What you didn’t know about Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi’s beauty goes far beyond its sensory rush, its streets hold centuries of history, its traditions shape daily life, and its geography gives rise to an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Southeast Asia.
The Old Quarter’s maze-like layout was born from ancient guild streets, each dedicated to a single craft, silversmiths, bamboo workers, herbalists, an organization that still echoes in the shop names today. Beneath the surface of the modern city lies an intricate blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and French influence: pagodas dating back a thousand years, colonial boulevards shaded by towering banyan trees, and markets that preserve culinary techniques passed down through generations. Hanoi’s climate plays its own role in shaping the city’s identity, cool misty winters that wrap the lakes in quiet silver, humid summers fueling lush greenery and lotus blooms across West Lake, monsoon rains giving the streets their distinctive reflective glow. Even Hanoi’s food culture holds layers of history, broths simmered from family recipes, egg coffee born from wartime scarcity and now beloved across the world, and dishes that reflect both resilience and creativity. To understand Hanoi is to understand a city built on tradition, shaped by complexity, and carried forward by an unwavering sense of pride and community.
Five fascinations about Hanoi.
5. Hanoi’s street names still follow ancient guild divisions.
The Old Quarter’s bustling streets were once each dedicated to a single craft, from silversmiths to herbalists. Even today, names like Hàng Gai (“Silk Street”) echo their historical trades.
4. It’s home to the world’s oldest university in the region.
The Temple of Literature, founded in 1070, once served as Vietnam’s first university. Dedicated to Confucius, it’s a peaceful oasis that educated centuries of scholars.
3. Hanoi has a train that slices through a neighborhood.
Twice a day, a roaring train passes within inches of homes in the tight alley known as “Train Street.” Locals casually pull in laundry and tourists scramble for the perfect photo.
2. Egg coffee was invented here, during a milk shortage.
When milk was scarce in the 1940s, a creative bartender whipped up egg yolk, sugar, and coffee. The result? Cà phê trứng, a velvety, dessert-like drink that’s now a city staple.
1. The city’s lakes are steeped in legend.
Hoàn Kiếm Lake isn’t just a scenic spot, it’s tied to a national myth involving a magical sword and a golden turtle. Locals still gather around it to this day for tai chi, gossip, and romance.
Where meaningful travel begins.
Start your journey with Foresyte, where the planning is part of the magic.
Discover the experiences that matter most.
