The best restaurants in Vietnam for the traveler

By James Jayasundera on Feb 10, 2018 in Asia, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Vietnam. James Jayasundera is Founder and Managing Director of Ampersand Travel. Ampersand Travel create bespoke and luxurious travel experiences to Asia, the British Isles and Southern Africa.

Vietnamese cuisine is distinct, mouth-watering and bursting with flavour. A divine concoction of sweet, salty, sour and hot flavours, not overly spicy, with rice, noodles, fresh vegetables and herbs all playing a big role; there’s no wonder that over the years it has become more and more popular around the world. With a staggering 500 traditional dishes to indulge your taste buds, Vietnam is the perfect destination for foodies.

Crumbling old quarters have been transformed into fine dining eateries, headed up by globally respected chefs, and the street food scene is flourishing as ever. But with thousands of restaurants up and down the country, it’s almost impossible to decide which restaurants to go to for the best in providing quality Vietnamese food, a great atmosphere and a luxurious flare. Here we have rounded up the best, and our favourite, restaurants in Vietnam by region…

Thang Long Citadel - Hanoi

Wild Rice - Hanoi

One of Vietnam’s finest establishments offering a range of traditional cuisine, rich in flavour and colours.  However, it has been very tastefully designed, and the architecture is almost as interesting as the food. With comfort and relaxation in mind, the designers have done a wonderful job using colours and shapes to create an environment into which one can immediately feel settled.

The Green Tangerine - Hanoi 

This restaurant offers a menu of innovative and delicious French and Asian fare in a fantastic location. Set back from the busy streets in a lovingly restored 1928 colonial home in the Old Quarter, Green Tangerine is the best for its lunch menu.

Seasons of Hanoi
A classic Vietnamese restaurant with an intimate and romantic ambience.  Serving the finest in Vietnamese cuisine, the candlelit interior of this beautifully restored colonial villa is tastefully decorated throughout in warm earth-tone colours and authentic locally produced furnishings.

Temple Club - Ho Chi Minh City
Follow the trail of lanterns up the dimly lit stairs to this elegant restaurant. This is one of the top spots in the city, and white tablecloths, whirling fans and antique silverware to accompany chopsticks create a colonial atmosphere. But the menu is distinctly Vietnamese; favourites include grilled beef on lemongrass skewers and fish wrapped in banana leaf.

Quan An Ngon Restaurant - Ho Chi Minh City
An open-air restaurant where Ho Chi Minh City’s finest street chefs create their masterful specialities. Locals and in-the-know foreigners jostle at night time, waiting for their favourite Vietnamese classics like bun cha (vermicelli with minced pork balls and fresh herbs) and green papaya salad with shrimp. Fortunately, there are a lot of tables, so the line moves quickly.

Xu Restaurant Lounge - Ho Chi Minh City
Xu Restaurant Lounge serves both traditional and modern Vietnamese food, using new techniques often simplifying complex dishes to emphasise a particular ingredient. Recommended dishes to try are banh bot lọc, rice cracker banh he beef, and Vietnamese cang cua salad followed by a chocolate kumquat truffle.

Street market - Hoi An

Mango Rooms - Hoi An
An unusual and hip-  little restaurant that was started up by Texan-Vietnamese chef Duc, who has successfully fused the flavours of Vietnam, America and hints of Japan to create some delicious and unique dishes. The open kitchen allows you to see the chef at work with all his flair, creating a great dining experience.

Morning Glory - Hoi An
The Cargo Club restaurant at Morning Glory not only provides clean, fresh and delicious food, but they also share the charming stories behind traditional Vietnamese cuisine and culture. Cooking with love and passion, many dishes that you just won’t find on other menus are all available here and are perfection on a plate! They also offer great cooking classes which involve a visit to the market with the chef.  Book a table on the terrace and enjoy watching the sun go down with a cocktail or two!

Full Moon Town - Hoi An
Located on the banks of the Co Co River along a street leading to a beautiful sandy beach, Full Moon brings together traditional and modern architectural styles in a romantic setting. Serving typical Vietnamese dishes, this is a great place to explore local flavours and soak up Hoi An’s renowned atmosphere.

Khai Dinh Tomb - Hue

Ancient Hué - Hué
This is the best local restaurant in Hué. A collection of original Royal ancient houses, with decor that evokes an authentic ambiance of a Royal Palace. Delicate sweet and spicy flavours, and an abundance of fresh produce and seafood, this opulent restaurant showcases the best authentic dishes from the region, as well as a wide range of innovative fusion cuisine.

