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