Bia Bia Bia ! Hanoi visit - week1 Vietnam 2-

After a couple of months away from traveling, we finally hit the road again for a short break. We decided to visit Hanoi because there is a direct flight from my hometown, Hiroshima, making it an easy 4-hour journey. Additionally, the bus ride to the hotel was a smooth experience; I would say public transportation there is quite punctual and reliable.

My first impression of the city wasn’t overwhelming, but rather cozy and charming; it’s the perfect size for a short exploration, which I really loved. However, it was humid and hot during the day, so finding places with air conditioning to grab drinks (mostly beers) was essential for us!

We tried Bia Hoi, a famous beer in Vietnam, which was easy to drink and very refreshing, though it was a bit weak. Regardless, we enjoyed a lively night in the Bia Hoi street area, which has become quite touristy, according to my partner. I couldn’t stop laughing at the scene when he was surrounded by at least five salespeople from nearby restaurants and bars trying to attract customers!

Of course, the cuisine was exceptionally good and very affordable. The fish noodles we had, shown below, were about $3, and the taste was fantastic. We always sought out authentic local small restaurants that were not so touristy.

Speaking of food, I want to highlight the differences between Bahn Mi and Vietnamese coffee in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The coffee here is stronger and served in smaller glasses compared to Ho Chi Minh. The Bahn Mi in Hanoi typically has fewer vegetables but offers more options for vegetarians, such as omelets, and uses chili sauce more commonly than fresh chili, which is more prevalent in Ho Chi Minh. I was initially disappointed with the first coffee I had in Hanoi because I expected a long black coffee that I was familiar with. However, I’ve come to appreciate the unique character of each style and enjoyed them a lot.

I wanna give a big shout about this restaurant called Vu Kieu Tu where there are variety kinds of vegitarian/vegan dishes, and the quote on the wall there was so striking to my heart, " I am a restaurant worker who desires to express my personal journey from street kids to social entrepreneur." When we payed the bill, the staff showed us to share their stories of the owner's background and his passion to serve food wishing to make povety history. Please visit this restaurant not only to enjoy delicious food but also help them. We should know the reality behind tourism.

The train street was a bustling tourist spot, and the trains that passed right in front of us were quite an experience. The shop staff would place beer bottle caps on the tracks just before the trains arrived, and they would become completely flattened afterwards. I picked some up to show a little girl sitting next to me, who was with her dad. She looked excited and started to collect more caps herself!

The architecture museum was still under renovation but was open to the public, allowing us to enter. It was fascinating to see how Chinese influences have shaped the buildings, resulting in diverse designs.

We visited the Constellation of Literature Pavilion and walked all the way there from the centre around noon. It was fun to explore back alleys and pop into shops along the way, but I recommend going in the morning since it became too hot to handle!

We also enjoyed capturing some random photos along the way.

One amusing experience was riding in the smallest lift we’ve ever encountered! The two of us, carrying 7 kg of luggage, were the maximum number of people who could fit inside. I must say, it was a bit tight. Nonetheless, our hotel room was spotless, and we’d definitely consider booking it again, even with that tiny elevator!