CLASSICAL
Hanoi Opera House
Add: Pho Trang Tien
Tel: 8254312
This magnificent 900-seat venue looks along Pho Trang Tien to Hoan Kiem Lake. It was built in 1911 and a pains-taking, three-year renovation has restored it to its farmer glory. It was from a balcony on this building that the Viet Minh - run Citizens' Committee announced, on 16 August 1945, that it had taken over the city. Performances of classical music are periodically held here in the evenings and the atmosphere is incredible. The theatre's Vietnamese name appropriately translates to 'House Sing Big'.
JAZZ & MODERN
Jazz Club By Quyen Van Minh
Add: 31 - 33 Pho Luong Van Can
Tel: 825 7655
Performances: 9 - 11.30pm
The place in Hanoi to catch hot, live jazz (well, mostly jazz). Bar owner Minh teaches saxophone at the Hanoi Conservatory and moonlights here, jamming with a variety of musicians ranging from his talented son to top-notch international jazz players.
R&R Tavern
Add: 47 Pho Lo Su
Tel: 934 4109
One of the best bars for live music in Hanoi, with a Vietnamese band running through counter-culture '60s classics at the weekend, and a string quartet on Thursday. Bargain beer compared with many expat haunts, and some of the best burgers in town.
Terrace Bar
Add: 59a Pho Ly Thai To
Tel: 934 0888
This place is frenetic on Friday, when half of Hanoi's high-flyers seem to descend here for the happy hour (6pm). Drink specials from 20.000d include access to the roving platters of finger food and a soundtrack of live musk - rock'n'roll, '70s disco, Latin - it's a lucky dip.
TRADITIONAL
Some of the best places to catch live traditional music are upmarket Vietnamese restaurants in central Hanoi, like:
Cay Cau
Add: 17A Pho Tran Hung Dao
Tel: 824 5346
Club Opera
Add: 59 Pho Ly Thai To
Tel: 824 6950
Dinh Lang Restaurant
Add: 1 Pho Le Thai Tho
Nam Phuong
Add: 16 PhoBaoKhanh
Tel: 928 5085
Fax: 825 8964
It can feel kind of touristy, but close your eyes and the music is hauntingly beautiful.
