Hanoi, Vietnam: One Night Only in the Charming Old Quarters
I must admit that upon arrival at Vietnam’s Noi Bai International Airport, we were tricked by a “Grab” driver who charged us some 270,000.00VND or equivalent to 600.00PHP/12USD for a hefty 5 minute ride to a Sapa bound bus terminal, which happened to be just an intersection in the middle of nowhere – in the dead of night. Later on we found out that legit Grab Cars also charge the same amount for a 20 minute drive to Ly Thai To St. in the Old Quarters – which is the best choice when going around Hanoi. Even Vietnamese people fall prey to this kind of scam, so it is practical to trust online transportation and tours when visiting Vietnam.
Bummed out, I found my self not ecstatic anymore with this first hand, awkward yet disappointing experience, but it turned the other way around some days later. Hanoi and I, actually got along pretty well.
The Charms of the Old Quarters
Hanoi Old Quarter is an urban area formed from the Ly – Tran dynasty and located from the east of Thang Long Royal Citadel to the Red River. This urban area focused on small-scale industrial and commercial activities.
Motorcycles zoomed out from left to right, it was a busy morning along the cramped-up street as we staged our trip to Ha Long Bay, with Charming Travel and Tours office somewhere in the Old Quarters. We still had around three hours before the bus arrives so we made do of the time that we have. Strolling from alleys to streets, it was a fascinating sight to see, the walkways were rather wide as it is lined up by century old trees.
The way to the Hoan Kiem Lake was teeming with people, uncles reading their daily news paper, grandmas tending to their bushels of vegetables and fruits trying to sell them before the day comes to a close, some locals having breakfast as they squat on low stools having a cup of tea and hot bowl of rice noodles.
Moreover, something I did not miss here were the women, they usually walk and trod the streets wearing a Non La (Straw hat) and a Quang Gánh (a bent wood with baskets hanging from both sides) loaded up with goods ready to sell to any passerby.
Then eventually we reached the center of the Old Quarters, the Hoan Kiem Lake. At the center of the placid lake was the Turtle Pagoda where it is said that the Emperor gave his magic sword to the golden turtle god.
The gnarly fire trees, some of their flowers already wilting, lined up the banks surrounded the area, providing shade to everyone. It was rather lively, locals are doing their morning exercises, stretching and tai-chi , while some had their early morning jog.
Our stomachs eventually had the best of us, so we wandered loosely along the streets making sure we weren’t going astray from the tour office. Then we had the Vietnam staples, a hot bowl of Pho Ga (Rice Noodles with Chicken), a loaded serving of Banh Mi (French Baguette with meat and vegetables). To wash it all off, a large serving of Ca Phe Sua Da (Iced Coffee with Milk) from the Circle K convenience Store.
After nearly two hours of wandering around, we went back to start our Ha Long Bay tour. Read HERE
Hanoi: One Night Only
After having almost to none toilet breaks from Ha Long Bay we got back from the place we started, we had the rest of the night to spend in the Old Quarters to eat, celebrate a birthday, and find some souvenirs before going home a few hours later.
Hanoi Old Quarters or known as Hanoi 36 Streets, is an old town that marks a special place in the history if Vietnam. It was once known for the teeming products sold in here. The main products of each street became street names with the word Hàng at the beginning.
The streets came alive again in a different setting this time, the stores were awash in the glow of neon signs of cafes, the amber glow from the restaurant dim lights, the flashy boutique’s mood lighting, and the makeshift festooned bulbs lining the low stools across the sidewalks. The ancient buildings are styled in such a way that the architecture is usually of pipe houses with tiled roofs, common wooden windows are flanked by corner posts with classical designs, the facades at the ground floors are usually where the stores are located.
Around 9 in the evening, we had dinner and celebrated the birthday of a Filipina solo traveler based in Singapore whom we met on our Ha Long Bay tour. We had hefty servings of fried rice, spring rolls, fried frog legs, pork strips and a sweet and sour fish stew. Then the best way to finish it off? a bottle of Saigon Beer! (A much better alternative to the Happy Water)
Better not miss these Hanoi specialties on your next trip:
- Trang Tien ice-cream – Any place on Tràng Tiền street
- Egg Coffee at Cafe Giảng – 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân
- Bun Cha Hang Buom on 43 Hàng Buồm
- Pho Bat Dan – 49 Bát Đàn
- Bun Thang at Bun Thang Cau Go – 32 Cầu Gỗ
- Bun Bo Nam Bo – 67 Hàng Điếu
We capped it off as we wandered around the streets looking for souvenirs before we eventually took the Grab Car going back to the airport. This is a rather unorganized tour, but certainly, I will be back to explore more of Hanoi!
Hanoi, Vietnam: Underneath the Nón Lá – located on the eastern Indochinese Peninsula, this was once a French city often dubbed as the “Paris of the East”, a gateway to a plethora of natural wonders, people, culture and amazing food. From rich forests, karst and tectonic landscapes, towering mountain peaks, UNESCO listed sites, ethnic markets, and effusive local hospitality – let us take you into an adventure of a lifetime up into the northern reaches of Vietnam!
This is my third country visited last March 22 to 26, 2019.
Northern Vietnam Adventure Series 2019
The Roof of Indochina: Mt. Fansipan Travel Guide 2019
Ha Giang Loop: A Journey through Vietnam’s Northern Frontier
Ha Giang: A DIY Budget Travel Guide to Vietnam’s Final Frontier
Ha Giang’s Quan Ba Fairy Bosom
Mã Pí Lèng: The Legendary Mountain Pass Above the Clouds
Ha Giang’s Ethnic Rendezvous: Dong Van Sunday Market
Lung Cu Flag Pole: Vietnam’s Last Vestige
Hmong King’s Palace – Vietnam’s Golden Triangle Opium Link
Hanoi, Vietnam: One Night Only in the Charming Old Quarters
Inside the Bay of Dragons: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Already wandered around the Old Quarters of Hanoi? How was it? Share your awesome Vietnam Coffee induced stories in the comments section below!
Hanoi, Vietnam: One Night Only in the Charming Old Quarters
Updated April 21, 2019
