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What to do on a rainy day in Hanoi

With the wet weather in Hanoi sticking around for the next week, it begs the question, what does one do? You’ve done the main attractions and walking around Old Quarter soaking wet whilst dodging scooters doesn’t strike you as an appealing idea either. So, we decided to ask some of the girls in the office what they might get up to on a drizzly Hanoi weekend. 

1. Go out for Vietnamese Lau.

A simmering pot is placed in the middle of the table surrounded by an assortment of vegetables, meat, tofu and seafood which are placed into the broth. Otherwise known as a Vietnamese Hot Pot, the aromatic broth cooks your vegetables and meat whilst you sit around drinking bia hoi and chatting with friends.  After a few minutes, you retrieve the food and eat it with a delicious dipping sauce made of roasted white sesame. Vietnamese Lau is a very popular street food and a great way to enjoy a meal together.

If you can splash the cash then we recommend Chim Sao. Although a little on the expensive side, it’s very popular with tourists and locals. If you’re looking for more of a street food setting then head to Pho Phung Hung where there are plenty of Lầu options.

2. Visit Thanh Binh Gallery

 Get away from the hustle of bustle that is drizzling Hanoi and spend an hour or two viewing a remarkable collection of contemporary Vietnamese art. The gallery features exhibitions that reflect Vietnamese culture and heritage with some of Vietnam’s most respected artists displaying their work. The gallery is set on the 1st and 2nd floor of a charming house on Trang Tien Street and well worth a visit for that alone.

 3. Shop until you drop in the Vincom Mega Mall

There’s no better way to stay dry than staying indoors.  Why not take advantage of the wet weather and go shopping in one of Hanoi’s largest shopping malls. Vincom Mega Mall boasts over 800 outlets and an array of food options, a bowling alley and an ice rink. There’s even an English-speaking cinema for those who want to relax and watch a new release. Oh, and did we mention it houses one of South-East Asia’s largest indoor water parks? Maybe you won’t be staying dry after all. Vincom Mega Mall is easily accessible by scooter or taxi and located in the Thanh Xuan District. 

 4. Go for a massage

If you’re not persuaded to spend your money drinking bia hoi this weekend perhaps you can put it to better use. Why not treat yourself to a spa package in one of Hanoi’s elegant spas? Prices are beyond reasonable for massages ranging anywhere from 1-3 hours. Scrub off the dirt and grime and relax your aching muscles.

Hanoi La Belle Spa has incredibly friendly reception staff that will go through the different procedures that are available. Their highly skilled therapists combine oriental techniques with Vietnamese herbal scents to leave you feeling completely rejuvenated.

Just Massage Studio located in Tay Hoi provides a chance for vision-impaired massage therapists to learn a trade and earn a fair wage for their work. They also provide some of the best massages Hanoi has to offer at a very affordable price.

5. Have a delicious meal at KOTO restaurant

Okay, so this one may not be emblematic of a Vietnamese weekend but it’s for a great cause. Founded by Vietnamese-Australian, Jimmy Pham, KOTO stands for “Know One, Teach One.” The restaurant is a hospitality training centre and provides disadvantaged youth with an opportunity to break out and learn some skills. The students come from all sorts of backgrounds and with their qualified training they go on to follow successful career paths. The menu is extensive and the food is sensational. Well worth a visit and the benefit is you’re supporting a very worthy cause! However, it’s worth calling up beforehand as it can get pretty busy. 

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