Bun bo Hue

Le Parfum at La Residence Hotel
Le Parfum chefs use the freshest market ingredients to create delicious local, regional and international dishes. The airy high-ceiled dining area enjoys views across the Perfume River to the Imperial Citadel, and the well-clipped garden of La Residence make for a fantastic ambience.

Whichever area of Vietnam you decide to visit, you’ll certainly enjoy trying all the local delicacies. If you’d like help planning your visit to Vietnam, please leave a comment below or contact Insight Asia Travel

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Best Indian restaurants in Hanoi

Vietnam has one of the most varied and tasty cuisines that you can’t miss the chance to try when visiting Hanoi. Many ingredients used in Vietnamese food are similar to those used in nearby Thailand and Cambodia but Vietnamese cuisine has a unique flavor and is usually lighter, less spicy and delightfully fresh and fragrant.

The food in Hanoi has been influenced by the colonial rulers as well as the traditional flavours and techniques. But if you are missing the tastes of home or simply craving for a curry then don’t worry as Hanoi also boasts a good collection of Indian restaurants with both North and South Indian cuisines well represented.

From family run restaurants serving authentic home cooked Indian food to more fancy Indian restaurants set in a romantic setting along Ho Truc Back Lake, there are plenty of places in Hanoi to enjoy a taste of home. Here are some of the best Indian restaurants to try in Hanoi.

Dalcheeni Hanoi

Dalcheeni is an elegant and stylish Indian restaurant situated alongside a lake that is regarded by many as the best place for Indian food in Hanoi. It’s a romantic setting, especially at sunset. The interior is also cozy, with soft lighting and funky lamps and wall designs, making this a completely unique Indian dining experience in Hanoi. The menu features authentic North Indian curries and tandoori as well as a large selection of starters, breads, rice and beverages including Goan fish curry, daal fry and jeera rice and mango lassi. They also serve Halal food.

Khazaana Hanoi

Khazaana is the oldest Indian restaurant in Vietnam and, since 1992, has been serving some of the best Indian food in all of Hanoi.
Their menu offers authentic Indian food including North India, tandoori, Mughlai and South Indian cuisine as well as vegetarian Indian food, Halal dishes and Desi Indian food, so you’ll have plenty to choose from on their extensive menu. They have five chefs on board, each specializing in all different types of Indian food.

Namaste Hanoi

The restaurant is situated in the heart of the Old Quarter, in the Hoan Kiem District. From the outside the restaurant looks a bit bland and modern but inside it is spacious, elegantly decorated and culturally themed to reflect the culture in India which creates a nice ambiance for an Indian meal. Namaste Hanoi only serve halal meat and the restaurant has a genuine Indian clay tandoor oven. The extensive menu includes the best of North and South Indian curries as well as soups, starters, breads and sweets.

Foodshop 45

Foodshop 45 is a family owned Indian restaurant in Hanoi that offers delicious and reasonably priced Indian food. The restaurant is in a beautiful location, situated right on Ho Truc Bach Lake. Foodshop 45 has an extensive menu, which you can thoroughly look through and enjoy. They use all fresh ingredients and all of their food is MSG free. Some of the best dishes to try include the black bean daal, kebabs cooked in the tandoori oven, chana masala, aloo masala, and the fish curry.

Tandoor Hanoi

Tandoor is set in a great location in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, just a short walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. One of the best aspects of Tandoor restaurant is the chance to sit out on the balcony overlooking the lively streets of Hanoi, observing their culture while indulging in one of their many delicious Indian dishes. Tandoor has 5 accomplished Indian chefs that are happy to serve you dishes from both the North and the South of India. They use the finest imported spices and have been serving modern Indian cuisine to the people of both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for over 18 years.

P.K Spice Restaurant 

P.K Spice Restaurant serves top quality Indian, Pakistani and Afghani food, as well as other delicacies from the West and the rest of Asia. The restaurant is situated in the heart of the Old Quarters in Hanoi. P.K Spice uses native spices and serves Halal meat and also offers vegetarian and some vegan dishes. Some of their signature dishes include the crunchy chicken, vegetable pakora, paneer white handi, and chicken tikka.
The restaurant is modern and chic, decorated with low hanging ceiling lamps, photos and wide windows, offering a lot of natural lighting.

