Hanoi – Vietnam

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When we arrived at our hotel in Hanoi, fresh from the airport, we had to cross the street to get to the hotel. We stayed at the Soleil Boutique Hotel and the bellman took our big bags. Traffic was mind boggling, no traffic lights, hundreds of motorbikes.

Busy street scene at night with motorbikes parked and passing by, illuminated shop signs, and a Vietnam flag in the background.

Kien explained to us that “you just go!!!”, slowly, don’t run, put your hand up, make eye contact and step onto the road. He got us across safely. All traffic flows in and out, pedestrians, motorbikes, cars, trucks,….

We were not sure if we would manage on our own and it was a real accomplishment when we did. Hanoi prepared us for any road crossing along the trip and we became real pros.

We found a small place in an alley for dinner and had soup.

A lively street scene at night in Vietnam, featuring three women standing in front of food stalls with red lanterns and flags hanging overhead. The cobblestone street is bustling with activity.
A woman wearing a black cap sits at a table with a man, both enjoying a meal. Two Pomeranian dogs sit on the woman's lap, while a hot pot is steaming in front of them. The background features colorful restaurant signage.

The next morning we went to Train Street to catch a glimpse of the train. Little food places, cafes, bars, souvenir shops with train tracks running in the middle. Vendors selling everything from fresh fruit and rice cakes to cigars, magnets, the usual souvenirs items to beautiful, filligrane pop up cards.

A narrow street lined with colorful buildings and shops, featuring visible railway tracks running through the center. People are walking along the tracks, and a rooster is seen near the right side.
A colorful rooster standing on a railway track, with a wooden chair beside it and a chicken coop in the background, set in an urban environment.
A vibrant street scene in Vietnam featuring a narrow pathway with railroad tracks, lined with colorful buildings, outdoor cafes, and festive decorations, including red flags and lights.

We knew we had to bargain but still overpaid drastically. Took a while to get used to it, especially visiting markets along the way.

Very little space, tables have to be moved back when the train comes through. A huge tourist attraction which might not be around much longer due to bridge construction and updated train tracks and because it is kind of dangerous.

Best place to change currency are the places that buy and sell gold in case you brought US$. Higher fees and more questions at the banks. Bring your passport though!

ATMs can be tricky, not all ATMs take every card and fees can vary quite a bit depending on how touristy a place is. Hoi An was the most expensive to get cash ftom an ATM!

So many flowers, many red and yellow, and even more yellow apricot blossoms and pink peach blossoms everywhere we went on our travels. From branches to huge trees, everyone makes sure to decorate their homes and businesses.

A vibrant yellow flowering tree in a large pot, placed indoors near glass doors and a staircase.
Close-up of vibrant yellow flowers on a tree branch against a blue sky, with a black bee perched on the blooms.
A decorated flowering peach tree with vibrant pink blossoms and colorful ornaments, displayed in front of a traditional wooden building.
A flowering peach tree adorned with pink blossoms and red decorations, placed next to a clay pot and surrounded by lush green plants.
Entrance of a themed restaurant with large pink flowers and lanterns adorning the entrance, surrounded by lush green plants and a stone pathway.
A vibrant display of potted orange trees, each laden with bright oranges, arranged on colorful stools in an outdoor setting.
A vibrant café storefront adorned with colorful floral decorations, featuring large pink flowers and green accents. The sign reads 'BANCONG.' People are gathered outside, engaging in conversation.
A close-up view of a peach blossom tree with pink flowers, displayed in a pot and surrounded by other potted plants, set in a paved area.
A decorative peach blossom tree in a pot with pink flowers and red decorations, displayed indoors against a textured wall.
A decorative archway adorned with vibrant red and pink flowers, entwined with green foliage, surrounding a green gate in a residential area.


In the afternoon we were picked up by our guide and driver and they took us to the temple of literature Văn Miếu which was founded and built in 1070 and is dedicated to Confucius.

A historic archway with ornate architecture, featuring visitors dressed in traditional attire, standing in front of the entrance. The scene captures a blend of culture and heritage in a lush green setting.

Vietnam’s first university was established in the temple and many students lived and studied here.

The turtle sculptures are dedicated to the brightest scholars ans mention their achievements.

A row of stone turtle sculptures supporting large stone tablets under a wooden roof.

The phoenix is also a holy animal in Vietnamese culture as it balances heaven and earth, yin and yang. If you touch his feet and belly it is supposed to bring good fortune and happiness.

