Hanoi: A 3-Day Trip

I had a two-week family holiday that started in Sydney and ended in Singapore, with a short trip to Hanoi in between. Although three days in Vietnam's capital was too short, it was very impressive for me. As an enthusiastic street photographer with an insatiable appetite, my focus was on street life, locals, food experiences, affordable prices, and the freedom to walk, eat, and photograph. The city of lakes is an ancient and thriving metropolis with both old and new districts. To make the most of my time, I explored the bustling, small streets of the Old Quarter and the tree-lined avenues of the French Quarter – eating, photographing, and avoiding the traffic.

Dizzying traffic

Old French villas and old town alleys

Traditional modes of transportation in Hanoi are now being used in tourism services.

Traffic on the city center streets

City

Hanoi's traffic is like a chaotic tangle, a city in a state of constant entropy. Old buildings are situated in a beautiful state of decay, a reminder of a long and complex history. Clothes, signs, and wires hang from balconies and rooftops, making searching through the narrow alleys a rewarding experience.

On the road, bicycles and scooters whizzed past red lights, narrow corridors, and along the sides of the road with almost no regard for lane markings. Crossing the road felt like walking past a hungry shark about to swoop down; they didn't care about you, yet they were the ones causing you stress.

How this system can function without anyone getting angry is a mystery. The only explanation I can think of is probably that Hanoians are happy when the whole family is together, for example, four people on one motorbike, surrounded by bags of all kinds, weaving through pedestrians, swerving every 10 seconds.

The work of the people here

Hbarbershop and drinks stall on the sidewalk

In the alleyways, 36 streets and wards

PeopleNgufavor

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It seems like everyone here loves buying and selling; they're all selling something. This is truly one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. In Hanoi's Old Quarter, with its 36 streets, each street sells a different kind of thing: jewelry, silk, cotton, bamboo, medicine, tools, fish sauce, votive offerings, fabrics, clothes, and more.

During my three days of wandering, I was persistently pursued by numerous groups of street vendors and hawkers trying to buy my goods. I can only admire their unwavering determination.

One night, after leaving a bar in the old town, the streets, which seemed deserted, were dotted with street vendors selling bread, or occasionally corn, sweet potatoes, sticky rice, and other snacks to stave off hunger in the night.

Accommodation

To get an authentic experience, we booked a room through Airbnb in the old French Quarter in the south of the city. To get there, you have to go through an alleyway, where there are vendors selling grilled corn, and next to them, a café playing rock 'n' roll. It was quite unusual.

We were staying near the Grand Cathedral.

The charming two-story old house was lovely, even though there are plenty of good, affordable options nearby like the Central Hotel & Spa and the Essence Hotel Hanoi. What we liked most was its proximity to the Cathedral, which is always bustling with tourists, and we got to sing carols together on Christmas Eve and have the church bells wake us up at five in the morning.

Cuisine:

It would be remiss not to mention Vietnamese cuisine; the delicate balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and sour flavors stimulates the appetite, and you don't need to eat too much to feel satisfied with the street food. There are many dishes, but I'll just mention a few here:

The photo below shows Pho Thin restaurant (13 Lo Duc Street), with a huge bowl of pho with beef, lots of onions, and a few fried bread rolls – our first meal in Hanoi was perfect!

Pho Thin Restaurant

Breakfast

Ms. Thu sells delicious vermicelli soup from a small stall in Tho Xuong near the Grand Cathedral. I searched for a long time before finally finding her place, but it was too crowded. The following days, I ate pho at Pho Suong (24B Trung Yen; 84-91-619-76-86). Afterwards, I sat at a café on the rooftop of a famous café frequented by both local and international artists. I tried egg coffee at Cafe Dinh. It was delightful!

Bun rieu Co Thu is near the Grand Cathedral.

Lunch

The food at "Hang Son 1871" on Ngo Thi Nham street was so delicious and appealing that I took countless photos and shared them on my Instagram. Tadioto's Moto-San Uber noodles, nestled on a quiet street, is a great place to relax with a sandwich and a fantastic beer. Madame Hien restaurant, and the food at the Metropole Hotel, are highly rated; I'll definitely return next time.

Hang Son 1871, with its famous La Vong fish cake - a Hanoi specialty.

Mixed rice paper salad - A favorite snack of young people.

EatDinner + Drinks

If you want to enjoy cuisine inspired by the North Vietnamese era during the war against the US, head to the State-run Food and Beverage Store at 37 Nam Trang, +84-24-3715-4336. The style of the restaurant evokes wartime and subsidized economy era dishes, with many rustic options. If you like the bun cha of Obama and Anthony Bourdain, visit Bun Cha Huong Lien on Le Van Huu Street. For drinks in the city center, go to Tadioto Bar, with its aromatic beverages and sushi bar – a great choice to pair with your drinks.