Vietnam’s capital rains a lot during spring and summer (February – August). Even though that means you may miss out on all the fun outdoor activities in Hanoi, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a memorable experience here. Lots of Hanoi’s attractions lie indoor, so you can spend time exploring the charm behind closed doors of the thousand-year-old city. Scroll down for our best-recommended activities during the rainy season in Hanoi.
Fun Activities during the Rainy Season in Hanoi
1. Visiting Museums and Historical Sites
Learning about a country’s past and present is a good way to start your list of activities during the rainy season in Hanoi. And luckily, this city has a great number of museums and interesting sites to satisfy your inner history buff:
National Museum of Vietnam History: A comprehensive collection of over 200,000 artifacts representing the course of Vietnamese history.
Hoa Lo Prison Museum: An animated demonstration of Vietnam’s past fights because the museum used to be a jail during French colonialism for communist patriots and American soldiers during the Vietnam War.
An exhibition inside the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: Vietnamese have always prided themselves on having many ethnic groups in the country, 54 to be exact. And this museum is where you can best get an extensive overview of all the ethnicities.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Ho Chi Minh is an admirable leader of Vietnam who guided the country through the French and American invasion. Vietnam has built this special resting place for the citizens to pay respect to their beloved leader.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex also includes Ba Dinh Square and the Presidential Palace
2. Entertainment
There are all kinds of activities during the rainy season in Hanoi and indoor entertainment is a not-to-be-missed choice. Below are two unique experiences that only Hanoi can offer:
Hanoi Opera House: The building is often praised as Southeast Asia’s most stunning architectural masterpiece. You can join a tour around the Hanoi Opera House to admire its breathtaking corners and history or buy tickets to one of its monthly performances.
The Hanoi Opera House’s design takes inspiration from the Opera Garnier from Paris
Water Puppetry: This is a traditional folk art form and an intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam. The performance takes place on the water surface, using wooden puppets to tell Vietnamese folklore stories or historical tales.
3. Eat
Eating is probably the most fun of all activities during the rainy season in Hanoi due to the varied cuisine of Vietnam’s capital. While eating, you can uncover the city’s persona without stepping outside. Try Bun Cha – a signature of Hanoi containing vermicelli, grilled pork, fish sauce, and fresh herbs. Pho is also a no-brainer choice. What’s better than a piping hot bowl of this international favorite, on a cold day in its origin city? Though if you’re feeling adventurous, we recommend Bun Dau Mam Tom – vermicelli with fermented shrimp paste, fried tofu, and sometimes boiled pork or fried intestines.
Bun Cha
You may be interested: Local Places to Eat in Hanoi.
4. Coffee
When we talk about Vietnam, we talk about coffee. So make your time indoors worthwhile by exploring different aspects of the tangy Vietnamese drip coffee. A famous variation of this drink is Hanoi egg coffee. It’s a take on Cappucino where the whipped egg yolks replace milk, giving the coffee a rich, aromatic taste.
Hanoi also has many beautiful cafes for photography lovers. You can choose hidden ones between the old alleys of Hanoi Old Quarter, or coffee shops around West Lake will offer you a romantic view during the rainy days.
Egg Coffee
5. Shopping
Many people don’t consider shopping as one of the fun activities during the rainy season in Hanoi, but it’s a great way to spend time indoors while getting your loved ones at home a unique souvenir. You can opt for a high-end experience in one of Hanoi’s shopping malls, such as Trang Tien Plaza or AEON Mall Long Bien. Or you can check out local markets in Hanoi to explore the daily lives of Hanoi residents.
See more: Vietnamese Souvenirs to Buy in Hanoi.
Coffee beans are a good souvenir to buy home
Check reviews and prices of top hotels in Hanoi:
Our Thoughts on Fun Activities during the Rainy Season in Hanoi
The rain sure isn’t an ideal setting for any trip, but we hope that with our list of activities during the rainy season in Hanoi, you’ll find a way to turn challenges into opportunities and make the most of your time. Above are just our top picks, while Hanoi has a lot of hidden gems to offer, so don’t forget to check out our website for other travel suggestions from locals!
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