Follow the aroma of flame-grilled pork and fragrant bowls of pho to the city’s Old Quarter, a maze of narrow alleys thronged with scooters and lined with old colonial buildings, street food stalls, hotels and shops. To escape the frenetic pace, wander down to the serene Hoan Kiem Lake and visit the small Ngoc Son Temple, which sits on an island in the water.

Originally built by French colonists to detain political prisoners, Hoa Lo Prison was later used by the North Vietnamese forces to detain American prisoners of war, earning it its infamous nickname, the “Hanoi Hilton”. Today, the site of this historical Hanoi attraction is a must-visit for history buffs, with sobering exhibits detailing a difficult chapter in Vietnam’s history.

The city’s largest freshwater lake is popular with Hanoians practising tai chi, fishing or just enjoying a peaceful evening stroll. Visit the sixth-century Tran Quoc Pagoda or rent bikes to explore the 17-kilometre perimeter of the lake. Fuel your adventure by loading up on the lake’s specialty of banh tom ho tay – crayfish dunked in flour and deep-fried until golden and crispy.

When you travel to Hanoi, indulging in bia hoi – a light draught beer freshly brewed daily – is the ideal reward for a busy day, and a beloved Hanoi tradition. Bia Hoi Junction is the city’s quintessential watering hole, where locals and visitors alike crowd together on plastic stools with ice-cold beers costing less than HK$2 a glass.

Hanoi’s art scene is blossoming with cute galleries all over town. Manzi is a bright and breezy independent gallery set in a French colonial villa, with photography, paintings and installations by Vietnamese artists, and live weekend performances. The longstanding Art Vietnam Salon Gallery is another inviting space showcasing the best of modern Vietnamese art, while Tadioto pairs provocative artworks with punchy cocktails.

You’d be forgiven for glancing at St Joseph’s Cathedral and thinking you’d been teleported to France: the twin bell towers and overall aesthetic were evidently modelled on Notre Dame in Paris. Take in the 19th-century Gothic revival architecture from one of the charming cafes nearby while savouring a classic Vietnamese drip coffee.

Vietnam’s famous banh mi sandwich is easy to find, but Hanoi is really a noodle city, and bun cha is the city’s favourite. The dish of grilled pork patties is served over springy noodles alongside mountains of herbs and tangy fish sauce. Bun rieu cua, rice vermicelli noodles in tomato broth with minced freshwater crab, is another popular Hanoi attraction.

Fashion, culture and social responsibility come together at Chula Fashion, where you’ll find elegant garments, eye-catching furniture and accessories created by artisans with physical disabilities. For gorgeous pottery, head to Authentic Bat Trang, just south of the city.

Halong Bay’s landscape is truly dreamy – a never-ending expanse of turquoise water peppered with forest-topped limestone islands. Schedule a full-day trip from the city, or better yet, book an overnight cruise and wake up in paradise. You can also head further east to Bai Tu Long Bay, which features the same breathtaking landscape with fewer crowds.

Expand your travels to Hanoi with a trip to the highlands. About 300 kilometres northwest of the city, Sapa offers the perfect base to take in stunning views of the Muong Hoa Valley’s terraced rice fields. It’s also a popular stomping ground for hikers, with plenty of tours available to explore the lush countryside.