Hanoi, Vietnam. 17 unexpected features of the capital of Vietnam
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the second most populous city. We always knew that we would visit Hanoi sooner or later. We wanted to experience the difference between the north and south of Vietnam from our own experience. Hanoi really is different. And, for the better. As different from other cities in Vietnam as Sapa.
Hanoi and one of its main attractions - Hoan Kiem Lake
Our observations about Hanoi and features of the north of Vietnam
During this short two-week trip through Northern Vietnam, Hanoi left behind the most memorable moments. Although, before the trip, we were sure that we would remember it as something unrealistically fabulous. You assume one thing, but everything turns out differently. So, how does Hanoi differ from other Vietnam and how it was able to surprise us.
Nice weather in Hanoi
Hanoi has excellent walking weather from October to March. It is not as windy here as in Dalat, and not as cold as in Sapa. We arrived at the end of October and the air temperature at this time of year is very comfortable. In October - November you can wear shorts and a T-shirt. There is no heat and no rain.
Green Hanoi
This is what we didn’t expect to see in Hanoi, such greenery and so many flowering trees. Green is a common color. You walk, and around you there is noise, hum, crowds, bikes, and at the same time, wherever you look, you will definitely see a large tree. The old quarter of Hanoi, despite its cramped conditions, is overgrown with trees. Trees create shade and somehow feel more comfortable with them.
Lots of parks, which is not typical for Vietnam
You and I are not Vietnamese to sit like this near the road.
Drinking coffee and a bun in a nice place is not a problem, but to have a decent meal, you’ll have to look
Few people will dine on the roadway, eating not the most appetizing Vietnamese soups and noodles
It would seem like an embankment, romance, but these terribly uncomfortable low chairs
Light, clean, beautiful, inexpensive and tasty. This can also happen in Hanoi!
I repeat once again, you will be incredibly lucky if, upon leaving your hotel in Hanoi, you immediately find a good cafe where European dishes are beautifully and tasty prepared at affordable prices.
Less patriotism and communism than in Ho Chi Minh City
Northern Vietnam is believed to be a stronghold of communism. But in reality it turned out that this was not entirely true. Probably, when you come to Hanoi and have not been to Ho Chi Minh City, it will seem that patriotism is being promoted at every step in the country, and there is no escape from red posters with local slogans. But compared to Ho Chi Minh City, we can say that there are not so many red flags and slogans here. As for patriotism, we only noticed that the North Vietnamese often say “my country” rather than Vietnam.
During the first days, there was only one poster. And then with our Lenin
Public transport in Hanoi
There is an inexpensive one. There are city buses. What we like about Vietnam is its extensive public transport. For those planning to live in Hanoi, city buses will be an excellent alternative to taxis and renting your own bike. If you get confused, you can find out bus routes. The buses, by the way, are modern and air-conditioned, like in Nha Trang and Da Nang.
Dense buildings, thin houses
It is believed that land has always been expensive in Hanoi and therefore buildings and residential buildings have been and continue to be built in height. For this reason, in Hanoi almost every building is so “skinny”, narrow and elongated.
I doubt the statement about such expensive real estate. Otherwise, how else can we explain the fact that throughout Vietnam, mostly only such thin and small-sized buildings are built? Maybe it’s just more familiar and convenient for the Vietnamese to live this way. Either land is expensive throughout the country, and the Vietnamese themselves are very economical.
High-rise condominiums on the outskirts of Hanoi
If the central areas are crowded and have shabby shacks, then as soon as you drive away a little, new multi-storey condominiums can be seen in the distance. It would seem great to rent an apartment and live in good conditions. Surely renting an apartment will cost $500. But upon closer examination, all these condos are located in some kind of residential area. There is zero infrastructure near them. The highway, along the sides of the road you can see fruit sellers, construction sites and vacant lots on all sides. Without your own transport is definitely not an option.
New areas in Hanoi
Devastation outside downtown Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, but the capital is modest, that's how we would describe it. The Old Quarter and the French Quarter - all the life of the city is concentrated here. And even further, without even leaving Hanoi, you find yourself in some slums, construction everywhere, dusty houses without windows, garbage dumps, dirty children playing with bricks. Not metropolitan landscapes at all.
There is nothing at all outside of Hanoi. For example, on the way to Ha Long there will be endless construction and road repairs outside the windows all the time. Between the dusty villages you can see fields with cows, and here and there there are lonely and, again, narrow houses. There is more than enough land, but residential buildings are built in their repertoire.
Please note that it is better to stay in Hanoi only in the old or French quarter. There is nothing further.
High ratings in Hanoi hotels
Hotels in Hanoi, like , try to please visitors in order to receive high ratings and positive reviews on booking sites. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s old or new, most hotels on Booking will have at least a rating of 8.3 - 8.5 with the marks very good, excellent and excellent. Probably, this is also due to the large number of European tourists, who are always happy about everything and write “highly recommended” for everything. We now trust reviews in Russian more than in English.
Good hotels in the center of Hanoi
- Splendid Hotel & Spa
- Maro Hotel
- Hanoi Chic Hotel
- Hanoi Buddy Inn & Travel
- Hanoi La Storia Hotel
We chose a hotel for ourselves, where we lived for a total of about 10 days. We can recommend him. We paid 22 USD per night with breakfast. Centrally located, clean and the staff speaks English. Also at this hotel we bought excursions to Ha Long and Ninh Binh at a discount.
Hanoi on the map
The map shows the old quarter in the Hoan Kiem Lake area, where it is worth staying and looking for hotels.