Hanoi Pocket Precincts

Hanoi is a picturesque mix of the old and the new, with the fading grandeur of its French colonial history juxtaposed against modern architecture. It's a city where early-morning tai chi is followed by the rush of noisy mopeds as they cruise up wide, tree-lined boulevards. It's also a travel hotspot offering inexpensive shopping locations and a mouth-watering array of unique things to eat and drink.

Hanoi Pocket Precincts lists the best of the city – restaurants, bars and cultural sights – in each of the four main districts of urban Hanoi. In the center there's Hoan Kiem, which contains the Old Quarter crammed with elegant shophouses and temples; to the south there's the fashionable nightlife and shopping district of Hai Ba Trung; to the west there's Ba Dinh with its mix of French colonial villas, modern skyscrapers, squares and parks; and to the north you'll find genteel, upmarket Tay Ho. The book also includes suggested field trips outside Hanoi, including an overnight stay in Ha Long Bay as well as a fold-out map of the four districts of inner Hanoi.

About the Author

Writer and editor Juliette Elfick lived and worked in Hanoi from 2010 to 2013, and has since become a regular visitor. While living in Hanoi, Juliette wrote food and travel articles for local and international publications. An article she wrote for The Telegraph (UK) about the city's bus system is now showcased on Hanoi's official public transport website. Juliette also worked for the Communications department of the United Nations in Hanoi, giving her a unique understanding of the city and an opportunity to understand Vietnamese culture from the locals' perspective.

Her love of bun cha (a classic Hanoi dish of grilled pork and noodles) took her all over the city in search of the best version of this local street food, and along the way she discovered much, much more.