Hanoi is Vietnam’s captivating capital – a city where layered history and everyday life sit side by side, and where a morning coffee can feel as memorable as a major sightseeing stop. Around the edges you’ll find wide French boulevards, grand villas and leafy lakes, while the heart of the city beats in the Old Quarter: a lively maze of narrow streets, shopfronts, scooters and street-food stalls that has been trading for centuries.
The Old Quarter is where Hanoi’s personality shines brightest. Each street still hints at its traditional trade, and exploring on foot is half the fun – drifting from tiny temples and tucked-away courtyards to bustling markets and hole-in-the-wall eateries. It’s a city made for wandering: pause for a bowl of pho, watch the world go by from a low plastic stool, or duck into a quiet café above the street noise.
For culture and history, Hanoi offers a rich mix. Elegant landmarks such as the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake sit alongside powerful museums and important national sites, while the city’s performing arts – especially traditional water puppetry – give a charming glimpse into Vietnam’s storytelling traditions. Even the simple ritual of crossing the road becomes part of the experience, and the city’s energy feels both chaotic and oddly graceful once you fall into step with it.
Hanoi also serves as a perfect launchpad for northern Vietnam. It’s an ideal starting point for journeys to limestone landscapes, rural villages and the bays of the north, while still rewarding travellers who choose to linger. With characterful boutique hotels, a thriving food scene, and a sense of atmosphere that’s hard to replicate elsewhere, Hanoi is the kind of city that stays with you long after you leave.
As previously described
