Hey Hanoi!

I spent my holiday greeted by the dangerous streets filled with harsh honks of raging motors, the sidewalks were occupied by intimidating crews that sat among these low levelled plastic tables and yet I was still served with some pretty amazing and irresistible bowl of pho perfect for the chilly weather, I was in Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi.

Since I travelled during Chinese New Year, I was only able to go to certain places as most street stalls, restaurants and attractions were either crowded or closed. Although, this did not stop me from exploring Hanoi. As I got lost within the midst of the Old Quarter, you could tell that the place has been through a lot, the chaotic city has a vast amount of history, rural areas and unique landscapes; St.Joseph's Cathedral, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Temple of Literature were a few of the places I thought were worth paying a visit. For a more artistic scene and homage to some quirky aesthetic, Phung Hung Street and Hanoi Train Street are a few of my favourites that I have been to in this trip. Despite the congested streets, surprisingly Hanoi itself is alright to check out for two whole days.

You honestly cannot leave Hanoi without eating any Vietnamese food, it is amazing! It is also home to one of the most (in my personal opinion) tasty and insatiable street foods. Whether you are looking for Banh Mi, Pho, Bun Cha, Spring Rolls and even their coffee, every bite is truly fulfilling.

A Hanoi trip is not complete without exploring one of its rural areas, consider them as their 'hidden gems'. We took a day trip in Ninh Binh, and can I just say it was simply stunning. For those who need a break, from the bustling town in Hanoi, this is perfect for you. Since it was a couple of hours (roughly 4 hours) away from the city, it would be best to book a whole day tour to get to Ninh Binh. (obviously to avoid scams during your short stay)

The area was breathtaking, this was my ideal provincial life. It was unbothered, calm and serene. I was completely distracted with nature, the weather and this lifestyle i could not really wrap my head around, other than the fact that there was barely anyone around, it was also completely underrated. This was one of the best places to hike up Huang Ma, take a boat trip down Trang An, and even shop for local finds or bike around the area nearby these areas.

Going to Vietnam has always been one of the places I have been wanting to go to for awhile now, luckily I gotten the opportunity to go to Hanoi as my first stop in the country and for 2020.

all images have been taken by the owner **

HANOI

NINH BINH