Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. At its heart is the chaotic Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade. And I thought Ho Chi Minh was chaotic…
Heads up: Most restaurants had very low tables and stools, especially if you want to try local options, so if you’re a tall person, be prepared!
- Take a cyclo tour within the old quarter to understand the general structure, go around the main Hoan Kiem lake
- Try a food and walking tour. What better way than to get a local guide to take you to all the famous restaurants, covering all types of Vietnamese foods. I would suggest coming with an empty stomach because they are so generous with the portions and you have about 7 meals on the tour! http://www.hanoistreetfoodtour.com/
- Visit Ha Long Bay where you take a cruise trip to view a scatter of islands, towering limestone pillars and eroded grottoes.
- As part of your Ha Long Bay tour, you should stop by an organisation that helps disabled people who were affected by the chemical agent orange, come back into the work place through art. Here you can purchase some of their work to support them.
- Visit Trang An caves in Ninh Binh Province. You can enjoy the traditional rowboats along the Sao Khe River through limestone caves and watch your boat rower do it with their feet!
#touristnat 