Hanoi

Everything you have read or heard about Hanoi is remarkably true. The overloaded motorcycles, the lively markets and some of the world’s best street food are all here. Abounding with history, culture and heritage, museum and gallery shopping are popular activities in and around Hanoi’s famous Old Quarter. Hanoi's trademark is green parks and peaceful lakes.

Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn you will find young and old walking, jogging, practicing Tai Chi and playing badminton. To the north and west of the lake is Hanoi's famed old quarter with its confusing maze of narrow cobblestoned streets. Home to numerous mini-hotels, art galleries, restaurants and shops, the Old Quarter is worth a day of aimless wandering and discovery. Many visitors, particularly backpackers, choose this area as their base in Hanoi.

Everything you have read or heard about Hanoi is remarkably true. The overloaded motorcycles, the lively markets and some of the world’s best street food are all here. Abounding with history, culture and heritage, museum and gallery shopping are popular activities in and around Hanoi’s famous Old Quarter. Hanoi's trademark is green parks and peaceful lakes.

Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn you will find young and old walking, jogging, practicing Tai Chi and playing badminton. To the north and west of the lake is Hanoi's famed old quarter with its confusing maze of narrow cobblestoned streets. Home to numerous mini-hotels, art galleries, restaurants and shops, the Old Quarter is worth a day of aimless wandering and discovery. Many visitors, particularly backpackers, choose this area as their base in Hanoi.

Hanoi awakes early, with activity in the parks beginning before sunrise and winding down by 7 AM. Most offices, stores and museums open around 7:30 AM, closing for lunch between 11 and 1, and reopening again until 5 PM. Most restaurants stop serving at’10 PM. Hanoi has four distinct seasons. Winters can actually be quite chilly; although snow is foreign to Hanoi residents. Summers are hot and rainy. Probably the best time to visit is spring and fall.