"Hanoi-Jewel of the north" a Hanoi Travel Page by goldcoaster

The Old Quarter of Hanoi is really cool. It is vibrant and full of life like nowhere else in Vietnam.

Close to the Red River and Hoan Kiem Lake it is perfectly located to explore the city. The water puppet theatre is nearby as well as some fantastic shopping bargains in traditional and not so traditional items.

We stayed in the Lucky Hotel as a treat at the end of our trip and for $45 USD got the most gorgeous suite with huge balcony overlooking the Quarter. We ordered room service and eat dinner on the balcony with the city putting on its evening dress as we ate.

Unfortunately, we also tend to blind ourselves to certain facts of life in Vietnam. Like Orwell's Animal Farm, some animals are more equal than others.

This is amply demonstrated by the tarp houses you see around the place. These are truly where some of the less fortunate live. In the south they are more apparent but they are in Hanoi as well.