There’s no shortage of fun-packed activities on offer in Hanoi suitable for children of all ages. The Ho Tay Lake Water Park is perhaps the most popular purpose-built attraction and is guaranteed to be a life-saver on days when it’s too hot to go sightseeing. Hotels with swimming pools are similarly inviting when temperatures are high, while the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is an attraction that can be enjoyed in any season and during any weather conditions.

Hanoi Zoological Garden
Situated west of the city centre, the Hanoi Zoological Garden is home to a large collection of animals including species from around the world. While the zoo might not compare with Western attractions of a similar nature, young visitors are sure to find it an entertaining experience. Besides the animal enclosures, the gardens offer a small go-karting area, places to play ball games and an arcade.

Hoan Kiem Lake
The focal point of life in Hanoi is the large lake which sits in the middle of the city, around which visitors of all ages can enjoy a variety of interesting sights. It’s not possible to swim here, but kids will love the vibrant atmosphere they encounter on a stroll around the lake. Afterwards, stop at Fanny's Ice Cream Parlour, situated close to the lake on Pho Le Thai To, where tasty ice cream comes in a vast array of tempting flavours.

Ho Tay Lake Water Park
This relaxing destination is an ideal spot for families to enjoy daytime fun. The park offers a selection of water-based attractions which includes rides and slides, and is the ideal place to head on days when it’s too hot to go sightseeing. Phone: +84 4 753 2753.

Swimming
The hot weather in Hanoi can soon try the patience of children so what better an activity to pursue on a steamy day than to head for a swimming pool where the young ones can enjoy splashing around in the cool waters. A public pool is available at the Oriental Park on Tay Ho street, while others can be found at reputable hotels such as the Hanoi Sofitel and Thang Loi Hotel. Hotel pools are generally free for guests to use and may also be used by non-guests upon payment of a typically small entrance fee.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
This is undoubtedly the highlight of the city’s family attractions and both young and old visitors will find this traditional spectacle of Vietnamese performance art a truly enchanting experience. Despite the fact that there is only a Vietnamese narrative for the show, its visual appeal transcends language and is guaranteed to please young visitors. The theatre is located at Hoan Kiem Lake’s northeast corner. Phone: +84 4 8249494.

Culture seekers will not be disappointed by Hanoi’s selection of aesthetic and historically interesting sights and attractions. The city is teeming with fine architecture, sites of religious significance, museums and important buildings of state. The Hanoi Fine Arts Museum and the Museum of Ethnology might be considered highlights, and visitors of all backgrounds are sure to find them culturally enlightening experiences.

Army Museum
June 1959 saw Hanoi’s Army Museum come into being and since then it has provided the people of the city and visitors with some excellent visual reminders of some of the country’s more challenging periods of history. A varied selection of artefacts illustrates aspects of the country’s most significant military struggles. Of particular interest are the miniaturised depictions of the Dien Bien Phu battle of 1945 and the Ho Chi Minh campaign of 1975.

Hanoi Fine Arts Museum
Immerse yourself in centuries of Vietnamese creativity at this fascinating museum located in a converted private residence on Nguyen Thai Hoc street. The museum’s collection is impressive, featuring around 10,000 pieces exhibited across over a dozen showrooms. Each room has its own distinct theme and feature everything from fine arts, technological fine arts, and folk painting to ancient sculpture and outstanding works from the 11^th to 19^th centuries. Phone: +84 4 823 3084.

Hanoi Museum of History
The building which houses the Hanoi Museum of History was built during the period of French occupation and hence embodies the traditional French colonial architectural style. Previously known as the École Française d'Extrême Orient, the museum is home to a collection of artefacts illustrating details of the nation’s history with objects dating as far back as the Bronze Age. Among the most interesting items on display are a series of Ngoc Lu bronze drums plus ceramic items dating back to the Ly and Tran dynasties. Phone: +84 4 824 1384.

Museum of Ethnology
Visitors with an interest in the ethnic diversity of Vietnam and, in particular, its northern territories will be fascinated by the collection of exhibits available for viewing at this popular museum. The cultural heritage of the country’s 54 different ethnic groups is illustrated in the more than 15,000 artefacts on display, among which are everyday items such as labouring tools, cooking implements, traditional costume and jewellery. Phone: +84 4 7562193.

One Pillar Pagoda
Arguably the city’s most striking landmark, One Pillar Pagoda was erected as a tribute to legendary Emperor Ly Thai Tong. The pagoda is viewed by locals as a poignant symbol of fertility, having been built to mark the birth of the Emperor’s son, and many Vietnamese citizens come here to pray in the hope they will be blessed with offspring of their own.

Quan Thanh Temple
This 11^th century structure was erected during the reign of King Ly Thai To as a tribute to the legendary warrior god Huyen Thien Tran Vu. A renovation programme which was undertaken in 1893 restored much of the glory of the building, which had been gradually eroded by the passage of time. A black bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu guards the temple in the same way that the real character is believed to have guarded Vietnam’s northern territories.

Revolution Museum
Founded in January 1959, Hanoi’s Revolution Museum is home to a collection of artefacts of national significance that trace the history of patriotism and revolution in Vietnam. Displays offering background on the founding of the Vietnam Communist Party to modern day events give visitors a broad insight into this aspect of the country’s history. Phone: +84 4 8253766.

