I am slowly covering the South East Asian countries with my travels. This time I chose Hanoi, in Vietnam. Since I was visiting in January, I was sure to pack some warm clothing since temperatures can drop to a low average of 15°C.

Vietnam has an extensive history which dates back to 4000 years ago. It was ruled by many dynasties and colonised by the Chinese, French and Americans. Vietnam was part of French-Indochina, involved in many wars; Indochina and Vietnam war included. There really is a lot to take in when getting to know Vietnam. It is a big country and it has striking differences between the North and the South in terms of the dishes and languages. It was a good idea to do a bit of historical research before hand. It makes the travel experience so much more fulfilling.

I always liked travelling without any kind of guided tour. My maps, research notes and translator were usually my guides. In Hanoi though, I decided to go with Hanoikids Club. They are a non-profit organisation that connects volunteers to conduct tailor-made guided tours. I did a one day tour with them and it was none like any other tour I’ve done before. It was a great experience being taken around by a true local through hidden lanes and non-tourist stops. I learnt so much from them, just by having simple conversations over a meal. Truly a local experience, I loved it and I highly recommend it.

City

Hanoi was the capital of French-Indochina from 1902 – 1954 so there was no surprise to see so many French-inspired buildings and to taste French-inspired cuisine. The streets are narrow and usually busy. Traffic is none like any other. The bikes, cars and buses just go and just like them, when you’re crossing the street, you just go. It probably seem totally impossible at first, but then you watch other people do it and you’re like “I can do this”.

The city can be divided into a few specific areas all within the Hoan Kiem district

Old Quarter – Also known as 36 streets, evolved since 1000 years ago where it was and still is, a trading place. Each street is uniquely clustered according to its specialty for example, Silver Street (where you can find all things silver) or Silk Street (where you can find all things silk). Some have said there are more than 36 of them. Just walk up North of Hoan Kiem lake to find yourself immediately immersed in the crowd. Tour on foot for the best experience but just be watchful of your bags and pockets.

French Quarter – The French quarter is easy to spot. Look for the Hanoi Opera house, located on the South East of Hoan Kiem lake and head towards it. Walking around, you will find yourself questioning whether you are still in Hanoi. It is obvious to know when you’re in the French Quarter, the moment you are surrounded with French-colonial buildings, expensive shops, and cafes lined up along the streets.

Hoan Kiem Lake – I found my travels around Hanoi made easier every time I started at Hoan Kiem lake. The lake is surrounded by beautiful flowers, clean paths and benches to sit on. Starting my day from the lake helped me a lot with my bearings. Make sure to at least walk around the entire lake.

People

Vietnamese people have suffered many wars and a lot of them, brutal (like all wars are anyway) They had so little space to breathe independence. Having spoken to one of the locals, she told me about the fighting spirit of the Vietnamese people. Truly, after all those years of fighting, they have learnt a lot about strength and persistence. In general, people here are friendly. Walking along the streets, they can pester you for some money but mostly harmless, just trying to make a living. You should always still be watchful of your belongings. 

Food

Vietnamese dishes were new to my palate. Some of the common ingredients include fish sauce, lemon grass, chili, lime, basil leaves, mint leaves and a lot of other herbs. For someone like me who is used to a very heavy and savoury kind of dish, having something that was light combined with fresh herbs was quite refreshing. You would come to find most dishes in Vietnam use minimal oil and dairy. It is almost always a combination of herbs and meat, giving a fine balance to the final dish. It is no wonder that Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the most healthiest in the world.

Culture

As Vietnam was part of Imperial China for almost 1000 years, Buddhism and much of the Chinese culture was left behind. One most prominent is the teaching of Confucius. In fact, one of the many temples in Hanoi was built dedicated to Confucius. Famously known as the Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu), it is Vietnam’s first university. Their festivals and costumes holds some resemblance to the Chinese but also different in their own way. The best way to dig deeper is to visit the Museum of Vietnamese History. Not a far walk from Hoan Kiem lake, this museum is a great way to learn about Vietnam. The only drawback I had about this museum is that a lot of its descriptions are in Vietnamese.

THINGS TO DO:

• Take a good walk around Hoan Kiem lake. There is Ngoc Son temple in the middle of the lake which is worth a visit. Don’t forget to ask about the legend that comes from this lake.
• Some of the Vietnamese cuisine that is a must try include : Bahn Mi, Bun Cha, Pho, Goi Chuon, Egg Coffee (you can find it in Giang cafe), Vietnamese coffee
• If you like the Asian night markets, then make sure you’d make your way to Hanoi night market which is just up north Hoan Kiem lake along Hang Nang street.
• Catch the water puppet show. Make sure you find one that comes with english subtitles
• If you want to get out of the city, be sure to include places like Sapa and Ninh Binh. I didn’t manage to visit Sapa though I’ve heard many things about it. Perhaps another time.
• In Ning Binh, there is pagoda you may choose to visit, called Bai Dinh. It is massive, built to house many buddha statues and hosts many people every year for prayers.
• Visit the Museum of Vietnamese History. It is definitely worth it even if you do not like history.
• Don’t be afraid to sit on one of the tiny stools you see outside along the streets for a cup of coffee. Get a sense of the culture when you do
• Some of the must-see landmarks include : Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, St Joseph Cathedral, Hoa La prison