Transiting Hanoi

Based on what I had read about drivers in Vietnam, it was hard to believe that the road from Cat Ba to Hanoi would be so tranquil and smooth. Only after entering the city did the melee of pedestrians, rickshaws, motorbikes, and vehicles hit hard with noise and congestion. Green, yellow, and red all mean go in a city where trash, people, and commerce fill the streets and sidewalks. It's the capital that is late-to-rise but parties all night in the distinguished, classy older sister kind of way. Despite the brain rattling city noise, Hanoi is incredibly vibrant and easy to navigate. We started eating and basically didn't stop except to drink mega smooth coffee drinks. We shopped for counterfeit Patagonia and North Face goods, as well as locally made products. We bargained a little but gave up easily, preferring to people watch instead. There were tourists of all shapes and sizes, many of whom were conducting adorable photo shoots involving gladiolas. Local artists sketched caricatures, Venmo accepting vendors sold snacks out of taped up styrofoam boxes full of dry ice, and uniformed officers in hammer and sickle service caps patrolled the alleys. The color and personality was everywhere. I can see why so many people love traveling here.

Vietnam's first emperor.

Hoan Kiem Lake on one side.

Divine egg coffee break.

Cashew fruit and motorcycles.

9:15am commuter train
cruising down Hanoi Train Street.

Naps and beers.

St. Joseph's Cathedral

Coffee and cats at Hanoi Coffee Station.

Grocery run.

Fruit bodega.

DHL will deliver anything. Towing pink propane tanks.

Margarine based cook-it-yourself meat platter.

Hoan Kiem Lake on the other side.