"Hanoi, a village" Hanoi by skydivefred

Hanoi Travel Guide: 2,906 reviews and 5,629 photos

Am I going to move there one day?!!

Hanoi.... hum..... What can I say. The first time I arrived, I took a Taxi to Hanoi downtown, and yes that was an amazing feeling a large highway going straight across rice fields in which huge contraption commercial panels rise high above ground. The constant hooting of vehicles from bicycles to Brand new government 4WD cars. Motorcyclists staying on the left lane as huge trucks or local buses hoot behind them like mad. A cow or two dozing in the middle of the highway, dangerous crossroads, a toll you'll never know who has to pay and who doesn't !!! Yes, this was a shock indeed.
I have been to Hanoi 3 times in the past 3 years, and this town has become a sort of second home town for me, in a sense. I know it better than Paris !!!!
I've got my little habits there. I thought that maybe I'd share it a little, but not too much as usual, for I believe you have to make your own deeply personal experiences too !!!!

Mixed Wedding.

Wedding Side Car !!!

The main reason why I went back to Hanoi April 2004 is that a Belgian friend of mine, that I actually first met in 2002 in Dien Bien Phu, invited me to his wedding ceremony with Duyen, a vietnamese lady. I must say that I really enjoyed attending this half European half vietnamese event.
These guys have become genuine and wonderful friends !!!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Such a "diverse city" !
Cons:a little noisy !!!
In a nutshell:a MUST SEE Place if not MUST LIVE !!!

Last visit to Hanoi: Apr 2004
Intro Updated Mar 20, 2005
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (7)

Bargaining Local Customs (1)

Vietnamese people are very tough at bargaining, a lot more than chinese people for instance. If you happen to buy... more travel advice

Airport customs Warnings Or Dangers (1)

Illegal DVD copies: If you are aDVD freak, i guess you will be tempted to take back home 10s of DVDs of not 100s !!!!!... more travel advice

A taste of Europe Restaurants (1)

If you happen to stay quite a long time in VN, you may appreciate having a bit of western food for a change, and I can... more travel advice

A friendly girl will provide your favorite DVDs !! - Hanoi

Illegal DVD copies Shopping (1)

In the touristic centre of hanoi you will find many DVD shops. I would recommend one especially where I've got my... more travel advice

Hotels (3)
See All Another reproachless Hotel

Been to Hanoi?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (7)

Callavetta Jul 14, 2006 at 6:29 PM Report Abuse

More wonderful photos. You really should write a guidebook of your own.
imstress Apr 14, 2005 at 10:15 PM Report Abuse

i will hv to learn some bargaining tips and some viet from u. care to teach me some?
Neilzonwheelz Nov 2, 2004 at 11:59 AM Report Abuse

Great stuff!, I did a bit of pedal pushing, great laugh with all the trucks honking in your ear & I can't count how many times I had say hello to all the kids. look forward to more riding tales, good luck.
Kate-Me Aug 18, 2004 at 5:28 PM Report Abuse

Great page Fred! I especially love the wedding photo. I begin to see why you keep going back....for the DVDs!!!! ;-) That's why my Paul would go...
littlesam1 Jul 29, 2004 at 7:09 AM Report Abuse

I have never been to the east. This sounds fascinating.
worldkiwi Jul 12, 2004 at 1:19 AM Report Abuse

The "flowers in the rain" photo is a fine shot. I hope to be there next year for the first time. Thanks for the info.
aussiedoug Jun 14, 2004 at 8:21 AM Report Abuse

Interesting reading, as always, Fred so merci! Think I'd much prefer visiting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city if I had to choose between the two.