[am1m]

Adding some observations:

* The Hanoi Old Quarter is certainly a great place. But like several tourist places the world over, the presentation for (mostly younger western) tourists is taking over what is real about the place and the country. What is the point of going to SE Asia to drink the same kind of crap beer and listen to the same pop/rock music that you can experience in any low-grade pub, in any city in the world? So move away from those places where you'll see mostly tourist faces. Head to some of the pedestrian-only on weekends areas like around the Hoan Kiem Lake where Vietnamese families spend their time. More authentic street food and cheaper too.
* Don't miss the Water Puppet Theater performance, next to the lake. A very nice Vietnamese cultural show.
* If you have no food restrictions, street food in Hanoi is awesome! Ate mostly right on the street, ate whatever looked attractive, and had no stomach issues.
* Cat Ba island is a great place for outdoor activities. Again, very tourist-oriented, but worth trying a range of active water and land pursuits that also lets you experience the beauty of the bay. If you're just looking for a spectator experience, you'll get bored in a day or two after the requisite number of selfies!
* North Vietnam can get cold! Packed for what I expected would be typical 'shorts/tshirt weather' and was caught out. Temps were sub-18 even in mid-March.
* Be mindful of the air quality. Hanoi in particular has the worst pollution in the world, literally. Doesn't feel like it, at least I'd didn't think it was that bad, but the numbers say otherwise.
* Language is more of an issue than say Thailand or Cambodia, but not a huge one, can be managed easily since a lot of signs will be in English and you can point and gesture to make things clear.
* Touts and operators seemed less pushy and in-your-face than Thailand (and certainly much better than in Goa!) All in all, seemed a very friendly and easy place to visit. Would love to go back and see more of the country.

[rst89]

Originally Posted by am1m

Adding some observations:

* The Hanoi Old Quarter is certainly a great place. But like several tourist places the world over, the presentation for (mostly younger western) tourists is taking over what is real about the place and the country. What is the point of going to SE Asia to drink the same kind of crap beer and listen to the same pop/rock music that you can experience in any low-grade pub, in any city in the world? So move away from those places where you'll see mostly tourist faces. Head to some of the pedestrian-only on weekends areas like around the Hoan Kiem Lake where Vietnamese families spend their time. More authentic street food and cheaper too.
* Don't miss the Water Puppet Theater performance, next to the lake. A very nice Vietnamese cultural show.
* If you have no food restrictions, street food in Hanoi is awesome! Ate mostly right on the street, ate whatever looked attractive, and had no stomach issues.
* Cat Ba island is a great place for outdoor activities. Again, very tourist-oriented, but worth trying a range of active water and land pursuits that also lets you experience the beauty of the bay. If you're just looking for a spectator experience, you'll get bored in a day or two after the requisite number of selfies!
* North Vietnam can get cold! Packed for what I expected would be typical 'shorts/tshirt weather' and was caught out. Temps were sub-18 even in mid-March.
* Be mindful of the air quality. Hanoi in particular has the worst pollution in the world, literally. Doesn't feel like it, at least I'd didn't think it was that bad, but the numbers say otherwise.
* Language is more of an issue than say Thailand or Cambodia, but not a huge one, can be managed easily since a lot of signs will be in English and you can point and gesture to make things clear.
* Touts and operators seemed less pushy and in-your-face than Thailand (and certainly much better than in Goa!) All in all, seemed a very friendly and easy place to visit. Would love to go back and see more of the country.

1. Most of SEA is targeted towards to Young European crowd who have just completed the university and need to party. Hence, cheap beer. We Indians get to that phase late as we never earn while studying. Hanoi has no vehicle streets in Sunday Morning near the Hoan Kiem Lake, a good atmosphere.

3. I never try street food in India but Vietnam is hygienic that you can eat at any place that has a clean chefs table that you can see with naked eye.

4. Cat Ba gets lots of criticism as being the worst place from tourists but it's developed to be the same. We had very less time over there as we just transited through it for our two days tour.

5. Yes, it gets really cold. The famous motorcycle loop of Ha Giang loop traverses through the same.

6. We Indians don't feel it much but given the number of motorcycles, it's expected.

7. If signs are in English, then it's good. Like two years back, no sign boards were in English.

8. Yes, Thailand has tour operators at every corner in cities like Phuket but Vietnamese love to chill and have a pleasant lunch/dinner at their corner shop.