No one told me these things before I went to Hanoi, Vietnam...

My trip to Hanoi, Vietnam was about 4 days long, and I spent most of my time in the Old Quarter. Compared to the modern Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi felt more historic and profound. I went to Hanoi on a whim, mainly for the food. I visited other attractions as I felt like it (I don't travel to check off boxes anymore). So I didn't visit many places, like the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, which I only saw from afar. . 1⃣️ Hoan Kiem Lake Located in the center of the Old Quarter, this is a landmark of Hanoi. Its name comes from the legend of Le Loi, a Vietnamese national hero. I recommend visiting at night, when locals gather here to dance and walk, and there are occasional performances. . 2⃣️ 36 Streets Built by representatives of 36 trade guilds on the site of a former floating market, each street has its own unique trade, such as silverware and herbal medicine. The buildings are all old houses, and you can experience the culture of Hanoi. . 3⃣️ Temple of Literature Built by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in the 11th century, it was modeled after the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong. It was originally built to honor Duke Zhou and Confucius. The complex consists of five courtyards, representing the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth in Chinese culture, as well as the five virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust in Confucianism. . 4⃣️ St. Joseph's Cathedral A Gothic building built during the French colonial period, it was modeled after the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and is one of the oldest churches in Hanoi. It looks great in photos. . 5⃣️ Train Street A popular spot where you can sit on either side of the train tracks and watch the trains whiz by. It's especially lively at night, and foreigners cheer when the trains pass by. . 6⃣️ Dong Xuan Market Located in the center of the Old Quarter, this is the largest wholesale market in Hanoi, full of local life. It sells all kinds of things wholesale, covering all aspects of life. . 7⃣️ Hoa Lo Prison Museum During the French colonial period, Hoa Lo Prison was one of the largest prisons in North Vietnam, mainly used to hold political prisoners who opposed French colonialism. I recommend renting an audio guide and listening to the stories of the time, which are quite meaningful. . 8⃣️ Vietnam Museum of Ethnology Mainly preserves and displays the cultural heritage of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, with three exhibition halls. I think the Southeast Asian culture exhibition area is worth a visit. . Overall, Hanoi was a pleasant surprise. Apart from the motorcycles everywhere, the Old Quarter was full of life. You could say it's not modern, or you could say it has preserved its culture well. 🌈 The local snacks are especially good, much better than those in Ho Chi Minh City (see my food review). I went back for many of the dishes.