"Hanoi - Old Town" Hanoi by Brisvegaskid

From the airport we caught a shuttle for US$3 each and it dropped us right at our address. It is easy to find, being caught from the median strip just outside the airport exit. Be careful of cabs because some have dodgy meters and some tell you a fare but don't add in the toll (till later).

Hanoi grew on us. It did not make a good first impression with the insane traffic, fumes of the bikes and crazy footpaths loaded with parked motorbikes and gutters full of rubbish. However, we got to love it.

At night all the bikes go - well, elsewhere - and the street cleaners take all the rubbish away and the locals bring out small plastic stools and tables and cooking gear. The footpath becomes the kitchen, dining room, lounge room. You still can't walk on it - but it's interesting!!

And the food!! The food is fantastic. Be brave and go local.

The Hoan Kiem Lake is central to Hanoi and the Old Town is just north of it. There is plenty of accommodation and places to eat, tour cafes and so on in this area.

The most striking feature around here is the overwhelming fumes of the motor bike traffic. Lots of the locals wear masks (not many helmets though).

The Lake is interesting to walk around, doesn't take too long. There is a cafe at one end that does cocktails, including fantastic non-alcoholic ones (heavy on the sweetness) and if there is a breeze to blow away the bike fumes it's a pretty pleasant place to pass some time.

The streets of Hanoi are a hive of commercial activity! There aren't too many beggars but there are loads of enterprising business people...and they know a western money pot when they see one!!

Take lots of photos, be patient and smile and so no thank you a lot... If you do buy - be prepared to bargain bargain bargain - and keep smiling.

The Vietnamese people we met were fantastic.

• Pros:fantastic food, great colours and character, helpful people
• Cons:traffic is insane, motor bikes rule the city, air pollution