Thailand beyond solo backpacking

Monday, April 23, 2012

Hanoi girls dressed in ao dai

Hanoi girls dressed in ao dai at Ly Thai To Park which is directly opposite the State Bank of Vietnam Building.

The áo dài is a Vietnamese national costume,mostly made of silk started to be worn during the 18th century in the judicial court.

The word is pronounced ow zai in the North and ow yai in the South of the country.

During the Tết New Year and many other occasions, Vietnamese men may wear an áo gấm (brocade robe), a version of the ao dai made of thicker fabric.

Slender and long haired Hanoi student girls dressed in light pastel flowery 'ao dai'.

The 1992 ﬁlms Indochine and The Lover inspired worldwide interest in Vietnamese fashion, with several international fashion houses offering 'ao dai' collections.

In 1995, an 'ao dai' worn by Ms. Truong Quynh Mai was chosen as ‘Best National Costume’ at the Miss International Pageant in Tokyo, triggering an ‘ao dai craze’ that lasted for several years.

Academic commentary on the ao dai emphasizes the way the dress ties feminine beauty to Vietnamese nationalism, especially in the form of "Miss Ao Dai" pageants, popular both among overseas Vietnamese and in Vietnam itself .
"Ao dai" is one of the few Vietnamese words that appear in English-language dictionaries.

A giant monument of Emperor Ly Thai To was behind this fountain in Ly Thai To Statue and Park.

He was the founder of the Lý D‎ynasty and also the founder of Hanoi City reigning from 1009 to 1028 AD.

In fact the Lý Dynasty ruled Vietnam for 216 years having nine emperors taking the throne.

The State Bank of Vietnam (Vietnamese: Ngân hàng Nhà nước Việt Nam) is the central bank of Vietnam.
After the fall of Saigon, the two Vietnams were united but not until July 1976 did the two countries’ administrations and institutions unite.

In July 1976, the National Bank of Vietnam (the central bank of Republic of Vietnam) was merged into the State Bank of Vietnam.

The Vietnamese đồng (VND) has been the currency of Vietnam since May 3, 1978 and was Issued by the State Bank of Vietnam, It is currently ranks as the second least valuable currency in terms of exchange rate.

State Guesthouse is a government guesthouse specifically used for news briefing to foreign dignitaries.

Hanoi Opera building was erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911.

It was modeled on the Palais Garnier, the older of Paris's two opera houses, and is considered to be one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi.

The luxurious French colonial styled Hotel Sofitel Legend Metropole located along Ngo Nguyen Street,Hoan Kiem District in Hanoi.

Just married Vietnamese couple.

Sweet lovely Vietnamese girl.

Pretty Vietnamese girls in their best outfit,the 'ao dai' with their luxurious silky long hair.

This means that hair saloons and shampoo companies can do a roaring business here in Vietnam.

Cafe Giai Khat at No:23 Le Thanh Tong Street is one traditional Vietnamese restaurant offering authentic local cuisines.

Vietnamese boy after lunch at Cafe Giai Khat.

The National Museum of Vietnamese History (Vietnamese: Viện Bảo tàng Lịch sử Quoc Gia Việt Nam) is located So 1,Trang Tien, the Hoan Kiem district of Hanoi, Vietnam.

The building used to be the museum of the Far East Research Institute under French colonial rule (École française d'Extrême-Orient EFEO).

Today, it is a museum showcasing Vietnam's history with very large displays covering every period.
It is housed in a colonial French building which was completed in 1932.
The building, designed by the architect Ernest Hébrard, is considered a successful blend of French colonial and traditional Vietnamese architecture, called Indochina architecture.
Hebrard created double walls and balconies for a natural ventilation system and protection from sunshine.

Located at the corner of Tran Khanh Du mainroad with Trang Tien

Public Bus No 34 stop at Trang Tien while Bus number 03,24,42,43,204,207 and 208 stop at Trang khanh Du.

