Walk around the old quarter but avoid the touts and hustlers. Just a cooll way to spend a bit of time...

You must go there when in Hanoi to get a better idea of what it really is. You have to dodge motorbikes everywhere, you have to walk on the street, not on the sidewalk because it's crowded, you must get inside the old market and take a look at how they work... Every single step you take is a good... More

A great day just walking around getting lost and finding lovely buildings. You need to be careful you don't get run over by a motorbike, but it's a great adventure. Sitting at a cafe for coffee, watching life go by. However I did get ripped off more than a few times, and the locals were not the friendliest bunch I've... More

Dont stand a stare like a tourist as you will get a friendly "toot" from a scooter that is so close you can feel the hair on your arms brushed. To cross the road, walk quietly and surely and watch the traffic come toward you and weave around it like everybody else. Dont run and dont stop. Its too confusing... More

We loved the shopping, food and water puppets and just wandering the narrow streets.. and let's not forget the iced vietnamese coffee

You haven't seen Hanoi until you've spent at least one hour walking through the old quarter. This area of around 40 streets was particularly crazy when we visited during Tet. It was packed with people, scooters and vendors. The smells and sights were unforgettable.

local and handcraft items are interesting and presentable, well, packaged Vietnam coffee is a bit over priced

Here are some tips: keep your bags close, bargain and go with a local if possible, I found some great deals.

The Old Quarter was fascinating! It was a very new cultural experience for us that was sometimes overwhelming but exciting and definitely unforgettable. There is a lot to see and buy, and some of the street food is fantastic!