5 Utterly Thrilling Water Sports In Hanoi That Are Sure To Give You An Adrenaline Rush

Hanoi city has been the capital of a reunified Vietnam for nearly a thousand years now. It is one of the center points of Vietnam, where many Vietnamese dynasties have engraved their impressions. The city has scores of fascinating cultural and historical monuments for travelers in comparison to other cities in Vietnam. The city is prominently situated on the right bank of the Red River which makes the sightseeing even more lucrative for the visitors as the city can be explored by choosing any of the water sports in Hanoi.

Best Time To Try Water Sports In Hanoi

The most favorable time to visit Hanoi is around September to November (autumn) and March to April (spring) when the weather is pleasant with mild temperature. During winters, Hanoi becomes quite cold as the temperatures can fall below 10ºC and during the summer averaging near around 28-35ºC.

Top 5 Water Sports In Hanoi

Here are some of the most popular water sports in the city of Hanoi that all adventure seekers must try during their trip for an utterly exciting holiday experience in Vietnam.

1. Cruising

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Though not really a water sport, a trip to Hanoi without experiencing a cruise would be incomplete. Witness the majestic landscapes of the UNESCO World Heritage-Halong Bay in the most impressive way while onboard, which is one of the top-rated water sports in Hanoi. Sailing through the luxury cruise amidst the speculating bay that promises breathtaking scenery and tranquil beauty from the sundeck with the changing colors of the sky. Unwind to discover the splendid beauty of the "Descending Dragon" bay, mounted by thousands of limestone rocks. Unleash yourself to enjoy the bay landscapes and the serene floating village on the way. This tour would definitely mark an experience of a lifetime.

Many tour companies offer day and night cruise tours to sail around the Halong Bay that includes many other activities like Kayaking and Bamboo boat ride etc which can be enjoyed on the go, one can opt for the best suitable package out of the plentiful options conveniently available.

Location: Halong Bay
Average cost: starts from INR 5500 approx.

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2. Kayaking

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After a cruise, kayaking is the next best option for water sports in Hanoi to explore Halong Bay. Kayaking will not only offer you a closer look at the World Heritage-Halong Bay but also relieve you of all your stress and worries while rejuvenating and soothing your senses. Many travel operators offer Kayaking along with the cruise package. The visitors are taken to Halong Bay in a cruise, where they can enjoy many other activities including kayaking around Lan Ha Ba and excursions to Sung Sot Cave and Luon Cave that offers a stunning view. Although some sites have become crowded with tour boats, however, there are various untouched sights on the outer fringes of the bay.

Location: Halong Bay
Average cost: INR 6000 approx Inclusive in Cruise ride (depending on package).

3. Bamboo boat ride

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Another way to explore the picturesque Halong Bay in Hanoi is through a Bamboo boat ride. Many operators offer water activities in Hanoi, and just like kayaking, bamboo boat ride tours are also offered within the cruise package. The bamboo boat ride would surely serve the purpose of enjoying the mesmerizing Halong bay in a very unique way while giving you an experience of adventure at the same moment. The bewitching blue water of the bay will win your heart and the Bamboo boat ride right in the middle of the turquoise water adds a cherry on top.

Location: Halong Bay
Average cost: INR 6000 approx Inclusive in Cruise ride (depending on package).

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4. Snorkeling

When it comes to boat tours & water sports in Hanoi, there are quite a decent number of things which can be done and snorkeling is one of them. It is ideal for those who are interested in seeing sparkling underwater life and admire the humongous display of coral reef. Halong Bay holds diverse ecosystem along with both oceanic and tropical evergreen biosystem. The widely spread bay has approximately 1200 hectares of coral reef with hundreds of aquatic heritage species. Snorkeling is mostly carried out by the Cruise line operators that may or may not be included in the cruise fare depending on the package taken.

Location: Halong Bay
Average cost: Inclusive in Cruise ride (depending on package)

5. Scuba diving

Hanoi is a paradise for those who love Scuba diving as Ha long bay offers rich and diversified marine life which is a treat to the diver’s eyes. With umpteen numbers of splendid corals like stag-horn and mushroom, Halong Bay would certainly amaze anyone. Scuba diving is counted among the top 10 Hanoi water sports. The best season for diving is from the month of April to December when the water temperature ranges from 26-30 degree Celsius. Additionally. It is best done under the supervision of well trained and certified divers which sums an unforgettable experience to tourists. Cruise operators who deal with water sports in Hanoi can be contacted for scuba diving as this activity is conducted by cruise line mostly.

Location: Halong Bay
Average cost: Inclusive in the cruise ride (depending on the package)

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Other Interesting Things To Do In Hanoi

There is a lot more that can be done apart from water activities in Hanoi. The city offers the wide array of options to choose from, all depending on your interest.

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Interestingly, the impressive monument of Ho Chi Minh mausoleum in Vietnam preserves the body of Ho Chi Minh in a glass casket, who was a former Vietnamese leader. It was inaugurated in the year 1975 and since then, it has preserved the politician's remains in a perfect condition. The museum documents the life of Ho Chi Minh with a couple of chronological topics. The body of Ho Chi Minh is dimly lit, and visitors get only a fraction of time to observe it as they tour around the mausoleum. The visitors follow a line formation which is not allowed to stop at any point. Though, it is said by some that the casket contains just a model of Ho Chi Minh's body as the embalmed body would ultimately decay.

Location: Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi
Average cost: No entry fee (donations are accepted).

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2. Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Thang Long Water Puppet show is one of the most sought-after tourist highlights in Hanoi which is a home of the unusual art of water puppetry. The rice farmers who worked in the Red River Delta had formulated this unusual form of art over a thousand years ago. At the time of the performance, the puppeteers stand in a water body behind the screen where water is leveled till their waistline and maneuver the puppets on rods to give moving impression across the water. Each act involves nearly 7 to 11 well-trained puppeteers who undergo training for at least three years. The performances involve both animal and human puppets to showcase traditional Vietnamese tales and legends, some of which are - The Legend of the Restored Sword of King Lenand and a boy riding a buffalo whilst playing the flute along with dancing dragons on the water complementing with fireworks.

The Water Puppet Theatre can be very busy between October and April, so it is better to book the tickets well in advance. In addition, extra charges are applicable if you wish to bring a camera to the performance. Also, Beware of sitting in the front row as you may get wet!

Location: Hanoi
Average cost: INR 700 approx.

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3. Hanoi City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

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What a great idea it would be to explore the local sights of Hanoi city at your own pace on locally run double-decker buses, hopping on and off nearly 30 attractive popular heritage sites such as Hoan Kiem Lake, one-pillar pagoda and Old Quarter etc. It is one of the simplest ways to tour around the city for any sort of traveler - solo or group.

The shuttle service starts from the fixed meeting point at Hoan Kiem Lake which is in the heart of Hanoi City Centre. The buses are well equipped with multilingual audio guides: English, French, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. The guests have the liberty to board and deboard at any bus stop during their tour. Beside this, Hop-On-Hop-Off buses are also outfitted with free WiFi services.

The shuttle service operates from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the tickets are valid till 24 hours. Furthermore, the bus arrives approximately every 30 minutes.

Location: Hanoi
Average cost: INR 1300 approx.

Further Read: Hanoi In Winter: Top 13 Things To Do In This Vietnamese Capital During Winter!

So, why not plan a trip and try out these exciting water sports in Hanoi for an exhilarating experience. Let the experts at TravelTriangle book you an awesome-sauce trip to Vietnam at economical rates and with all the customisations of your choice! Don’t forget to write to us about your memorable holiday experience once you’re back!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Water Sports In Hanoi

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