Travel Guide To Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital and also the second largest city in Vietnam. The city combines the traditional Sino-Vietnamese motifs and is a curious blend of the East and the West with a French flair in particular. The decades of war have left the city unscathed but it is now one of the most rapidly developing cities of South-East Asia going through the building boom. The city has been consistently ranked as the top ten destinations preferred by travelers all over the world by TripAdvisor. It, along with the surrounding areas, has shown a rapid boom in tourism. The city, despite the traffic horns blaring as the locals ride past through the fleet of scooters and tour buses, has a vibrancy of its own in the form of its delicious street food, traditional forms of entertainment, history and culture that has survived the war and colonial occupation.

Hanoi has been on the bucket list of many travelers who visit Hanoi for various reasons. With a lot of options on what to do in Hanoi, it is better to keep an itinerary in place before beginning the journey.

The heart of Hanoi is its Old Quarter, situated towards the North of Hoan Kiem lake, and dates back to more than a thousand years. The area has thirty-six streets which were named after the goods traded there. Its many such facts are of interest to travelers who can just wander around shopping for souvenirs or relax in one of the open-fronted bars.

Hanoi has witnessed and endured the Chinese and French occupation which has given it its rich cultural heritage. Excavations at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long have unearthed artifacts dating back to the seventh century A.D. The on-site museum with its terracotta phoenixes and dragon heads is a must visit when in Hanoi.

Soak in the beauty of the Halong Bay, the most magical site of Vietnam, dotted with tiny islands, forests, grottos, and caves.