Hanoi Map
by woosoowei
Tourist map is scarsely available at airport and hotels (especially those old and small ones). Do buy a tourist map if you find it difficult to move around and out of the Qld Quarters with your incomplete map.
It costs USD1 for a tourist map which consists of Hanoi,Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Vietnam travel map at local book store. I bought one at book store opposite Camellia 4 hotel at Hang Giay street.
Peeling Lips
by anoum
If you come from a hot, humid country like me, and are going to Hanoi in the cold season (Nov-Feb), be sure to take along lip protection balm/gel etc. I did not because the temperature in Nov is like Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. I didn't realise it is very dry in Hanoi. By the 2nd day, my lips were very dry and peeling. I couldn't find anything suitable because the locals didn't understand me. Luckily a Hanoi lady rescued me when she gave me something she usually uses.
General Post Office
by victorwkf
The General Post Office (Bua Dien) of Hanoi is a huge building located along Dinh Tien Hoang Road at the south-eastern side of the famous Hoan Kiem Lake. Next to this post office building is the Indira Gandhi Park (see my Indira Gandhi Park tip at this VT page).
Marionettes
by akikonomu about Water Puppet Theater
Water puppetry is a famous form of entertainment of North Vietnam and originated from farmers starting their own form of entertainment during the monsoon seasons where flooding is common.
The puppets are manipulated with strings and rods submerged under a pool of water. Accompanying singers and musicians add to the colour of the live play. None at point of visit
Cyclos
by Blatherwick
Cyclos not too long ago were still one of the primary methods of movement in Hanoi. Increasingly they exist mainly for tourists. If it is your first time in Hanoi the cyclo can be a very good form of transportation. The drivers generally have good english skills and know everything about their town. Make sure that you bargain and agree to a price beforehand. Paying upfront can be a good idea. Carry exact change as the guys never have change. It should be about $2 USD for an hour if you bargain hard enough.