Hà Nội
Landing in Hà Nội during the night, the thick tropical humidity immediately wrapped around us—a welcome contrast to the bitter Canadian cold we had just left behind. As the very first stop on our Vietnam itinerary, Vietnam’s historic capital greeted us with a sensory overload: grand French colonial villas, colourful narrow townhouses, and the tranquil waters of Hoàn Kiếm Lake. But stepping out under the daylight revealed the city’s true heartbeat: an endless, mesmerizing sea of motorbikes ruling the streets in a chaotic, beautiful dance.
he unofficial local traffic rule seems to be: green, I go; yellow, I go; red... I still can go! Call me a chicken, but I demanded my đẹp trai hold my hand every time we crossed the street. Looking left and right didn't help much since traffic never truly stops and pedestrians aren't the priority, but miraculously, the system works!
Stay
Anatole Hotel Hanoi: Tucked right in the heart of the Old Quarter, staying here put us in the ultimate location to explore Hoàn Kiếm Lake, historic alleyways, and incredible street food on foot.
Activities
Múa Rối Nước (Water Puppet Show): A cherished Northern Vietnamese tradition born in the flooded rice fields, where farmers crafted puppets to entertain their villages. Watching the harmonious blend of folklore, live songs, puppetry, light, and water at the Lotus Water Puppet Theatre was a magical spectacle you shouldn't miss.
Hanoi Train Street: Sitting inches from the tracks, sipping a cocktail while a massive train rumbles through a narrow alley is a total adrenaline rush. The local merchants know the exact schedule and keep everyone safe, making it a thrilling memory (and great photo op!).
Eats
Phở: Coming to the birthplace of phở, we woke up at 6 AM, thanks to jet lag working in our favour, to get our fix! The broth was rich, served Northern-style with fresh herbs and chilli (no bean sprouts needed!). We loved the beef phở at Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư and the fresh chicken phở at Huyên Hương Restaurant.
Bún Riêu Cua: A comforting tomato-based rice vermicelli soup topped with minced freshwater crab. My secret ingredient is adding two big scoops of rich shrimp paste into the broth at Bún riêu cua Hàng Bạc!
Bún Chả: Smoky grilled pork served in warm fish sauce alongside vermicelli, fresh herbs, and crispy crabspringrolls (nem cua bể). We loved comparing the authentic local vibe at Bún chả đặc Kim with the legendary Bún chả Hướng Liên (where Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain famously dined!).
Bánh Cuốn: Sitting on tiny plastic sidewalk chairs at Bánh cuốn nóng for freshly steamed rice rolls stuffed with seasoned pork was pure street food perfection—far superior to anything back home!
Ốc (Escargot): Snails are a massive part of local food culture in Vietnam. Whether steamed with lemongrass (hấp sả), boiled (luộc), or stir-fried in tangy tamarind sauce (xào me), they make the ultimate savoury snack.
Vietnamese Coffee Culture: From dark, robust brews with sweetened condensed milk to rich Egg Coffee—invented by Mr. Giảng during a historical milk shortage—Hà Nội's café scene is wildly creative. Check out Cafe Giảng, Hidden Gem Cafe, or the sticky-note-covered walls at The Note Coffee.
Fresh Tropical Fruit Drinks: Vietnam is a haven for exotic fresh juices and smoothies. Make sure to try pickled dragonplum juice (sấu dầm) and apricot juice (nước mơ ngâm)!
Leaving the energetic streets of Hà Nội behind, our Northern Vietnam adventure was far from over. Up next, we traded the bustling Old Quarter for the tranquil waters and towering limestone formations of Hạ Long Bay. Head over to the next post to join us as we set sail across this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site!
