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26/01/2023
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Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square lies in the middle of busy streets in downtown Hanoi (Source: Collected)
As a landmark of Hanoi capital, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square is definitely a preferred venue for special occasions such as New Year Countdown and live shows. Almost every visitor includes this site in their Hanoi travel itinerary due to its special significance in the life of the locals.
1. About Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square
Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square is ideally situated to the northeast of Hoan Kiem District, opposite Ham Ca Map Building. The square is also the intersection of 5 famous streets of central Hanoi, namely Le Thai To, Hang Dao, Hang Gai, Dinh Tien Hoang, and Cau Go.
The area around this famous Hanoi square used to be planted with coconut trees. Later, when French colonists entered Vietnam, it was named Place Négrier. In 1907, some patriotic scholars such as Luong Van Can and Nguyen Van Vinh opened a private school named Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc (meaning Thang Long School of Righteousness), attracting lots of patriots and scholars from Hanoi and neighboring areas. To honor this school, in 1945, Mayor Tran Van Lai renamed the square to “Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc” as it is today.
Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square is a favorite gathering spot of young people, especially on the weekend, when it becomes a part of Hanoi walking streets. Its prime location makes this square a familiar venue for the New Year Countdown and other major cultural events of the city and country. It is one of the most popular areas to unwind in Hanoi at night.
The bustling atmosphere of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square in Hanoi at night (Source: Collected)
2. The best way to get to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square
This famous Hanoi square is located not far from Hoan Kiem Lake, so you can easily get here. Depending on where you depart, you can choose a convenient means of transportation to reach Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, such as bus, motorbike, or car.
If you opt for public buses, you can take bus routes number: 04, 08, 09, 11, 14, 18, 23, 3, 36, and 40 to get to the square. In case you decide to ride your own motorbike, find the shortest way on Google Maps. Of course, you can also hail a taxi to get here without having to search for the way.
There are many bus routes passing by Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square (Source: Collected)
3. What are the popular activities in Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square?
Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square has become a part of Hanoi walking streets and is often crowded with both locals and travelers. Young people gather here for cultural exchange and community activities while the elderly jog around. Not only a famous tourist site, the square is also the venue for many significant events of Hanoi, such as the New Year Countdown, Lunar New Year Countdown, and lots of exhilarating festivals and music shows. This is an ideal place if you are looking for a spot to enjoy Hanoi Vietnam nightlife. Moreover, a vast array of Vietnam’s folk games are held on weekends like tug of war, Mandarin square capturing, bamboo jacks, etc.
The New Year Countdown at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square (Source: Collected)
4. Top experiences in your visit to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square
Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Hanoi Square is undoubtedly one of the top places to visit in Hanoi Vietnam. Below are some suggested activities for your trip here:
4.1. Immerse yourself in street events
At Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, tourists can take part in many interesting Vietnam’s traditional games during weekends. Strolling around the lake and playing folk games with the locals can be a real treat. In addition, it is suggested that you get immersed in the vibrant atmosphere full of people welcoming the new year. This is considered a must-try experience that travelers should not miss out on while visiting Hanoi walking streets at the end of the year.
There is plenty of fun at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square (Source: Collected)
4.2. Enjoy tasty street foods
Trying delicious street food around Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and the nearby Old Quarter is highly recommended among numerous things to do in Hanoi. Hanoi is renowned for its wide range of mouth-watering street food and drinks.
From the square, you can get to all hidden corners of the surrounding streets to explore Hanoi’s street cuisine. Some must-tries for this food tour are bun dau mam tom, nem ran, nem chua ran, pork barbeque on skewers, egg coffee, to name a few. These local dishes will certainly satisfy your taste buds.
Enjoy the local cuisine near Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square (Source: Collected)
4.3. Visit the tourist attractions nearby
Hoan Kiem Lake is a natural freshwater lake in the heart of Hanoi. Here, sightseers can walk around the lake and the surrounding Old Quarter. This lake is a relic that has witnessed all the ups and downs of Hanoi throughout a long history. As one of the capital’s symbols, it is an unmissable attraction for visitors to the land of a thousand years of culture.
Hoan Kiem Lake at sunset (Source: Collected)
Ngoc Son Temple is located on a little islet in the northeast of Hoan Kiem Lake. People can reach the islet via The Huc Bridge. Ngoc Son Temple is also a famous attraction in Hanoi, which features traditional architecture and shows the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. It is a sacred site where locals often come to pray for luck, safety, and success.
The view of Ngoc Son Temple (Source: Collected)
St. Joseph’s Cathedral is the oldest church in Hanoi which was built by the French colonial government in Indochina. It surprisingly remains unspoiled, even after the fierce wars that had ravaged the city. St. Joseph’s Cathedral is a classic work of Gothic architecture with some features of the Vietnamese style. The cathedral these days has an ancient and tranquil beauty in the midst of the bustling Hanoi.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Christmas Eve (Source: Collected)
Apart from Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, you should also take time to visit other tourist attractions around Hanoi, such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural, One Pillar Pagoda, and especially Vinpearl Aquarium and VinKE if you travel with children.
Vinpearl Aquarium covers approximately 4,000 square meters, making it one of the largest aquariums in Vietnam. This place houses over 30,000 aquatic creatures from around the world, giving you a great chance to explore marine life. Meanwhile, VinKE offers a play-and-learn environment that helps children experience their dream careers through many job simulation games. No doubt it will bring a lot of enjoyment to your dear kids.
Vinpearl Aquarium and VinKE
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Besides Hanoi, Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc are all top renowned tourist destinations of Vietnam. While you are there, to have the most enjoyable experiences, you should plan your accommodation in advance. It is recommended that you enjoy a luxurious stay at the system of Vinpearl hotels and resorts, which are present in most popular tourist sites in Vietnam. Vinpearl is the leading hospitality brand in the country, boasting many deluxe hotels, resorts, spas, golf courses, conference centers, along with entertainment complexes of international standards.
In particular, VinWonders is one such complex. This is a world-class brand of amusement and theme parks located in some of the hottest destinations in Vietnam. With the scale of up to 50 hectares each, VinWonders parks will definitely bring you exclusive experiences and help you recharge your energy after a day of exploration. Unwinding at these parks amidst stunning scenery and a wide range of alluring activities deserves to be included in your bucket list.
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Today, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square is a cultural heritage strongly connected with the social life of Hanoi’s people. Among a large number of places to visit in Hanoi Vietnam, this square surely deserves to be included on top of your list. Hopefully, this article can provide a quick insight into your target attraction, so that your upcoming trip will be best planned!
