Hanoi

Although all of Vietnam was really great, Hanoi was by far my favorite place. The French influence is really strong and the streets have an authentic, cozy feeling that loud and powerful Ho Chi Minh City really doesn't have. That said, I met a lot of people who still prefer HCM so it's really up to the person.

All of the above taken at the lovely Ngoc Son Temple - must see!! Kyoto aside, one of the most beautiful temples I have seen in a while.

At 87 Ma May - the address of one of the only ancient Vietnamese houses built in the 20th century that still remains today.

Souvenir shopping.

Opera House in the French Quarter.

Decorations on the street in the French Quarter.

Cathedral.

At the Temple of Literature everyone was getting a wall-hanging done with a particular Chinese character for the New Year - chaos!

Also at the Temple of Literature.

Streets of Hanoi.

A shop I went to multiple times to pick up lanterns for my apartment. :)