| Page Views: 1,133 Last Visit to Hanoi: October, 2007 | Hanoi the People City by fachd - last update: Jun 13, 2008 |
Hanoi is a vibrant and beautiful city. It has charm of the French colonial architecture, the natural lakes, and public parks. Hanoi has become one of Asia tourist destinations.
High rising buildings like you see in developing Asian cities is not common in Hanoi. They still kept the originality.
The Old Quarters is the most colourful part of Hanoi. This part is where the heart beat beating at hundred miles an hour. You will see, hear and smell the traffic. The motor scooters roam the street, the car tooting every ten seconds, the rickshaw driver looking for passenger, the traffic congestion, the pedestrians saying Hail Mary before crossing the street, the local smoking tobacco on a bong, and the street hawkers selling their products, this is the daily life of Hanoi.
From my observation there are no traffic rules. I call it control kiosk, what I meant is even though it looks chaotic the traffic flows on. For tourist crossing the road is a challenge. Forget about pedestrian crossing, the traffic do not take any notice. First of all you have to be brave crossing the road. When you see a large gap, start walking. Do not run, do not stop till you reach the other side. The art is not to stop or hesitate when you are crossing the road, as the motor scooters will weave and go around you.
Walking around the Old Quarters is very interesting. One of the attractions for me was watching motor scooter riders. In Hanoi motor scooters is transportation for average Vietnamese. Without doubt the motor scooters dominate the road. I saw motor scooters with three or four people on board. Mother on a motor scooter carrying a baby, scarry. The rider talks on the mobile phone while avoiding pedestrians and oncoming traffic, amazing stuff. Most of the motor scooter riders do not wear helmet, living dangerously. Have you seen 68cm television set, or life goat, or stacks of coconut being transported on a motorbike, balancing act. You dont believe me, well come to Hanoi and see for yourself.
If you walk in Hanoi most probably you will be walking on the road avoiding the oncoming traffic. The pavement are usually occupied by the hawkers, shop displaying the products, outdoor garage fixing motor scooters, people playing card games.
There are many shops in Hanoi. There are streets specialising on silk, electronics, clothes, herbs. You can almost find anything to buy in Hanoi. You will find many good restaurants to suite different taste bud. In general for overseas tourist the prices in Hanoi are cheap compare to developing Asian country like Thailand.
At night you will see young Vietnamese couple sat on their motorbike caressing one another in front of Hoan Kiem Lake (the return of the sword).
Kim and I have enjoyed Hanoi. It will be interesting how it developed in ten years to the future. |
| The old man and his improvised motorcycle |
|  | While walking around Hoan Kiem Lake we saw this interesting character and his improvised three wheel motorbike near the roundabout at the Old Quarters. He was cool old dude, who offers ride to tourist. |
| | | One the wider street in Hanoi |
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| Pros: | "Lots of character and charm even though it's busy crowded city. Its nice to see city without vandalism and gravity." | | Cons: | "Oh man I have to think hard here. Ok I got it. Beware of taxi." | | In A Nutshell: | "I hope it doesn't get to developed and became like any other city in the world" |
fachd's Hanoi Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 14 - Photos: 50 | | | Restaurants
Tips: 5 - Photos: 10 | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | Transportation
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
 Comments for fachd about Hanoi | | | | |
Nemorino Thu Sep 3, 2009 17:21 UTC
Glad you had such a great visit to Hanoi! I rented a bicycle when I was there in 1995 and had a fine time cycling all around. Also went to the water puppets and stood in line to see Ho Chi Minh. His house was more interesting, though. | angiebabe Thu Jan 22, 2009 07:31 UTC
I am definitely inspired now to get to Vietnam! and Halong Bay is a must!and esp those restaurants! | stfa Thu Sep 4, 2008 04:00 UTC
Well written and informative Hanoi Page. The Army museum, temple of high literature is interesting museum to visit. Pho 24 my type of restaurant, dirt cheap. | volopolo Sun Jun 15, 2008 03:15 UTC
In my travel plans to visit!! |
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