Weekend in Hanoi
Beijing became a lot, so I decided it was time for a weekend excursion. Initially, I wanted Mongolia, because when the fuck else would I go to Mongolia. But the $600 rt flight made me change my mind real quick. $275 roundtrip flights to Hanoi, on the other hand, caught my attention real quick.
Getting in:
For Americans, we need to apply for Visa-on-arrival. It’s a simple process that I took care of super quickly. Hanoi airport is about a 45 minute drive from the city, and I had arranged for the hotel to pick me up. Its cheap (only slightly more expensive than cab prices I found online), and reliable, so I went for it. The airport is fine enough, nothing spectacular or surprising (for surprising airports, reference Marrakech).
What to do:
Go on a day trip to Ha Long Bay
I would actually say do a multi-day trip, because I can only imagine how beautiful waking up on a boat in one of the 7 natural wonders of the world would be, but alas, I didn’t have time, so I just did a day trip. I went on Jade Sails (http://jadesailshalong.com/) which was pretty cheap, and quite nice. Unfortunately, I was the last person to get picked up on a packed tour, so I got stuck in the middle back seat of the bus which made the ride somewhat uncomfortable and did not live up to what was advertised. But hey, I didn’t really care. Plus, forced me to make friends! After making what seems like an obligatory stop at a pearl making factory, we boarded our super nice boat and just spent a day island hopping around Ha Long Bay. This tour in specific goes to slightly less popular places, which means far less tourists, which I am all about. When it comes to the bay itself, words simply can not describe.
See the One-Pillar Pagoda
The story behind this monument is pretty fascinating, and its actually a weirdly attractive and unique building. The surrounding area has a bunch of vendors and whatnot, so I enjoyed myself and would recommend checking it out after reading up more on the story about it (let’s just say love goes a long way).
St. Josephs Cathedral
THIS was unique. I’ve been all over Asia, and this is the only example of classic European influence you’ll see. This is your quintessential cathedral located smack in the middle of a bustling city. I highly, highly recommend checking it out, especially during prayer times.
Walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake
This is the epicenter of Hanoi’s Old Town. My favorite moment of my time in Hanoi was waking up super early and joining the locals with their stretching and dancing (a 6’0 Persian guy becomes quite the attraction at 5:30 am). Night time is just as wild around the lake as well, when all the town seems to gravitate here and enjoy the street food and $1 beers.
Have a fruity drink and avoid getting hit by a train
Train street is an iconic Instagram spot in Hanoi, and really is a must see when you visit. Depending what days you are in Hanoi, check out the train schedule, get a table about 30-45 minutes before your desired, get a smoothie and some Pho if you’re hungry, and buckle up for one of the wildest things you’ll experience. I got to the street only about 10 minutes before the train was scheduled to roll through, so I ended up just walking up and down the street for five minutes before suddenly the shop owners started yelling at everyone to get off the tracks (apparently, people have died here before, so take their advice very seriously). I hopped off to the side, and watched the massive train fly on through. Definitely a unique experience.
Take a food and scooter tour
This is a must. When it comes to food in the city, there are solid options EVERYWHERE. But, the locals know whats good. I hopped on a tour with a couple college guys and we rode around the town, over bridges, through the INSANE traffic, stopping to eat, drink, and smoke. It was a blast.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293924-d15126887-Hanoi_Nightlife_Food_Tour_By_Motorbikes-Hanoi.html
Walk through the Thang Long Imperial Cathedral
This is a beautiful piece of old architecture which gives a glimpse into the dynamic history of Hanoi. The grounds are beautiful, so I highly recommend.
Walk through the Temple of Literature
One of the earliest educational complexes in the world, this is a fascinating place to learn about the scholarly work of Vietnam, as well as enjoy the symmetrical architecture.
Check out the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Visit for the grandeur and photos, plus check out the guards. You can see the body of Ho Chi Minh, but while I was there, he was not, so I did not get to do so (if he is there during your visit, make sure to read carefully through the rules for visiting him, as it is a relatively strict process).
What to drink
Have egg coffee at Cafe Pho Co
Located at the back of an old colonial building in the Old Town, this cafe is spread out over four or five floors. While the inside is beautiful if it happens to be raining, it’s the rooftop that is truly stunning. Have a perfectly sweet egg coffee with some pastries and enjoy the view out over the lake. Plus, its cheap.
Have a drink at the rooftop of the La Siesta Diamond Hotel
This is a beautiful rooftop bar with live music on the weekends to go with the stunning view. I had great conversations with the waitress while I was there, and ended up spending far too long here. The view is breathtaking, and drinks were fantastic.
Old Quarter Ta Hien Corner
The Old Quarter, in general, is filled with awesome places to drink on the street, but this spot, in particular, was the most buzzing. The Bia Hoi junction, as its formally called, is a beautiful mix of locals and tourists, all trying to see how many beers it will take to work up the courage to ride on a scooter through the town. Grab a beer for literally $1, sit on a foot tall stool, and enjoy watching tourists battle scooters. It’s a time.
Legend Beer Hanoi
Shaped like a boat, this is a pretty iconic spot in the city, with great views and cheap beer. I definitely recommend coming here as the sun sets to watch the city transform as the sun disappears.