The capital of Vietnam is a city of timeless grace – a grand old dame of Asia who is aging with style. Today Hanoi’s centre is a quixotic blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history. Discover a broad range of architectural styles, temples, diverse theatre, excellent shopping, and some of the finest museums and art galleries.

   The bustling Old Quarter has been a cauldron of commerce for 800 years and is still the best place to check the pulse of the resurgent city. Sprawling markets, open-air food stalls, and luxury boutiques all compete for space in this vibrant district, where many lanes are still devoted to traditional products once made for the royal court. When the sheer exuberance of the streets wears you out, there are hundreds of cafes where you can sit with a cup of rich Vietnamese coffee and watch the world go by.

   Elsewhere, towering mansions adorn grand, tree-lined boulevards. Lakes and parks dotting the city provide the local people with the perfect place for a spot of dawn exercise. And there are still fleeting moments of Paris as the smell of warm baguettes permeates street corners.

   While evidence of Hanoi’s history is all around you, the city is by no means frozen in time. Since opening up to the world in the early 1990’s, Hanoi has developed quickly. As the return of tourists and business travelers is relatively recent, facilities are new. You’ll find world-class accommodations, an impressive selection of international restaurants, great shopping, and plenty of options for day-trips or longer excursions.