Built between 1925 and 1932, this architecturally impressive museum was formerly home to the École Française d’Extrême-Orient. Its architect, Ernest Hebrard, was among the first in Vietnam to incorporate a blend of Chinese and French design elements. Exhibit highlights include bronzes from the Dong Son culture (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE), Hindu statuary from the Khmer and Champa kingdoms, jewelry from imperial Vietnam, and displays relating to the French occupation and the Communist Party. The audio guide is free.

The originator of Hanoi's egg coffee is still running in this time-worn family establishment, serving the best in town since 1946 at egg-sellent prices… Head upstairs and order up a superb regular egg coffee, or varieties of egg coffee with chocolate, cinnamon, coke, rum or beer. Other non-egg coffees and teas are available. You get a plastic tab and pay downstairs.

In the heart of the Old Quarter, the small and colorful Bach Ma Temple (literally ‘White Horse Temple’) can claim to be the oldest temple in Hanoi, though much of the current structure dates from the 18th century and a shrine to Confucius was added in 1839. It was originally built by Emperor Ly Thai To in the 11th century to honor a white horse that guided him to this site where he chose to construct his city walls. Pass through the wonderful old wooden doors of the pagoda to see a statue of the legendary white horse flanked by two mythical stalks, symbolizing longevity, as well as a beautiful, red-lacquered funeral palanquin.

A rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture, the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) honors Vietnam’s finest scholars. Founded in 1070 by Emperor Le Thanh Tong, the attractive complex is dedicated to the Qufu-born philosopher Confucius (Khong Tu) and was the site of Vietnam’s first university, Quoc Tu Giam (1076). The altars are popular with students praying for good grades, while the halls, ponds and gardens of the five courtyards make picturesque backdrops for graduation photos. It is depicted on the 100,000d note. Originally, university admission was exclusively for those born of noble families, but after 1442 it became more egalitarian. Gifted students from all over the nation headed to Hanoi to study the principles of Confucianism, literature and poetry. In 1484 Emperor Le Thanh Tong ordered that stelae be erected to record the names, places of birth and achievements of exceptional scholars: 82 of 116 stelae remain standing, mostly atop turtle statues. Paths lead from the imposing tiered gateway on P Quoc Tu Giam through formal gardens to the Khue Van Pavilion, constructed in 1802.

Added to Unesco’s World Heritage List in 2010, Hanoi’s Imperial Citadel was the hub of Vietnamese military power for over 1000 years. Ongoing archaeological digs continue on site, revealing remains of ancient palaces, grandiose pavilions and imperial gates. The magnificent main gate (Doan Mon) is named after one of the gates of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Further back is the imposing and colonnaded French Caserne de la Compagnie d’Ouvriers. At the rear is the Princess Pagoda (Hau Lau), which probably housed imperial concubines. There are also fascinating military command bunkers from the American War – complete with maps and 1960s communications equipment – used by the legendary Vietnamese general Vo Nguyen Giap. At the citadel’s southern edge is the hexagonal flag tower, another Hanoi landmark and emblem.

One of the Old Quarter’s best-restored properties, this traditional merchants’ house is sparsely but beautifully decorated, with rooms filled with fine furniture set around two courtyards. Note the high steps between rooms, a traditional design incorporated to stop the flow of bad energy around the property. There are crafts and trinkets for sale here, including silver jewelry, basketwork and Vietnamese tea sets, and there’s sometimes a calligrapher or another craftsperson at work too.

This excellent museum (Bao Tang Phu Nu Viet Nam) showcases the roles of women in Vietnamese society, culture and history. Exhibits cover everything from marriage customs to childbirth, but it’s the memories of the wartime contribution by individual women that are most poignant. There is a stunning collection of wartime propaganda posters, as well as clothing, rural crafts and fabric motifs from Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups. Check the website for event details and special exhibitions.