Joanna James
A love letter to nature and a surrealist masterpiece perfect for soulful adventurers, Hanoi is the perfect blend of stimulating heritage fascinations, untouched beauty, and retro-chic novelty. Here’s where you need to feast your senses!
An exquisite immersion into the poetry of nature-kissed realms, Hanoi’s beloved West Lake is a living painting that is mesmerising in all its moods. Whether you’re enraptured by the modern and bon-vivant or quaintly atmospheric, hop on a bicycle and devote an entire day to exploring this magical location. From European-style villas, vintage cafés set in blossoming lakeside gardens, and majestic fairytale citadels to glitzy high-rises, sweeping boulevards, and hip restaurants, this sought-after spot is the essence of Vietnam’s traditionally modern Capital. Some unmissable sights in the West Lake vicinity include the enchantingly preserved oldest high school in Vietnam, the deliciously picturesque Thuy Kuey Seafood District, and the exhilaratingly cutting-edge Ho Tay Lake Waterpark.
While the multi-hued traditional houses, antique stores, luscious greenery, and glittering canals of the Old Quarter imaginatively stimulate the historically-inclined fancy, the French Quarter has all the gorgeously rustic trappings of a miniature Paris; a rich tapestry of graceful imperial buildings, stunning palatial museums, and theatrical boulevards full of classy-chic bookstores, coffee shops, and boutiques. If you’re looking for outstanding Hanoi apartments with a pool proffering prime access to its diverse attractions, venture no further than the likes of Somerset West Point Hanoi.
A beautiful old-world structure of French architecture style, this atmospheric wholesale trading centre is rich in gallant history and irresistible goods, from the vibrant variety of clothes, accessories, souvenirs, and foodstuffs to be bought at the day market to the beguiling shimmer of silks, brocades, jewellery, and ornaments when the night market comes alive at sundown. While you roam the kaleidoscopic labyrinths, you can also obsessively snack on crispy Vietnamese doughnuts, crunchy golden shrimp cakes, and several bowls of sweet, sour, and saucy pho tiu noodle soup.
If you’re an ardent rummager with an insatiable appetite for exquisitely authentic collectables, this 14th Century artisan community not only showcases breathtaking vantages of the two rivers it bejewels but an impressive abundance of pottery and porcelain items. Whether you’re keen on hoarding one-of-a-kind handmade and hand-painted bracelets, vases, jars, and tea sets or are more interested in steeping in the wildlife-rich rural settings, this offbeat destination has plenty to recommend it.
West Lake entices visitors with its retro-chic ambience, while Hoan Kiem beckons with an alluring oriental glamour, offering the perfect setting for romantic walks accompanied by condensed-milk coffee from a charming kiosk that provides breathtaking views of sunset-reflected waters. On the other hand, Truc Bach, although smaller and less frequented by tourists, boasts a remarkable and significant history that cannot be overlooked! Here, you can admire the remnants of the 18th-century waterside palace where Emperor Le’s concubines were imprisoned for their rebellion and sentenced to live out their days spinning pure ivory silk. Aside from the unparalleled views and picnic hideaways, shopping and dining with a vintage twist can be indulged in.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