If you are staying around the Old Quarters,it's just a short distance walk.

Across the road from the National Museum is the Vietnamese Revolution Museum(Bảo tàng Cách mạng Việt Nam) at 25,Tong Dan Road off Tran Quang Khai.

Weekdays opening hours:08:00 -11:30 and 13:30hr -16:15hr.

Vietcombank headoffice located along Trần Quang Khải, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội.

Also known as The Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Swift:BFTV VNVX),it was established on April 1st, 1963 as a State-owned Commercial Bank.

The State of Vietnam owns 1,199,666,918 shares or 90.72%
General public shareholding consisted of 122,704,534 shares or 9.28%
Total paid up as at financial year ended 31 December 2010 is 1,322,371,452 shares with a par value of 10,000VND per share.

It was the first commercial bank in Vietnam to deal with foreign currencies and has the largest market share in the interbank forex trading.
Also the largest agent for card payment in Vietnam: for Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and JCB.

An advertisement by the Kings' Valley Corporation promoting Kings’ Island Golf Club located 36 km. west of Hanoi, and 45 km. from Noi Bai International Airport.

The club is located in the Kings’ Valley on 350 hectares along the shores of Dong Mo Lake where access to the course is by boat.

This golf course was designed by Pacific Coast Design Pty. Ltd. Based in Melbourne, Australia. Pacific Coast has been involved in site planning & golf design for over 18 years and has completed major projects in India, Malaysia, China, Thailand & Australia.

Membership fees starts from 1.760.000.000 VND
Hanoi Office is 5th floor, 18 Ly Thuong Kiet street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.
Tel/ Fax : 04. 39448690/91, 04.3715.3458/ 3715.3455

BIDV (Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam) Tower, located at No.194 Tran Quang Khai Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi is a brand new Grade A office building of 25 levels with 2 basements and 1 mezzanine basement.

The total gross floor area is approximately 35,000 sq m .

This property is being managed by the Savills Group heaquartered in England. Savills Vietnam is the longest running and largest property consultancy in Vietnam, with a continuous presence since 1995 having employed over 750 employees nationwide.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Truong Dai Hoc Duoc Hanoi

Truong Dai Hoc Duoc Hanoi (Hanoi University of Pharmacy) celebrating 50 years (nam) anniversary on the 19th day of November 2011 at her main campus,located along No:13-15,Le Thanh Tong Street.

The University World ranking is number 8687.

Don Nhan Danh Hieu (constructive development) Anh Hung (Hero) Lao Dong (labour).

Hanoi University of Pharmacy is originated from the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Indochina Medical and Pharmaceutical School, which was established in 1902 with the mission of training secondary physicians and junior pharmacists.

In 1941, the Experimental School of Medicine and Pharmacy was renamed to the Indochina Medical and Pharmaceutical University.

After August revolution (that followed by the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam) in 1945, it was renamed to Vietnam University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

In 1961, with the increase in the demand of medical and pharmaceutical human resources, the Ministry of Health decided to split Vietnam University of Medicine and Pharmacy into two separate colleges including Hanoi College of Medicine and Hanoi College of Pharmacy.

In 1985, due to substantial growth, Hanoi College of Pharmacy was renamed to Hanoi University of Pharmacy as it is today.

Nhiet Liet Chao Mung (Warmly Welcome) to the Hanoi National University of Pharmacy 50 Nam Anniversary (1961-2011) of construction and development.

Hanoi National University(Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội- world ranking 1299)was founded in the year 1902,and is ranked number two in Vietnam after Can Tho University (Trường Đại học Cần Thơ-world ranking 1208)in the Mekong Delta region near Ho Chi Minh City.

Photo showing front main entrance to an old French colonial styled building housing the campus.

This must be one of the former French Indochine administrative building during their occupation between 1873 till 1954.

The Le Thanh Tong Campus of the Vietnam National University is located at 19 Le Thanh Tong Street. From the Hanoi Opera House, walk along Le Thanh Tong Street, past the Hilton Hotel on your left.

