Chào bạn! And back to Hanoi where I landed 14 days before. I was excited to spend one last day in the capital of Vietnam. Being a vivid and vibrant city Hanoi faced a long history of occupation. The city was being held up for nearly a century. In fact, in 1954 they finally gained independence. The French influence is still visible nowadays. Especially in the Old Quarter of Hanoi you’ll find many French architecture style buildings. The metropole is therefor also called ‘Paris of the East’. The good thing about it is, that you’ll also find delicious baguette. The Vietnamese converted the classic French ‘sandwich’ (insert French accent ‘sahn-weech’) into their delicious Banh Mi! To conclude my Vietnam entries here are a couple of impressions and tips for Hanoi!

• Find all addresses in my Google Map

Classic sightseeing in HANOI

• Stroll through the Old Quarter!
• Enjoy a Tiger beer in the evening at Hoan Kiem Lake
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: the communist president rests in peace here. Once in a year he’s going to be brought to Russia for maintenance. Therefor, check if he’s there if you wan to visit
• Presidential Palace & Ho Chi Minh Museum
• One Pillar Pagoda: Chùa Một Cột, formally Diên Hựu tự means “long lasting happiness and good luck”. The One-Pillar Pagoda is worth a visit because its significant architecture
• Tran Quoc Pagoda: the oldest pagoda of Hanoi
• Modern art in Hanoi: Work Room Four, Nguyen Art Gallery in Hanoi, Hanoi Museum, Art Vietnam Gallery

Hanoi TRAIN TRACKS

In the middle of the Old Quarter of Hanoi you’ll find the famous Hanoi train tracks, which lead through narrow streets. Originally, I thought that the train tracks aren’t active anymore. But they are as I’ve just discovered. In fact, there’s a high speed train rushing through daily at 3:30pm and 5:00pm. Crazy! I walked along a part where there was laundry hanging outside, cooking utilities placed near the tracks. Inhabitants need to be aware that they don’t place their bicycle outside at the wrong time. I also spotted a woman drying her ginger on the tracks.

• The best part to walk on the train tracks is here (21°01’46.6″N 105°50’36.0″E)!

…and one last TEXTILE MARKET!

On my last day I couldn’t resist to rummage on a market and look for more beautiful textiles. Hanoi also offers great markets and I went to the Chợ Hôm – Đức Viên Market (took an uber bike for the longer ride). The market is definitely worth a visit. Especially the linen price was great. Moreover, the food part on the lower floor looked great. I bought a couple of mangos for back in Europe here.

• Address: Chợ Hôm – Đức Viên Huế, Ngô Thì Nhậm, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội (get the direction here)

FOOD in Hanoi

Well, I miss the delicious Vietnamese food! And no there is not only Banh Mì or Pho. I’ve discovered so many delicious specialities. Of course, the capital has a lot to offer food wise. Unfortunately, I stayed only for a day. Here are a couple of recommendations from my blogger colleagues:

And one last Tiger beer at the BIA HOI STREET

You have to experience the nightlife in the lively Bia Hoi Street. Together with my blogger colleagues we went there for a last night cap. We quickly found a bar and took a seat on the small plastic stools. Street vendors were coming by. There were a lot of people on the streets. Suddenly the waitress came to us and shooed us away from our table. She and and her bar neighbors started to quickly staple the plastic stools and tables. Then it made all sense – the police was passing by. In fact, they drive regularly through the street in the evening. To check if the bars don’t exceed the allowed terraces in front of their bars.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my Vietnam articles. It was a pleasure to share my experience and recommendation. The trip was photography wise a highlight and some of my favorite pictures were shot there.

Find an overview of all Vietnam entries here:

1. From Hanoi to the famous Ha Long Bay
2. Ninh Bình – the North & Southeast-Asia’s most famous Pagoda
3. Central Vietnam – most scenic morning & a sea of butterflies
4. Ho Chi Minh City: The pink church & how much textile fits in a trolley
5. Hoi An: the mecca for tailoring & the best Banh Mi Phuong
6. Back in Hanoi & the nightlife at Bia Hoi Street

Tạm biệt!