"Hanoi" a Hanoi Travel Page by BeeTea

Houses in Hanoi are narrow but high. Can only 3 m wide and 10 m long. And if they need more space they build another store again and again. Seems that they share one house for some families.

Hanoi is a small city but has many interesting point to visit, especially if you're fond of temples and history.

Spend at least 2 days, but if you're in tight schedule and only have 1 full day, I suggest you take this trip:
- Start in the morning from Hoan Kiem Lake, it's better if you stay in a hotel in this area ( it's gonna be more expensive). Walk around and relax, see the post office, big statue of Ly Thai To, you must visit the Turtoise Temple and the Red Bridge.
-Within walking distance you can come to Opera house and Hilton Hotel.
-You can continue to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum because it opens only until 11 am. You may need more than 2 hours in Mausoleum complex, presidential palace, one pillar pagoda and museum.
-Then you can continue to Literature Temple ( can take more than 1 hour).
-Spend your time for shopping in Don Xuan Market
-Go back to Hoan Kiem Lake and watch the Water Puppet Show, it's cute and entertaining.
-For the late shopping, walk along the Hang Gai Street, Hang Bo Street and Hang Bac street you can buy hat, T-Shirt and local craft (some are more expensive than Don Xuan market)

Transportation is not a big problem in Hanoi, you can take taxi or motorcycle taxi (have to bargain).

Most Vietnamese don't speak English, they are friendly and helpfull but sometimes shy to foreigners.