You will see the Vietnam National University Le Thanh Tong Campus on your left after Thai Than Street.

Door front red banner "Welcome Deputy Ly Ky Niem"50 Anniversary(Nam Thanh Lap)Department of Chemistry (Khao Hoa Hoc).

A red colour banner is being used because it signifies power.

To the Chinese it symbolizes happiness,good luck and prosperity.

Most socialist countries also have their country's flag with a red background.

GS Nguy Nhu Kon Tum (May 3,1913-Mac 28,1991) statue on the left section of reception hall.

Also known as Professor Wei aka Le Wei Tong,he was born in the Central Highlands,a native of social Luong Minh City,Huong Tra district , province of Thua Thien.

He spent most of his childhood days in Hue completing primary school at Truong Quoc Truong Thanh and then high school at the School of Grapefruit in Hanoi.

In 1932 , Wei was granted a scholarship to study in Paris and holds a BA in Physics, Physics-Chemistry Master at the University of Paris (also known as the Sorbonne , France ), and is accepted as a graduate student at the laboratory of Frédéric Joliot-Curie , a physicist and famous French nuclear scientist.

After World War II broke out in 1939 , following the advice of Professor Joliot-Curie,Wei returned to Vietnam.
He was appointed Indochina Director of Studies by Ho Chi Minh.
During the August 22,1945 revolution he even participted with the North Vietnamese army against the French occupiers.
He founded SET Assembly for patriotism education for young intellectuals. He was leading the first scientific projects Vietnam Geophysics Conference International in Moscow in 1957

He is regarded as a patriotic scientist, serving the country till the last breath, is a dedicated teacher with integrity and humility.
He has helped train several generations of students, including many who have become teachers and talented scientists.
He was awarded the State Teacher of People with several medals including the Medal of Resistance; Labor Medal; Independence Medal; Resistance Medal against Americans.

GS Lê Văn Thiêm (March 29, 1918 – June 3, 1991) was one of the most prominent scientists of Vietnam in the 20th century.

Together with Hoàng Tụy, he is considered the father of Vietnam Mathematics society.

He was the first director of Vietnam Institute of Mathematics and the first Headmaster of Hanoi National University of Education and Hanoi University of Science.

Lê Văn Thiêm was born in 1918 at Trung Lễ Commune, Đức Thọ district, Hà Tĩnh province, to an intellectual family.

He attended the Collège de Quy Nhơn and was a top science student.
Within 4 years, he finished the 9-year education (equivalent to K-12 system of the US) and went to University of Indochina for his higher education.

In 1939, after passing the final term examination excellently, Lê Văn Thiêm was offered a scholarship to study at École Normale Supérieure.
His education was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, and only continues in 1941. He graduated with Bachelor Degree of Mathematics within a year, rather than the conventional 3-year time. Under the direction of Professor Georges Valiron, he defended his Ph.D. dissertation successfully in Germany at 1945 and then moved to the University of Zurich where he met and worked with Rolf Herman Nevanlinna for some years.

In 1949, following the call of Hồ Chí Minh, Lê Văn Thiêm returned to Vietnam to support the war of decolonizing Vietnam.

Moving through many positions in North Vietnam's science institutions and government, in the mid-1950s he was appointed headmaster of the National University of Advanced Education and School of Basic Science (now the Hanoi National University of Education and the Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi).

In 1960s, he was one of the scientists who suggested opening two national high schools (Hanoi National University of Education High school and Hanoi University of Science High school) to foster Vietnamese mathematics talents.

In 1970 he became the first director of the Vietnam Institute of Mathematics. Later on, he also became the founder and first editor-in-chief of two of Vietnam's Mathematical Journals: Acta Mathematica Vietnamica (in Latin) and Vietnam Journal of Mathematics (in English). Lê Văn Thiêm died in 1991 in Ho Chi Minh city.

The charming reception hall interior with Colonial French architecture.

