Our time in Hanoi may have been short, but boy was it jam packed! From the moment we stepped onto the bustling streets, it was clear that this city has a rhythm entirely its own – chaotic, vibrant, and absolutely mesmerizing.
Firstly, let’s talk about the infamous Hanoi traffic. The streets are a filled with motorbikes weaving through a sea of pedestrians, bicycles, and the occasional daring car. We often compared it to the real life version of crossy road. Crossing the road became a heart-pounding adventure in itself, as we quickly learned to navigate the organized chaos like pros.
On our first night, we quickly dropped our bags at our hotel and went out to explore the city. Obviously first on the agenda was some highly anticipated traditional banh mi- the iconic Vietnamese sandwich. Crispy bread filled with pork and vegetables- it surely didn’t disappoint.
As we were exploring and stuffing our face, a young Vietnamese boy ran to tell us the the train was going to be passing by any minute on the famous Train Street. He invited us his families cafe so we could see the train passing through the narrow streets inches from houses and cafes. We graciously accepted his invitation and enjoyed the surreal experience with an ice cold Hanoi beer in hand. Being so close to a train was an unforgettable experience!
During our time in Hanoi, we made a visit to the Hanoi Prison, aka Hoa Lo Prison, aka Hanoi Hilton. This historical site offered a look into Vietnam’s sad and dark past. Originally built by the French colonialists in the late 19th century, the prison was used to incarcerate Vietnamese revolutionist who opposed French rule. The conditions were notoriously harsh and inhuman. The prison gained further infamy during the Vietnam War, where it housed American prisoners of war. Walking through the cell blocks and seeing the horrible living conditions highlighted the resilience and struggles of these people.
On our second full day we had food tour, which was definitely a highlight of our time here. We savored the flavors of Vietnam through fragrant bowls of Bun cha, crispy and fresh spring rolls, Vietnamese egg coffee, and of course, endless varieties of banh mi – that became our go-to street food. It was such a cool experience to eat like a local and try restaurants that we probably would not have been brave enough to try on our own!
As the sun set, we joined the lively atmosphere of Beer Street (Ta Hien), a vibrant long street where locals and tourists gather to enjoy cold .50 cent beers and delicious street food. The energy was infectious, and the streets were bustling with people and motorbikes zig zagging through crowds of people.
On our last morning we headed to the Note Cafe, a charming spot filled with colorful sticky notes left by visitors from around the world. While we sipped on coffee, we wrote notes of own and reflected on our adventures from the last 3 days.
As we said farewell to this city, we carry with us not just memories, but a deep appreciation for its history, its people, and its culture. Hanoi, with its crazy drivers and vibrant streets, has left a mark on our journey through Vietnam.
Favorite Parts
Jackie- Our food Tour
Lincoln- Ha Lo Prison
What we did
– Train Street
– Night market
– Ha Lo Prison
– Beer Street
– Food Tour
– Mural Street
What we ate on our food tour
– Banh Mi
– Nem Núőng – Summer Spring Rolls
– Bon Cha- Grilled Pork, noodles, & fresh herbs in a broth
– Crispy spring rolls with vegetables, pork, and shrimp
– Mango Sticky Rice with coconut ice cream
– Vietnamese Egg coffee
Where we ate / drank
Food
– Pho 10
– Banh mi 25
– Banh Mi Bubble
– Nem Núó’ng Nha Trang Quê’ Hoa
– Boncha
– Chè Dung 95
– Night Markets
Cafes
– Café Giang
– Note cafe
– Hidden Gem Cafe
Drinks
– SkyCloud Bar
– Bia Ho’i
– Beer Street
Where we stayed
JM Marvel Hotel
Sweethearts On the Go 