St Joseph's Cathedral
This late 19^th century structure is one of the city’s most visually interesting throwbacks to the French colonial period. Illustrating typical architectural traits of the era, the church is still a working religious facility and has been since it first began operating in 1886. When services are not being conducted, visitors can enter through the church’s side entrance in order to view its grand interior.

Temple of Literature
According to historians, this 11^th century building was originally used as a dwelling place for the disciples of Confucius. The structure, which was a part of the city that was founded by Emperor Ly Thanth Tong, is comprised of a number of small buildings laid out around several courtyards. The temple is open daily and besides its aesthetic appeal its tranquil environment offers a pleasant refuge from the often hectic atmosphere of the city centre.

Hanoi’s restaurants and eateries are sure to please the palates of even the most discerning gastronomic enthusiasts. Tasty creations that are characteristic of the city’s local cuisine and presented at every turn, from roadside food carts to high class dining establishments.

Hanoi food is influenced to a large extent by Chinese cuisine, owing to the fact that the north of Vietnam is relatively close to China. Rice is a staple foodstuff, as are noodles, with the latter eaten with more frequency by many of the city’s residents.

Noodle soup known as pho is the city’s signature dish, with noodle stands across the city serving up this hot, savoury dish from dawn until dusk. Pho is typically served with beef, however, different meats and flavourings can be added according to your tastes. Bread is also a basic foodstuff here, owing to the French influence on the city during the period of colonisation. Locals like to eat baguettes for breakfast stuffed with pâté and vegetables. These tasty sandwiches are known as banh mi thit.

Dining out in Hanoi can be as cheap or as extravagant as your pocket or tastes permit, with the city’s eateries covering the length of the price scale. Budget travellers or those visitors looking for a more traditional dining experience may want to wander the city’s Old Quarter where street-based food stalls and cheap and cheerful eateries packed with the locals offer little in the way of comfort or lush décor but everything in the way of atmosphere and authentic Hanoi cuisine.

For something more refined, try the restaurants of the city’s top hotels. Visitors wanting to meet other Western travellers and enjoy Western food can head for ex-pat owned hangouts such as the Red Onion Bistro and Al Fresco's.

With regards to shopping options, the Old Quarter and the areas around Hoan Kiem Lake are likely to be of most interest to visitors wishing to purchase souvenirs or locally produced goods. The Old Quarter is a fascinating area presenting a maze of interconnecting streets featuring shop after shop. The street names in this quarter indicate the particular product that is available on the street.

There’s plenty of interest to look at in the Old Quarter, even if you are not inclined to buy anything. For those visitors wanting to lighten their wallets, there are silk goods, ceramics, cheap electrical products and a plethora of pirated products such as DVDs and audio CDs (be wary of their quality and the import and export of goods that infringe copyrights).

Around the lake you’ll find a mixed selection of retailers including a couple of supermarkets selling unusual Vietnamese food products. Around St Joseph's Cathedral are a number of boutiques purveying clothing of a higher quality than in the Old Quarter, but at higher prices. For a general, all-purpose traditional Vietnamese market, try Dong Xuan Market located at the northern end of the Old Quarter.

Although Hanoi presents itself as a predominantly urban area, there are still plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy outdoor activity. Within the city limits, there are a number of parks with open spaces which lend themselves well to sporting and leisure activities, while just outside of the city visitors can enjoy pursuits such as golf and cycling.

Cycling
Hanoi is the starting point for a number of cycling tours offered by popular Vietnamese tour companies. Participants are expected to be relatively fit as tours can be quite demanding, lasting several days, covering long distances and incorporating overnight stops en route. Popular routes on offer include Hanoi to Kimboi via Hanam and Hoa Binh, and Hanoi to Hoa Lu via Bat. Details of tours are available at most good travel and tour agents in the city. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle from a hotel or travel agent and enjoy seeing the sights of the city as you ride around at your leisure.

Golf
Hanoi is fortunate enough to be within close proximity of the only golf course serving the north of Vietnam, this being the King's Island Golf Resort and Country Club. The club offers impressive facilities with 36-holes of international standard set amid the gorgeous scenery provided by Ba Vi Mountain and Dong Mo Reservoir. After a round of golf, players can relax at the clubhouse and enjoy a bite to eat at its excellent restaurant. Clubs and other equipment are available for hire at the resort.

Rock Climbing
Halong Bay, the most popular area for rock climbing, is within relatively easy travelling distance (three hours by road). Besides being famous for its awesome beauty, the bay offers around 500 square miles of karst (limestone) islands that are ideal for climbers of all abilities. Travel agents in Hanoi can help you arrange climbing excursions.

Tai Chi
Some basic knowledge of this ancient art is necessary if you are to join the hoards of locals who gather shortly after dawn around Hoan Kiem Lake. It’s a magnificent sight to witness and an even more magical experience to participate in. Regardless of your abilities, the locals will be happy for you to accompany them in their daily execution of this graceful practice.

Walking
In spite of the hectic traffic conditions around the city, there are plenty of pedestrianised areas in which to enjoy a pleasant stroll. Hoan Kiem Lake is perhaps the most popular location for locals to stretch their legs, and visitors choosing the right time of day can similarly enjoy the gentle exercise and interesting people-watching opportunities that a walk around the lake affords. Hanoi is also blessed with a number of parks where walking is possible and the atmosphere quieter.