Little India

Little India is one of the most popular restaurants serving genuine delicious Indian, as well as Malaysian and Chinese food, in Hanoi. The extensive menu serves veg and non veg dishes from all over India prepared by skilled Indian chefs. All their meat is certified Halal and the restaurant does not serve any alcoholic beverages. While their interior is quite simple, Little India makes up for it in the quality of their delicious food. They have everything from vegetable samosas, beef biryani, paneer tikka, tandoori gobi, chicken tikka, and a few naans to choose from.

India Palace restaurant 

India Palace is a reasonably priced Indian restaurant that offers a pleasant and relaxed dining experience with lovely views over the lake. There are plenty of veg options and the non veg curries are especially good, try the chicken tikka, lamb with green pepper creamy sauce, mutton curry and chicken curry. There is also a large selection of naans and various rice options to choose from.
While the restaurant itself is simple, the quality in food and the friendly service from the nice staff adds to the entire experience at India Palace.

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Top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh city ( Saigon), a city full of surprises. The city’s core is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings and offers plenty of reasons to visit, from its blend of historic, attractions to vibrant shopping, dining and nightlife.

Face up to the past

HCMC Museum

Vietnam's war-torn history can't – and shouldn't – be ignored. Ho Chi Minh City Museum has many informative exhibitions, and explains the country's bloody past through photographs, artefacts and memorabilia. It's sensitively done, without glossing over the atrocities, and (rather ironically) is housed in the Gia Long Palace, where Ngo Dinh Diem spent his final hours in power before his assassination in 1963.

War Remnants Museum

War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is a more grisly – but equally essential – reminder of local atrocities. From eerie bomb remnants and first-person accounts by war veterans to a bloodied guillotine and photographs of horrific napalm burns, this is a chilling reminder of life not-too-long ago.

Reunification Palace

Reunification Palace

When the French left in 1954, Ngo Dinh Diem constructed the Independence Palace to demonstrate his country's strength, but it was pulled down after an attempt to assassinate him. The replacement building was later renamed Reunification Palace after the fall of Saigon in the 1970s. Much of the palace remains unchanged since the 70s, and although the shiny rosewood-clad meeting rooms and musty library are interesting, perhaps the most fascinating relic resides in the garden. Here, you'll find the tank that crashed through the gates of the palace on 30 April 1975, signalling the fall of the Saigon regime.

French architecture and historical buildings
When Vietnam was a French colony and Ho Chi Minh City was called Saigon, the city lived an opulent period. Together with the baguette recipe and the taste for wine, the French also left in Ho Chi Minh some beautiful architecture. The historical buildings are very close to each other, you can see and visit them during a pleasant walk through District 1 [city center]. These buildings are some of the top attractions in Saigon:

Central Post Office

Central Post-Office

Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office dates from 1891, some people and historical websites tell it was designed by Gustave Eiffel, others say it was Alfred Foulhoux, the fact is that the Post Office is an important landmark in the city. Inside the building, you can admire the marble floor, the paintings and even the old telephone boxes are still there.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral

In front of the post office is the Notre Dame Cathedral, a huge church in the heart of a Buddhist city, another legacy from the French. Built in the 1880’s it was called Saigon Church, on 1959 after the installation of the statue “Peaceful Notre Dame” the name was changed. Nowadays it´s called Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, one of the religious and historical attraction in Ho Chi Minh city.

Saigon Opera House

Saigon Opera House

Keep walking through Dõng Khói Street till you reach the Opera House, another attraction in Ho Chi Minh city. This one you can’t get inside for free, you need to buy spectacle tickets to be able to see the interior design. Due to our short time we didn’t visit it, also we decided to spend our nights exploring the Saigon food scene, not so cultural, but very yummy. [more details further in the post]

Around the Opera House there are other historical buildings, the Hotel Caravelle and the Hotel  Continental Saigon. If you look at these three buildings you have the sensation of being in a European city, a disconnected view from the Southeast Asia trip.

FITO Museum

FITO Museum

Museums of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine & Pharmacy
Although it's a little challenging to find if you're traveling without a guide, the first Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (FITO) occupies a beautiful old five-story building framed by bamboo. It's worth a look for anyone who is interested in alternative medicine or wants to soak up some Vietnamese culture away from the main tourist trail. The museum displays thousands of items relating to Vietnamese traditional medicine, from the Stone Age to the present day, including books, documents, herbs, and implements used in preparing the medicines. You can also try your hand at grinding up some of the ingredients. The presentation begins with a short film on the history of Vietnam's traditional medicine, and herbal cures are available for purchase before you leave.

