Hanoi after Dark

We’re on a bus, returning to Hanoi at the end of a one-day visit to Ha Long Bay. It’s dark as we approach the outskirts of town. I think everyone on the bus is asleep except me. I’m gazing out the window, taking it all in. It will be interesting to see Hanoi after dark.

Long before we reached the city itself, we passed numerous centers of activity along the roadside. Just about everything appeared to be open. There were lots of open-air eating establishments where families appeared to be having dinner. Continue reading “Hanoi after Dark”

Beautiful Ha Long Bay

We set out from our hotel in Hanoi this morning, headed for world-famous Ha Long Bay. Three hours later we pulled into the parking lot at Tuan Chau Marina, where there must have been at least twenty boats waiting for tourists like us to show up. We boarded a boat named the White Tiger. Continue reading “Beautiful Ha Long Bay”

Doi Moi on the Way to Ha Long Bay

We’re on our way to Ha Long Bay, heading east on the Hanoi-Haiphong Expressway. We were cruising along when we passed a government billboard expressing a “Rah Rah!” message in classic propagandist style. Until I saw that billboard, I had almost forgotten – we’re in a communist country. But in today’s Vietnam, what does that even mean? Thanks to a policy known as “Doi Moi,” it’s not an easy question to answer. Continue reading “Doi Moi on the Way to Ha Long Bay”

On Our Way to Ha Long Bay

We’re on our way to Ha Long Bay. We signed up for a tour that includes transportation there and back from Hanoi, all in one day. Not the optimal plan, perhaps, but according to the guide books, it’s doable.

Ha Long Bay is Vietnam’s number one tourist attraction. You’ve probably seen pictures of it, although you may not have known where the picture was taken. The sight of those giant rocks rising up out of the mist is pretty special. Our itinerary didn’t allow much time, but we didn’t want to be this close to Ha Long Bay without getting a chance to see it. Continue reading “On Our Way to Ha Long Bay”

Hanoi Traffic — In Chaos there is Order?

I’ve never experienced anything that compares to Hanoi traffic. There’s a ton of it, that’s for sure, but it’s not like the stop-and-go traffic back home. Hanoi traffic flows. It’s like a giant serpent winding its way through the maze of streets here. Continue reading “Hanoi Traffic — In Chaos there is Order?”

How to Cross Hanoi Streets on Foot – and Live to Tell About It

We’re in Hanoi, Vietnam, taking a walking tour focused on this city’s famous street food. The tour takes place in Hanoi’s Old Quarter — an enchanting maze of ancient streets, big trees, and a million sights and smells. Hanoi is as well-known for its traffic as it is for its amazing food. And since this is a walking tour, we needed to know how to cross Hanoi streets and live to tell about it. Continue reading “How to Cross Hanoi Streets on Foot – and Live to Tell About It”

Hanoi Street-Food Tasting Tour – The Home Stretch

We’re more than half-way through a Hanoi street-food tasting tour in the  Old Quarter. At every stop so far, I  think someone has said, “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” But our stomachs are starting to get seriously full. We need to walk around to get our appetites back up. Regarding walking around, there’s good news and there’s bad news… Continue reading “Hanoi Street-Food Tasting Tour – The Home Stretch”

Hanoi Street Food Tour – Did Someone say “Pancakes?”

We’re on a street-food-tasting walking tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The dishes at our first two stops were incredible. Given how high the bar had been set, I figured it’d be downhill from here. But I was wrong.

Our tour guide and fearless leader, Lemon, has been telling us what Hanoi street food is all about, showing us what to do, and explaining what we’ve been tasting. She’s even managed to get us across a few Old Quarter streets with no casualties. (Admittedly, traffic where we’ve been so far has been light. That would change soon enough). Continue reading “Hanoi Street Food Tour – Did Someone say “Pancakes?””

Hanoi Street Food – The Tour

It’s a beautiful spring day in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. We’re going to spend most of the day on a food-tasting tour. We’ve made a reservation for a tour called “Hanoi Street Food Tour – Eat Like a Hanoian.” The tour is a walking tour that takes place entirely in the Old Quarter.  On the way here, we had our first exposure to the infamous Hanoi traffic. Whoa. That was something. We made it, though, so we’re ready to get started. Continue reading “Hanoi Street Food – The Tour”

Hanoi Street Food – Almost

It’s our first day waking up in Hanoi. We only have one activity scheduled for today – a foodie tour focusing on Hanoi street food. I’ve been waiting for this for quite a while. I’m ready!

It’s So Good…

Vietnamese food is so good. Most people are familiar with the beef noodle soup called “pho.” (In vietnamese it’s spelled “phở”, and pronounced “fuh.” Rhymes with “duh”). Spring rolls, too. Pork and shrimp mixed with vermicelli, lettuce, and mint, wrapped in rice paper so thin you can see though it. Dip them in peanut sauce. Yum yum. Continue reading “Hanoi Street Food – Almost”