Must see/do/eat in Hanoi

[kpol]

We'll be in Hanoi for two days total, with an overnight trip to Halong Bay in the middle. Any "musts" you have for Hanoi as the Halong portion is prearranged. We were thinking the War Memorial, Ho Chi Minh complex, and the Old Quarter for sure, but I am open to suggestions, as well!

[katfco]

I second the water puppets, but if you have a whole day free and are up for a hike, Perfume Pagoda is beautiful.

[wise_rita]

Pro tip: Spring the extra buck for VIP tickets at the water puppet show. We didn't (there was a group of us) and holy shit did we lack leg room. It's funny in hindsight but exceedingly stupid that we didn't spring FOUR QUARTERS to sit in seats that actually fit western bodies.

The Hanoi Hilton prison was so interesting. Just don't call it that to a taxi driver or he will take you to the actual Hilton Hotel. I forget the real name of the prison, but it's a major attraction in Hanoi. There are pictures of a young - sexy, if you can believe it - John McCain being released. On that note, know how much a taxi journey costs and negotiate with the driver before getting in. They WILL try to rip you off, so when they do that move on to the guy behind him until you find one that will agree on an appropriate price.

Are the Cu Chi tunnels outside Hanoi? Or HCMC? I forget which. An interesting half-day trip if you're in that area.