"Bike Vendor Intricately stacking and securing goods onto the back of a bike was a fairly common, but always fascinating, sight in Vietnam. Next time I visit, I'll find a place to sit with a better background (probably on the side of the main road which is lined by murals) and take more shots like this. I'd also buy a basket if I could find a way to carry it home..."

"Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi One of the best parts about visiting Hanoi as a traveler is the food—so fresh, so delicious, and so abundant that you can literally trip over it when trying to navigate the city's notoriously crowded sidewalks. This vegetable vendor outside Dong Xuan Market was just one of many selling a rainbow of raw ingredients, but her harmonious arrangement strategy made her goods stand out that much more. To get to Dong Xuan Market, which also has an enormous covered market, start at the northwest side of Hoan Kiem and walk up Hang Dao, which turns into Hang Ngang, Hang Duong, and then Dong Xuan, all without your having to take a single turn."

"Delve into the Contemporary Art of Hanoi Part exhibition space, part cafe-bar, this gallery is housed in a gorgeous early 20th century villa and is one of the main hubs for Hanoi 's small but robust art scene. Works by emerging and established Vietnamese artists are shown throughout the airy interior of the villa."

"Arm Yourself with Some Prop Art Whether you agree with its sentiments or not, there's no denying the visual aesthetic of Communist propaganda art. Vietnam's is particularly attractive, with a strong feminine touch coming through in many of the designs. Reproductions are sold in many venues in the Old Quarter including shops like Old Propaganda Posters, a prosaically named outlet on Hang Bac Street."

"Beautiful Ceramics From Bat Trang If you don't get the chance to visit Bat Trang -- a village just outside Hanoi famous for the quality of its ceramics -- a visit to this long-established shop should do the trick. Colorful crockery, ceramic lamps, and other products are among the items on sale here."

"Produce Galore At Major Wholesale Market You need to be an early bird indeed to catch the worm at Long Bien Market. Most of the action happens around 3-4 a.m., when all of the produce from north of Hanoi lands here before being distributed throughout the city."

"Crafts with Credibility Local artisans benefit from this nonprofit organisation, which sells their crafts such as bags, textiles, scarves and trinkets at fair market prices. Items are of high quality and prices are reasonable."