Hà Nội : The First Chapter In Vietnam
The perfect starting point to backpacking Vietnam. Vibrant and traditional in all the best ways. I adored the hints of French architecture peeping through the Vietnamese culture.
Where to Stay
The One Hostel is THE BEST hostel in Hà Nội. It is sleek, it’s modern and it’s social - the perfect hostel to start your Vietnam adventure in. From pub quizzes and pub crawls to a nail salon and tattoo parlour on site, it has everything you could need. There is breakfast included with your stay, which is great too - despite there being so many incredible places for brunch in the city.
Searching for A Slice of Culture
Whilst coffee culture is HUGE in Vietnam, there’s so much more to do than that.
Train Street
In a small street in the centre of Hà Nội
lies Train Street. Both tourists and locals perch along the side of the street outside of cafes with a beer or a bowl of pho to watch the trains pass by.
When I say this street is tight, I mean tight. Although the trains are only passing by at about 10km/h it feels much faster when you are less than a meter from the trains and the sound is deafening. It was unlike anywhere I had been before, and a totally unique (and slightly heart-racing) experience!
The trains come a few times in the morning, and much more frequently in the evening.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum
This grand monument in the city is the resting place of the revolutionary president, Ho Chi Minh, so if you are into politics and history it is well worth a visit.
Thang Long Water Puppet Show
For a little bit of comedy you have to watch the Thang Long Water Puppet Show in the Old Quarter. Although we could not understand any of what was being said, it was still hilarious to watch the colourful puppets and musicians perform. Jack and Michael Whitehall had featured it in an episode of ‘Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father’ so we knew it would give us a good laugh. It was only about £5, so I would defo add it to your itinerary to experience something a little different culturally.
Day Trips In and Around Hà Nội
Hà Nội Vespa Tour
This is hands-down the best way to see all that Hà Nội has to offer, especially if you are looking to get a little more comfortable on the back of a bike before the Ha Giang Loop!
Beginning with a 40 minute ride around the more historical sites, you pass by the old citadel, the palace, their parliamentary buildings and military buildings, all the while your driver is giving a commentary about it all.
My guide, An’s, English was incredible - he knew all about gap years and a-levels!! Driving through the French Quarter, a photo stop is made outside of The Opera House before heading on for some food. We tried Bun Cha for the first time at the restaurant that Barack Obama ate at when he visited Hà Nội. It was delicious, they even have the table he sat at preserved in the corner.
Next, we headed back into the French Quarter to try some traditional Vietnamese coffees in a French-inspired caffe. A lot of the architecture here is very French due to their colonisation, so it really didn’t feel like I was very far from home at all. A Vietnamese coconut coffee is the perfect mid-afternoon sweet treat. An then it was on to exploring some more, we zipped across the streets until we landed at our next food stop in the Old Quarter. This multi-generational family-owned outpost was so unique, only opening when the grandma decides! We tasted some rice pancakes stuffed with pork with finely sliced Chinese sausage along with 5 different types of sweet and savoury donuts made from rice. Vietnam is actually a great place to visit as someone who is gluten free.
Throughout the tour we learnt so much about Vietnam’s rich history, being that it was under Chinese rule at some points, and French rule at others. We attempted to learn some Vietnamese and to teach our guides some more English too! Safe to say that they were far better at learning more English than we were at learning any basic Vietnamese.
On our way to our final stop we drove through Ta Hien Street, nicknamed Beer Street, much like Train Street, it is pretty self explanatory - it is a street of pubs only.
We finished off the tour at a local tea shop, complete with the classic plastic stools and tables. Our guides explained that there are lots of tea shops near bars as at the end of the night that is where the locals head to sober up, no matter their status in society or wealth. I thought this tradition was absolutely lovely and really just shows how warm-hearted the Vietnamese people are.
Ha Long Bay Tour
This ancient archipelago about two and a half hours from the city centre is defo worth the trek, it is incredibly stunning. There are so many boat tours to choose from, but we chose one from ‘Get Your Guide’ and it only cost about £12 for the entire day trip, lunch and transfers all included. The day began bright and early with pick-up from our hostel to get to the bay. Once there, we boarded our boat and set off to explore.
The first stop at Ti Tốp Island hosts the most incredible views - once you brave the hike up to the top, which is very sweaty in the heat and humidity! From the top we could see for miles over the archipelago. The beauty is just jaw dropping. A dip in the sea is a must after this hike to cool off in the pale blue waters.
Next, we kayaked through Luon Cave, and I have to say this was possibly my favourite part of the entire trip. Once you kayak through the cave it opens up into the most breathtaking lagoon that can only be described as looking like a volcano crater, with steep cave walls and bright blue waters. It was just gorgeous and felt like we had entered a totally different planet.
The final stop is at Sung Sot Cave AKA Surprising Cave, a network of three different caves which you can hike all the way through. After a sweaty day of activities the caves offered a much needed break in their natural air conditioning!
As with many tours in SEA, you really have to go with the flow as they seem quite unorganised at first, but I promise it was all worth it.
TOURIST TOP TIP:
A day trip to Ha Long Bay is all you need, even though there are so many overnight cruise options.
Where to Eat and Drink
Coffees
The Note Cafe
I’m sure you will have seen this on TikTok, and it is definitely a must-visit cafe when in Hà Nội. If you haven’t, the concept is that when you buy your coffee you leave a note stuck onto the wall for the next customers to see. From advice, to anniversaries to people just letting out a bit of emotion it was the most heart-warming cafe experience I have ever had. And although some people told me the coffee itself wasn’t so good, I loved it.
I had my first egg coffee here, which is made up of Vietnamese coffee (of course), a raw egg yolk, condensed milk, vanilla extract and some rum or happy water depending on where you are. Whilst it might sound a bit weird, it is like a warm hug and tastes like custard. 10/10 from me.
Giao Mua
Located across the way from The Note Cafe, sits this 6-story coffee shop that looks like clay sculpture. The serene vibe was perfect for a mid-afternoon rest from the busy city and their iced salt coffee was fab.
Food
Bánh Mì 25 - The Bánh Mì Queen
To this day, I don’t think I ever had a better Bánh Mì. These were a little less traditional including avocado and chicken breast in the Bánh Mì, but they were delicious. A traditional Bánh Mì is a baguette filled with different meats and sprouting vegetables and are the perfect easy meal, but they do vary slightly from place to place throughout Vietnam
Bun Cha Huong Lien 24 on Lê Văn Hưu Street
Famous for being the restaurant Barack Obama chose when he visited the city, they offer the best Bun Cha and spring rolls that Hanoi has to offer, and of course at a great price. Despite its global fame, both locals and tourists frequent this spot.
I-Vegan
As much as I adore Vietnamese food, sometimes it is nice to have a break and to have something different for a change, or if you are feeling homesick.
This little vegan restaurant boasts some of the best smoothie bowls and hearty salad bowls I have had, possibly ever.
Hà Nội is full of incredible shopping too, from dupe sunglasses and bags, to waterproof jackets and suitcases it is the place to go for anyone who loves a bargain.
From culture to food and shopping, Hà Nội is rich in history and kindness. I cannot wait to ret
