At its heart is the chaotic Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade. There are many little temples, including Bach Ma, honouring a legendary horse, plus Dong Xuan market, selling household goods and street food.
Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and is often referred to as the ‘Paris of the Orient’. Filled with lakes, tree-lined boulevards and French designed villas, this city cuts a distinctly different style of life to that in Saigon.