As I made the rounds as a tourist, I couldn't help but sense the palpable buzz in the air that was missing from nine years ago when I first visit Hanoi.

A must for tourist is the Old Quarter, where you will find locals mingling with tourists. Street after street is lined with shops that hawk colourful wares. You can get stunning pieces of visual art in one street and chill out in a cafe in another.

Places Of Interest In And Around Hanoi

Another place of interest is the Hoa Lo Prison, which use to house Vietnamese, French and American prisoners, is a third of its original size. Most of the original prison has been demolished making ways for apartments and office buildings.

At the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, it is normal to see two queues. The longer queue would comprise foreign visitors who had to pay an entrance fee, while the other is for Vietnamese who could enter for free. The symbolic nature of the scene is understandable.

Temple Of Literature 

A truly historical site is the Temple of Literature. Built in honor of Confucius in 1070 AD, it is regarded as the first national university of Vietnam. While the bustle of the city swirls around it, the Temple resembles a stoic sentry of history.

If you really wish to sample the everyday life of Hanoi, then you will have to visit the central market. Here local stalls catering to the daily needs of Vietnam, stand very close to stalls catering to tourists.

Vietnamese food is definitely not to be missed - sample local delights or French cuisine, a legacy from the old days.