Destination Guide Hanoi sits on the banks of the Red River. It is a beautiful city which retains an air of French colonial elegance, featuring a unique mix of French and Asian flavors in its architecture and landscaping. In the middle of the city lies the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) with the 18th-century Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) sitting on an island in the centre of the lake. To the north of Hoan Kiem Lake is the Old Quarter, a fascinating maze of small antiquated streets lined with markets and pavement restaurants and cafes. There are a number of interesting pagodas in Hanoi. The most legendary being The One Pillar Pagoda, first constructed in 1049, was built to resemble a lotus flower - the symbol of purity rising out of a sea of sorrow.   About 160km from Hanoi, near the port of Haiphong, is Halong Bay. This is an amazing complex of 3000 chalk islands rising out of the South China Sea - a sight to behold. General Information Currency Although Vietnamese Dong is the official currency, US Dollar is widely accepted in most restaurants, cafes, shops and all international hotels. Acceptable Credit Cards All major credit cards Climate May to November : Rainy Season December to April : Dry Season Recommended Attire Clothing should be kept simple and discreet Language Predominantly Vietnamese