Hanoi - Old Quarters from Higher Up

It is always interesting to observe a city from a higher vantage point. You can see the  city pattern, and how it has grown over the years. 

From here you can see that the Old Quarters is essential a network of narrow streets. Unlike modern cities which are very regimented, here the city looks organic and "lived-in". People are still building and adding on to the existing structures, kind of like a living-organism which is still growing.

Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is located right in the middle of Hanoi City. It is one of the landmarks of Hanoi.

It is quite beautiful, and worth a few visits at different times of the day to catch the different light. Quite popular with the locals,  you can always see people around even early in the morning or late evening.

Hanoi - Markets

When I visit a new place, I always like to visit the markets. That is where you can see what the locals eat, and get a glimpse into their life and culture. While in Hanoi, I visit a couple of markets, and there was quite a surprise sight. You will see what I mean !

Hanoi - Old Quarters 2

Wondering around the Old Quarters is like going back in time. You can feel the history which is still living and breathing. It feels very different from a place which has been polished and sanitized for the tourists. The French colonial influence is evident in many of the buildings.

Hanoi - Old Quarters

I made a trip to Hanoi in March 2007. Before the trip I had done a lot of research, but mainly on the places of interest and most importantly, the places for food. One thing I forgot to check was the weather. When we arrived, it was Winter and quite cold. We had only brought the typical tropical travel wear, so the first stop was to get a jacket.

We stayed in a boutique hotel right in the centre of the Old Quarters. Hanoi is one of the cities which seems to exist in a time warp, it hasn't seen the rapid modernization of most of the Asian cities - but that will come soon enough. SO this is the best time to visit, before it is all erased by globalization.

The most interesting part of Hanoi is the Old Quarters. This historical part of the city has a history of over 2,000 years. The streets are organized according to the different trades, so you have Silver Street, Paper Street, Silk Street and so on. Many of the old crafts are still around, but they are slowly being replaced by boutiques, back-packers inns, and cafes.