Google the Hanoi Kids for a unique experience...

Thanks craig - looks interesting

Off the beaten track, but still convenient to Hanoi's central tourist district, Minh's jazz club feels like New York in the 1970s. Music every night after 9 p.m. with kitchen service from the restaurant below. Minh himself will often sit in on sax for a tune or two and then work the room where he seems to know half the customers. http://www.minhjazzvietnam.com/EN/splash.asp.htm

old town, old town, old town... tons to do wandering around

ly club for your splurge dinner

ride in a pedi-cab around the lake and in old town--bargain before hand..

war time museum/hanoi hilton/old jail

Thanks rhkkmk and Southam

I have a hunch that you might enjoy the wonderful Ethnology Museum. If you go, don't miss the outdoor exhibits of full-size houses.

The visit to Bac Ho (Ho Chi Minh's body) was fascinating . It is a very regimented experience -- no talking, laughing, stuffing your hands in your pockets, nor getting too close to the person in front of you in line.

I really enjoyed a cooking class with Hidden Hanoi, including the delightful market tour before class.

Walking around Hoan Kiem (lake) early in the morning during exercise time is quite enjoyable. The groups of people exercising with fans, swords, etc., are beautiful to watch.

As Bob said above, you will enjoy walking around the old guild quarter

We loved the ethnology museum so I second that recommendation. There was a water puppet show on while we were there that was a nice surprise. Ho CHi Minh's mausoleum was a fascinating cultural experience. But our favourite bit was exploring the old town, including eating in fantastic little places.

Yes, the Ethology Musesum is on my list along with the Army Museum. Not real sure about the mausoleum. Was thinking of going to a puppet show, but have seen mixed reviews about the hour long performances. A cooking class seems interesting.

The mausoleaum was well worth a visit to see the resting place of the great man (even if it is not the resting place he wanted!). Ho Chi Minhs house is also nearby, just behind the presidential palace and well worth an hour of your time. Also enjoyed the Temple of Literature. All of these are, of course on a well beaten path. For something a little less hectic than the city, if you can spare a day, do consider an overnight stay in the Mai Chau valley for a taste of rural Vietnamese life in a beautiful location. Some photo of our time there:

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/candcthai/3/1250748042/tpod.html

We enjoyed each and every one of the things mentioned in the last 4 posts, except we skipped the water puppet show. The Museum of Ethnology is outstanding. We loved all the school group kids visiting Ho's house- apparently it's a "required" field trip for all alimentary school children . Two anecdotes:

At Ho's house, there's a garage with a sign that reads "Ho Chi Minh's used cars". Of course, they mean "Cars used by Ho Chi Minh", but we chuckled at the translation.

The Museum of Ethnology is quite from from the Old Quarter, where we were staying. We told the woman at the front desk we wanted to walk (I think it's about 6 miles). She was horrified, as the Museum wasn't even on the map. We eventually gave in, and told her we'd take a taxi there but we were definitely going to walk back. So the doorman goes out to get the taxi and tell him our plans - giggling all the while. We get to the Museum and spend several hours. We walk back outside and there's our taxi driver waiting for us, because he didn't believe we'd really walk back! For the record, we did walk, and it was great because you walk through so many different neighborhoods you wouldn't otherwise see. We also walked to Ho's house, also a great walk, past all the embassies.

We enjoyed the Women's Museum -- very well done and interesting. http://www.womenmuseum.org.vn/en.html
Also the Ho Chi Minh Museum in the same area as his house and the mausoleum. One of them oct unusual museums I've seen.
http://www.baotanghochiminh.vn/tabid/528/default.aspx

Agree that Mai Chau is beautiful and worth a visit if you want to get into the countryside.

We did a half day tour with Hanoi Kids and it was fun morning.

Water puppets is worth the hour of your time. Full disclosure: the Sofitel Metropole got us front row seats, so you know where I'm coming from - we got some great photos, though...

I thought the Mausoleum and the rest of the exhibits in the area were a worthwhile experience, though certainly not off the beaten track as others have said.

Museum of Ethnology is a must do.

But walk, walk, walk in the old town...

So excited, thank you Fodorites!!!! Minh's Jazz Club is now on the list...if it's good enough for Fodorites and the NY Times that works for me!!!!

All of the above are worth seeing, but the best thing is to wander the old city, walk around the lake, be sure to try the smaller restaurants too. If you click on my name and read my trip report, you will find inf in my favorite restaurant in Hanoi - a little hole in the wall. Take a taxi also out to the other lake to see the pagoda. Wr loved Hanoi.