Riverside Hanoi serves up a generous dose of evocative historic sites and shrines, fantastic cuisine and the chance to catch a glimpse of real life in Vietnam’s busy capital city, all in equal measure. A walk through Hanoi’s 13th-century Old Quarter is the perfect place to start, as open thoroughfares and tight alleyways of French colonial buildings have since turned into a myriad of street food vendors, restaurants and ramshackle outlets peddling all manner of authentic wares. It’s a heady travel experience here in Hanoi, so be sure to take it all in.
None of this is for show, however, as while the hum of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is exciting to visit on street level, the upper floors of these dilapidated colonial buildings (complete with original stone balconies) are usually inhabited by local residents. Think hanging laundry and pot plants, satellite dishes and a tangle of telephone wires lining the way.
There is then so much else to uncover while touring this top Vietnamese city, with highlights of Hanoi including the ornate Opera House; Hoan Kiem Lake with its famous island temple and bridge; Thang Long Imperial Citadel; the National Museum of Vietnamese History; Bach Ma Temple; and Tran Quoc Pagoda, a 6th-century Buddhist shrine on the banks of Hanoi’s West Lake, to name just a few.
Nicola
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Vietnam
Vietnam travel information
When to visit Vietnam
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- Time zone: +7 GMT
- Flight time: 15-15 hours
- Recommended airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Thai Airways
- Currency: Vietnamese dong
- Tipping guideline: Tipping is not expected in Vietnam, but small tips for good service are appreciated.
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue. There is a risk of Zika virus. There is a low risk of malaria in the southern part of the country in the provinces of Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum, and other rural areas of Vietnam. There is no risk of malaria in large cities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), the Red River delta, coastal areas north of Nha Trang and Phu Quoc Island.
- Capital: Hanoi
- Population: 9.94977e+007
- National languages: Vietnamese
- Electricity and plugs: Type A, C, & D, 220 V
- Mobile phone coverage: Good coverage with several mobile service providers available.
- UK passport visa requirements: You may need a visa for Vietnam if you have a British passport - apply online
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