The main entrance door has some fine decorative art.
The French colonists, who occupied Vietnam, wanted to feel at home.

Not only did they import their culture, religion, and food, but they imported French architectural styles as well.

As Vietnam opens up to the world, the French architectural heritage is enjoying a new renaissance as one of the country’s tourist attractions.

A very spacious stairway. .

Skeletal makeup of an elephant.

A primitive ancestor of today's elephants grazed in swamps 40 million years ago, according to a study of fossil teeth.

Elephants today do have ancient relatives which lived primarily in water.

Khoa Senh Hoc.(Department of Scientific Research) Bao Tang Dong Vat (Zoological Museum)

The Centre for Research in Earth Sciences (CRES)

This is an area of quantitative understanding of Earth and environmental systems, now recognised as vital to the needs of society on a changing and hazardous Earth.

Understanding how the Earth works as a system through its physical, chemical and biological processes.

Phong Thi Nghiem (Laboratory)

View from the back of the building.

The University now has 21 departments, 15 administrative units.
Rector:Associate Professor- Doctor Le Viet Hung Vice Rector:Associate Professor- Doctor Nguyen Dang Hoa
Vice Rector:Associate Professor- Doctor Thai Nguyen Hung Thu

01. Department of Pharmaceutics
02. Department of Pharmaceutical Industry
03. Department of Traditional Medicine
04. Department of Clinical Pharmacy

05. Department of Pharmacognosy
06. Department of Pharmacology
07. Department of Physical Education
08. Department of Defense Education
09. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry 10. Department of General Inorganic Chemistry

11. Department of Organic Chemistry
12. Department of Biochemistry
13. Department of Marxism - Leninism
14. Department of Foreign Languages
15. Department of Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology
16. Department of Pharmaceutical Administration and Economics
17. Department of Botany
18. Department of Mathematics - Informatics
19. Department of Physics – Physical Chemistry 20. Department of Microbiology – Biology
21. Department of Medical basis

Behind the main building.

View of the ceiling.

Side entrance to the conference hall.

Imported wooden door from France.

Art decor graphic design.

Some of the university professors having group photograph with the student dancers.

Future student nurses and pharmacists dressed in traditional indigenous ethnic costumes.

Their dresses are similar to the Alishan girls in the highlands at Hualien in Taiwan.

If you desire to escape the traditional Vietnam trail,go to the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

One such place is where the late Professor Wei birthplace,Kon Tum Province in the Central Tay Nguyen Highlands or Central Highlands.

Kon Tum Province is bordered on the north by Quang Nam,on the south by Gia Lai,on the east by Quang Ngai and on the west by Laos.

Kon Tum is 49 kilometres north of Pleiku; 246 kilometres north of Buon Ma Thuot; 198 kilometres northwest of Qui Nhon and 436 kilometres northwest of Nha Trang.

Buses and minibuses leave for Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Qui Nhon, Quang Ngai, and Hue, Ha Noi, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon on a daily basis.

Another place is Dak Lak Province, the largest in Tay Nguyen or Central Highlands, is located southeast of the Truong Son Mountains,shares a 240 kilometre border with Cambodia on the west.

Dak Lak has many beautiful lakes such as Ea Kao, Eas No and Eo Don. Lac Lake is where the M’nong minority has been living for many generations and has relatively flat terrains with average altitude 500 – 800 metres above the sea level lowering from the southeast to the northwest. Buon Ma Thuot, which is 536 metres above sea level, is the provincial capital of Dak Lak.

The majority of the local inhabitants are the E De people, one of the several groups of ethnic minority on the Central Highlands. T

he peculiar trait of the city is that there are many town houses made of wood in the inner city while many other houses in the suburbs are those on stilts.

Buon Ma Thuot means 'Thuot's father's village' in the Ede language. And Ban Me Thuot, means the same in M'Nong. T
here are two notable sounds that awaken residents of Ban Me Thuot and that is the sound of the Roman Catholic Church bell calling signalling the morning mass.

