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”
Hanoi Martini
We’re in Hanoi! Yay! It’s been a long travel day, but we finally made it. We started early this morning in My Tho, south of Ho Chi Minh City. Everything was smooth sailing until the taxi ride to the hotel, when we thought we were going to get rolled. That little episode sure got our attention, but it turned out to be just a misunderstanding, and now it’s all good. Continue reading “Hanoi Martini”
Go North Young Man — to Hanoi!
It’s a travel day. We started this morning in My Tho, where we got on a bus bound for Ho Chi Minh City. From downtown Ho Chi Minh City, we took a shuttle to Ton Son Nhat airport, where we boarded a plane to Hanoi. We’ve gotten a taste of southern Vietnam. Now we’ll get to see what the North is like. I’ve heard it’s quite a bit different. We shall see! Continue reading “Go North Young Man — to Hanoi!”
