clinique, Neutrogena, etc. You would find these products in Shopping Malls in Hanoi: Trang Tien Plaza, Vincom City Center Hanoi, Vincom Mega Mall Royal City, Hang Da Galleria Shopping Mall, Lotte Centre Hanoi, etc. These Malls are also a complex with Food courts, Cinema and some has Kid area for playing and parents could go shopping.  Trang Tien Plaza III. Food in Hanoi When you ask people how their impression of the place one of the first things they will talk about is the food in Hanoi. Billions of people around the world love Vietnamese Cuisine and definitely, Street food in Hanoi is the very interesting things you must try when travelling to Hanoi and be on the top of things to do in Hanoi as well. 1. Pho ( Noodle soup) The very first thing we mention on this list must be Pho. Everyone knows Pho all over the world even in Europe, North America, Australia, or Asia countries; there are many Pho Restaurant with Vietnamese style to serve people who love Vietnamese Cuisine. However, the best place to have Pho originates must be in Hanoi.  Normally, people have Pho for breakfast as a common meal. The broth must be steamed with beef bones in a few hours and flavoured with ginger, star anise, cinnamon, black cardamom. Traditionally eaten for breakfast, the steaming beef broth, flavoured with ginger, star anise, cinnamon, black cardamom, fish sauce, spring onions. After that, you could have a tasty beef pho with beef or chicken Pho. In Vietnamese way, you should squeeze a slice of lime, put more hot chilli, and mix all together then use spoon and chopstick to eat it.  In Hanoi, there are many local restaurants has Pho such as Pho 10 at 10 Ly Quoc Su, Pho Thin at 13 Lo Duc Str for Pho Bo ( Beef Pho ). Pho Ga ( Chicken Pho) in Pho Tu Lun at 05 Hang Trong Str or Pho Ga Hang Hom.  When you visit Hanoi, do not miss a blow of Pho in your list of food to try in Hanoi and it is one of the must things to do while travelling to Hanoi and Vietnam 2. Bun Cha (Kebab rice noodles with fish sauce) The second recommendation for you on this list should be Bun Cha. This one is one of the specialities dishes of Hanoi but nowhere else in Vietnam has. Vietnamese usually has Bun Cha for lunchtime. If you walking in the Old Quarter, it is not difficult to find many local restaurants with a small table and plastic chair serving Bun Cha. It doesn’t matter if you eat Bun Cha in Fine-dining restaurant or in a local restaurant, you will always be served by a small bowl of broth which made by fish sauce mix with a little bit of sugar, vinegar, garlic, chili; barbecued pork and a plate of vermicelli ( Bun) on the side with a basket of Vietnamese fresh herb. You will also have Vietnamese spring rolls to eat with Bun Cha and add more flavour when tasting this delicious dish. You could find great Bun Cha 74 Hang Quat Str, Bun Cha Tuyet at 34 Hang Than Str or Bun Cha Obama ( Bun Cha Huong Lien ) at 24 Le Van Huu St. The price range is from VND 30,000 – VND 55,000 ( around USD1.5 -2.5) depends on portion and restaurant. 3. Banh Cuon ( Stuffed Pancake with Pork) Vietnamese people have a very special pancake steamed with rice flour and water – Banh Cuon. This cake will be stuffed with minced pork, wood-ear mushroom, and seasoning; put on top with fried shallots and Vietnamese pork paste then you will dip it in fish sauce dressing ( a mixture of fish sauce, vinegar, sugar and lime). This dish also served for breakfast or night meal. If you would like to eat Banh Cuon, you should find these restaurants: Banh Cuon Thanh Van 12-14 Hang Ga Str, Banh Cuon Quang An at 72 Hang Bo Str or Banh Cuon Ha Trung to try Banh Cuon night time. The price is about VND35,000 for a serving ( around USD1.5). 4. Banh Mi ( Vietnamese baguette) That would be a big omission if we do not mention about Banh Mi in the top 5 best food in Hanoi. Banh Mi or we call Vietnamese baguette. There are two kinds of baguette: Banh Mi Kep ( Stuffed baguette) or Banh Mi ( Plain baguette). Banh Mi Kep normally stuffed with pate, meat, vegetable, chilli sauce, fried-egg. Plain Banh Mi is just a small one and dipped into condensed milk to taste the butter and sweet flavour in your mouth. Nowadays, many tourists come to Hanoi and immediately find Banh Mi 25 or Banh Mi P to try the best Banh Mi in Hanoi. The price for Banh Mi is not expensive, just around VND25,000- 35,000 for a normal Banh Mi (about USD1.5 -2). You will not disappoint with this healthy and delightful dish once you try it. 5. Cha Ca ( Turmeric fish and dill) Last but not least, Cha Ca deserve to be on this top 5 must-try food in Hanoi for its unique and spectacular quality. Cha Ca or grilled fish is usually made from sweet water fish fillet such as Catfish, Lentils,... This fillet will be well-seasoned with fresh turmeric, galangal, shrimp paste sauce ( mam tom), fermented rice, dills and green onions with the top of peanut. This dish will be served with vermicelli and shrimp paste sauce mix with sugar and lime. You could find the best place to try this speciality in Cha Ca Thang Long at 19-21-31 Duong Thanh Str or Cha Ca La Vong at 14 Cha Ca Str. The price is around VND145,000 – 165,000 ( around USD6-8). IV. Hanoi Nightlife If daytime we have known some Hanoi attractions, now let’s see things to do in Hanoi at night and how is the Hanoi nightlife with both local people and foreigners. We give you top 5 recommendation for things to do as the below. 