■

Its western part is mostly residential with a large number of new skyscrapers around the Japanese Embassy on Lieu Giai street. Its northeastern part surrounds the Truc Bach lake where John McCain's plane was shot down. The French Quarter with large shady boulevards is in its eastern part.

It also contains the One-Pillar Pagoda and the recently discovered Thang Long Citadel. Ba Đình District: political center of Vietnam, housing the national assembly building, president's palace, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and most embassies. At other times, you can access the interior of the church from the back through the offices for the Diocese of Hanoi.

The main entrance is kept locked except for mass. The façade is intricately decorated, with two bell towers, while inside are some delicate stained glass window details. A relic of French Colonial rule, right in the heart of the old town quarter, St. Joseph's Cathedral (Nha Tho Street) was built in 1886 and is a fine example of neo-Gothic architectural style.

North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Hanoi, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart. Head of the department Do Dinh Hong said that the new walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake has drawn local visitors as well as foreign tourists to the capital.

Tortoises come to this little island to bask in the sun and lay eggs. This small tower was built to honour the magic turtle guarding the sword of Le Loi. You will see loads of people taking photos of the Thap Rua or Turtle Tower, a pagoda peacefully sitting on a small island in the centre of the lake.

Nowadays, both tourists and locals alike flock to this relaxing spot in the centre of crazy busy and noisy Hanoi. Hanoi's center is an architectural museum piece, its blocks of ocher buildings retaining the air of provincial French town of the 1930's. Hanoi, is known as the Paris of the Orient.

However, it's more attractive city than Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - there is less traffic, though still too much for many, less noise and relatively less pollution, more trees and more open space. Most foreigners on a short visit find Hanoi to be slow paced, pleasant and even charming. Hanoi tourist attractions are different things to different people.

While the streets of Hanoi are a perfect place to learn about the culture, I am going to give you 10 things to start your trip with: 10 things you must absolutely do while you are in town! However, as in all cities, we do want to learn about the history and about the culture. Hanoi is a place where you need to wander, follow your nose, the people and the colors.

The actual highlight of Hanoi exist out of discovering the chaos and the ambiance of the city.