Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, has encountered centuries of struggle, times of change and moments of liberation. From French colonisation and years of Chinese domination, the city has now settled into the modern world with a quiet respect for its acquired beauty.

Hanoi is city of lush lakes and manicured gardens, with splendid old French colonial buildings through wide city streets which give the city a classic 18th century France appearance.

The Old Quarter, located north of Hoan Kiem Lake, is where you will find Hanoi's main shopping and dining precinct. There are plenty of local tailors and stores of wonderful silks and fabrics to be found here, along with a variety of well-reputed galleries. The nightlife in Hanoi is rather under-developed, but what exists is situated mainly around this area.

Not only does Hanoi offer the charm of its perplexities but it is an ideal base for those wishing to tour further north of Vietnam. The Perfume Pago’s, a sacred Buddhist temple which is surrounded by the magical Perfume Mountain, is a few hours north of Hanoi, along with one of the natural wonders of the world, Halong Bay.