Insider's guide to...Hanoi

AIRPORT TO CITY
The airport is 50 minutes by car.

BEST HOTELS
1. Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, www.sofitel.com, Tel: +84 4826 6919
Located in Hanoi’s French Quarter, this hotel oozes colonial charm.


2. Green Mango, Tel: +84 4928 9916
This new boutique property has filled the gap in Hanoi for a much needed stylish yet down to earth hotel.

BEST RESTAURANTS
3. Highway 4, 18, Duong Yen Phu, Tel: +84 4715 0577
Specialises in the traditional cuisine of North Vietnam’s minority hill people.

4. Quan An Ngon, 18, Phan Boi Chau, Tel: +84 4942 8162
Serves the ‘best of street food’ in a setting more conducive to enjoying smart lunches.

5. Green Tangerine, 48, Hang Be, Tel: +84 4825 1286
Located in the Old Quarter, the small courtyard area is great for an afternoon drink.

BEST CAFES & BARS
6. Highlands Coffee, 6th floor, Hoan Kiem Terrace, Tel: +84 4928 7369
The local version of Starbucks – a popular place to beat the heat and have a good, strong
cup of coffee.

7. Hanoi Press Club, 59 A Ly Thai To St, Tel: +84 4934 0888
The place to see and be seen on Friday nights. Expatriate bands jamming and Latino DJs
mixing wide ranging styles of music.

8. Puku, 60 Hang Trong, Tel: +84 4928 5244
A Bohemian cafe run by three New Zealanders. This place has an East Village feel and serves great breakfasts and coffee.

A FEW HOURS TO KILL
9. The Old Quarter
Walk the old quarter and tour the city’s fine art galleries.

10. Water Puppet show
Mua Roi Nuoc or Water Puppet is an ancient folk art originating from North Vietnam.

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE
Never touch anyone’s head.

TIPPING
Not a tradition but appreciated.

SECRETS OF THE JET SETTER
Hanoi Opera House
Check out a show at the city’s Opera House.

Maeve Nolan is travel agency marketing manager, Exotissimo Travel, Hanoi