If you are hoping that a holiday in Hanoi will provide some good photo album material, then you will not be disappointed as the city is a sightseer’s dream. From architecture hailing from the city’s period of French occupation to the myriad of delights tucked away in the Old Quarter, this is a city with an endless supply of visual treats and opportunities for exploring.

Hanoi Opera House
Situated on Le Thanh Tong street close to the Red River, the Hanoi Opera House is a magnificent colonial French building constructed in 1911. The splendid Art Nouveau architecture is in stark contrast to the typically Vietnamese buildings in the surrounding area, adding to its visual impact. From the building’s main balcony, the Viet Minh announced their triumphant recapture of the city on 16 August 1945. There are no tours available of the interior of the Opera House and visitors wanting to sneak a peek are obliged to attend one of the performances. Phone: +84 4 942 1061.

Hai Ba Trung Temple
Otherwise known as Dong Nhan Temple due to its location in Dong Nhan village, this ancient structure dates back to the 12^th century and was erected during the reign of King Ly Anh Tong. The temple was built in honour of Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, two Vietnamese heroines and was completed by 1142. Clay statues of Trung Trac and Trung Nhi and their army of 12 female generals can be found in the temple’s inner sanctum. The temple is the setting of a lively festival early on in the second month of the lunar calendar.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
No visit to Hanoi is complete without visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the last resting place of Uncle Ho, the nation’s best-loved historic political figure. The mausoleum is a large stately building that can be entered by both domestic and foreign visitors provided due reverence is observed. Entrants are obliged to leave bags at a checkpoint before solemnly entering the chamber where the embalmed body of the great leader is displayed.

Ho Chi Minh Museum
After viewing Ho Chi Minh’s body at the mausoleum, continue learning about Vietnam’s favourite ‘uncle’ at this museum dedicated to his life and achievements. The museum has several storeys, with each offering insight into a different aspect of Ho Chi Minh’s life and its relevance to Vietnamese history. There are original photographs of Uncle Ho on display, as well as manifestos and poems handwritten by him. Phone: +84 4 845 5455.

Ngoc Son Temple
Since this traditional Buddhist temple is located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, which is in itself the focal point of the city, it’s unlikely that you will miss the chance to visit what is acknowledged as Hanoi’s most photographed landmark. Dating back to the 18^th century, the temple is dedicated to three important historic characters: Tran Hung Dao, Van Xuong and La To. The walls of the causeway which leads to the lake are adorned with traditional Vietnamese writings.

Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is full of character and a popular place for visitors to stay. A labyrinth of roads plays home to all manner of sights from the traditional and charming to the unusual. Shops, market stalls, old-fashioned service providers, cafés and guesthouses are just some of the many businesses in the area providing visitors with endless opportunities to explore and experience new sights, sounds, tastes and smells.

Presidential Palace
Situated adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace is a lavishly designed structure that dates back to 1906 when it was built to serve as the official residence of the Governor General of French Indochina. The palace, which illustrates distinct characteristics of French colonial architecture, was home to a number of generals of Indochina before becoming the official residence of the President of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh used the building in the latter period of his life for official government functions and the entertaining of guests. Visitors are not permitted entry to the building but may wander its grounds and take photos of its grand exterior. Phone: +84 8 234760.

Tay Ho Pagoda
Located in an idyllic setting on the peninsula jutting out into the city’s West Lake, Tay Ho Pagoda is among the most beautiful structures of its kind in the city. It’s also one of the most commonly frequented in light of it being dedicated to Thanh Mau, the mother Goddess, for whom the locals come to make offerings on the first and 15^th day of each lunar month. There’s a local legend telling of Thanh Mau’s appearance on the lake in the 17^th century, which was the inspiration for the building of the pagoda.

Get a roadside haircut. You might want to try the unique experience of getting a touch of personal grooming from one of Hanoi’s roadside barber operations. With set-ups along the city’s sidewalks, these guys will give you a haircut using old-school methods or a traditional cut-throat razorblade shave while passers-by come and go, birds twitter in the trees above and cars and motorbikes zoom past.

Get yourself a blast of Hanoian caffeine. Hanoi is chock-full of cafés where the locals like to while away the hours drinking cup after cup of delectable Vietnamese-style coffee. The coffee itself is dark, chocolaty and caffeine-rich, and is served with lashings of sweetened condensed milk.

Have your breath taken away by Halong Bay. Whether you visit Halong Bay in a single day (six hours from Hanoi) or take one of the many overnight tours that are available, you will not regret visiting this stunning part of the country. Approximately 1,600 islands and islets are scattered across stunning jade green waters providing breathtaking views which visitors can appreciate from the comfort of an authentic junk boat.

Take a tour with the HanoiKids. HanoiKids are a group of students who provide tours of the city in a bid to get valuable English-speaking practice, as well as getting the opportunity to show off their city. Tours are free and visitors and allow visitors to gain a resident’s perspective of Hanoi.

Tantalise your taste buds with a bowl of tasty pho. Hanoi’s variation on the popular Vietnamese noodle soup dish is so good that locals sometimes eat it three times a day. There are noodle stands available at roadside locations across the city, or you can stop and sit down at a dedicated noodle restaurant and enjoy the hot broth, sumptuous beef and soft rice noodles that make up this traditional dish.