Best Restaurants in Hanoi

HOME - Unique Vietnamese Restaurant in Hanoi

An impressive addition to the upscale dining scene in Hanoi, HOME Hanoi restaurant blends a luxurious French colonial heritage with authentic northern Vietnamese cuisine. Established earlier this year by the luxury hotel and Halong Bay cruise operator Paradise Hotels and Cruises, HOME Hanoi is their first restaurant in central Hanoi. Occupying an imposing 1930′s French villa set within a traditional residential area adjacent to lakes and parkland, the main structure has been meticulously restored to its former splendor, while the interiors have been reimagined in an attractive blend of vintage-chic decor and elements of contemporary furnishings.

Banh cuon - An authentic northern Vietnamese cuisine

HOME Hanoi serves an expansive Vietnamese menu that combines authentic northern cuisine with contemporary renditions of popular Vietnamese and seafood dishes. Favored by a well-informed local clientele, HOME Hanoi is also becoming increasingly popular with discerning visitors to Hanoi. Exuding an aesthetic of sophisticated yet understated luxe, HOME Hanoi entices with memorable dining experiences at approachable prices.

Outdoor terrace - HOME Hanoi Restaurant

Preserving the architectural and historic integrity of the spacious villa, original features and finishes have been faithfully restored, while contemporary decor and artwork elements have been harmoniously interwoven into the design concept. The ground floor features the spacious main dining room plus a smaller room in a rear section, while upstairs a comfortable dining room is also complemented by a semi-private dining space. An attractive outdoor terrace extends the length and across the frontage of the villa offering a casual alternative to the main restaurant rooms.

In front of HOME Hanoi Restaurant

Diners at HOME Hanoi can select a wide variety of local dishes from the seasonally updated menus. Printed in an informative broadsheet format, the menus feature dishes grouped under categories such as Traditional Dishes that epitomize the subtle flavor combinations typical of northern Vietnamese cuisine; and Dong Xuan Market – with a focus on fresh market produce including seafood, poultry and meats; while Appetizers, Soups and Special Dishes offer further Vietnamese favorites like pepper beef pho noodle, and freshly rolled rice paper with duck and seasonal herbs. A thoughtfully assembled drinks list entices with well-priced international wines, classic cocktails, premium spirits and refreshing fruit juices.

Photo credit: HOME Hanoi Restaurant

Hardly anyone visiting Hanoi can resist falling in love with the city and its unique beauty. Herein, there is a Tet season, when people lend themselves in the extreme crowded, tiresome yet marvelous moments of preparation. We have new clothes or gifts for the beloved ones, fresh deliveries for traditional food and beautiful Tet trees/flowers and themed decorations for the house. Every Tet day, Hanoians are there, in the spring breeze, finishing their year-end work and Tet duties. Our strength and emotions are mixed up with all the busy vibes; however, our Tet is there, always excites us like a child rewarded new toys. All for Tet! Let’s celebrate, the New Year of the Rooster.

Hang Ma, Hang Luoc, where you can see the colors of Tet

Traditional food for Tet

A satisfied trade of Mai - Tet flower

Unique decorations matching Rooster New Year theme

O mai? Definitely Tet snacks

Lost in a forest of peach blossoms, of Tet!

There is a time when Hanoi enters a white-out season. From early November to December, all old quarters are covered by a pure white color of tiny white daisies followed by the cold Eastern wind, which herald a new dry upcoming season. Unlike the powerful alluring red Poinciana flowers of summer, the white daisies modestly represent the moody shades of winter as it is calm, composed and quiet as an old experienced man.

The tiny white daisy, winter’s lover

The vendors gather bunch of tiny white daisies from the traditional flower villages, for example Nhat Tan or Tay Tuu garden, Quang Ba market and carry them around Hanoi to sell. Little do they know that their daisy bicycles are beautifying every corner of Hanoi in the long gloomy winter days.

A white-out season of Hanoi

Hoan Kiem lake - The heart of Hanoi

Ngoc Son Temple is at the north end of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi heart. The temple of the Jade Mountain, or Den Ngoc Son, is one of Hanoi's most visited cultural attractions. Accessed by a brightly painted red wooden bridge, the temple sits atop the largest island in HoanKiem Lake but very few learn about its symbolic significance.

Wandering around the 16th century Ngoc Son Temple, resting on an enigmatic lake amongst leafy green trees, is a highlight of any trip to Hanoi. The temple itself is also filled with fascinating symbolism and an intriguing history, knowledge of which will certainly make for an enhanced visiting experience.

The temple consists of several gates, the first of which starts almost on the road. Two large red Chinese characters are written on the first gate for Happiness on the right, and Prosperity on the left. Inside this gate is the Pen Tower, or Thap But, a ten-meter high stone structure whose tip resembles a writing brush. The mountain represents a good foundation, or the earth, and the characters on the tower say “writing on the clear blue sky”. This represents the importance of truth and clarity in everyday life.

The second gate is surrounded by Taoist symbols. On the left is a tiger and on the right is a Vietnamese dragon, which symbolize power and stability; a phoenix symbolized longevity. Above the third gate, the last one before crossing the bridge, is a large stone representing an ink pot to partner with the Pen Tower, as well as bats that symbolize happiness (the Chinese word for “bat” is phuc which means happiness in Vietnamese).

The temple itself is reached by crossing the red-painted wooden bridge called The Huc, or “Rising Sun”. The name reflects that the wooden bridge is an ideal location from which to watch the sunrise. After crossing the bridge, we come to the fourth gate, which is surrounded by typical Taoist symbols of protection-the dragon-horse, or long ma, is on the right carrying a yin yang mirror to send back evil spirits.

Ngoc Son Temple exemplifies the harmony of Taoist fengshui. It is surrounded by water, which directs energy to the temple and several viewpoints face the sunrise, also believe to attract positive natural energies. An ancient structure and one of the symbols of this city of over a thousand years, Ngoc Son is so much more than just a wooden bridge.