The “Old City” of Hanoi is a warren of small streets lined by houses and shops.  Each street, and even each block within a street, has been and is still devoted to a single type of business; bamboo, hardware, silk, jewelry, shoes, toys, sheet metal, whatever.  Wandering these streets, stopping for a beer or bite to eat, with their crowds of pedestrians and motor scooters is how one enjoys the real essence of Hanoi.

The traffic is absolute chaos, but it is totally polite.  To cross streets, you step off the curb in a minimalist break, and walk slowly and, most importantly, steadily to the other side and the traffic parts like the Red Sea.  No road rage whatsoever observed.

The people are friendly, kind, curious, polite and eager to provide services for $US.