Two of the girls were carrying the tea harvester basket.

Bao Loc City in Lam Dong Province is Vietnam premier tea growing area and B'lao is the Vietnamese premier brand.

Lam Dong borders Khanh Hoa province and Ninh Thuan province to the east, Dong Nai province to the southwest, Binh Thuan province to the southeast, Dak Lak province to the north, and Dak Nong province to the northwest.

It is the only Central Highlands province which does not share its western border with Cambodia Lam Dong Province capital is Da Lat.

Vietnamese French (French: français du Viêt-nam) is a dialect of French spoken in Vietnam.

Vietnam is the largest of the three Francophone nations in Asia, the others being Laos and Cambodia, and the language is spoken by over 5% of the population and sometimes used in international relations.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Hanoi is romantically fascinating

The journey from Noi Bai International Airport passed through the The Red River (Vietnamese: Sông Hồng; Chinese: 红河; pinyin: Hóng Hé), also known as the Sông Cái - Mother River (Vietnamese), We passed through this stretch known as Cau Thang Long Bridge span.

The river originated from Dali,Yunnan Province,China and enters Vietnam via Lao Cai Province.

As the Red River flows into the lowlands at Viet Tri in Phu Tho Province,many rivers and distibutaries began spreading out to form the Red River Delta before it empties into the Gulf of Tonkin.

The reddish-brown heavily silt-laden water gives the river its name.
The Red River is notorious for its violent floods with its seasonally wide volume fluctuations.
The delta is a major agricultural area of Vietnam with vast area devoted to rice. The land is protected by an elaborate network of dikes and levees.

Hanoi City with a population of closed to 4million inhabitants itself is located on the right bank of the Red River.

There are two main highways linking the airport and city. The route to the city via Thang Long Bridge is more direct than Highway 1, which runs along the outskirts of the city.

The main highways are shared by cars, motor scooters, with separate lanes by the side for bicycles.

The local public buses uses Highway 1 which passes by most of the smaller towns and villagers. Photo shows view of a huge modern communities after crossing Cu Thang Long Bridge.

Along the way travellers can also see the Noi Bai Industrial Park owned by the Noi Bai Development Company, a joint venture between Renon (Malaysia) and Ha Noi Industrial Construction Company which was established in 1994.

After Thanh Long Bridge,the minibus moved onto Pham Van Dong Road which is a road interchange linking to other parts of Hanoi.

It then turned into Nguyen Hoang Ton Road and Lac Long Quan Road where this beautiful entry arch to some exclusive villas and highrise apartment buildings were located.

This is Nam Thanh Long Hanoi which is being developed into Ciputra Hanoi Internationl City.

The arch with the horses on top immediately made me recalled my visit to Tanggerang City,West Jakarta,Republic of Indonesia which has close similarity .

After making some research ,this confirmed that the whole development project was undertaken by the Indonesian conglomerate PT Ciputra Property Group (Jakarta Stock Exchange Code:CTRP)

Ciputra Hanoi is in Northeast of Hanoi City, away 10km from city’s center, located on Lac Long Quan, Xuan Phu and La Thuong Ward, Tay Ho District.

The project is contiguous with Vàng Dai 2 Street which is surrounded by Red River and West Lake in the East. At Western Gate, the property gets in touch with Vanh Dai 3 Street, adjacent to Thang Long Bridge and way to Noi Bai International Airport.

Adjacent to West Lake,the natural beauty of West Lake’s landscape was well preserved to make it a garden city.

Ciputra Hanoi has area of 300ha with good infrastructure with a harmonius green environment.

It is midway between Noi Bai International Airport and Hanoi Old Quarters. With about 50 high-storey towers, the project comprises 2,500 villas, office complexes, trading centers, shopping areas and Ciputra Mall, hospitals, schools together with entertainment services, community health centers for residential size of 50,000 people.