Jade Emperor Pagoda

Jade Emperor Pagoda

If you only have time to see one Vietnamese pagoda, make it this one: built in the 1900s by Taoists and Buddhists, the Jade Emperor Pagoda is simultaneously spiritual and awe-inspiring in scale and ambition. Ornate carved panels and intricate deities line the interior, flanked by lotus flower and fruit offerings and cloaked in a cloud of incense smoke. Head upstairs, and out onto the equally embellished roof terrace, where you'll find a statue of Quan Am (the goddess of mercy) which overlooks a sacred bodhi tree in the courtyard.

Wander Dong Khoi Street

Dong Khoi street

Dong Khoi, a lively stretch of shops and bars, spans from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Saigon River. Visit Dong Khoi for its stories: this characterful road has played a part in Ho Chi Minh's modern history, from the go-go bars that catered for young American GIs back in the 1950s, to its 1970s descent into disrepair after the fall of Saigon. Today, it's just as colourful: take in the colonial facades and street food stalls while dodging Honda-straddling teenagers and shady characters.

Haggle for bargains in the markets

Ben Thanh market

There are two landmark markets (cho) in Ho Chi Minh City, and numerous others. Cho Ben Thanh, located in District 1 across from the bus station, is probably the best known. It is especially popular in the evening and at night, when food vendors set up stalls and locals and tourists alike gather to eat and shop.
The other, Cho Lon, is a huge Chinese market. You will not see as many tourists here, and the variety of goods is amazing. Both markets are a lot of fun, regardless of whether you're souvenir shopping or just browsing. Ben Thanh is possibly more regulated, so you may have to worry less about knock-offs or price gouging. That said, you should always be wary of knock-offs and gouging.

Stop for coffee

Cafe sua da

Believe it or not, Vietnam is the biggest coffee exporter in the world. Vietnamese coffee is excellent – and it's inexpensive and available nearly everywhere. Black coffee with ice (ca phe da) is strong and sweet with an almost chocolate-like richness. Condensed milk can be added, giving you coffee milk ice, or ca phe sua da. Coffee shops are a huge part of the city's culture. From street vendors to side-walk shops, it's hard to beat having a coffee and watching Ho Chi Minh City go by. Prices range from 33 cents from a street vendor, to $3 or more at the top-end places. Deep-roasted Trung Nguyen is the most popular local brand.

Sample the street food

Street food vendor

Vietnam’s reputation as one of the world’s tastiest street food nations is well deserved, but many of the pricier restaurants can be disappointing – especially when you combine (more-than-likely) poor service with the hit your wallet takes. You can have a much better meal elsewhere for just a few dollars.

Hit the spa

Heriatge spa

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is awash with spas, offering the chance to relax and unwind far from the madding crowd while still being slap bang in the city centre. Unlike in the UK, you can easily spend a day pampering yourself without breaking the bank.

Chinatown and Thiên Hâu Pagoda

Thien Hau pagoda

One of the top attraction in Ho Chi Minh city is the Chinatown. Located on District 5, a bit far from the city center, it takes around 15 – 20 minutes to go there by taxi. The Chinese area called Cholon, dates back to 1778, and the community managed to keep their traditional architecture and way of living during the French colonial period and during the Vietnam War.

Night time at Nguyen Hue walking street

Nguyen Hue street

Go for a walk, listen to some young guys playing music, or for a selfie with uncle Ho Chi Minh statue… Nguyen Hue walking street gets really busy after sunset and it’s one of the top things to do in Saigon. Not only tourists go there, many locals come with friends, family to enjoy the fresh evening breeze.

Head underground 

Cu Chi Undergound Tunnels

An excursion to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels makes for an eye-opening afternoon. Used by the Vietnamese during the war with America, these immense networks of underground tunnels enabled whole villages to stay safe, plus meant Vietnamese guerrilla fighters could take the enemy by surprise. Visitors can crawl their way through a 100m stretch of tunnel and watch their tour guide demonstrate with ghoulish pleasure the ingenious traps the Vietnamese used to kill or maim US soldiers.

