Hanoi must be one of the noisiest cities I've been to. Traffic everywhere, without rules and at any time of the day. I advise using the city as a starting point for other locations.
The hotel chosen was Charming, a small hotel, on a street without cars, but which came to life very early on, transforming into a market selling meat, fish and vegetables.
Very helpful employees and for the 18 dollars I paid, including breakfast, it was a good option. With the added value of being in the Old Quarter area and being able to do everything on foot.
Some interesting facts about Hanoi
It became the country's capital in 1976
The city has 9 million people, with 5 million arriving on motorbikes every day
Hanoi is made up of two words and means the city that lies within the river
Vietnamese people take to the streets to eat and socialize
The diet is largely based on rice, noodles and spring rolls.
There are no rules on the road, motorbikes with more than two people, transporting animals and goods, without helmets and without respecting the direction of the road. Even the sidewalks serve as a driving lane with your hand always on the horn.
Now more comfortable with the paths, I ventured out and explored some streets and especially the lake area, an area full of life.
Despite the hellish traffic, the gardens surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake are transformed and it's as if we were in another reality. People doing gymnastics, classes in various types of dance, improvised sales stalls, add another charm to the city. And as the city's streets are very similar, this lake ends up being a meeting place.
The Ngoc Son temple is also within the lake and is accessible via the Huc Bridge.
TIPS
You can see a puppet show in the water for 100,000 vnd = 4 euros. Various times available (don't go there tired, as was my case, I fell asleep and barely saw the scenes)
In terms of food, either you can venture out and join the people eating at the improvised stalls on the street, or you have to look carefully for a restaurant (the Vietnamese like to eat on the street, so restaurants as such, you won't find many)
Book tours at one of the many tourist shops that exist. You can look for which one offers you the best price, but believe me there is no big difference in price between them.
Buy North Face bags or clothes (counterfeits that don't even show the difference from the originals) in stores by the lake
Have a map to orient yourself and ask for help
Be careful with prices, because there is a tendency to convert the dollar into the same value as the euro. If they tell you one euro or one dollar, accept the second option
Enjoy the chaos of the city, which, no matter how tiring it may be, still has its charm
Kommentare