With 1,000 years worth of turbulent history behind it, Hanoi is a wonderfully atmospheric and vibrant city and Vietnam’s capital. Snapshots of an Asia of times-gone-by are easy to find in the temple precincts and narrow streets of the old town, whilst French overtones remain in the charming colonial facades and fresh baguettes and coffee served from busy stalls.

The bustling streets and graceful boulevards of the city may be modernising rapidly, leaving behind years of war without a backward glance, but through all of the upheaval of the past, and the influence of the French and Chinese, Hanoi has managed to stay the quintessential Vietnamese city with a strong sense of identity, and the perfect introduction to Vietnam.