1. Bia Hoi Ta Hien (Beer Corner) Different from Bui Vien Street in Saigon, Ta Hien Street or people call Beer Corner is the first things on list must-do in Hanoi at night. You could find many young Vietnamese people and tourists sit in low plastic chair on the street side and have fresh draft beer with very cheap price VND 5000 – VND 8000 ( about 25 – 30 cent ) or beer in the bottle with good brand name such as Bia Hanoi, Bia Saigon, Tiger Beer, etc with the price is VND30,000 (about USD 1.5). While sitting there and have a beer, you could order some Vietnamese snack for example steamed peanuts, fermented-pork, French fried with cheese on top then enjoy the music from pub and bars surrounded there and watch people are on their scooter or walking on the street. Ta Hien Street 2. Legend Beer Legend Beer is a third-storey bar located in the centre of Hoan Kiem Lake and offers you terrace overlooking down to the street. You could enjoy also an ice cold beer and snack then observe local people on the street with cars and motorbikes.  Legend Beer 3. 1900s Le Theatre Bar If you are looking for a local bar then this place will meet your expectation as it is very crowded, full of young Vietnamese people. This place for drinking and dancing, chit-chat won't be a good idea.1900s Le Theatre Bar 4. Binh Minh’s Jazz Club Located at the back of Hanoi Opera House, Binh Minh’s Jazz Club is a place where Jazz fans can catch live performances in the city. Opening all day, you can enjoy an impressive line-up of local and international acts performing between 21:00 and 23:30 every night. Binh Minh's Jazz Club 5. Water Puppet Theater Water Puppet show is one of the typical forms of Vietnamese art which has existed for more than 1000 years. Each show lasts for 50 minutes inside the theatre. You will enjoy the authentic performance of the daily life of Vietnamese’s farmers as well as the folk tales of Vietnamese that are told from generation to generation. Water Puppet Theater

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Hanoi Nightlife

Hanoi Nightlife

Hanoi nightlife offers a wide range of fascinating things to do and interesting places to go after the sun sets. From wandering around the night market to relishing the local food at street vendors, with sipping draught beer and sightseeing the city’s major landmarks at night, all are worth for your time. Read on to find out what to do in Hanoi at night, best nightlife in Hanoi, along with some Hanoi nightlife tips not only to experience the best of Hanoi's nightlife but also to see why Hanoi is considered to have one of the best nightlife in Vietnam. What to do in Hanoi at night Visiting Hanoi, many travellers will ask the same question "Things to do in Hanoi" or "What to do in Hanoi at night". You may find the answer for your question with some tips for the places to visit and things to do in Hanoi at night as below. Exploring Hanoi Night Market  Hanoi Night Market is one of the worthwhile things to do in Hanoi as it is the good way to touch on the real local life. One of the best attractions in Hanoi is Hanoi Night Market which stretches through some of the busiest streets found in the Old Quarter, comprising Hang Duong, Hang Ngang, and Hang Dao. Hanoi Night Market which is open every night of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from around 7.30pm until late is full of delicious food and local souvenirs, not to mention the exciting live performances.   Another night market needs to be mentioned is Quang Ba Flower Night Market which supplies fresh flowers for Hanoi and nearby provinces. It is open from midnight to the early morning of next day so try to stay awake over this night and stroll around the lively market to enjoy Hanoi nightlife.  Hanoi Night Market Walking around the Hanoi City’s major landmarks  Hanoi City’s highlights bring you a different feeling after dark. Considered to be the best attraction in Hanoi, the storied Hoan Kiem Lake attracts people of all ages coming to enjoy the fresh air and participate in an endless range of activities such as walking, jogging, aerobics, and daydreaming. Especially, the roads around Hoan Kiem Lake are blocked on weekend evenings, to turn them into the walking streets, creating a wonderful festival vibe all around the charming lake. After a short lakeside walk, you can head to Hanoi Opera House which offers the stunning view at night. It also hosts regular shows by Vietnam's National Symphony Orchestra, along with a twice-weekly modern dance show called Lang Toi (My Village). Hanoi Opera House Savouring Hanoi street food Hanoi is very famous for its street food, especially local dishes in the evening. Just try to wander around the bustling streets of Hanoi Old Quarter to sample some local specialities, you will see that is one of the best things to do in Hanoi. You may take a walk by yourself or follow a local expert to experience the real Hanoi Street Food through taste under the guide. It can be said that Hanoi nightlife is one of the best in Vietnam thanks to its street food. Hanoi Street Food is offered by different companies and you may join in different itineraries. You may discover the street food in Hanoi by walking or staying on the back of a motorbike arranged by a local company. You