<strong>Catch a show:</strong> This visually stunning Lang Toi production blends contemporary cirque -- think acrobats, contortionists and jugglers -- with traditional Vietnamese music and themes.
Catch a show: This visually stunning Lang Toi production blends contemporary cirque -- think acrobats, contortionists and jugglers -- with traditional Vietnamese music and themes.
From Lang Toi
<strong>Take a heritage walk:</strong> Even the city's most historic places feel as though they're pulsing with new life come sundown. We'd recommend visiting the Hanoi Opera House, which hosts regular performances by Vietnam's National Symphony Orchestra, as well as a twice-weekly modern dance show called Lang Toi (My Village).
Take a heritage walk: Even the city's most historic places feel as though they're pulsing with new life come sundown. We'd recommend visiting the Hanoi Opera House, which hosts regular performances by Vietnam's National Symphony Orchestra, as well as a twice-weekly modern dance show called Lang Toi (My Village).
HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Get cultured: </strong>Early evening is also the best time to dive into Hanoi's vibrant contemporary arts scene. A must-visit destination for arts and culture lovers is Manzi café, which hosts regular exhibitions, workshops and live music performances. Pictured, electronic artist Tri Minh performs a show.
Get cultured: Early evening is also the best time to dive into Hanoi's vibrant contemporary arts scene. A must-visit destination for arts and culture lovers is Manzi café, which hosts regular exhibitions, workshops and live music performances. Pictured, electronic artist Tri Minh performs a show.
From Manzi
<strong>Binge on street food:</strong> Last year, then US President <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fbourdain-parts-unknown-obama-hanoi%2Findex.html">Barack Obama joined Anthony Bourdain</a> for a dinner of <em>bun cha </em>(barbecued pork served with airy rice noodles). You could follow their footsteps to Bun Cha Hoang Lien cafe and order the Obama Combo. But, <em>whisper it</em>: bun cha is really a lunchtime dish ...
Binge on street food: Last year, then US President Barack Obama joined Anthony Bourdain for a dinner of bun cha (barbecued pork served with airy rice noodles). You could follow their footsteps to Bun Cha Hoang Lien cafe and order the Obama Combo. But, whisper it: bun cha is really a lunchtime dish ...
HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Binge on street food: </strong>For dinner, Tracey Lister, author of "Vietnamese Street Food," advises travelers to wander the frenetic but fascinating Old Quarter to seek out the most popular vendors and dive in: "The Old Quarter morphs into a different being at night. It's a good time to eat on the street too, as the city slows down a notch -- not too much, just enough to enjoy a breeze blowing through the laneways."
Binge on street food: For dinner, Tracey Lister, author of "Vietnamese Street Food," advises travelers to wander the frenetic but fascinating Old Quarter to seek out the most popular vendors and dive in: "The Old Quarter morphs into a different being at night. It's a good time to eat on the street too, as the city slows down a notch -- not too much, just enough to enjoy a breeze blowing through the laneways."
HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Tap into local beer:</strong> Conveniently enough, the Old Quarter is also the perfect place to drink a glass (or two) of <em>bia hoi. </em>Often consumed streetside from tiny plastic stools, the Hanoi proletariat's beer of choice will set you back as little as 25 cents a glass. In the evening, young travelers gravitate to what's known as Bia Hoi Corner, to trade travel stories over cheap eats and beer.
Tap into local beer: Conveniently enough, the Old Quarter is also the perfect place to drink a glass (or two) of bia hoi. Often consumed streetside from tiny plastic stools, the Hanoi proletariat's beer of choice will set you back as little as 25 cents a glass. In the evening, young travelers gravitate to what's known as Bia Hoi Corner, to trade travel stories over cheap eats and beer.
Prashant Ram/Creative Commons
<strong>Tap into local beer: </strong>And for those seeking high-quality, craft beers? We'd recommend making a beeline for the Standing Bar. The city's first dedicated taproom overlooks the tranquil waters of Truc Bach Lake and gets creative with its recipes. "We have something for everyone -- pale ales, IPAs, pilsners, stouts, ciders, you name it," says Huong Anh, the Hanoi-born manager.
Tap into local beer: And for those seeking high-quality, craft beers? We'd recommend making a beeline for the Standing Bar. The city's first dedicated taproom overlooks the tranquil waters of Truc Bach Lake and gets creative with its recipes. "We have something for everyone -- pale ales, IPAs, pilsners, stouts, ciders, you name it," says Huong Anh, the Hanoi-born manager.
From Standing Bar
<strong>Catch a show:</strong> For contemporary sounds, check out Hanoi Rock City, an eclectic venue that's always putting on fresh performances. "We have always hosted a diverse range of acts in our Red Room and in the courtyard -- folk, reggae, jazz, indie, grunge, hardcore ... you name it," says co-founder Duc Anh. "We just want to showcase great music in Hanoi."
Catch a show: For contemporary sounds, check out Hanoi Rock City, an eclectic venue that's always putting on fresh performances. "We have always hosted a diverse range of acts in our Red Room and in the courtyard -- folk, reggae, jazz, indie, grunge, hardcore ... you name it," says co-founder Duc Anh. "We just want to showcase great music in Hanoi."
From Hanoi Rock City
<strong>Savor a nightcap:</strong> When it comes to "drinks with a twist," the new star of the Hanoi scene is Nê cocktail bar. "Our concept is simple: We play jazz music and make cocktails with local flavors," owner Pham Tien Tiep tells CNN Travel.
Savor a nightcap: When it comes to "drinks with a twist," the new star of the Hanoi scene is Nê cocktail bar. "Our concept is simple: We play jazz music and make cocktails with local flavors," owner Pham Tien Tiep tells CNN Travel.
From Nê
<strong>Dance 'til dawn</strong>: Since opening in the West Lake district in 2016, Savage has quickly become the city's most celebrated space for cutting-edge electronic music with international artists performing alongside stellar local acts like Quan, Min8, TrungD and Tri Minh.
Dance 'til dawn: Since opening in the West Lake district in 2016, Savage has quickly become the city's most celebrated space for cutting-edge electronic music with international artists performing alongside stellar local acts like Quan, Min8, TrungD and Tri Minh.
From Savage