Ask Lonely Planet: Viking roots prompt voyage of discovery

The replica ship Sea Stallion at the Viking Ship Museum, Denmark. Photo / Viking Ship Museum

I have always been told that we are descended from Vikings. I am taking my two kids on a trip to Europe next year and, as part of that, would like to explore our Norse heritage with them. Where are the best places to find Viking settlements? Which museums do you recommend to see the longships? And is there any reasonably priced family accommodation in Scandinavia?
- Charlotte Kutia

Lonely Planet's Asia-Pacific travel editor Shawn Low writes:

That's one of the best opening lines we've ever read. I'd be extremely excited if my mum had taken me on a tour of Viking sites and museums (not that I'm descended from Vikings).

Going through Scandinavian Europe, we can start in Denmark. Roskilde is home to a famous music festival, but is also the home to the Viking Ship Museum which contains five reconstructed Viking ships. The waterfront workshops near the harbour showcases ship-building techniques. From May to September, you can cruise along the river in a replica ship.

In Funen, there's a historical site: Ladbyskibet. It comprises the remains of a 22m long Viking ship that serves as a former tomb. Ribe is a laid-back old town dating to AD 869 - it's a good place as any to soak up the old Scandinavia atmosphere. There's also the Ribes Vikinger and Ribe Vikingcenter - both have hands-on exhibits which will appeal to kids.

Norway also has some Viking sights. In Oslo, visit the Vikingskipshuset, a museum that has three ships excavated from the Oslofjord region.

While the whole of Scandinavia was once Viking homeland, there are so many modern sights to see too. There's everything from ultracool Copenhagen (Denmark) to Santa's "official" residence and the aurora borealis in Finland to Stockholm's museums.

Whatever the case, we hope you find a connection to your heritage and that you and your children have fun.

Staying in Hanoi's old quarter

I am travelling to Hanoi, Vietnam, later this year and am wondering if a hotel in the Old Quarter will be too noisy and whether I will be able to walk around in safety to see the traditional part of the city?
- Kevin Hessell

Lonely Planet's Asia-Pacific travel editor Shawn Low writes:

The short answer? Yes.

The long answer? The Old Quarter is probably a good place in which to base yourself. It's lively and, yes, it may be crowded but if you find the right place with a room facing away from the main road, you won't find it too noisy at all.

From there, you have easy walking access to all the local sights. You can't avoid the Hoan Kiem Lake - misty in the morning. There are plenty of cafes in the area for breakfast. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is in the area too. As is the Fine Arts Museum. The heart of the Old Quarter is a warren of low-slung French colonial shophouses filled with eateries and shops. Don't forget to visit a bia hoi (draught beer) joint close where P Ta Hien meets P Luong Ngoc Quyen. These are local places where you pull up a low stool and order (probably via hand gestures unless you speak Vietnamese) some really cheap, fresh-brewed beer. To break the ice, buy the locals a round and raise a toast (Tram phan tram. Bottoms up.).

If you do book accommodation, please read reviews online and in our guides. There have been instances of accommodation scams and also touts who steer you towards accommodation. There are taxi drivers who will tell you the place you booked is "full" or "closed" and try to get you to a place where they will receive a commission. For peace of mind, pre-book online or via email. Ask the local hotel you booked a room at whether they offer a pick-up service.

* Kevin Hessell's question wins him a copy of Lonely Planet Vietnam ($59.99).

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