| Spared the sticky heat
of Saigon, Hanoi's three and a half million residents enjoy a city
liberally sprinkled with lakes, parks, coffee shops, and a surprisingly
cosmopolitan range of bars and restaurants. The jewel in this laid
back capital's crown must surely be The Old Quarter. Centered around
pristine Hoan Kiem Lake, it's a labyrinth of narrow streets and
alleys, each one dedicated to a particular merchandise, be it salt,
bamboo, weighing scales or even funeral coffins! It's a delight
to wander a neighborhood thankfully spared any bombing during the
Vietnam war and still retaining a whiff of French colonialism, evident
in its shuttered villas and an imposing Catholic cathedral which
dwarfs the area's many smaller shrines and pagodas.
About The Author: Joel has lived
and worked in Asia for the last decade and has written for numerous
travel magazines. He is the chief editor of Asia
Travel Ezine and is also responsible for editing and managing
the website, Asia Hotel Bookings
. He currently resides in Hanoi.
Copyright Notice: All content and
photos in this article are owned by the author. For reprints, please
contact Joel. Click Here
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