5 Things to Do While In Hanoi
Words by Alexi Barnstone
Eastern cities are often divisive within the travel community. Some people love the hustle and bustle, the density, the constant ringing of motorcycle horns and people trying to usher you into their street side shops. Others hate it, only in Bangkok, Beijing or Hongkong in transit to a peaceful bungalow somewhere in the countryside. The debate will rage on. I for one, sit firmly in the camp of loving the organised chaos. And as far as these cities go, Hanoi may top the list.
The capital of Vietnam is a wonder to behold. A fascinating mix of cultures. The remnants of colonial french influence can be seen in many parts of the city, often overrun or repurposed in a way that fits the Vietnamese mould. The best part of the city is the Old-Quarter, the densest, active, and traditional part. In the Old-Quarter every building is a shop, pub, restaurant or hostel. Motorcyclists chaotically disrespect any semblance of road rules, yet no one ever gets in an accident. There is so much that is strange and eccentric about the city. Take, for example, the street names. Each street is actually named after the product that is sold on it. In Hanoi, against all business logic, each street is known for selling a couple of products. There is a shoe street, a clothing street, even a tape and carpet street.
So, without escaping the city for Ha Long Bay or the Ha Giang loop, what can you do? Here are 5 highly recommended activities you should do if in Hanoi.
Go to the Street food alley
There is sipid, mouth-watering street food everywhere in Hanoi. But there is a specific street that you have to try to find in the Old-Quarter. The street is an alley tucked away in the middle of the city. It connects two larger blocks, and every single person in it is a cook of one specific meal. Each vendor offers something different, and has about 6 seats for you to sit down. Walk down it, pick your meal, and enjoy.
2. Go to the Women's museum
If you are looking to learn something about Vietnamese culture and the role that women play in it, this museum is a must. The museum covers tradition, the seminal role women played in the Vietnam war, and modern life. Complete with documentaries, ancient artifacts, and an audio tour, one should not miss out on this experience.
3. Go to Pub Street
At night the old-quarter transforms from the bustling metropolis of food and knock off Tommy Hilfigers to a scene of vibrant nightlife. At the epicenter of this transformation is Pub Street. Which, by 8 PM, is packed with people drinking and laughing. Pubs on this street set out chairs and wave you in invitingly. For a good night out, this is definitely the starting point.
4. Go see the train
At 7 PM at night, a train runs through the city. You aren’t excited? Well, listen to this. On the train tracks are pubs and restaurants. Go to the train tracks and drink and socialise until the stroke of 7:00, when the waiters come out frantically picking up the seats and push you to the side to allow space for a freight train to come bulldozing by, not one metre from your face. It is an absolutely exhilarating experience, and one that should be done by anyone in Hanoi.
5. Go to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Erected in 1975 the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a crucial part of Hanoi. Ho Chi Minh, potentially the most famous Vietnamese person, and the man they call uncle, is renowned for being the philosophical leader of the country through their hardship. The mausoleum was modeled after the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow.
