"Hanoi - a blend of old charm and French... " a Hanoi Travel Page by aukahkay

Having heard raving reviews of Hanoi from my friends, my dad and I decided to visit Hanoi. We arranged for a private tour through Exotissimo Tours complete with personal guide and driver. Exotissimo put together a 4-day package at US$262 per person staying at 4-star hotels in Hanoi and Halong.
I redeemed a free ticket on Singapore Airlines on my Kris Flyer programme and we were off to Hanoi on 2 March 2006.

My first impression of Hanoi was the utter confusion - the cacaphony of sounds, smells and sights in a seemingly disorganised city full of motorcycles and bicycles. Cars weaved their way through the streets, sounding their horns along the way to warn other road users of their presence. Unlike Bangkok where traffic jams along major roads are the order of the day, the traffic in downtown Hanoi is surprisingly smooth flowing with traffic moving slowly at 30 - 40 km/hr.

The French architectural legacy and an abundance of trees and lakes around the city gives Hanoi a romantic air which is unique for an Asian city. Despite progress of the city, little has changed in the city center over the past half of a century especially in the Old Quarter. Signs of economic boom and capitalism can be seen in new luxury hotels springing up over the last decade.