Highlights
The Lakes
When you fancy a change of scenery and pace from Hanoi’s bustling and vibrant streets, seek out the stunning lakes for endless space and tranquillity. Set an early alarm and head to the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake at sunrise for a glimpse of timeless Hanoi, where city-dwellers practise the art of Tai Chi amid the mist, as the metropolis starts to stir. An equally beautiful but significantly larger lake, Ho Tay or West Lake is some 15km in circumference and fringed with smart suburbs. You can take a leisurely stroll part way around, or cycle the complete loop, discovering plenty of places to eat and shop along the way.
Street Food
Hanoi is famous for its street-food culture, boasting a high-spirited gathering of locals and visitors jostling for seats at the top stalls in town. The best way to sample Vietnam’s fragrant and exotic flavours is to book a place on a walking tour with a handful of other foodies; call in at local markets laden with delicacies, watch chefs at work in noisy kitchens and, of course, sample a variety of authentic goodies (such as pork crêpes and flame-grilled meats) in Hanoi’s atmospheric side streets. Finish with a cup of fresh fruit mixed with crushed ice and condensed milk – a sweet treat loved by locals.
History
Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, overflowing with striking colonial architecture, and encounter the friendly traders selling everything from light-hearted souvenirs to noodles. The city’s French Quarter houses impressive government buildings and residences; historical landmarks include the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the centre of ancient Hanoi for 800 years, and the Temple of Literature - an ancient complex of learning originally dedicated to Chinese scholar, Confucius, featuring gardens, pavilions and shrines. Designed after Lenin’s burial chamber in Moscow, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is the final resting place of iconic leader, ‘Uncle Ho’, and a must-visit piece to the jigsaw of Hanoi’s intriguing history.