10 Incredible Hanoi Tourist Transformations

Antique Regulations - Note that the sale of antiques is a simple matter, but carrying them out of the country is another question, and many tourists have gone smiling through Customs to declare their Buddha - only to discover that they can't bring Siddhartha home with them. Most airlines on long-haul flights have high weight limits for each of your two check-in bags (some airlines allow as much as 36kg/79 lb. per bag), but do note that regional flights, particularly on Vietnam Airlines, impose more strict limits; you might be able to bring just two 20-kilogram (44-lb.) bags with you to Bangkok, while it's double that if you go on directly to Frankfurt. Note that affordable, knockoff bags are for sale on the northeast end of Hoan Kiem Lake (where Lo Su St. terminates at lakeside).

Hanoi is like Bangkok for the sport shopper: a good choice for the last destination before flying home, if you want to easily buy and fill an extra suitcase in just a few days. The hotel is positioned within a short stroll of Long Bien Railway Station. Hanoi tourist news's attractions, such as Hoan Kiem Lake and Dong Xuan Market, are within easy walking distance of The Tourist Hotel.

You will never be stuck for something to do in Hanoi, where ancient and proudly preserved Vietnamese culture is felt most keenly by visitors, and progress wrestles with tradition in different districts of the city. However, we saw locals going up for free, which may or may not be official practice, which left a sour taste in the mouth. The Hanoi Flag Tower in the Military History Museum gives you good views over the immediate area (though not the splendid views that are promoted!) and the price at 10,000VND is fairly good value.

Hang Gai Street is the very epitome of the term ‘Tourist Trap'! Trouble is, how many of these silken materials are actually of good quality, and more to the point, how many of these silky vendors will try and rip you off? Hang Gai Street is located in the Old Quarter and is the place to buy all of your silk!

The temples are a lovely part of busy Hanoi and one of the most visited monuments of the city! The Temple of Literature is the homebase of Hanoi's first University, and it just looks absolutely beautiful. Visit the Temple of Literature - Now, I wasn't lucky enough to visit the Temple of Literature because it was already closed at the moment I found out about the existence of it. However, I am still putting it on this list because I would have loved to visit it for myself.

Definitely a piece of history you can't miss! Close to the Mausoleum you'll also find the former house and gardens of Ho Chi Minh and the museum about his life and achievements. However, it did help me learn to understand the importance of Ho Chi Minh and everything he did for the freedom of Vietnam.