Hanoi - The City of Peace (Blog)
Hanoi
Hanoi is the City of Peace. But a more accurate title would be the City of Motion. A constant flow of people, vehicles, and delicious smells from food vendors permeate the skinny streets constantly. As the first stop of our trip, this was immediately overwhelming, but with a little time and vigilance, a certain comfortability was found.
The Old Quarter of Hanoi has streets with thousand-year stories. This tradition and history can be felt, heard, and tasted as you journey through the tight alleys and markets. Looking up, you will see how the buildings are built into and on top of each other as the crowded city expanded, but if you sit at a small plastic table and try the local fare you will notice just how neighborly the locals are. Everyone seems to know each other and has their routines of getting meals with friends or family and buying fresh produce every day from the nearby stand.
As for what to do in your time here, we would recommend more of a food tour than a tour of the sites. Hanoi is packed with street food vendors, cafes, and restaurants that provide seemingly endless options for visitors to try. Below are some of our favorites, but be sure to message us for the full list of suggestions in Hanoi!
Xofa Café & Bistro: This is a charming café near train street (unfortunately closed) with excellent coffee and drinks, lots of greenery, and a quiet atmosphere that they carefully cultivate.
Quán Bánh Cuốn Kỳ Đồng: A great “fast-food” spot to try Hanoian food. While it’s no frills and geared more towards locals, it was a great way to duck out of the rain as we did and try the local fare.
Old Town Cafe: This can be tricky to find so be sure to look at the pictures in reviews to find the entrance, but after ordering drinks on the ground floor you travel up a few flights to sit above the city and enjoy an awesome egg coffee.
There is so much to do and see during your time in Hanoi, but these were a few of our favorite experiences:
Hanoi Beer Street: An alley that comes alive at night, with beer shops and street food lining every inch. It fills up quickly so be sure to get there early if you plan on hanging out for a while!
Hoàn Kiếm Lake: This is a nice way to get a little fresh air and meet new friends! In our several walks around the lake, we were stopped 5-6 times by students that were learning English and wanted to practice. After taking a picture for their “proof” of conversation, be sure to ask how to say certain phrases in Vietnamese—these students will be very eager to help will help them be more comfortable speaking English.
