Hanoi, Vietnam: Family Adventure in the Enchanting “Paris of the East”

Explore the Old Quarter on foot

Get lost in the Old Quarter. We spent an entire day wandering, and some of our favorite finds included:

• Hanoi Train Street: It’s as exciting as it appears on Instagram. The schedule is widely available, and the friendly cafe owners are eager to fill their seats just steps from the tracks. We arrived around 8 am and settled into a coffee shop. The train sped by right on time and, although fleeting, was a memory worth the trek.

• Shopping: Bargains are everywhere, largely because Vietnam makes clothing and shoes for much of the world. My daughters are 22, 19 and 16. Each one of them found a Lululemon crossbody for $6 USD, and one found an amazing pair of Nikes for $25 USD. Be aware of counterfeit items and compare shops before buying.

• Hang Gai Street: This mecca for silk products has existed for more than 1,000 years. In these vibrant and colorful shops, you can select a fabric, get it measured and have a custom outfit tailor-made for you in 24 to 48 hours. We particularly enjoyed Three Sisters Silk for the quality, service and its family story.

• Spa: It’s true that incredibly inexpensive spa treatments are everywhere in Southeast Asia. (See my guide to great spas in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand). In Hanoi, our favorite spot was Orient Spa, where for $32 USD including tip, we each received a foot bath, 75-minute massage and a 45-minute facial. The service was incredible, and the perfect way to recharge after a long day in the city.

• Cyclo tour in the Old Quarter: The commercial district of the Old Quarter dates back some 2,000 years. We learned about the “36 streets of 36 wares” where each street is dedicated to a particular artisan guild. By hiring a cyclo driver for an hour, you get a relaxing, up-close look at this amazing district as you weave in and out of a sea of people and scooters.

• Water Puppet Show: We thought it might be touristy or for children, but the famous water puppet show was full of enthusiastic locals of all ages who came to enjoy this centuries-old art form. The show was surprisingly mesmerizing and a memorable break from the July heat.

Immerse Yourself in History

Hanoi has held an important place in Vietnam’s history for centuries. To help understand that history, places worth a visit include:

• Museum of Ethnology: Despite the fact that more than 70 percent of the people in Vietnam are ethnically “Viet,” there are 54 different ethnic groups in the country. They don’t all understand each unique dialect.

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Home: The marble monument holds the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh, and his humble house in the complex is available for tours. Tip: The gate guards are very serious about shoulder coverings. If you are wearing just a scarf over your shoulders, you will likely be denied entrance.

Cai Mam

Regularly recognized among the top 5 restaurants in Hanoi, Cai Mam offers delicious Vietnamese food at reasonable prices. We visited the Old Quarter location, and were extremely pleased with the vegetarian and vegan options and various meat options.

Banh Mi 25

Enjoying the world-famous sandwich at its most iconic location will be crowded for sure, but the line moves quickly and is worth the wait. Go for the original Banh Mi pork for a treat you’ll still be thinking about when you return home. Ask to sit in the back bar if space is tight. Total cost for lunch for six people: $16 USD.