Mekong Delta

Floating market - Can Tho

Cruising through the lush labyrinth of palm-fringed channels, rivers, and islands of the Mekong Delta is a popular day trip that seems a world away from hectic Ho Chi Minh City. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the way of life of the people who depend on this fragile waterway for their survival. Encompassing about 40,000 square kilometers, the delta produces more than half of the country's grain and 90 percent of its exports, and it's well-known for its floating markets, which usually take place during the early morning.  My Tho, a market town on the banks of the Mekong River offers visits to local villages, farms, and factories as well as the chance to sample traditional dishes and tropical fruit from the region.

Boat trip in My Tho

Exploreing the Hoi An Ancient town

Inscribed by UNESCO in 1999, Hoi An “is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century... The town reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures (principally Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) that combined to produce this unique survival.” What you see today is a townscape built during the 17th and 18th centuries, which still includes 1,107 timber-frame buildings and a street plan that once allowed customer access from the front of them, and convenient off-loading of goods from boats on the river. And tthe best way to explore the town is take a walk.

Cooking class

Market tour - Cooking Class

Hội An is known for its diverse and excellent food: a legacy of the many nationalities, including Japanese, Chinese and Portuguese, that lived or traded here. It can seem that every other restaurant is offering cooking classes, but the Thuan Tinh cooking day offers more than some. After a visit to the fascinating market to collect ingredients, you board a river boat and putter eastwards along the river to this low-lying island near the river mouth, completing the final stretch by rowing boat. Then it’s on with cooking (and eating) a selection of dishes – fresh spring rolls, crispy pancakes, beef noodle salad and classic pho, say – while enjoying the village atmosphere and watching tiny basket boats navigate the water-coconut-lined waterways.

Country-side cycle tour

Cycling Hoi An Country-side

Cars and even motorbikes are banned from the centre of Hội An, so the pushbike is king. Most homestays offer bikes to guests, and joining the many cyclists on the roads provides an instant immersion into local life. To explore further afield, Heaven and Earth cycle tours, run from a quiet street in beguiling An Hội island, across the river from the old town, offers a selection of trips into the countryside and islands close to the city. Choose from an easy few hours with just 9km of cycling along quiet lanes, lunch included, or a more demanding 50km adventure. All take in traditional villages, handicrafts, fragrant rice paddies and rickety floating bridges.

Hit the beach

Beach - Hoi An

The nearest beach to town, Cửa Đại, has a severe erosion problem, exacerbated by winter typhoons, which saw most of the sand washed away from the seafront. An Bang beach, further north, is a more appealing prospect, with much less development and plenty of soft sand. Cycle there from town (it’s about 5km) and several persistent old ladies will try to charge you to park your bike, but turn off the main road on the lanes parallel to the sea to left or right and the many cafes and restaurants will let you park in return for purchasing a few drinks. Buy lunch as well and they’ll throw in an umbrella and a pair of sunbeds. There’s also plenty of space for those who want to rock up and lie on their towel.

See where your lunch is grown in Tra Que village

Tra que village

Most meals in Hội An include an abundance of the fresh vegetables and herbs that make eating in Vietnam such a delight. And much of it will have come from Tra Que, the fresh-veg village between town and An Bang beach. This small farming community grows everything from fine spring onions to hefty taro root on this flat fertile island in the De Vong river. A couple of enterprises, such as the Water Wheel, offer cooking classes, foot massages and more, but it’s possible to just wander the plots, trying to identify plants and chatting with farmers. A little place called Baby Mustard, to the right across fields from the Water Wheel, will does an excellent cheap lunch. Try the “three friends” – bundles of pork, prawn and mint, tied with spring onion.

Get a tailor-made suit

Tailor-made suit

Hoi An has been important to Southeast Asia’s textile trade for centuries, so it is no surprise that the city’s streets are filled with skilled tailors and leather goods workshops where you can have any item of clothing or accessory you like made to order. Many shops have been open for generations, producing top quality garments, but recent years have seen an explosion in poorer quality workshops – make sure to take precautions against unscrupulous business practices. Always go to the tailor’s with the specific details (material, fit, stitching, etc.) of what you want, shop around for the best rates, and never depend on hotels’ or taxi drivers’ recommendations, if you want the best of Hoi An’s craftsmanship.

