Vietnam: Hanoi – Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter is the beating heart of the city, dating back to the 11th century, when this was a vibrant marketplace and meeting place. The Old Quarter is a labyrinthine of narrow streets and alleys, each named after the goods that were traditionally sold there – the layout that has been preserved for the centuries. It’s a total mish-mash of architecture, some old and some new, often built on top of each other and densely packed. It’s a lot of people and a lot of hustling cafes and restaurants, and shops selling everything from paintings, silk, jewelry, and designer clothes to knock-offs of North Face and Adidas. There are also several historic temples here, such as Ngoc Son Temple the Bach Ma Temple. The main objective here is not to get lost in the maze of streets!