Person standing next to a large bronze crane statue in a decorated interior space, gently touching its neck.
A person crouches down to touch the foot of a large bronze sculpture resembling a turtle, set in an ornate temple interior.
A vibrant statue of a seated figure holding a scroll, surrounded by ornate decorations and a decorative crane statue, set in a richly colored interior.
A vibrant interior of a temple featuring a red statue of a figure, surrounded by decorative elements including flowers and fruit. In the foreground, a vase displays a stacked arrangement of oranges.
Close-up of a burning incense coil with smoke rising, set against a decorative background featuring golden floral elements.

Many horse sculptures everywhere we went as February 17th, 2026 marked the beginning of the New Year, the year of the fire horse.

A carved wooden horse sculpture with decorative pink and white umbrellas, adorned with yellow flowers in a pot on its back, set in a traditional outdoor setting.
Two decorative ceramic horse figurines, one in red with gold accents and a red tassel, the other in pink with gold accents and a pink tassel, displayed against a blurred background.
A collection of colorful wooden horse figurines hanging from ropes in front of a traditional brick building with a tiled roof and surrounded by trees.
A collection of colorful ceramic horse figurines displayed on stone pedestals, set against a brick wall and tree background.
Carved wooden sculpture of a horse with a smaller horse figure beside it, displayed outdoors on a stone surface.
Wooden horse sculptures displayed outdoors, showcasing intricate carvings and details, with a brick wall and lanterns in the background.
A wooden sculpture depicting a figure riding a horse, showcasing intricate carvings and natural textures.
A courtyard scene featuring two wooden horse sculptures adorned with floral arrangements and decorative umbrellas, alongside a large ceremonial urn. Visitors are seen exploring the area.

And so many beautiful young people dressed in their traditional clothes getting professional photo shoots to find a husband or wife over the holidays as this is the time where families gather and people come home from far away!

A woman in traditional attire stands beside a wooden structure with red elements, holding a round straw umbrella.
A woman dressed in a pink traditional outfit kneeling on a brick path while holding a bouquet of pink flowers in a grassy outdoor setting.
Two young women in traditional outfits standing near a stone archway in a garden setting. One woman is holding a camera, while the other is smiling and holding some greenery.
Two women in traditional attire stand in a garden, one in a red dress and the other in a pink outfit, holding a parasol.
A traditional wooden bell tower featuring a large drum, with a person sitting nearby and greenery in the background.

We then continued direction to the Old Quarter but first we had get something to eat. We shared some Banh Mi and fresh coconut water.

Four women sitting at a small table outdoors, each holding a coconut drink, with a yellow photo booth in the background and trees lining the street.

Then a visit to the Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of town at Hoan Kiem Lake. This is Hanoi’s most visited temple and holds important significance to Hanoi’s history, legends, wars, and worshipping and representing Vietnam’s blend of Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist influences.

A scenic view of a red wooden bridge over a tranquil lake, surrounded by trees and city skyline in the background during dusk.
A scenic entrance gate flanked by ornate columns and greenery, with a group of people gathered at the threshold, leading to a pathway surrounded by trees.
Entrance to a traditional Vietnamese temple with ornate architecture and decorative elements, surrounded by greenery and flowers, with several people walking through the archway.
A vibrant display of yellow flowers in pots, with a large papaya tree in the center, surrounded by lush green foliage and red flowers, set against a historical building with red wooden windows and decorative signs.
A traditional temple entrance featuring ornate wooden architecture, two bonsai trees in decorative planters, and a large incense burner with burning incense sticks.
A vibrant altar displaying an array of colorful flowers, fruits, and offerings, surrounded by ornate decorations and statues in a temple setting.
A potted orange tree with ripe, orange fruit, situated near a wall of a building in a garden setting.
A decorative tree with pink blossoms in a stone planter, situated under a traditional roof. The background features people and festive decorations.
A vibrant orange tree laden with ripe oranges, situated beside a calm lake under a clear sky.
A large tree with sprawling branches overhanging a tranquil body of water, reflecting the tree and surrounding greenery at sunset.

The “legend of the returned sword” Hoan Kiem and refers to the magic sword that Emperor Le Loi was given by the gods to help him lead Vietnam to victory against Ming invaders in the 15th century. After the war a giant turtle rose from the water and took the sword back to the depths, returning it. You can also find two preserved specimens of giant soft-shell turtles that once lived in the lake at the temple.

