It is true that Vietnam's capital has seen more skyscrapers and globalization, but high-rise buildings are largely confined to the fringes... Hanoi is not really a city but more of a sprawling, bustling village with French colonial architecture and rather haphazard-looking houses, but there are plenty of reasons to visit, the 120-year-old Hong Kong daily South China Morning Post (SCMP) introduced.
Morning at Hoan Kiem Lake
Life bustles on the sidewalks: women sell fresh fruit from bicycles parked on street corners; barbers nail mirrors to trees and cut customers' hair on old chairs; restaurant staff sit on stools outside their establishments to trim bunches of vegetables; and motorbike mechanics, sign writers, and roadside artisans work without being distracted by the surrounding noise.
A day in Hanoi begins at Hoan Kiem Lake, located in the city center.
Surrounded by stately old trees and low-rise apricot-colored buildings used as shops, cafes or government offices , the lake at dawn attracts hundreds of Hanoians to jog, stretch, do push-ups on the railings…
Others gather in dance groups, do yoga, or simply stroll by the water's edge, at a safe distance from the motorbikes that flood the capital's streets, alleys and sidewalks.
Aside from the inconvenience of two-wheeled vehicles, Hanoi is a gentle urban sprawl with a plethora of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to cheap guesthouses, to small but towering hotels in the heart of the Old Quarter, many of which are large enough to accommodate just a few rooms per floor.
Big-name hotels like the Sofitel Legend Metropole start at around 10 million dong ($400) a night. The Old Quarter – around and around Hoan Kiem Lake – is dotted with family hotels, with mostly modern amenities, few frills and prices starting at around $60.
Bargain when taking a cyclo tour to see the city
Strolling around the Old Quarter, you’ll suddenly hear the gentle jingling of bells, announcing the presence of cyclos – traditional Vietnamese rickshaws – calling out to visitors. Sure, it’s touristy and the haggling (up to $8 an hour) can be tedious, but the opportunities for filming and photographing as Hanoi spills out in all directions are unparalleled.
However, the food is one of the best things about any trip to Vietnam.
About a generation ago, restaurants in Hanoi were few and far between, while menus and bills tended to be handwritten and not always strictly adhered to.
But today, many restaurants and eateries have made it onto the Michelin list in one way or another, including the opera-themed Backstage, which serves Vietnamese at the 5-star Capella hotel, or Hibana by Koki, which is famous for its teppanyaki at the same address.
Street food is also notable, with Nguyet chicken pho awarded Michelin's Bib Gourmand…
While the arrival of Michelin may shake things up, long-standing restaurants like Madame Hien and Cha Ca La Vong are still popular.
Sidewalk haircut for $4
One thing to note is that if you shop in Hanoi, be prepared to haggle and realize that paying in US dollars will result in a terrible exchange rate. In addition to souvenirs, there are many exquisitely crafted lacquer, silk and hand-embroidered items to be found in the humble shops in the Old Quarter, Dong Xuan Market and surrounding districts…
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![[Photo] Binh Trieu 1 Bridge has been completed, raised by 1.1m, and will open to traffic at the end of November.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/10/2/a6549e2a3b5848a1ba76a1ded6141fae)
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