Hanoi

Once known for its hostility towards visitors, the beautiful city of Hanoi is now rapidly becoming a much sought after tourist attraction. Located in Southeast Asia, this place has unique and amazing landscaping that is unusual and difficult to come across. The splendid lakes, the secretive shady boulevards and French Colonial type architectural buildings, all add to the charm and beauty of the city.

The old temples, monuments and the remains of this ancient culture depict the Vietnamese spirit in its essence. Sprawled along the narrow roads of the Old Quarter, one can easily perceive the advent of urbanization, with Hanoian yuppies sipping over their ‘Cappuccinos’, while hanging on to their cell phones. The notable feature of Hanoi is that one can visit this place almost all around the year, and enjoy its beauty reflected in the changing months and seasons. The climate is generally favorable and the tourist sites are countless.

However, the typical tourist season is spaced from the late week of June, August, and October, until “Tet”. This is the New Year celebration, held in late January or early February. Going to Hanoi during Tet can be pretty rewarding. However transportation and accommodation must be confirmed in advance, as the city gets very crowded during this season. The Old Quarter has some astounding historical facts attached to it. The history is at least a thousand years old, and the city springs up from a labyrinth, taking you through its enchanting streets, and with amazing visual delights, for example, the turtle imagery. There are many museums too, which are a must see.

Shopping in Hanoi is generally thrilling, particularly if one has a penchant for silk. All types of silk items are on sale, with numerous tiny shops flooding everything, along with exclusive designer boutiques. The handicrafts to shop for include pearl items (locally made), lacquer ware, and ceramics. Other places in the area include beautiful local food eateries, bars, restaurants, and also plush cafes.

In any case, the best part about the dining in Hanoi is the traditional steaming dish of “Pho”, the favorite Vietnamese staple. One can’t leave the city without ever tasting this great food item. There are many sophisticated restaurants and bars too, especially in the Bao Khanh locality, placed west of the Hoan Kiem Lake.

A number of luxury hotels and apartments are available in Hanoi, which adds an extra touch to visiting the city. These accommodation providers include some of the best Hanoi serviced apartments such as Somerset Serviced Apartments, abundant with convivial charm offering modern facilities in luxury atmosphere.