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Vietnam's capital is a city in transition. Hidden from view until the mid-1980s, Hanoi retains an elegance and old world charm not found in most Asian capitals. The city's French heritage is evident in the number of old colonial buildings although these days they compete for attention with more modern developments including international standard hotels and state-of-the-art office buildings.
Since Vietnam opened its doors to tourists and business visitors 15 years ago, Hanoi has become a popular port of call for many travellers in the region. The city offers an insight into the history of the nation, with its Chinese and French associations in the Old Quarter and colonial diplomatic areas, the (unfortunate) Soviet influence on some more recent development, and the international feel and standards of the capital's newest hotels and other recent real estate developments. The pace of life in Hanoi is more laid back than that in its southern sister Saigon, the city's tree-lined boulevards still crowded with bicycles during rush hour, people taking time out to stroll around the central Hoan Kiem lake, or simply sitting at a kerbside cafe and watching the world go by. Recent foreign investment and business interest in Vietnam has resulted in the development of several new hotels in the capital, which along with old classics such as the Sofitel Metropole offer first-class standards at surprisingly reasonable rates. Likewise, other diversions including excellent restaurants, lively bars and clubs and increasingly sophisticated tourist attractions combine to make Hanoi a great destination which should be savoured before the city develops too far. To explore Hanoi further, and for details of special deals currently on offer for ElephantGuide.com users, simply select your channel of choice at left and let The Elephant guide you.
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