Dos:

• Keep your cash, credit cards, airline tickets and other valuables in a safe place. Most 4 star hotels have in-room safes. If not, you can ask the reception to keep your valuables in their deposit facility.
• Ask for a business card from the reception desk before leaving your hotel. This will make your trip back to the hotel much easier and faster.
• Carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack on long excursions. You never know when you might need it! Also, water is not available everywhere.
• Dress appropriately, not only depending on the weather but also in order not to offend the local people. Vietnamese have a conservative dress code. It is only in larger cities that these codes are a little more relaxed.
• If you are invited into a local home, remember to leave your shoes at the front door upon entering.
• Always ask for permission when taking a photograph of someone else. If they indicate that they do not want to be photographed, then respect their wishes.

Don’ts:

• Never carry more money than you need when walking the streets. Being pickpocketed is a possibility. 
• Do not wear a lot of jewelry. There are mainly two reasons for not doing this. First, it is considered impolite to flaunt wealth in public. Second, it is more likely that you may become the victim of a pickpocket or a drive-by bag snatcher.
• Don’t be paranoid about your security, just be aware of your surroundings and belongings.
• It is advisable to dress conservatively in temples and pagodas. Here, avoid wearing singlets, shorts, mini-skirts, and low-neck tops, or displaying bare shoulders.
• Never sleep or sit with your feet pointing towards the family altar when you are in someone’s house.
• Don’t try to take photographs of military installations or anything related to the military. This can be seen as a breach of Vietnam’s national security.
• Don’t carry a video camera into ethnic minority villages. It is deemed too intrusive by the local people.
• Don’t rely on public transportation as the city is notorious for its serious traffic congestions and nothing runs on time. Instead, take a cab for your tours.

Come nightfall, Hanoi and its skyline transform into a show of light and excitement. Hanoi's youthful demographic reflects the vibrant nightlife of the city. The capital is filled with lively bars and glitzy nightclubs, conveniently situated around the Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter. Here you can enjoy great music and all sorts of beverages while mingling with fun-loving locals and expats. The Bia Hoi Junction is an absolute classic night-time activity in Hanoi. You can easily spend several hours here soaking up the atmosphere and drinking at the famous Beer Hoi (Fresh Beer) spot in Vietnam.

Widely regarded as the best Vietnamese jazz spot, Minh’s Jazz Club is a place where you find the finest musicians in Hanoi. Live music lovers will surely be delighted by the contrast between its dark interior and brightly lit stage. For more contemporary tastes, the Hanoi Rock City lures music lovers with its eclectic performances.

If you are looking for something more traditional and cultural, every evening the fabulous Hoan Kiem Lake -- the spiritual and geographic center of Hanoi -- attracts people of all ages in search of a breath of fresh air and an endless range of activities, from walking to jogging, aerobics, and tai chi. The Hanoi Opera House hosts regular performances by the National Symphony Orchestra, as well as a bi-weekly modern dance show called Lang Toi (My Village).This visually stunning production blends contemporary circus performances with traditional Vietnamese music and themes.

• The Perfume Pagoda is an impressive religious complex believed to have been built in the 15th century. It is made up of a series of Buddhist temples carved out of mountain rocks. It contains a maze of alleyways flanked by rich forest and flowing streams.
• Hanoi's Old Quarter is a fascinating area where visitors can enjoy many fine examples of colonial architecture, packed along narrow streets. This is surely a must-see attraction.
• The Ba Vi National Park is a reserve of stunning beauty located around approximately 48 km from downtown Hanoi. The park is famous for the three-peaked mountain jutting steeply into the sky, often covered in clouds. The scenery is dramatic and hosts a large range of jungle plants and animals.
• The Opera House, set in the heart of the French Quarter, is arguably one of the most elegant buildings in all of Hanoi. It was built in 1911 and modelled on the Paris Opera House.
• Visit the Ancient House and St. Joseph’s Cathedral in the Old Quarter. The best way to understand the difference between Vietnamese and French colonial architecture is through these two buildings, luckily situated in the same neighborhood.
• Do not miss the Ngoc Son Pagoda. If the magnificent Hoan Kiem Lake isn’t enough to peak your interest, then make sure to explore the temple in the middle of it. 
• Hanoi has the world's largest mural mosaic, a visual narrative reflecting the city's rich history, culture, and vibrancy. Awarded a Guinness World record certificate for its four kilometers long decorated wall, it is a location not to be missed.

How to be active in Halong Bay: 

• Join the Halong Bay cruise.
• Go for a hike at the Ba Vi National Park.
• Try the Hanoi countryside bike tour and enjoy the green scenery outside the bustling city.
• Take various cooking classes offered by almost every five-star hotel and other local restaurants that will certainly fit your budget and schedule. 
• Experience the spa treatment found in many five-star hotels and stand-alone outlets; this is just the right remedy after a long day of exploring the city.
• Visit Vietnam’s most magical sight, the Halong Bay dotted with amazing tiny islands, caves, grottos, and fairytale forests.
•  Sit by the roadside at Bun Cha Nem Cua Be Dac Kim (87 Duong Thanh), where you can enjoy the bun cha (barbecued pork and rice noodles in a tasty broth) for only 60,000 VND (£1.90).
• An absolute must-try is the local egg coffee (ca phe trung). Somewhere between a beverage and a dessert, this is made of beaten egg whites which are poured over espresso coffee, resulting in a mousse that’s utterly delicious.
• Have you ever eaten dog meat? Or, would you ever want to eat man's best friend? If you didn't know, dog meat is part of the local cuisine. 

• Bamboo and wooden products;
• Ceramic and pottery;
• Conical Hats;
• Do paper and Dong Ho’s folk paintings;
• Coffee;
• Paper fans;
• Hand embroidered items;
• Lacquerware;
• Musical instruments;
• Products of the ethnic minorities;
• Khai Silk
• Snake wine or liquor.