Halong Bay (Hanoi), Vietnam

Emerald Isles & vibrant cityscapes

When you visit Hanoi, you may get the feeling you’re in two different eras at the same time. No, there’s no secret portal for time travel here, it’s just the fascinating juxtaposition of old and new, history and progress that characterizes this friendly city.

In the Old Quarter thousands of the buildings are over 100 years old and the streets are named after the wares that were traditionally sold on them such as Hang Bac (silver), Hang Ma (paper), and Hang Go (wood). But there’s no need to play rock, paper, scissors to choose where to explore, any direction will result in incredible sights and friendly locals.

Hang out with the locals and get a taste for daily like at at Hoan Kiem Lake, the centerpiece of Hanoi. You’ll likely see folks of all ages doing tai chi, couples strolling hand in hand, and lots and lots of motorbikes. And speaking of getting a taste for things, if you have an adventurous palate, Hanoi has all kinds of wild and wonderful cuisine to satisfy your exotic tastes. Cobra anyone?