I’m sure that you will never forget if you have a chance to visit Hanoi. It is not only known as the capital of Vietnam but also very famous with many great places, food as well as the Hanoi people.
The quintessential Hanoi neighborhood and the oldest area in town, the Old Quarter is a maze of streets dating back to the 13th century. The Old Quarter’s Communal Houses were set up by guilds as small temples to honor a local god – the Bach Ma, or White Horse, who represents the city itself. Another sightseeing highlight is the Temple of Literature — a sanctuary of Confucianism and Vietnam’s seat of learning for almost a thousand years.
Hanoi is the best place to experience traditional Vietnamese arts such as opera, theater, and water puppetry shows that feature traditional music and depict Vietnamese folklore and myths. The city also has a variety of pleasant little watering holes. For a vivid taste of local street life, Hanoi style, pull up a little plastic squat stool on a street corner or in one of the many cozy, open-air bars serving the local brew bia-hoi.
It’s hard to have a bad meal in Hanoi. Hanoi’s finest local food is served at small, one-dish restaurants, usually just open-air joints at street-side, where you might wonder why a line is snaking out the door. The ubiquitous pho — noodle soup served with slices of beef or chicken, fresh bean sprouts and condiments — can be found anywhere. And don’t miss cha ca, Hanoi’s famed spicy fish fry-up.
Dozens of small, serene lakes dotted about Hanoi offer transport to tranquility amid the city bustle. In the morning, the circumference walkway encircling Hoan Kiem Lake becomes a training camp, with locals working up a sweat performing tai chi or calisthenics. Otherwise, walking is the best way to tour the winding passages of the Old Quarter. More intrepid souls bike around town to beat the chaotic traffic — most hotels have a cycle to rent
