http://www.1stophanoi.com everything you need to know about Hanoi Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:55:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en [caption id="attachment_232" align="aligncenter" width="295" caption="Lobby of the Sofitel Plaza in Hanoi"] [/caption] Although Hanoi is undoubtedly a city of ancient wonder, there are a number of hotels with fantastic modern facilities which allow visitors to see the sites without roughing it. These are some of our favourites: Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi This large hotel ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/hanoi-luxury-hotels/ [caption id="attachment_229" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The \'cay hoa sua\' tree only flowers during autumn in Hanoi with a distinctive aroma"][/caption]The weather in Hanoi runs the gauntlet between being wet, hot and humid and severe cold. But rest assured there is always something special in the area to enjoy depending on what ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/climate-in-hanoi/ Hanoi has plenty of culture to offer its visitors. Aside from soaking up the city life over a coffee in a street side café, there are plenty of outlets where visitors can experience the arts and music scene in Hanoi. The city’s most popular cultural attraction is the Thang Long Water ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/culture/ Vietnam has more than 50 different ethnic minorities, most of which live in the mountains surrounding Hanoi and in the north of Vietnam. Hanoi is on the receiving end of the beautiful products these ethnic groups produce. Villagers are excellent craftspeople, and are skilled at making products such as bamboo goods, ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/shoppinghandicrafts/ Market shopping is one of the highlights of travel. Not only is a great place for finding little trinkets and one-of-a kind bargains, but the social element is also very appealing. There are a number of thriving markets in Hanoi, which are popular with both tourists and locals. Locals swarm to ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/shoppingmarkets/ Hanoi is a fantastic shopping destination. The city boasts excellent shopping facilities and the competitive prices make it an even more fun. Many visitors to Hanoi are attracted to the city due to its fantastic shopping scene. A varied range of goods is on offer in Hanoi, ranging from intricate handicrafts ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/shopping/ Massage is a great way to relax both mentally and physically. Hanoi has some famous streets where massage parlours have been passed down throughout the generations, such as Le Duan, Cua Nam and Quan Thanh. There are also excellent massage centres at the Institure of Acupuncture and the Institute of ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/hospitalitymassage/ Although homosexuality isn’t illegal in Vietnam, it is just swept under the carpet and ignored. Many gay Vietnamese people conduct their lives with a spouse and family despite their homosexual desires. Gay life is enfolded with traditional values, framed by the current communist social system. The ‘gay lifestyle’ known in the ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/hospitalitygay/ One of the joys of travelling in Asia, is the cheapness of relaxing health and body treatments. Massages, manicures and facials can be enjoyed for a fraction of the cost of the same treatment back home. Whether you are a budget backpacker or a flashy jetsetter, you can indulge yourself ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/hospitalityspas/ Hanoi’s night life is mainly concentrated around the Old Quarters, and although it is tame compared to neighbouring capitals like Bangkok, there is still fun to be had. There are enough expats and tourists present all year round to ensure a lively scene, which isn’t limited to weekends or any ... http://www.1stophanoi.com/hospitalitynightlife/