will see that Hanoi is the paradise of food and not many places in the world have the great street food like street food in Hanoi. You may book a Hanoi street food tour easily through. Hanoi Street Food Trying Hanoi Local Beer Conveniently enough, Hanoi Old Quarter is the perfect spot to drink a glass (or two) of o beer. Bia Hoi is the most famous for Hanoi Local Beer and it is popular with the local people. When you walk on the street in Hanoi or around it is not difficult for you to see “ Bia Hoi” in most of Hanoi corners. The most famous place in the Hanoi Old Quarter is Bia Hoi Corner, which is the junction of Luong Ngoc Quyen and Ta Hien Streets. Pull up a tiny plastic stool, order, and then try a glass of "Bia Hoi" which costs you approximately 25 cents a draft, adding some snacks from the vendor, you will get a unique experience in Hanoi at nightfall. Hanoi Beer corner Having drinks at a bar/ nightclub in Hanoi Another suggestion about Hanoi nightlife is enjoying a couple of drinks at a local bar or nightclub. The city’s vivid bars and lively nightclubs are conveniently located around Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter, where you can enjoy great music, exciting atmosphere, as well as make new friends with fun-loving locals and expats. The interesting things about experiencing the bar or nightclub in Hanoi is you can sit at the bar near the door to drink, chat with friends, along with watching the people walking on the streets.   Night Club in Hanoi Old Quarter Best nightlife in Hanoi  Bia Hoi Junction  A “must-come” for any first timer to Hanoi, Bia Hoi Junction is widely-regarded as the best nightlife spot not just only in Hanoi, but also in Vietnam. This bustling beer corner is open throughout the day and until late at night, giving you the view of hundreds of people sitting on tiny plastic stools with a glass of Bia Hoi in hands. If you do not like to sit on the pavement, you may choose a bar which sells soft drinks and imported beers such as Tiger, Corona. In addition to that, many stalls selling a wide range of snacks such as steamed peanuts, skewered meats, fried tofu and beef jerky are available on the street. Ta Hien Beer Corner Water Puppet Theatre The Water Puppet Show is the “must-see” show which gains its reputation all over the world, so it is a rare treat to watch the performance in the place where it is originated from at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. This world-famous theatre is one of the best attractions in Hanoi with tickets are usually sold out in advance so it is highly advised to purchase the tickets as soon as you reach the town. Watching the unique show which is performed on the water stage will surely be the memorable experience in Hanoi.  Water Puppet Show is one of the best Hanoi nightlife clients want to see while visiting Hanoi. Water Puppet Show in Hanoi Binh Minh’s Jazz Club Another Hanoi nightlife spot which needs to be mentioned is Binh Minh’s Jazz Club which is the place to see live music shows performed by several of the finest jazz musicians in the city. Features minimal decoration, warm lighting, cosy seats, and excellent service, Binh Minh’s Jazz Club is great for escaping from the busy cityscape as it also offers a welcoming yet intimate ambiance. Though the drinks cost higher in comparison with most bars in Hanoi, it is totally worth due to the live jazz that takes place from 21:00 to 23:30 every night. Binh Minh Jazz Club Hanoi Press Club Hanoi nightlife offers fun things to do with different service levels, from beer corner for low-budget travellers to upscale bars/ pubs for those who do not mind paying more. Hanoi Press Club is a great example of this bar type. Offers a sophisticated ambiance and outstanding service, a well-stocked bar with stunning wines and cocktails, together with some delicious bar snacks, Hanoi Press Club is perfect for people looking for a relaxing time. Live music performance is available from Thursday to Sunday, not to mention a special buy-one-get-one-free on selected drinks choices every Thursday.  Hanoi Press Club Hanoi nightlife tips  After getting to know what to do and where to go in the place with one of the best nightlife in Vietnam, below are some Hanoi nightlife tips which are very useful to make your trip in Hanoi Capital City fulfilled and perfect.  If you visit Hanoi Night Market or Hanoi Walking Street on the weekend evenings, why do not you try some Hanoi Street Food to get energy for a night full of fun and exploration? Surely, Hanoi offers street food with the diversity, but not about the hygiene. It is better to participate in a guided walking street food tour with a local expert as your tour guide knows very well where to eat good and clean food. Some crowded places such as Hanoi Night Market or Bia Hoi corner may sometimes happen pickpockets so be mindful of your personal belongings. It is highly advised to leave your passports and your valuable jewellery at your hotel’s safe.  Though it is safe to stroll around the bustling streets of Hanoi Old Quarter at night, it is the best to avoid the dark alleyways after 10 pm. Should you like to purchase some souvenirs or handicrafts at Hanoi Night Market, it is recommended to bargain as the sellers may quote you a higher price.

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