Hanoi

At times it can seem as if the 21st-century development that has transformed cities such as Bangkok and Saigon has simply bypassed Hanoi. Situated along the Red River, Hanoi is one of the oldest capital cities in the world, and that much becomes clear as you roam the streets dotted with buildings reminiscent of the many empires that once ruled this region. Much of the city remains as it did under French rule — leafy boulevards, crumbling shophouses, grandiose colonial mansions, charming little pagodas — which makes it arguably the most beautiful capital city in Southeast Asia, a place where a disorientingly European ambiance hosts a distinctly Asian way of life.

With a rich culture of European, Chinese, and other Southeast Asian influences, the diversity and unique atmosphere will astound you as you explore the bigger markets and the little alleyways and everything in between. Hanoi is noisy, bustling, in-your-face, and chaotic, yet at the same time it’s a friendly place and, once you become attuned to its rhythms, a strangely relaxing one, as you lounge at a streetside cafe with a strong Vietnamese coffee and watch the chaos unfold around you.

Hanoi boasts numerous, impeccably preserved historical monuments to visit, as well as Vietnam’s finest art museum, and its old streets and lakes make it perfect for walkers. For those looking for a spiritual journey, you can visit the Temple of Literature or sit under the same tree where Buddha was said to be enlightened. Foodies will love diving into the city’s street food culture, and beer connoisseurs will enjoy the city’s lively craft beer scene. With Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, and the mountains of Northern Vietnam on its doorstep and just a short drive out of the city, there’s plenty to excite visitors outside Hanoi too.