"Tampa_Shawn In Hanoi Vietnam" Hanoi by tampa_shawn

Hanoi Travel Guide: 2,675 reviews and 5,717 photos

Hanoi is amazing. It’s total chaos with tons of energy. It's really a city of contrasts. Rice paddies dotted with billboard advertisements... fantastic European looking gardens, communist block-houses with a French flair (think New Orleans).

The street life is amazing. Pedicabs, bikes and motorcycles EVERYWHERE. Crossing the road is a bit like playing Frogger, the old video game. We already found out that you’re supposed to keep on walking the same pace to cross the street and the traffic mergers around you. I feel a bit like a large moving rock in a class 5 rapid. We were in a pedicab during rush hour today and it was so great. Pedicabs are a bit like a rickshaw except you’re in front of the driver, not behind. Driving through that traffic that way was such a blast. Families of five on little motorcycles are commonplace, horns blasting all the time...what fun! It’s like stepping into another amazing world.

I'll on the Right Side...

We're off having yet another exciting day in Vietnam.

We got up at 5 AM today to see the city come alive and do Tia Chi and flag dancing in Lennon Park. Gill didn't join in the fun, but I did, and the locals really got a kick out of me and all came up and shook my hand afterward. The park was filled with people exercising and playing badminton. It was so much fun to be there and be part of it. It was all done by 7:20 AM and our sleepy little city had turned into the mad exciting dash that is Hanoi.

This morning, we also came across a group of elders singing in front of a temple so we stopped to listen. They wanted me to take a group picture of them so I did with me in the middle towering over everyone. They gave me their address so I will need to mail them a copy of the picture when I get back.

The people here are wonderful and the energy of the place is just amazing. We spend the day saying, 'Come on' which is how you pronounce 'Thank you' in Vietnamese...

I just love this country and I could really see myself living here. It is so much better than I even dreamed it would be. Exotic, safe, fun...AWSOME!

It's not quite lunchtime so we are off for another one of Mr. Toad’s wild rides on a cyclo to see more of Hanoi. There is just no way to describe the traffic here. We actually saw our first red light this morning and we almost took a picture since it is so rare. Imagine thousands and thousands and thousands of bikes and motorcycles on the roads with no stops signs or apparent rules. When you hit an intersection, everyone just keeps on going. On a 4 way intersection on a one or two lane road you may have 100 motorcycles in the intersection at once...all going different directions...about 50% coming straight at you. I really enjoy being on the cyclo (where you sit in FRONT of the driver in a buggy) and are part of it all.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A Beautiful, Charming City
Cons:None that I can think of
In a nutshell:GO! GO NOW - it's wonderful

Last visit to Hanoi: Oct 2003
Intro Updated Dec 8, 2003
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Reviews (13)

Hoa Lo Prison Museum Things to Do (7)

The Hoa Lo Prison Museum is definitely on the “must see list” I knew several of the former POWs and have read dozens... more travel advice

Tai Chi at Lenin Park Things to Do (7)

We got up at 5 AM today to see the city come alive and do Tia Chi and flag dancing in Lenin Park. Gill didn't join in... more travel advice

Historic Temple of Literature Things to Do (7)

A stunning temple complex with a great history. Vietnam has a long history of valuing education and this was a major... more travel advice

Ho Chi Minh Museum, Mausoleum and... Things to Do (7)

Ho Chi Minh is a huge cultural icon in Vietnam and every town seems to have a museum devoted to him (so much so that it... more travel advice

Transportation (3)
See All The Night Train is Wonderful
Restaurants (2)
See All For the More Adventurous

Hotels (1)
Great Service and in the Old Quarter
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Travelogues (5)

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Comments (5)

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akkipaa Jan 16, 2012 at 11:14 PM

Valuable tips, Hanoi is in my wish list.
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pickles30 Dec 16, 2006 at 3:28 PM

I have enjoyed reading your travel pages. Cant wait ot see Vietnam for myself. I start my travels the 27th Dec 06. Thanks for the tips!!
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sailor_p Oct 27, 2005 at 2:02 AM

Hi, I love your travelogue on the activities at Old Quarters - beautiful pics. I will keep your tips in mind when I visit Hanoi in Nov!
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bpacker Nov 23, 2004 at 8:18 PM

Great tips, I'll keep everything in mind when i'm there..
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pmarshuk Dec 11, 2003 at 7:46 AM

Just back from a trip to Vietnam and found your tips and travelogues brought back so many memories. Shame I didn't read them before I left, they are so useful and accurate