Hanoi aka: Ha Noi

We went to Hanoi on a summer break from teaching English in southern China. Our mistake, I think, was to do it “on the cheap”. If we had gone with a tour group, I think we would have enjoyed it a lot more. My brother visited Hanoi a few months after us, as part of a tour, and loved the place.

Our experience of Hanoi was that it was dirty, difficult to negotiate our way around, full of petty thieves and people trying to extract money from you, and everything closed between 2 and 5 pm.

The brighter side of Hanoi for us was staying in a suite in an old Russian hotel in the old quarter. The room was huge, with a king size bed, spa and balcony. Breakfasts were fantastic. The local streets around the hotel were full of shops selling all kinds of things. Street life in the old quarter was very interesting.

But we were glad to leave for Ha Long Bay.

Traveling by train between Hanoi & SaiGon

Vietnamese trains are the ideal way to get around and experience Vietnam at ground level. The trains are safe, comfortable and inexpensive.

In the photo our train between Hué and Danang. This is the most scenic section of line, running along the coast past bays and islands and through the hills.

if you’re entering the foreigner quarters, make sure you go to several different tour agents before choosing one. they’ll all say that they’re in lonely planet or some travel guide but make sure you bargain!

when a friend told me to watch out crossing the roads, i completely underestimated his advice. expect motorbikes everywhere, buzzing around and honking non stop. they don’t stop for anyone. you just have to take that first ‘plunge’ or you’ll never cross the road. the motorcyclists will actually avoid you. the sights and sounds of this city are amazing! the roads are never ending, taking you to even more unusual sights at each corner. the people were friendlier than i expected but they do push you around in crowded places… nothing personal. it’s like the asian version of paris… instead of cafes, there are make shift food and drink stalls by the road side. little stools and tables take an area of the pavement and people sit, eat, drink and watch the world go by…

Wow – this place was hot! Really hot – almost imovable. I found the people here to be kind and the food to be pretty good. I was lucky in the sense that my hotel was a 5 minute walk from the HCM Masoleum, so I was able to visit it at night when it was all lit up (sorta like the Lincoln memorial). I also had the opportunity to see the famous water puppets – that I could of possibly skipped.

Far more traditional than Saigon, Hanoi is a place to see Vietnam’s imperial and Communist past.

Amazing people, amazing food, amazing sights, amazing hangouts. The traffic’s crazy and the streets are one big maze. But that’s what makes Hanoi so exciting! (I’m now a seasoned jay-walker.) The way to enjoy Hanoi is to take a step back and simply watch the chaos unfold. You’ll realise that amidst all the apparent lack of order, there actually IS order, and there IS tranquility. Shopping isn’t the greatest draw, but it’s cheap, and fun to boot (especially when it comes to bargaining using calculators and sign language).

I’ll always remember Hanoi as a smiling face, because her people are all so good natured (service is great, such that even after I realised I’ve been ripped off, I hardly mind it at all).

Note to summer visitors though: Move around in berms or shorts. You’re SO gonna melt in jeans.

http://www.vietnamadvisor.com,http://www.viethoteltravel.com
Hanoi has shaken off its hostile attitude to travellers to become one of the most beguiling cities in Southeast Asia. It’s slow-paced and pleasant, with a lovely landscape of lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks and French-colonial architecture.

Hanoi personifies the spirit of historic Vietnam in the temples, monuments and pockets of ancient culture along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, yet perfectly reflects the rapid changes sweeping the country as Hanoian yuppies sip cappucinos in roadside cafés and compare cell phones.

When To Go
There is really no bad season to visit Hanoi. The city offers countless attractions that can be seen year-round, and the climate is generally agreeable.

Tourist season runs from late June through August and October through Tet, the New Year’s celebration that takes place in late January or early February. Though accommodations and transportation are bound to be booked around Tet, it’s worth making the effort to see Hanoi dressed up for the festivities.

Vietnamese tend to travel in the summer and around Tet, making public transportation that much more difficult to book.

i will go back!
i love everything about this place!

I’m living in Hanoi now and doing some development work. I’m Vietnamese-American and have been experiencing a mix of culture shock and appreciation. Wouldn’t mind fielding your questions if you’re interested in visiting—just had 4 friends come so I’m fresh from the tourguide trek. You can find my blog at http://www.yuppienomad.com if you are interested in Hanoi day-to-day.

Cheers,

Yuppie Nomad