Click the images below to enlarge
In my early 20s, I did not think much about traveling to other Southeast Asian countries.
I am from the Philippines. Back then, most destinations in this part of the world felt pretty much like home to me. Jungle. Islands. Beach. Rice. Seafood. Coconut trees. Singapore was the only exception.
I thought it would be more worthwhile to visit East Asia. At least the people looked different from us. Above all, the climate is cooler. It is more enjoyable to explore even under the sun.
As far as I can remember, this had been my preference since I started traveling after college. It lasted until the month of September just before I turned 25. That was the month my friend and I took a trip to Northern Vietnam.
To be honest, in the weeks and days leading up to that trip, I was not completely excited. My friend and I only decided to go to Vietnam because our currency was stronger than theirs. It was an affordable destination. Relaxing there would not hurt our wallets.
That said, I looked forward to Fansipan in Northern Vietnam. I love mountains, and Fansipan, the tallest peak in Indochina, is a kind of place I have always wanted to go to.
For accuracy, my silly travel preference did a full turn the moment I spent a day in Hanoi.
Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
It happened in the Old Quarter, to be precise.
There, I immediately noticed the city’s unique character, which, I must say, enchanted me. Nón lá and the chaotic yet coordinated flow of motorbikes in the streets are only two of the many special things about it.
Nón lá, by the way, is the local name for the Vietnamese conical hat.
Indeed, Hanoi was full of character, and to be honest, that made me feel a little jealous.
Hanoi made our capital, Manila, feel like a giant, soulless commercial hub. In Hanoi, I saw people wearing traditional attire, and that was only an ordinary day. In Manila, you only see people in barong during events or holiday celebrations.
What I liked about wandering the streets of the Old Quarter was the tree cover.
The weather wasn’t 100 percent pleasant. It was humid and 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit). But because of the trees, I didn’t feel the need to look for air-conditioned establishment all the time.
I enjoyed exploring the streets, which I must say is an experience in itself. The merchandise in the shops already serves as decoration. From the colorful traditional textiles to the lanterns and lacquerware, it’s a charming scene.
Another thing I noticed is the parked motorbikes. Most are in front of these colorful shops, standing close and in neat rows. A pleasing sight for my OC personality.
There’s more to see beyond the shops and motorbikes.
The temples tucked into the commercial and residential areas? They highlight the city’s character even more.
For example, Bach Ma, Dinh Kim Ngan, and Chua Quan Su Temples. They’re little wonders that can surprise you as you ramble through Hanoi’s maze-like streets.
Not all temples take a stroll through the neighborhood to find, though.
Ngoc Son Temple is one I found really quickly. It stands on an island in the lake of the Old Quarter, which they call Hoan Kiem Lake.
I can’t say the temple overwhelmed me when I visited it. There’s a giant turtle figure inside and several artifacts that might interest enthusiasts. And that’s it. But I can at least say that when I was there, I kinda wished we had a tranquil spot like that in the middle of our city back home.
Anyway, I appreciated how the locals make spirituality the center of their community.
I love seeing beautiful scenery. So when I came across Hoan Kiem Lake, I knew I had to find a spot with a good view. I checked the map and ended up at a café in Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.
To be specific, I stayed at the Coffee Club restaurant, which I enjoyed for real. From there, I could take in panoramic views of not only the lake but also the city’s most lively square.
The best part? I was sipping the famous egg coffee while enjoying that view. It made my day. It was just perfect.
Good to know: Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square is kind of like Shibuya Crossing in Hanoi. But instead of crowds of people, you watch countless motorbikes performing their street magic. Check out my video of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square here.
After finishing my coffee, I walked around Hoan Kiem Lake to see what makes it special. I found it to be a picturesque spot with interesting landmarks all around. I also came across ice cream stands and small bars under the trees. It’s a lively and cozy place.
And yes, plenty of photo opportunities await you around the lake. In fact, there’s an intriguing tower in the middle of the water. It’s called Turtle Tower, with a history dating back to the 15th century. It’s a favorite subject for photographers at Hoan Kiem Lake, including me!
Click the images below to enlarge
The real spectacle, though, was yet to begin after that afternoon.
It was an event called Hanoi Walking Street, which takes place from 7pm to 12 midnight, Friday to Sunday. I hadn’t known such an event existed, but from what I can tell now, it became the best part of my stay in Hanoi.