In addition, public constructions have been completed and serving people here such as: tennis, court, swimming pool, gym, mini supermarket, baking service, parking lot and etc.
In apartment towers, large functional conference rooms are available in order to meet demands of collective meeting or personal business with capacity from 500 to 800 guests.

There are 3 gates in the urban settings.
Specific feature of three gates is that all of them are constructed painstakingly with beautiful architecture.
At these gates, uniform securities with courteous and professional style work all day and night. In the urban, town planning is like park with green grass cover and fresh flowers with many kinds are planted everywhere and mixed with beautiful fountains, statues and relievos.

Whole picture of Ciputra Hanoi is very peaceful and pure. Apartment Rental rates: * Air-cons, fridge, washing machine * 3 - 4 Beds, matresses * Lightings, hot and cold water * Swimming pool and tennis court * 24/24 hour Security * Price: 1300 - 2500 USD/month.

Foreigners wishing to stay here can contact their marketing office at 671-675 Loc Long Quan, Tay Ho,Hanoi,Vietnam Tel. 844-758760-61 Fax. 844-7580763.

The minibus journey continues near Tay Ho Lake which has many restaurants nearby.

Moving on to Tran Quang Khai Road which is within the Hanoi Old Quarter area,the road here seemed to have one side higher then the other.
These high walls dykes built was to prevent flooding by the overflowing Red River.

Throughout Vietnamese history, the dykes have played an important role in everyday life. Since ancient times, the mobilization of people to dyke construction sites helped build up the nation’s common identity.

Romance in Hanoi,a bride and bridegroom having a photo session in front of the Hanoi Opera House building.

Foreigners wishing to marry a Vietnamese citizen need to apply for marriage obtained from the Vietnamese Justice Department and the processing fee is 500,000 VND.

A letter by the local vital statistics office certifying that no marriage license or marriage certificate of the applicant is found within the state where the applicant is residing in.

The search period must be started from the year when the applicant was 18-year-old to present. In case the applicant was divorced, or a previous spouse is deceased, a certified photocopy of death certificate must be submitted. (This requirement may vary from province to province).

The Hanoi Opera House which is nearly 100 years old is situated on Le Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi; near the Red River and several hundreds meters east of Hoan Kiem Lake.

It is an old three-storey theatre with French architecture and typical Gothic and Mosaic characters reflected on the door domes and the glassed room respectively.

Theatrical performance and traditional songs and music, symphonies, opera and classical opera were held in this venue with a seating capacity of closed to 600 audiences. It is also a tourist attraction for local and foreign visitors.

Vietnamese innovative ways of product advertising using the bicycle.

The living standards of people in Vietnam have risen dramatically in recent years.

Because of this, changes in consumption are evident everywhere.

From Saigon to Hanoi, an explosion of luxurious department stores, hawk their wares, providing wood for the fire of capitalism.

Nowhere has felt the burn more then the nation’s once sleepy capital, where high-end departments store are crammed with commercial- ized youth clamoring for the latest and greatest brand name products.

Bata shoes shop at the corner of Ba Trieu junction with Trang Thi Road nearby Hoan Kiem Lake. Further down Ba Trieu Road near Hai Ba Trung road junction is the British Embassy in Hanoi.

A building painter having a tough time painting the the dome shape window canopy.

His right hand is holding on to the rope while his left hand is struggling to complete the task.

If he was to complete this part,someone is needed to shift the rope to the other position.

The building management must be reluctant to engage a skylift crane to make life easier.

Turtle Tower (Vietnamese: Tháp Rùa) in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.

According to legend, Lê Lợi ,the emperor of Vietnam had a magic sword given to him by Kim Qui, the Golden Turtle God.

One day, not long after the Chinese had accepted Vietnam's independence, Lê Lợi was out boating on a lake in Hanoi.

Suddenly a large turtle surfaced, took the sword from Lê Lợi, and dived back into the depths.
Efforts were made to find both the sword and the turtle, but without success.