Try Banh-mi takeaway lunch

Banh-mi

Banh Mi is the Vietnamese name for the baguette. Vietnam is affected by French colonialism and that’s why they have baguettes. At every corner of the street, they sell delicious sandwiches for less than $1! Inside is a combination of delicious flavors. Pork belly, egg, Cilantro & Onion, Vietnamese mayo, pork pate, veggies like carrot and cucumber, fish sauce and chili sauce.

Top Things To Do In Hue

Not only known by the long-lived history, Hue currently boats a variety of attractions and activities. If you don't believe Hue is one of Vietnam's greatest cities, you haven’t encountered all the best of culture, cuisine and shopping which this little city offers.

Visit ancient architecture

Tomb of Khai Dinh

It’s such a disappointment if you miss the historical sites in Hue. These attractions play a vital role in reflecting a remarkable phase of Vietnamese history, the settlement of Nguyen Dynasty. The Citadel, Purple Imperial, Gia Long Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb are irrefutably the most well-known destinations. More specifically, the Citadel and Imperial which are both built by Gia Long Emperor are the massive ancient construction. It’s like turning back the old days when you go under these ancient architectures. They all offer a unique insight into Vietnamese antiquity. The most appealing aspect of these sites is the education. You can learn more about how the royal family in an Asian country led their lives and citizens in the old days. All the interactive informative features will keep people interesting for hours.

Learn about religion

Thien Mu pagoda

The most innovative addition to Hue scene is its religious life. Temples all around the city are coming up with unique programs catering to travelers. The places are where the locals visit daily for their worship.  Thien Mu pagoda with an open view over the Perfume River is a good choice for a relaxing day. The name Thien Mu has its origin from a story about an old woman who had predicted Hue would become a capital in the time of Nguyen Dynasty. Also, you can take a beautiful and easy walk to Tu Hieu pagoda, a religious temple built from 1843 in a pine forest. Dragging around these spiritual scenes, you will have chance to get intrigued and amused at Vietnamese religion.

Take delight in beaches

Thuan An beach

Thuan An is a public accessible beach in Hue, which is located 15 km away from the city center. The mile-long stretch of silky, powder-white sand slopes gently into a shallow emerald lagoon, and is backed by a thick curtain of palms and tropical foliage.
Lang Co beach is another place that’s a little far for a day trip but it’s well worth a mention. It is long and broad with velvety sand and shocking blue water, and it's fringed with swaying palms and leafy trees. Lang Co is by far the most photographic beach in Hue as well as the central of Viet Nam. Besides lying lazily on the “sand”—actually made up of tiny lava pebbles—there’s plenty to do as joining some beach sports or exploring local seafood.

Relish Local Cuisine

Bun bo Hue

Hue cuisine has long become a pride of the local people. The fusion food results from the combination of royal and local dishes. 

Hue Royal-style cuisine

When it comes to royal foods, it’s the beautifully decorated dishes which are made from high quality ingredients. These foods were used to serve the royal family. In terms of local foods, the possibilities are endless. That mouth - watering list has everything from popular banh bot loc, banh nam to toothsome banh canh Nam Pho (Nam Pho noodles).

Go shopping

Dong Ba market

Hue has emerged as the most stylish of the non-brand boutique-studded town with many shopping spots from the local market to high end shops. For a local experience, Dong Ba market is truly a place to be. There are plenty of souvenirs and specialties with the minimal prices if you are a good bargainer. No one can guarantee for the quality of these stuff but you pay what you get so don’t be stressful for this term.

Night-market

Hanoi's best boutique hotels

Located in Hanoi's Old Quarter -- a network of 36 streets, organized by trade -- these quaint addresses combine modern amenities with historic atmosphere for an authentic base while exploring the city.

Hotel de l'Opera | 29 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi.

Hotel de l'Opera

As its name suggests, Hotel de l'Opera is just a few steps from the beautiful Hanoi Opera House, which regularly hosts ballet, music and folk performances. The largest of its kind in Vietnam, the theater features a magnificent neo-classical French facade, imposing pillars, balconies and opulent interiors. On the same leafy boulevard, the 107-room Hotel de l'Opera is set in its own white colonial-era building. Inside the stately doors, guests will find high ceilings, silk drapes, classic furniture, theatrical pops of color and big-name designer boutiques downstairs -- think Max Mara, Prada and Louis Vuitton. Each room has a slightly different layout and design. Rest assured, however, that all four l'Opera Grand Suites offer views of the Opera House. Within minutes of leaving the hotel, guests will discover the city's central lake, bustling Old Quarter and countless bars and restaurants.

