Hanoi Highlights, Hanoi, Vietnam

Established over a millennium ago as Thăng Long, Hanoi has weathered centuries of imperial rule, French colonialism, and the ravages of war. Today, Vietnam’s bustling capital blends this ancient soul with rapid modern development. For tourists, exploring the narrow alleyways of the historic Old Quarter and tasting world-famous street food are absolute must-do experiences.

Whether you’re sipping egg coffee or marveling at French colonial architecture, navigating the city’s rich past is unforgettable. Plan your walking tour of Hanoi with this guide.

On my tour with G-Adventures, we only had a few afternoons in Hanoi, as we used the Northern Vietnam City as hub for trips to Ha Long Bay and Mai Chau. Consequently, I added an extra day to my itinerary to explore the Soaring Dragon City.

Overall, I spent two nights in Hanoi at the 3 star Hong Ha Hotel. While it provided a nice buffet breakfast on the 6th,floor the rooms were somewhat generic and felt slightly soviet relative to the A25 Hotel we stayed in during our Ho Chi Minh City visit.

In fact, we were supposed to stay in the A25 - 23 Quan Thanh while in Hanoi but had a last-minute change. I feel like the A25 Hotel, also 3-star, is a little nicer and more conveniently located between the Old Quarter and some of the other main attractions in Hanoi. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).