ichotelsgroup.com;.com; Reservation.Hanoi[at]ihg.com. Lake-side suites with private balconies.
Also on CNNGo: 5 top coffeeshops in Hanoi
vietnamese iced coffee
Strong coffee + lots of sweet milk = an hour of the shakes.
17. Shopping -- Hanois old Quarter is lined with various fashion stores, souvenir stalls, snack and trinket sellers. But if youre looking for an air-conditioned mall experience head for the Vincom City Towers where youll find luxury brands, a cinema and a colorful gaming area. Vincom City Towers, 191 Ba Trieu St., Hai Ba Trung.
18. Doing -- Various popular tourist activities include Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum/Museum, the Hanoi Hilton prison (officially called Hoa Lo Prison), Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and green city tours on electric carts. Theyre all worth a peek, and you could do all these in one afternoon.
Dont miss the night market in the Old Quarter, from 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturday. More about strolling around aimlessly than shopping.
And make sure you check out Long Bien bridge, an awesome spectacle bolted together by history.
19. Coffee -- If Hanoians arent drinking beer, theyre drinking coffee. Check out Café Pho Co, a café hidden behind a home hidden behind a souvenir shop, and one of the best places to get a view across Hoan Kiem Lake. 11 Hang Gai, Hanoi; +84 (0)4 3928 8153
20. Dont bother with -- The one-pillar pagoda. A hut on a cement column is just a hut on a cement column, no matter how old.
Also on CNNGo: Life in Hanoi as told by its locals
21. Internet -- If scooters are the most obvious Hanoi quality, Internet cafés come not far behind. Theyre everywhere. All hotels have connections too.
22. Traffic -- When Hanoi people move they tend to do it on scooters. And if you wait for a break in the flow of scooters when trying to cross the road, you may miss your flight home. Walk out with intent, and they will avoid you. We promise.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay -- four hours away but a world apart from Hanoi.
23. Day trips -- Trips out of Hanoi are easily arranged via hotels or tour agents. If you want to check out Halong Bay (and you should) spend a night on a boat there too. Its too far for getting there and back comfortably in one day and this way you can explore some great caves and do some kayaking too.
Or take a trip to the Perfume Pagoda 60 kilometers away. Its a great way to get some fresh air and chill out on a boat ride for a day.
For a longer getaway, consider a trip to Sapa for a few days. You can travel the 350 kilometers from Hanoi by train and minibus and it has some amazing mountain treks. Hiring a guide is essential.
24. Photography -- Youll be tempted to snap away at everything so photogenic is Hanoi, especially the Old Quarter. But many locals find it rude to be photographed, especially the older ones, so be polite and ask first.
25. Dont be scared -- Hanoi can overwhelm you, but thats whats great about it. Try everything, go everywhere, and if you do get lost, physically or mentally, just ask someone for help. A smile can solve anything in this city.
PS: Please ask price first if U want to buy anything. Remember it. Good Luck