It’s one of the main reasons I’m telling you to visit Hanoi at least once.
Check out my videos of Hanoi Walking Street in this post.
I went back to my hotel to wash up after roaming around the lake. The humidity had made me uncomfortable, and I felt like I needed a shower. And when I returned to Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc to explore again, I got confused at first and then amused by what I saw.
Instead of endless motorbikes, crowds filled the streets. Families walked with their kids. Teens and adults played Cau May, a game where players use their feet, knees, chest, and head to keep a woven rattan ball in the air. Locals and visitors alike all had fun!
I thought, what the hell is going on?! This is incredible!
By sunset, performers began appearing at different spots around Hoan Kiem Lake. More people came out too. It kept getting better. At every corner, there was something new happening.
- I saw a cool guy playing the Dan Tam, a Vietnamese string instrument with a long neck and a small resonating body.
- Teens were doing exhibitions.
- Kids roamed around with their mini cars.
- A small orchestra played traditional music.
- Painters worked on the spot and displayed their artworks.
- Locals danced to the catchy music.
- Actors performed a play, which I guess was about the history of Ngoc Son Temple, near the landmark.
- In other nearby shrines, performers played more local instruments.
Imagine it, the serene area around the lake had turned into a giant party. It felt like a celebration of Vietnamese culture with a modern twist. I’m not exaggerating. It was probably the most utopian feeling I’ve ever had in my life! I was surprised, overwhelmed, and amused. The happiness I felt then ran deep.
Around 9 pm, I finally started feeling tired. So I began walking back to my hotel.
(Nine? Isn’t that too early? Well, I hadn’t gotten enough sleep the night before. I went straight to the city from the airport after a midnight flight.)
Along the way, I also looked for something to eat. But once again, Hanoi surprised me with something I hadn’t expected: the Hanoi Night Market. All kinds of merchandise were there. I saw plenty, from handcrafted robes to souvenirs and phone cases.
It felt like even more was happening that night, and I wanted to explore the market further. But I was too hungry and tired. I only spent a few minutes checking out the place, maybe twenty minutes. Then I continued looking for something to eat before heading back to my hotel to rest.
That night, I reflected on how Hanoi had far exceeded my expectations. It gave me an unforgettable experience. The excitement around Hoan Kiem Lake and the city’s unique character were incredible. Hanoi is a destination I will always recommend.
Actually here’s the crazy part. I didn’t get to visit other parts of the city on that trip. I can only imagine how much more epic it would have been if I had.
Thank you for reading!
Before you go, Hanoi isn’t the only place I recommend in Vietnam.
You have to check out Sa Pa, the top mountain destination in Northern Vietnam. We stayed in a 4-star hotel with an infinity pool that gave us a breathtaking view of the mountains. That trip left us completely refreshed!
Planning to Explore Hanoi?
Take a look at these maps and travel planning resources that can help you organize your trip.
Plan your visit with my Hanoi map, grouping the city’s must-see spots into a simple 2- or 3-day travel itinerary.
Dont skip any highlights by using my map and the walking route designed for an easy visit through Hanoi Old Quarter.
Find the best hotel deals, top experiences, and breathtaking day trips from Hanoi using trusted travel companies with my travel planning resources. Everything you need for your trip is there including SIM cards, car rentals, flights, and more.
Let’s Go Explore Northern Vietnam!
Hanoi makes it easy to explore Northern Vietnam without having to hurry. We managed a day trip to Ninh Binh and a two-day stay in Sapa during our visit. Have a look at our four-day itinerary by clicking the button below.
Thank you for reading
I hope my trip and experiences spark ideas for your travels and help you plan your next trip. But before you go, if you haven’t checked it out yet, drop by my homepage so I can give myself a proper introduction. Catch you there!
Check Out My Newsletter
For new posts and updates on how I am growing this blog, subscribe to my newsletter.
Support Explore to Thrive
If this post brought you value, please help me keep this blog growing by checking out the services I recommend below. They are affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase a ticket or book a service through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support makes a real difference in helping me continue creating helpful content for you.
Hotels & Stays
Guide & Tours
Car Rentals
Public Transport
Flights
SIM & VPNs
Insurance
You must be logged in to post a comment.