A charming area of Hanoi, Vietnam, is Old Hanoi. On a recent Exodus Travels tour, I set off on my own during my free time to explore the area near my hotel. Old Hanoi is easy to find near Hoàn Kiếm Lake. The area features the original street layout and architecture dating to the beginning of the 20th century.
The streets are lined with shops selling everything from souvenirs and clothing to cookware and flowers.
On foot or in a two-passenger cyclo — a bicycle with a seat for passengers in the front — the area is easy to navigate; its charms draw guests in to meet the locals and make a few purchases.
Plan to spend several hours wandering along the streets laid out in a grid. Take in the culture and the essence of the city and its friendly, hardworking citizens.