Turtles are considered symbols of wisdom, longevity, and protection in Vietnamese culture, and their presence here strengthens the temple’s spiritual meaning. There are preserved specimens of giant soft-shell turtles at the temple.

A large turtle displayed in a glass case on a red surface, with two people observed in the background reflecting in the glass.

Then a walking tour through the Old Quater with many stops for food in tiny little back allies and along the way.

Everything is being sold outside from New Year’s decorations, flowering branches to apricot trees, rice cakes, soup – the famous pho, fruit, vegetables, smoothies, meat, …..

A colorful display of various types of bananas and green apples at a market, with decorative branches in the background against a green wall.
A market scene featuring a basket of bright orange fruits on display, with piles of tamarind pods in the foreground, surrounded by plastic bags and a motorbike in the background.
A vibrant display of colorful packaged goods stacked in boxes and on shelves, featuring a variety of products, including coffee. A person is seen browsing in the store, which has decorative elements like curtains and wall decor.
A bustling market scene featuring vendors selling a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, with women preparing produce, surrounded by colorful baskets and plastic bags.
A bustling street food stall featuring a variety of colorful snacks and ingredients, with vendors and customers engaged in conversation. Brightly lit with hanging lamps and shelves filled with jars and food items, showcasing local Vietnamese cuisine.
A woman seated in a market preparing vegetables, surrounded by an assortment of fresh produce including baskets of fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and leafy greens.
A bustling street food scene at night, featuring a vendor preparing food outside an establishment marked '27'. There are multiple people interacting, including a woman sitting on the ground sorting ingredients and another serving food. Colorful plastic bags and containers are scattered around, and the area is decorated with red banners.
Street food vendor at night with a cart displaying various meats, surrounded by greenery and colorful flags in an urban setting.
A platter of cooked peanuts is displayed on the seat of a motorcycle parked in an urban setting, with various scooters in the background against a metal wall.
A bustling market stall displaying various types of meat and meat products, with red signage in the background advertising food specialties. There are bags and containers on the stall, and a customer is visible beside it.
Two women engage in conversation at a street food stall, surrounded by various traditional dishes displayed in buckets and bowls.

We did stop at the White Horse temple Bach Ma Temple which is the oldest temple in the Old Quater referring to a white horse that showed King Ly Thai To where to built a new citadel after many failed attempts where the walls would just collapse.

Close-up of a decorative wooden horse with a painted face and red saddle, set against a colorful background.
A decorative wooden horse statue adorned with a vibrant red saddle and intricate embroidery, displayed in a traditional setting with wooden architecture.
A vibrant altar decorated with colorful offerings, including fruits and floral arrangements, set in a richly ornate traditional temple interior featuring red wooden beams and lanterns.
A decorative display featuring a white horse sculpture with elaborate gold and red detailing, alongside a golden phoenix statue, set within a richly adorned wooden interior.

Once the road was so congested that no traffic was going into either direction. No one gets upset, angry, or annoyed. Everyone does their best to squeeze to the side and slowly traffic starts flowing again.

A lively street scene in Hanoi, Vietnam, lined with colorful flags and bustling with people, showcasing traditional architecture and outdoor dining.
A bustling street at night crowded with motorcycles and street vendors, decorated with numerous red flags featuring a yellow star, typical of Vietnamese culture.
A woman standing in a vibrant street market holding a red stuffed toy, surrounded by colorful decorations and items for sale.
A street scene at night featuring wooden and green plastic chairs set up outside a shop. A person wearing a brown jacket with 'Best' printed on it stands nearby, while multiple people sit at a nearby stall surrounded by colorful decorations and goods.
A vibrant orange building adorned with green shutters and balconies, decorated with flowers and illuminated lanterns, featuring a red sign that reads '1689 BECKEN Bauer'.
A bustling street in Hanoi, Vietnam, lined with shops adorned with vibrant decorations and flowers, featuring several pedestrians, motorbikes, and Vietnamese flags hanging from buildings.
A vibrant alley lined with colorful lanterns and decorations, showcasing local eateries and shops, with people walking and enjoying the atmosphere.

Every night the garbage trucks make their route through the downtown and the cheerful songs are teaching kids about garbage and collecting it for a cleaner city.

An incredible day! We did come back for one more night but first we went go to Halong Bay the next day to sleep on a boat!

2 thoughts on “Hanoi – Vietnam”

  1. Ein sehr eindrücklicher und umfassender Einblick in das Leben dort. Gut berichtet. Phantastisch
    Danke

    Reply

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