10 best things to do in Hanoi Vietnam –Delight the explorer in you in the ancient capital of Vietnam!

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a history dating back to 1300 years. At 40 meters in height, the Imperial Citadel‘s central tower flag is a symbol of Vietnam and was part of ancient Hanoi as the centre of political activity for eight centuries.

Water puppetry has an extensive history in Hanoi. There are quite a few theatres to enjoy the Vietnamese version of water puppetry. The most authentic and widely considered theatre is the Thang Long Puppet Theatre. Experience folk stories such as Sword of King Le and the tale of the lake and giant tortoise.

Built-in the 15th Century this dramatic Buddhist temple complex is built into a mountain range with a maze of alleys surrounding it. The area is exquisite with rich forests and streams surrounding the temple complex.

It is a nature reserve located two hours away from Hanoi. The many stunning landscapes include a three-peaked mountain peering from above the clouds. The range of wildlife is diverse and you can find natural hot springs in the park. The summit of the tallest mountain has a temple dating back to the 11th century overlooking fantastic views of Hanoi.

It is an interesting place with a vibrant atmosphere with great samples of colonial construction and architecture featured along its narrow streets. The streets are usually busy with motorbikes, scooters, cars and bicycles. There are vendors selling souvenirs local produce and fruits, with corner stop shops selling decadent Vietnamese food.

This temple was originally a centre of learning and devoted to the memory of Chinese sage Confucius. Over its thousand years of history, many buildings and structures have been constructed within its premises and a beautiful garden occupies the surroundings with many ornate pavilions and shrines.

Vietnam has delightful coffee treats to indulge in. Try their iconic ice coffee made with condensed milk and the local egg coffee which is a cross between a beverage and a dessert. If you are looking for a Hanoi hotel a good choice is Pan Pacific Hanoi, conveniently located close to most of these attractions.

It is the largest market in Hanoi located inside a four-story Soviet styled building. The market has a wide range of goods to offer, apparel, jewellery, souvenirs, T-shirts and cheap sunglasses. The ground floor has an interesting space where you can see local traders go about their business and there is also a wide array of authentic local produce to browse through.

Also known as Turtle Lake it is an iconic attraction in Hanoi and a popular hang-out spot for locals and tourists. Ngoc Son is a temple that sits at the middle of the lake on a small island, the area is usually crowded early mornings and late evenings with joggers and those practising Tai Chi.

The former prime minister is a revered figure in Vietnam. Fondly nicknamed ‘Uncle Ho’, his preserved body is open for viewing. The building is modelled after Lenin's tomb and worth a visit to experience as it is an important part of Vietnamese history.