Meliá Hanoi, Hanoi

Advantages: Still maintains a lot of its original character
Disadvantages: very busy and chaotic traffic

...willing to answer We asked all kinds of questions about life since the war and how Vietnamese people feel about everything that happened. They were amazingly philosophical about it all - it happened, it's over and now we need to move forward. Surprisingly the Northern Vietnamese were much more forward looking than those in the South who did mention the war quite a lot. In Hanoi we stayed at the Melia Hotel (www.meliahanoi.com) which was very central and comfortable - excellent breakfasts (which is how my husband Kev measures hotel standards!) There was a swimming pool, sauna and steam room and a fitness centre but we did not use these as there was so much in the city to see and do. We had a tour of the city and visited Ho Chi Minhs' house which is behind the Presidential Palace in Hanoi and is built in the traditional Vietnamese village... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very beautiful
Disadvantages: Can be busy

...Hoan Kiem lake is at the centre of Hanoi and a focus point of the city. It is easy to get to and doesn't cost a penny to visit. The lake isn't too large and doesn't take too long to walk around. The lake is central to the locals as well as the tourists in Hanoi. If you visit early in the morning while it is still cool you will be able to watch the locals do Tai Chi. Badminton courts are painted onto the ground all around the lake and sometimes you will see the locals playing this too. The lake is a great place to meet people and see local life. It can be busy at times but this is due to the fact that the locals love and use this lake as much as the tourists. There are loads of shops and coffee bars around and it's great to spend the afternoon people watching.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Good for sight seeing.
Disadvantages: traffic

...We first arrived in Hanoi from Moscow after a 2 day delay. We picked an expensive hotel at $25 for a room for 2 but it had a great balcony on the third floor that overlooked the old quarter. You could do worse than treat yourself on arrival. One thing that stuck on arrival was the bicycle and motorbike traffic. There is an art to crossing the road. The best way to just to walk slowly across and the riders weave in and out of pedestrians. This does not work with larger vehicles as they only deviate for larger vehicles! The main sites to see that I would recommend are situated in two areas; around the central lake and north Hoi Chi Minh’s mausoleum. Around the lake are general places to eat and drink which makes it a good place to start. The pagoda in the centre of the lake is well worth a visit, as is the water puppets nearby... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful