(VOVworld) – Unlike bustling Sai Gon or serene Hue Imperial city, Hanoi blends the ancient and the modern. Its Old Quarter retains many traditional craft streets such as Hang Ma, which makes votive paper, and Hang Dong, where blacksmith is still done. On today’s Discovery Vietnam, reporter Lan Anh asks some foreign visitors what impresses them most about Hanoi.

Life in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is vital and dynamic, but poetic. Albert Thomas, a French tourist on his first visit to Hanoi, looks confused by the constant movement of traffic:“Hanoi is a special capital city. European visitors see that there are many motorbikes and cars on the streets, which is different from in France. Now I have to learn how to cross the road.”

Nothing could be more interesting than sitting on the second floor of a café in the Old Quarter, sipping a cup of coffee and watching birds in a cage and street activities.

Hanoi tourists shouldn’t miss major attractions such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and Bat Trang pottery village. Marill Besneedide from France has been in the city for 3 weeks:“We joined the tour to better understand President Ho Chi Minh, Hanoians’ lifestyles and the architecture of pagodas and temples. I like most Tran Quoc Pagoda near West Lake. I also learned about the history of the Temples of Literature and today will find out more about the Museum of Ethnology.”

David, an Australian visitor, is most attracted by the people of Hanoi. He feels welcome here:“I ‘ve been in Hanoi for the first time. I was in South Vietnam before. I travelled all around. My experience with the Vietnamese people is great. I think they are friendly; they are kind and willing to listen. I travelled Asia quite a lot not just Vietnam only. And I keep coming back because I like it.”

Hanoi’s traditional food is unforgettable according to Marill from France:“I have eaten dumplings, beef vermicelli, and spring rolls. I like Vietnamese food very much, especially spring rolls. In France, I have tried many Asian foods. The dishes here are spicier.”

Many tourists cannot resist Pho or Rice noodle, which costs about 2 USD a bowl. Pho restaurants in Hanoi are numerous. A hot bowl of Pho: white and thin noodles dipped in clear broth with green onions stimulates connoisseurs’ senses. James Rhodes from the US tries Pho every time he comes to Hanoi: “Sure, either the restaurant or a vendor on the sidewalk is really good. In the US, I know there is a Vietnamese restaurant of Pho. It’s 8 USD a bowl. I remember Pho in Hanoi, especially the one vendor served on the sidewalk, only 60 cents for the same huge bowl. It’s very good and nutritious. I genuinely try to have Pho at least one a day because it’s just so good. The way the Vietnamese cook is so healthy. I can eat many bowls but still lose weight, which is what I can do I Hanoi.”

After a day discovering the city, when night falls, visitors chose to wander in the Old Quarter. James says if you just stop for 5 minutes, you can see  many things happening here.