What to do
Begin with a morning stroll through the boulevards of the French Quarter to Hoa Lò Prison Museum 00 844 3824 6358, hanoitoursvietnam.com where you’ll learn about the residents’ struggle for independence from French colonists as well as the building’s many fascinating uses throughout the civil war. A walking tour 00 8491 225 4045, hiddenhanoi.com.vn will unearth chic boutiques, bookshops and cafés dotted around shady plazas. Landmarks such as the Opera House 00 844 3933 0113, hanoioperahouse.org.vn line the streets and will have you reaching for your camera. By lunchtime a cold pomegranate juice is the perfect way to combat the humidity; try Cafe Pho Co 00 844 3828 8106 in the atmospheric Old Quarter. Losing your bearings in these streets is a blessing in disguise as bizarre bargaining antics between raucous vendors are hugely entertaining. Hang Ma, selling paper goods, is the most colourful, while Han Gai Street is the best choice for tailoring and silver. Don’t miss the Temple of Literature 00 844 3511 4855, the country’s first national museum, now dedicated to literary scholars. The ornate red and gold woodwork surrounding the pond allows for a moment of solitude before heading back to the vibrant chaos of the city.
