Exploring Hanoi – A quaint & impressive visit

Vietnam is a fascinating country filled with history, nature, megacities, and hill-tribe villages. It is of stark contrast, from vibrant cities with excessive amounts of scooters moving at a rapid pace to vast serine countryside of rice fields or picturesque limestone formations rising from the sea.

 We spend 4½ days exploring the north of the country, from the vibrant city of Hanoi to the relaxed mountain town of Sapa.

4½ days are rather short to visit a country, so we aimed to firstly see the well-known areas of the north. With the help of Indochina Junk, we opted for their package “Sapa & sea,” which entailed a two-day cruise on Halong Bay, an overnight train to Sapa, and a night in the mountains, Sapa. But we started our trip from the best starting point, the city of Hanoi Vietnam.

Exploring Hanoi 

Hanoi Vietnam is a dynamic city, but of such diversity itself. It is somehow possible to sit amid rapid scooters zooming by, but on your little stool with your bowl of Pho chay, be exceptionally calm. I have no idea how that works, but I love it.

Walking through the streets, I realized it is the small things that really do count here. From the slow drip Vietnamese coffee to the fresh ingredients. 

We only spent one afternoon and evening exploring Hanoi, from the Hoàn Kiếm Lake while the sun was setting, scouring through little galleries (we actually ended up buying an amazing art piece), and stopping at numerous coffee shops. Some of my picks are Loading T café, RuNam Bistro, and The Note Coffee.

Food 

When it comes to food, Vietnamese cuisine is a robust balance of salty, sweet, sour, and hot flavours. These five flavours combined with fresh ingredients are the primary tastes that are used not only to satisfy the palate but so too the body. 

Try something new by making your own Spring roll at Little Hanoi, recommended by a friend, this was an absolute treat. I can definitely say I am no pro at making them but good at eating them.

Impressive boutique hotel

This quaint hotel is located in the heart of the Old and Historic Quarter of Hanoi, no need to order a taxi or even get on a scooter as it is walking distance to so many charming cafes and restaurants. Rooms are spacious and offer beautiful views of the city. If you are lucky and got a higher room with a balcony, you will have a view of not only the tree-lined alleyways but also the neo-Gothic façade of St Joseph’s Cathedral.

We arranged with the hotel to serve our early breakfast on this quint balcony. Somewhat of a romantic setting. 

I have to mention they bent over backwards to help me. I forgot a ring of mine in the hotel room, but only realized halfway to Halong bay. Shortly after phoning and informing them, they contacted me back informing me they found it and will keep it safe till I return in 4 days. 

Activities – What to do/see

• • Hoàn Kiếm Lake, with Temple of the Jade Mountain
  • Old French Quarter & St Joseph’s Cathedral
  • Hanoi Train Street
  • Cầu Long Biên bridge
  • Shop at Dong Xuan Market
  • Coffee shops
  • A water puppet show

Take note 

• • Do not drink the tap water, bottled water or better yet invest in a purifying straw. 
  • The streets are busy, like crazy busy. Take care when crossing the road, it is quite a feat. 
  • Be aware of scams, overall its only petty crime, so safe to travel but you will get your scammer every now and then. Talking about that, always ask your hotel what the estimated price of a ride to your destination is. Or if you’re having a garment made, research first how much you should be paying for it. 
  • You can negotiate the price, bargaining is kind of expected, but again do not be ridiculous and try to get it for next to nothing.

 

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xxx

Travel plan:

• Accommodation:                   Impressive Boutique Hotel
• Accommodation style:          Boutique
• Price range:                          $
• Interesting sights:                 Balcony breakfast with St Joseph’s Cathedral as a           backdrop, coffee, lots of Vietnamese coffee.

 

*Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are my own

 Follow up of the blog Northern Vietnam in  4½ days from 2016.