"The home of HCM" Hanoi by DSwede

Hanoi Travel Guide: 2,675 reviews and 5,718 photos

Lovers sitting by Hoan Kiem Lake - Hanoi

For my general thoughts on the country, feel free to visit my Vietnam page.

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Old Quarter near Dong Xuan Market

While Ho Chi Minh City may be a thriving city, Hanoi is the beat heart of Vietnam. Being the home of Uncle Ho and his movements, Hanoi has embodied those principles. There are countless monuments, museums and tributes, as well as the eternal resting place of Uncle Ho himself.

On the other hand, Hanoi still has one foot in the more distant past, with the old quarter, the Citadel and the waterways, there is a living breath of the past colonial days. There are vestiges of the French during their occupation and the markets are busy with vendors and hawkers selling their goods as they have for hundreds of years.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Transportation and food is easy, cheap and good.
Cons:The city never stops. Noise, pollution, traffic, etc.
In a nutshell:Vestige ties still exist to both the colonial days and to Uncle Ho's days.

Intro Updated Apr 7, 2011
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Reviews (3)

Locals choice for best Pho Restaurants (1)

Pho Thin has been featured in several international papers and culinary write-ups. But honestly I did not know that... more travel advice

Comfortable business & transit stay Hotels (1)

Sheraton is on the north side of Hanoi. It offers a decent location, both accessible to the city and to the airport (~30... more travel advice

Late nite dancing and clubs Nightlife (1)

It sometimes plays R&B, but varies depending on the DJ. The Lighthouse Dancing Club used to be the Barracuda Bar. Its... more travel advice

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Nemorino Oct 17, 2010 at 12:20 PM

When I was in Hanoi in 1995 I rented a bicycle and had a fine time riding all around for three days. Also stood in line to see Uncle Ho, of course.