Population : 3,082,800 habitants (2004)
Administrative divisions: 
Districts : Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung, Tay Ho, Thanh Xuan, Cau Giay, Long Bien, Hoang Mai. Rural districts: Dong Anh, Soc Son, Thanh Tri, Tu Liem, Gia Lam
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa...
Hanoi is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the center of culture, politics, economy and trade of the whole country. More about hanoi 

Shopping

Shopping in Hanoi is very different with other cities in the world. Most of the big department stores and supermarkets are not the best choice for tourists. All most of the things you want are sold around Hoan Kiem lake or the old quaters in the small but well-decorated shops. The top favourite area for souvenirs is Hang Gai street and its surrounding streets - only 5 minutes walk from Hoan Kiem lake where you can buy Vietnamese traditional silk, clothes, decorating items, souvenirs and paintings. A good advice is every thing can be make a discount of 20% to 50%.
Along Hang Dao street, that meet Hang gai street at the north point of Hoan kiem lake, is the best place for clothes, jewery and watches in both retails and bulk sales.  more .....shopping adresses      

Dinning & Restaurant

Hanoi residents have always been proud of the richness of specialities in their city and sophisticated cuisine. Both specialities and ordinary dishes in Hanoi provide unique tastes that satisfy different eaters. 
However, it is useful to know where to go and how to enjoy each of them. Some specialities are served in only fixed places in Hanoi, such as "Com Vong", "Banh Com Hang Than", "Cha ca La Vong". The makers keep the secret to make their dishes unique throughout the line. For ordinary dishes, like "Pho Hanoi", you’d better go out of the hotel, and enjoy it in a small restaurant on the streets. You’ll try different tastes in different restaurants.
As a matter of fact, some traditional dishes of Hanoi have come out of taste. There have appeared in Hanoi many new dishes, which may come from other town, even from aboard. Please consult the guide to restaurants to make your choices.
Though dishes in Hanoi are rich in number, they share common features. First- the combination of different tastes in a dish. For example, you’ll find at least 5 different spices in a bowl of  "pho": hot ginfer, pepper, chili, tasty cinamon, sour lemon, some onions and herbs…Spices and herbs are popular, probably for the richness of fruit and vegetable in the land of Hanoi.
Second - the harmony and moderation of dishes. Except for special dishes, Hanoi cooks rarely prepare dishes that are too hot or too salty. The amount of a dish is not large, just enough.
Compared with Asian dishes, Hanoi’s dishes don’t contain much fat or sugar. Vegetables are cooked in a way that they are eatable but still keep their natural colour at most. This way of cooking is very healthy to eaters, and make the dishes look fresh.
Hanoi dishes, numerous in number, delicious in taste , surely will satisfy any visitors and leave unforgettable taste.
            
Vietnamese food addresses       Chinese & Asean food      French and European food

How to get there

- Noibai International airport is 35 km outside the city. The taxi fee is about $10 to $15 for a 4-seat or 7-seat car.
- There are one to three flights daily  from Singapore, Kuala Lupur, Bangkok, Hong kong, GuangZhou, Paris, Tokyo, Taipei, Sidney, Seoul, Moscow via some most popular airlines : Vietnam Airlines, Singapore airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Thai airways, Cathay pacific, China airway, China Southern airlines, Quantas, Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean air ......etc... You can choose the most convenient airlines for your trip to Hanoi.  Or contact us at  info@holiday.com.vn
- For domestic transfer, please contact the nearest Vietnam Airlines or pacific Airlines office (there are almost 10 flights daily from Hochiminh city, and a couple of flights from most of the common cities in Vietnam)
- Travel inside Vietnam, another favourite way is by train, there are 6 trains daily from Hochiminh city to Hanoi (ussually start in the evening and arrive at early morning of the 3rd day). You can choose many great places to visit along with those trains: Phong Nha, DMZ, Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Phan Thiet.