The centre of Ha Noi around Hoan Kiem Lake has been cited by SkyScanner as one of the top 15 hippest places in Southeast Asia in a recent post on its website.
Here you'll find French Colonial architecture and Parisian-style cafes, boutiques specializing in original fashion, jewellery and furniture, and old-fashioned shops selling traditional crafts and trinkets.
For nightlife one can join the locals at the rooftop bars and street side watering holes that rock on into the early hours!