"Enjoy a Literary Nightcap Owned and operated by journalist and raconteur Nguyen Qui Duc, this Hanoi institution is now in its fourth incarnation near the Opera House. Expect a bohemian crowd, an eclectic music policy and a great selection of wine. Among the other strings in Duc's bow is a talent for furniture making and his bar is a showroom for some of his exquisite handmade items."

"Potent Cocktails and Eclectic Tunes One of the hippest joints in Hanoi , this speakeasy-style venue combines effortless conviviality with excellent cocktails. Regular live events run the gamut from eclectic DJ sets to more straightforward nights of live music."

"Get a Shot of Arthouse Action Hanoi's multiplexes actually have a reasonable range of the latest movie releases, but if it is something more left-field you are looking for, this is the place. Run by film buff volunteers, the 89-seat theater screens everything from European classics to avant garde experiments. It's a members club, but membership can easily be purchased on the night of screening."

"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."

"Cutting-Edge Fashion by the Big Lake Run by a pair of Catalan emigres from a gorgeous villa on tranquil West Lake, Chula is highly regarded for the design of its dresses, jackets, skirts, and gorgeous silk garments."

"Get Some Late-Night Fuel Hanoi is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a pulsing all-night city. People rise early and go to bed early here in the northern hub. Nevertheless, unrepentant night owls aren't totally neglected. This institution doles out passable western and Asian fare 24 hours a day, meaning that it's easy enough to soak up all those bias with some quality grub. The coffee is spot-on, while the breakfasts are a thing of legend in Hanoi ."

"Get a Java Jolt at Hanoi's Hippest Cafe Chain Coffee shops are everywhere in Hanoi , but few strike the right balance between quality coffee and a hip, youthful atmosphere. Cong Caphe now has several branches in the city -- as well as in other big cities in Vietnam including Ho Chi Minh City and Danang -- which is proof of its winning formula of eclectic beats, Communist kitsch decor and electrifying coffee."

"Bar Betta You Bet Both Bar Betta and Tadioto were among the stalwarts in the now-defunct Zone 9, an arty area which revolutionized Hanoi 's nightlife for a short time before being shut down. The original Bar Betta, however, is still a sterling choice for a drink with retro decor, cool cocktails, and a well-chosen soundtrack."

"Experience Vietnam's Edgiest Music Festival Every year, the guys behind Hanoi 's Club for the Appreciation of Music and Art (CAMA) bring some of the finest left-field musical talent from the region to the city's American Club for a one-day shindig. The event usually takes place in May. Photo by haithanh/Flickr ."