![\"The](\"https:\/\/vietnam.travel\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/The%20Huc%20Bridge%20Hoan%20Kiem%20lake_1.jpg\")
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Begin at\u00a0Hoan Kiem Lake<\/strong>, an attraction in itself, ringed with trees and home to a legendary tower. Head to\u00a0St. Joseph\u2019s Cathedral<\/strong>\u00a0on Ly Quoc Su for a snapshot of local life: street side bustle, kids playing, and women selling fruits from bamboo baskets. The picturesque yellow villa at\u00a0Hang Trong Gardens<\/strong>\u00a0on the same street is worth a look, before you stroll on to the\u00a0Vietnamese Women\u2019s Museum<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 one of the best in the country.<\/p>\n Walk a block to Ba Trieu st. where you\u2019ll find sidewalk cafes and stalls serving\u00a0ph\u1edf<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0c\u01a1m rang g\u00e0<\/em>. Turn right on Nguyen Du street to reach the lovely\u00a0Thien Quang Lake<\/strong>\u00a0with rows of centuries-old trees, a quaint temple, and an old banyan tree.<\/p>\n Walk down and cross Tran Nhan Tong st. and enter\u00a0Reunification Park<\/strong>. Hanoi\u2019s largest green space is ringed with paved paths where locals love to exercise. Sip a coconut by the water, or pedal out in a swan boat. Exit on the eastern side of the park on Tue Tinh st. and make your way toward the ornate\u00a0Hanoi Opera House<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Hanoi\u2019s French Quarter is known for high-end stores and colonial-era architecture, a fascinating contrast from the crumbling and colourful buildings you passed earlier. Finish your stroll with a well-earned coffee on the terrace of the\u00a0Metropole Hotel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Start off at\u00a0Caf\u00e9 Pho Co<\/strong>, a hideaway in the Old Quarter, for some indulgent egg coffee. To find the cafe, look for a silk shop at 11 Hang Gai st. Walk past the textiles into the alley behind and you\u2019ll find a courtyard serving egg coffee with views of the lake.<\/p>\n After your coffee, head down Hang Dao st. toward\u00a0Dong Xuan Market<\/strong>. Turn right on Cau Dong, then turn left to a side street where wholesale spice and fruit vendors peddle an array of exotic goods. If you\u2019d like to nab an ingredient to bring home, this is the place.<\/p>\n Next, make your way to historic\u00a0Long Bien Bridge<\/strong>, following Hang Khoai st., Xuong Cau, and passing the Long Bien Train Station. This iconic iron bridge was Hanoi\u2019s main supply lifeline during wartime. From the narrow sidewalk on the bridge, you\u2019ll see urban agriculture and small homes clustered along the sides of the Red River.<\/p>\n Take the stairwell down to\u00a0Banana Island<\/strong>. This picturesque patchwork of farmland and floating settlements is so tranquil, the chaos of the city seems a world away. To return to civilisation, go back the way you came, walking along the other side of the bridge for a different perspective.<\/p>\n Start your walk on\u00a0Phung Hung st<\/strong>. Here there\u2019s ample space to enjoy a leisurely walk. As the road curves, you\u2019ll find immense mural paintings, depicting scenes from Hanoi\u2019s past \u2014 a great spot to snap a photo.<\/p>\n Make a left on Hang Cot st., passing a small park, then find your feet on tree-lined\u00a0Phan Dinh Phung<\/strong>, considered one of the most beautiful boulevards in the city. Stop at the\u00a0Northern Gate<\/strong>\u00a0of the Hanoi Citadel (still peppered with bullet holes from the war), and the yellow-hued\u00a0Cua Bac Church<\/strong>\u00a0across the road.<\/p>\n Continue down Phan Dinh Phung to Hung Vuong st. and right to\u00a0Truc Bach Lake<\/strong>. Truc Bach is one of the most scenic corners of Hanoi, with plenty of interesting sights. Stop at the 11th century\u00a0Quan Thanh Taoist temple<\/strong>\u00a0before enjoying a walk down Thanh Nien St. with views of lakes on both sides.<\/p>\n Turn right onto Truc Bach st. and walk all the way to Ngu Xa and cross the bridge to the island. This is a famous foodie area, where you can feast on local favourites\u00a0ph\u1edf cu\u1ed1n<\/em>\u00a0(fresh rice noodle rolls with grilled pork) and\u00a0ph\u1edf chi\u00ean ph\u1ed3ng<\/em>\u00a0(fried rice noodle squares with rich gravy, beef and vegetables).<\/p>\n Walk it off on the way back to Phan Dinh Phung st. and the famous\u00a0Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum<\/strong>, or walk along leafy Nguyen Tri Phuong Boulevard, to see the ancient\u00a0Citadel of Hanoi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Like many great cities, Ha Noi is best seen on foot. Narrow alleys, tree-lined boulevards and pretty lakes are just the beginning of the capital\u2019s charms. Set your own pace and get lost in the city\u2019s hidden treasures \u2014 old and new \u2014 with any of these three do-it-yourself walking tours. Hoan Kiem and the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[61,1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Hanoi](\"https:\/\/vietnam.travel\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/Hanoi%20coffee%20shop_0.jpg\")
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\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMarkets, Bridges and Banana Island<\/h3>\n
From a tucked-away cafe in the Old Quarter, head through a colourful local market before reaching a historic bridge, surrounded by urban agriculture. Enjoy a mix of peaceful scenery and bustling street life on this adventurous walk.<\/h4>\n
![\"Hanoi](\"https:\/\/vietnam.travel\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/Hanoi%20local%20market_0.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Long](\"https:\/\/vietnam.travel\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/Long%20Bien%20bridge_0.jpg\")
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\nHistoric Hanoi and Truc Bach Lake<\/h3>\n
This Instagram-worthy route takes you past train tracks, detailed murals, and lakeside life. Have a memorable day checking out historic sites, watching urban life, and tasting some of the city\u2019s best street food.<\/h4>\n
![\"paintings](\"https:\/\/vietnam.travel\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/Phung%20Hung%20street%20paintings_0.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Quan](\"https:\/\/vietnam.travel\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/Quan%20Thanh%20Temple_0.jpg\")
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