Lê Lợi then acknowledged the sword had gone back to the Golden turtle God and renamed the lake Hoan Kiem Lake (or Ho Guom), "The Lake of the Returned Sword".
Public bus 09 and 36 stop at Le Thai To Street just beside the lake.
ANZ Bank is just nearby.

Accomodations off Le Thi To Street includes: Golden Sun Lake View:Bao Khanh Road,off Phu Doan
Hanoi Imperial:Bao Khanh Road,off Phu Doan Hanoi Backpackers Hostel the Original: Ngo Huyen off Ly Quoc Su Road
Splendid Star Hotel: Tho Xuong,off Phu Doan Road Hanoi Impressive Hotel: An Triu Road,off Ly Quoc Su
Hanoi Green Mango Hotel: Hang Quat Road,off Luong Van Can

City View Cafe (Tel:+84 4 934 7911) on the 5th floor building along Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District near the Thanh Long Water Puppet Theater is among the many rooftop restaurants and bars with a panoramic view of Hanoi city.

Other places with rooftop panoramic views include:
The Rooftop Bar and Restaurant, 19th floor, Pacific Place, 83B Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoàn Kiem District, Hanoi. +84 4 3946 1902. Located on the corner of Ly Thuong Kiet and Phan Boi Chau, opposite the offices of the UNDP.

Summit Lounge, Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, 1 Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi 10000. Renowned for having the best view in Hanoi with spectacular panoramic views of the city skyline. 4.30pm till 12 Midnight.

The Level Executive Lounge, 20th floor, Melia Hanoi Hotel, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi. +84 3934 3343. Guests can enjoy picturesque views over the rivers, parks and lakes of Hanoi from this lounge.

The Sunset Bar, InterContinental Hotel, 1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho, Hanoi. This is the place to be for cocktails and a romantic experience that's unmatched anywhere. To get here you'll take an evening stroll along a torch-lit bridge and drink in the dramatic view as you head toward this bar set on its own island in Westlake.

Lake View Sky Lounge, 18th Floor, Hanoi Daewoo Hotel, 360 Kim Ma, Hanoi. +84 3831 5000. Extension: 3225/3045/3400. Daily 5.30pm - 1am.
Admire the sweeping panorama by day, or the wonderland of twinkling lights by night.

Park View Restaurant and Lotus Bar, Top floor, Ocean Hotel, 48 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Pho Hue/Hom Market, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi.
Authentic Vietnamese cuisine in this elegant roof-top restaurant. Overlooks Hanoi's biggest park as well as the stunning Thien Quang Lake.

Sky View Restaurant and Bar, 10th floor, Star View Hotel, 120 Quan Thanh Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. +84 4 3715 0555.
Lovely resturant located on the top floor with a stunning view over Hanoi and West lake.
Close to Hanoi's Old Quarter and some Hanoi attractions such as the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Museum of Vietnamese Art, Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Complex as well as Westlake.

Elegance Cafe & Restaurant, 12th floor, Hanoi Elegance Diamond Hotel (formerly Hanoi Elegance Hotel 5), 32 Lo Su Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi . +84 4 3935 1632.
Panoramic views of the Hoàn Kiem Lake, the Red River & Long Bien Bridge. Terrace, Quan Bia Minh, 7 Pho Dinh Liet, Hanoi. +84 4 934 5323.
View life from the picturesque 2nd floor balcony.

Sky Lounge, 16th floor, Hotel Nikko Hanoi, 84 Tran Nhan Tong, Hanoi. +84 3822 3535.

Ngoc Mai Restaurant, 17th floor, Ruby Plaza Building, 44 Le Ngoc Han, Hai Bà Trung, Hanoi. Vietnamese. Great views. On the top floor. Puku Cafe, 1st floor, 60 Hang Trong, Hoàn Kiem, Hanoi.

Popular Rooftop cafe. Along western Hoàn Kiem Lake. Festa (Ly Quoc Su) Rooftop Terrace, 39C Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi. +84 4 3243 1589.