Hanoi

2. Walk without a plan

Put the map away and wander. The Old Quarter is best experienced by getting slightly lost and following sounds, smells and movement rather than sights alone.

3. Sit on a tiny plastic stool

Street food in Hanoi is not rushed. Sit low, eat slowly and watch the city move around you. It is a daily ritual rather than just a meal.

4. Drink coffee like a local

Skip takeaway cups. Sit down and order egg coffee or black iced coffee. Stay longer than intended. Hanoi often reveals itself when you stop moving.

5. Cross the street with confidence

Do not freeze. Walk steadily and predictably. Traffic flows around you. It is surprisingly intuitive once you trust the rhythm.

6. Visit a museum slowly

Hanoi’s museums are excellent for understanding Vietnam’s history and diversity. Two particularly worthwhile visits are:

• Vietnamese Women’s Museum, which offers powerful insight into the role of women in Vietnamese society, history and family life

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which explores the country’s many ethnic groups through architecture, artefacts and outdoor displays

Choose one or two and take your time rather than rushing through several.

7. Eat dinner early or very late

Early evenings are calm, late nights are lively. Street food follows its own rhythm and both have their charm depending on your mood.

8. Explore Hanoi through food

A guided street food tour is one of the best ways to understand Hanoi cuisine while discovering back alleys and hidden neighbourhood spots. Tours are available on foot or by scooter, and both offer great local context.

9. Walk around Truc Bach Lake

For a quieter, more local alternative to Hoan Kiem Lake, take a walk around Truc Bach. It is less touristy, more residential, and ideal for a gentle stroll with lakeside cafés and local life unfolding around you.

10. Accept that doing very little is the poin

Hanoi is not about ticking off attractions. It is about moments: a coffee break, a shared table, a quiet street at dusk.