Hanoi for The Three Generations: a Friday-to-Monday weekend

The streets round the lake are closed to traffic from Friday evening, flat and wide, with benches under the trees and ice cream stalls.

A fifty-minute show with a cushioned seat and no stairs, which suits eight and eighty alike; book the 17:20 slot to keep the evening free.

A courtyard villa with round tables for eight and a hundred dishes from every region; everyone orders their own and shares.

Flat paths, shade, benches and a café in the garden of stilt houses; grandparents can sit while the children explore the long houses.

A table for the whole family upstairs at the fish house on its own street; the dish is cooked in front of you and shared.

A flat causeway to a small islet and a brick stupa, with benches at the water's edge and the sun going down.

A French-era building with lacquer paintings, folk art and a cool courtyard; there are benches and a lift to the upper floor.

A gentle chicken and egg noodle soup that all ages like, served at a family table in the Old Quarter.

A slow pedal over the lake with life jackets and a seat for everyone, and a breeze that suits a Sunday afternoon.

Shaded courtyards of flat stone paths and benches; the old trees and turtles delight children and the pace suits grandparents.

A simple grilled pork lunch that all ages can eat, with quick service and a plain option; go before the lunch rush.

Hanoi's old ice-cream parlour, since 1958: coconut, green rice and vanilla in a cone, eaten standing on the pavement by the lake.