Hanoi, VN — Hanoi was not my favorite city in Vietnam. Walking through its Old Quarter made me feel claustrophobic. It’s sidewalks were crowded with vendors and motorbikes. The smell of exhaust fumes and the constant honking of horns made me feel ill. I needed to find open space and fresh air to breathe in this hectic pace of this city.
One of the few areas of Hanoi where I felt I could walk around in open space, breathe fresh air and not have to constantly look over my shoulder, worried about being struck by a motorbike, was the Hoan Kiem Lake area. It is a beautiful park in Hanoi, a short walk from the Old Quarter. Since it was January, before the TET new year, many families and young people were out snapping photos and selfies by the lake.
Also near the lake if the world famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. This highly entertaining show of Vietnamese history and culture performed by water puppets has been entertaining guests for 50 years.
For information and tickets: https://nhahatmuaroithanglong.vn/
Two places also worth visiting near Hoan Kiem Lake are The Vietnam Women’s Museum and Hoa Lo Prison. The women’s museum showcases the contributions women have made to Vietnam.
For information and tickets: https://baotangphunu.org.vn/
Hoa Lo Prison was once used by the French colonialists to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners who fought to overthrow French rule. During the American war it was used to house American POWs, including the late Senator John McCain. The American POW’s called it, “The Hanoi Hilton.”
For tickets and information: https://hoalo.vn/EN
Most travelers visit Hanoi so they can book trips to Ha Long Bay. The UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its stunning limestone mountains rising from the North Vietnam’s emerald waters. When I came to Hanoi 25 years ago, I did not get the chance to visit Ha Long Bay and I always regretted it. I finally got my chance to visit after 25 years, so no more regrets.
One day and multi-day trips from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay can be booked from hotels, travel agents and websites like Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/