La Siesta Central Hotel & Spa | 1 Cau Go Street, Hanoi.

La Siesta Central Hotel & Spa

A new address in Hanoi, La Siesta Central Hotel & Spa opened earlier this August in the historic Old Quarter, near photogenic Hoan Kiem Lake. The 27-bedroom property showcases lake views from 19 of its rooms, and also features a fine-dining restaurant, a sunset rooftop bar and a spa that emphasizes Vietnamese therapies. The building itself is newly constructed in the colonial style. Inside, the hotel pays tribute to the city's French heritage -- picture dark-wood paneling, black-and-white patterned tiles, wrought-iron furniture, romantic balconies and classic monochrome artwork peppering the hallways. With the Old Quarter just steps away and the peaceful lake at your doorstep, this is one of the best locations in Hanoi.

O'Gallery Premier Hotel | 22 Hang Bong Street, Hanoi.

O'Gallery Premier Hotel

Conveniently located inside Hanoi's Old Quarter, the O'Gallery Premier Hotel can be spotted by its narrow, colonial-style facade awash in green paint.
The green accents continue inside where pops of emerald bring classically furnished rooms to life. Each of the 55 rooms and suites include sophisticated touches, such as wood-paneled walls, velvet furniture, leather stools and generous amenities -- such as complimentary early check-in. The suites also offer private balconies, accessed via arched French doors.
Elsewhere in the hotel, travelers will find Thang Long Deli Vietnamese restaurant and a Vietnamese-style spa facility.

Maison d'Orient | 26 Ngo Huyen, Hanoi.

Maison d'Orient 

Hidden down a quiet alleyway in the heart of the Old Quarter, this design-forward gem is home to eclectic furniture, funky mosaic tiles, vintage prints and local artwork.
The hotel's communal open-air terrace serves as a dining area with an east-meets-west feel, where wooden tables mingle with Asian plants and motifs.
Though cozy -- ranging from 182 to 400 square feet -- each of the 10 rooms has its own idiosyncratic charm, but all are awash with natural light and pretty bamboo touches.
From the hotel, main attractions like St Joseph's Cathedral and Hoan Kiem Lake are just minutes away by foot.

Essence Hanoi Hotel & Spa | 22 Ta Hien Street, Hanoi.

Essence Hanoi Hotel & Spa

Another gem in the Old Quarter, the Essence Hanoi is located right next to the city's famous Beer Corner -- where travelers and locals like sit on tiny stools and enjoy drafts of light bia hoi late into the night. It's also a stone' throw from Dong Xuan market, which is frequented for its snacks, souvenirs and silk crafts. A mid-range hotel, the property provides 30 rooms. Each marries contemporary Vietnamese-inspired decor with tech-savvy touches, such as complimentary laptops to use during your stay. Adding to the stylish ethos, the hotel also offers convenient tailoring services from its partners Kitonali Bespoke Tailor and Heydi Boutique should you be in the market for a lasting souvenir.

The Chi Boutique Hotel | 13 Nha Chung Street, Hanoi.

The Chi Boutique Hotel

The first thing you'll notice at the sleek new Chi Boutique Hotel is a wall full of fresh flowers and leaves. The contemporary style and atmosphere continues in the 42 guestrooms, where travelers will find spacious bathrooms, lotus-inspired artwork and leafy street views. Want a private balcony with wrought-iron details? Ask for a room at the front of the hotel.
There's also a Vietnamese-Cantonese fusion restaurant on site, as well as a photogenic Garden Sky Lounge on the rooftop -- perfect for sunset cocktails with views of the Old Quarter.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi | 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hanoi. 

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi |

Though hardly a boutique hotel with 364 rooms, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is packed with French colonial charm. Formerly the residence of the French Governor of Tonkin (the historic name of northern Vietnam), the hotel is conveniently located right around the corner from the Hanoi Opera house and the neo-Gothic St. Joseph's Cathedral.
Inside, guests will find a few destination restaurants, including the French Le Beaulieu and the romantic Bamboo Bar in the lush courtyard, by the pool. Likewise, the elegant rooms also add to the Indo-French atmosphere with vintage furniture, silk tapestries, green shutters and original wrought-iron details. Since opening in 1901, the hotel has been the go-to home base for celebrities, politicians and literary figures alike, having welcomed the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Graham Greene.