Hanoi the city that keeps given.

Hanoi the city where East meets West. I’ve arrived in the Old Quarter where crossing the road as a pedestrian is like playing a game of leap frog. Cars and motorbikes descend from all directions, dodging people sitting at tiny tables eating Xa xiu (bbq pork) or cooking ingredients on a Vietnamese table top bbq which you have to try and was scrumptious.

Hoam Kiem area.

Vietnamese bbq, cook it yourself.

The organised chaos continues with a hive of activity around Hoan Kiem Lake, with street food and the night market on one side and upscale shops, the Vietnamese war museum and the beautiful French Quarter on the other. I sat drinking 🍋 tea…(absolutely refreshing) whilst admiring St Joseph Cathedral and people watching…..

Hoan Kiem Lake.

I stayed and ate in the old quarter which was budget friendly. A big thank you to Hanoi backpackers and rooftop bar which is near bar street and costs 145 baht for a bed in the female dorm. With free breakfast and cheap drinks at the bar, this really is a hidden gem.

Bar street, the backpacking hub and surrounding area is not for the faint hearted. Loud music and a scene depicting Ibiza, San Antonio Bay is what this reminded me of….not my thing, but hey each to their own…So onwards to tomorrow. A trip to Ha Long bay, one of the 8th natural wonders of the world where I’ll give you a snippet of the real 🇻🇳.