Cheap, easy to get around and a rich sense of Asia-ness is what made one of Travelettes' female backpackers become infatuated with Hanoi.
Old Quarter: To be in Bangkok is to be dazzled with glittering lights of its modern city and huge shopping malls as well as messy nightlife. Although Bangkok created an impression, Annapurna had to admit that Bangkok didn't radiate a sense of Asia-ness as she used to imagine. However, Hanoi is a different story when ancient streets, temples and old yellow-painted walls still stand unbroken and ubiquitous amonghigh-rise buildings. The restful feeling of lost in aimless directions in the Old Quarter stroke her for it was precisely what she'd daydreamt about.
The ideal combination of deep-seated culture and backpackers: Hanoi is packed with temples, local markets, churches and romantic lake views that surely will keep you busy with unique cultural experiences. On the other hand, Hanoi stores heaps of standard hostels, fashionable café and Westen-food eateries with spectacular Hoan Kiem lake view.
Prices are incredibly cheap: One of the biggest surprises to Annapurna when she set foot in Hanoi was the prices. To have a room in a hostel that has included breakfast only costs you 200,000 VND while a 50,000VND meal will give your stomach a full, satisfied treat.
There's a museum specifically for women: Every member of Travelettes wanted to learn about the life of local women at Vietnam Woman Museum. In there, you can get to know about women from different ethnics, their role in the wars and in modern life. The emphasis of the museum is not only on woman heritage preservation but also on gender equality promotion.
Diverse and tempting selections of food: Vietnamese cuisine is well-known worldwide undoubtedly. Hence, Hanoi is the best place to evaluate this international fame. Annapurna was impressed largely with pho, spring rolls, sausauges and so many more irresistable street foods. She also mentioned vegeterian restaurants in Hanoi as a big plus.
Every street can become a public market: Hanoi street life is vibrant and abundant of possibilities. Streets in the Old Quarter are packed with eateries and shops nestling next to one another.
Best fashion stores in South East Asia: If you're looking for some thing uniquely Asian, come to Hanoi. In fact, come to Hang Non street where piles of affordable clothing are displayed in front of your eyes.
From the capital city, visitors won't face too much difficulty in getting to other destinations: Hanoi is the centre point in the Nothern region. However, tourist attractions stretches all over the North from seas to mountain tops, from lakes to jungles. Many Ha Long and Sa Pa tour depart from Hanoi while other "rural" tour such as Tam Coc and Mai Chau will give you an interesting insight into the everyday life of the countryside people.
Adventurous nightlife: One of the most frequent complaints about Hanoi is its night curfew. Visitors are unable to party till morning as they do in Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh city for all services must be closed before 12 p.m. But the thrill Annapurna got when secretly hanging out at the pubs after midnight intrigued her. Additionally, she found the nightmarket at Long Bien as early as 1 a.m very interesting.
The perfect place to start or end a South East Asia backpacking: Hanoi has an international airport, which facilitates your transportation to neighboring countries so it can be your first or your last destination in the SEA. To Annapurna, Hanoi is a quaint attractive city, unique of its kind and unlike any other places in the region.
Other Travel Product: Vietnam Tours from India
