Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital is a city of lakes and parks, of tree lined streets resplendent with French colonial villas and mansions – a European capital in the centre of Asia.

The Old French Quarter is a maze of crammed narrow alleyways that are still named after goods that were once traded on there. With the charm of a bygone era, Hanoi is home to a myriad of roadside cafes and bars, where the traditional beer (“Bia Hoi”) flows freely accompanied by some remarkable cuisine. Wide, bicycle filled boulevards and faded but elegant architecture dominate the landscape as the industrious city people go about their daily lives. The ancient art of water puppetry continues to this day in this historic city where Ho Chi Minh’s monumental mausoleum is housed. The streets of Hanoi are a carnival of colour for todays visitor, with wonderful shopping, dining and people at every glance. In short Hanoi is a microcosm of Vietnamese culture.

Hanoi also has some truly fantastic hotels. Our personal favourites include the boutique Maison D'Hanoi, which combines a fantastic location in the heart of the old quarter, and the beautifully restored Sofitel Metropole, which offers luxurious comfort and colonial grandeur with service to match