As known as end of autumn, October in Hanoi features the sweetness and romance of the most beautiful season of the year, the beauty that anyone must remember, love and infatuate. This brings Hanoi to the poems, prose, music of several timeless authors and the hearts of many tourists who once had the chance to set foot in this capital city of Vietnam.
I - The cool weather in Hanoi in October
From October, Autumn begins to fade, giving way to winter. The weather at this time starts to be a bit cold. The temperature gradually drops, especially at night; but it is not too dry to annoy you. In general, the average temperature falls into 25 - 26℃ while the rainfall and humidity are respectively 146mm and 69%. The reduction in moisture and precipitation results in the softness of the atmosphere that even the most insensitive people can realize in every breath. From this month, Hanoians tell each other to wear thin cardigans, and prepare warm clothes and blankets,…
Hanoi in October puts on a gentle and graceful coat - Source: congly
Hanoi in the autumn puts on a coat of romance so typical that it is likened to the most charming season of the year. “Honey sun” is the word Hanoians often use to describe the climate in October in Hanoi. The burning sun of summer has gone, giving room to the one much more gentle, just enough to cover everything, making them brighten under a high sky, not to make you suffocate. The picture of Hanoi this time is painted by the red foliage leaves, green rice flakes (Cốm) along with yellow daisies on the old bicycles of street vendors.
If you visit Hanoi in October, you sometimes see easy-come-and-easy-go rains, making the air more refreshing. Moreover, the morning after the pour down, the street is quite deserted, it is a bit chilly since the weather hasn’t shown up and the scent of flowers and fruits lingers in the air. Hanoi people are used to getting up early, taking a walk around Hoan Kiem lake to take a deep breath, seeing the sunshine fall down from tree branches above, and observing the slow pace of life, which is such a strange thing in a metropolis like Hanoi. For the above reason, traveling to Hanoi is the best at this time.
II - Top 7 stopovers for tourists to Hanoi in October
1 - Top 4 Cultural and historical relics in October in Hanoi
Hoa Lo prison
Hoa Lo prison was first known by the name the Maison Centrale in 1896 when Vietnam was a French colony. Because the location at the time was a famous handicraft village manufacturing clay kettles, this place is always hot because of the fire of fire kilns. The name Hoa Lo (Fire Kiln) appeared for that reason. The place is always referred to the hell on earth because of the myriad of cruel punishments that the invaders created to torture Vietnamese soldiers.
Hoa Lo prison is an ideal place to visit in Hanoi in October - Source: youtube
Once coming here, you will have a chance to discover Cachot, the darkest place in this prison, and the guillotine which made Hoa Lo one of the most terrible prisons in the world. Asides from the daytime opening, the tourist spot also organizes night tours which strengthen the scary feeling.
- Address: No.1, Hoa Lo street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 8am - 5pm
- Entrance fee: 30,000 VND/person ($1.2)
- Night tour: 199,000 VND/person ($8.6)
Thang Long Imperial Citadel
The more-than-1000-year-old Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a complex of relics associated with the history of Hanoi and is a nice place in Hanoi in October. This structure was built by many emperors of Vietnam, making it one of the most important heritage sites in the country. Although wars destroyed almost every artistic architecture, the remains were there to stay.
In the central sector, you can still realize the image of an ancient rampart in a squared shape. Another outstanding facility that firmly exists up until now is the Flag Tower of Hanoi, of 33 m high and becoming one of the symbols of this city.
- Address: No.19C Hoang Dieu street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi
- Opening hour: 8am - 5pm
- Entrance fee: 30,000 VND/adult ($1.2); 15,000 VND/elder, ($0.6)/student or child
Tran Quoc pagoda & Hanoi West lake
Tran Quoc pagoda and West lake are two special stoppers on your tours to Hanoi in October. Constructed in 541, the Tran Quoc pagoda was the Buddhist center of Thang Long citadel. Many kings under the Ly and Tran dynasties often came here for sightseeing and praying on every special occasion. Therefore, a number of places were shaped right on the campus to serve the need for the resting of the emperors, such as Thuy Hoa palace and Ham Nguyen palace.
Tran Quoc pagoda is situated on the West lake - Source: disantrangan
Tran Quoc pagoda is more well-known, partly for the fact that it is situated on the bank of the West lake. The lake has been the favorite and familiar outing destination of the youth in Hanoi in October. The lake is extremely large, about 7 acres, enough for people to lift up their mood when they are sad or double happiness when they are happy.
- Address of Tran Quoc pagoda: Thanh Nien street, Tay Ho district, Hanoi
- Opening hour: 8am - 4pm
- Entrance fee: free
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
After the death of president Ho Chi Minh, the people and government of Vietnam made a consensus to maintain and preserve his body in a solemn place so that generation to generation can show their honor and gratitude to him. The chosen place was right next to Ba Dinh square, where president Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence in 1945.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum has a square shape, firmly constructed so that it can safely survive even under the impact of earthquakes, and hurricanes. The body of the president was laid in a transparent box, guarded by many soldiers, tourists are expected to view and show respect from afar.
- Address: No.2 Hung Vuong street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi
- Opening hour: 7:30 am - 11am except Monday and Friday
- Entrance fee: 25,000 VND/person ($1)
2 - Top 3 Zones for entertainment in Hanoi in October
Ta Hien street
Tourists at Ta Hien street - Bia hoi junction of Hanoi - Source: vietnamnet
Ta Hien street is probably the top choice for an amazing nightlife in Hanoi. The street in Hanoi Old Quarter is said to be where Oriental and Western come across. A couple of meters long street is lined by old and synchronous buildings in French style staying next to each other.
Different from the quietness in the daytime, Ta Hien street is busy and bustling with numerous people, both native and foreign. They casually sit on small plastic chairs on street vendors and drink fresh beers, the cheap beverage which has made the name of Vietnam on the map of world cuisine. In the cool weather in Hanoi in October, they freely chat and laugh with each other as if there is no language, race, or culture between them.
Address: Hang Buom ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Hoan Kiem lake walking street
Every weekend, Hanoi people flock to the area surrounding Hoan Kiem lake to enjoy the cozy and relaxing atmosphere of the Hanoi walking street. Although the city is always linked to the image of traffic jams, and crowded streets, visitors to the walking street never have to worry about being hit by a motorbike because there is no vehicle allowed to enter this area from Friday night to Sunday night. Visit Hanoi in October, you have a chance to truly contemplate the mossy beauty of the lake, enjoy street foods, and indulge in fun activities like street dance, flashmob, and traditional games,...
Address: 16 streets around Hoan Kiem lake, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
Dinh Le book street
Not grand and modern book stores, neatly arranged shops on Dinh Le street make you suffocate literally because they are packed with piles of books climbing up to the ceiling. You can find almost every book title, suitable for all readerships from little kids to senior adults, with discounts of at least 10 - 20%.
Address: Dinh Le street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
It is to say that the most important factor to have a successful trip is to determine the right time. After reading to the end of this writing, what do you think about Hanoi in October? Do you find it suitable to have a go this month? If the answer is yes, let’s make the plan come true.
— Ha Bich
