Hanoi was composed of the Inner City and the Outer City in the ancient times. The Inner City was divided into three parts: the Forbidden City, the Royal City and the residential area with markets. The king, the queen and maids of honour of different rank, his descendants, and the servants lived in the Forbidden City. The Royal City was the place where the courtiers worked. Unfortunately, the buildings were destroyed in the war.
If you’d like to experience the local life in a free place, it is recommended that you pay a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake. Around the lake, locals love doing morning exercises. The local elder enjoy fishing, and chatting.
The most popular spot in Hanoi is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The founder of Socialist Republic of Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh sleeps there for ever. People can visit the mausoleum for free. But it is just opened to the public in the morning.
If you have strong interests in army, Army Museum in Hanoi is a great option. Some old weapons, helicopters, tanks and so on are on display there. Fine Arts Museum is a good place for artists. You will find a variety of artifacts from the prehistoric period through the 11th Century to the 21st Century. Through the exhibits at the National Museum of Vietnamese History, you will get a little acquainted with the Vietnamese history. Vietnamese Women’s Museum – Bảo Tàng Phụ nữ Việt Nam introduces the significant roles of Vietnamese women in the history of the country.
Water Puppet Theater features the distinctive water puppet show which is one-of-a-kind in the world. If you are interested to explore the local market, there are several markets in Hanoi for you – Hang Da Market, Cho Hom Market, and Dong Xuan Market. You may be excited with the goods at the market. Hanoi Night Market is a paradise for foodies with various types of local delicious food.