Mindanao Advice

Five Days in Hanoi: A Memorable Trip

Mindanao Advice

This travel wish came true the other year. I’m blogging about it now because I will move to Spain this summer, and Hanoi gave me a hint of what to expect in Europe: architectural beauty, rich culture, delicious foods, and colder weather. So, let’s begin a little exploration of Vietnam´s capital, especially its Old Quarter.

We booked at Aquarius Hanoi Hotel, but we found out that the room we had chosen was small and had no window with a view. The reception area was full of scooters parked for the night, so my husband and I felt a little claustrophobic, so we called Oriental Suites Hotel and arranged for a transfer early the next day.

We finally settled our stuff at the new hotel. It was nicer and had a city view. The manager told me that they were still months in operation, so we were basically in for the newest treat in town. Their buffet was delicious, but sometimes I went a la carte for my favorite Pho noodle soup, a popular Vietnamese dish. The staff was very humble and friendly.

Out in the streets, I saw a chaotic mix of transportation. There were so many different types of vehicles. The Old Quarter’s trade area has a variety of stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. We walked a lot because it was the best way to appreciate the experience.

Lost in the streets of Hang Bong.
Lost in the streets of Hang Bong.
At the market. So many people, so many clothes.
At the market. So many people, so many clothes.
Found this Buddha capsule while roaming around.
I found this Buddha capsule while roaming around.
Quilling cards. Three dimensional art of rolling or coiling and shaping of small trips of paper to create a design. Handcrafted in Vietnam.
Quilling cards. Three-dimensional art of rolling, coiling, and shaping small paper strips to create a design. Handcrafted in Vietnam.

We also went to the Imperial Academy within the Temple of Literature, which locals call the Temple of Confucius. When I was in college, we studied Confucius extensively, so I was curious to go there. Here he is:

I felt like I was a member of the royal family as I stepped in because the temple looked like a smaller version of a palace with courtyards, pavilions, small parks, and luscious gardens. This temple has significant structures like lakes, wells, and stone and wood carvings. I have observed that the historic buildings there are very well-preserved. Meanwhile, my eyes feasted on the items at the souvenir shops. There were so many things to see at the same time and so many people too because it was graduation time at the national university when we went there.

Next, we went to Hoan Kiem District, where the famous Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword) is. You can see the Turtle Tower, another important landmark, from the distance. Seeing a lake in the middle of Hanoi’s historic center was nice. It is not just an ordinary lake because every Vietnamese person I have talked to looks proud of it. My husband also felt nostalgic because the lake’s café atmosphere was much like Europe. Considering the French influence on Vietnam, it didn’t come as a surprise. The lake is surrounded by the chaos of the Old Quarter streets, so it is a huge respite from the city’s hustle and bustle, and you don’t have to go too far to relax. What a nice contrast!

Hoan Kiem Lake surrounds the Ngoc Son Temple. It´s like a pagoda sitting on an island. To get there, we had to go over a bridge called the Rising Sun Bridge, which was built with exotic designs. The gate of the pagoda has grand towering posts with some writings, probably Chinese. The place has a peaceful and quiet vibe to it.

After taking our fill of the views and some exciting things to see inside the Ngoc Son temple, we proceeded to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre to check out the schedule. We bought two tickets amounting to 200,000d. Please make no mistake about it because Vietnam´s currency is Dong. We are talking thousands here. I bought this cute wooden mirror for 10,000d 🙂

Moving on, we waited for the theatre’s opening in a coffee house on the ground floor. They served us Vietnamese specialty coffee. The water puppet show was colorful, light, and fun. They staged their performance on the water, and the music was distinct and likable. The venue was full of tourists, but I didn’t see as many kids as expected.

Any trip abroad wouldn’t be complete without visiting the local restaurants. I have listed the ones we went to. Some of them are without pictures because, for some reason, I couldn’t find them.

Green Tangerine. Vietnamese foods with a French twist. It is close to the theatre and just some meters from the lake.
La Badiane. A very nice French resto in a villa. And my face that says, I want my food NOW or else... hahaha
La Badiane. It’s a lovely French resto in a villa. And my face that says, I want my food NOW or else… hahaha.

Millenium Café Des Arts. Another French Restaurant. Yes, we had the ultimate French food cravings.

And then, back to Vietnamese foods…

Highway4 Restaurants. Their drinks under the brand Son Tinh is a famous one. They have fruit and herbal liquors. However, I just drank guava nectar juice. Such a delight. My husband enjoyed his healthy and sumptuous dinner.
Highway4 Restaurant. Their drinks under the brand Son Tinh are famous. They have fruit and herbal liquors. However, I just drank guava nectar juice—such a delight. My husband enjoyed his healthy and sumptuous dinner.

Purple Cherry. Authentic Vietnamese Restaurant. Great tasting foods.

Little Black Duck. Here we are waiting for our Vietnamese treats after sightseeing.
Little Black Duck. Here we are, waiting for our Vietnamese treats after sightseeing.

City View Café. As the name suggests, you will have one of the best city views because this establishment is at the city’s center. You can see the Old Quarter from there and the Hoan Kiem Lake. Just choose a good spot where to sit.

The Gourmet Corner Restaurant. This resto is located on top of the Diamond Hotel. This was the one we’d been to that had the best view. Their menu was also authentic Vietnamese.

Mojito Bar and Lounge. A great place to enjoy your mojito passion and rhum coke. I like the second floor of this bar because it was not so noisy under a cherry blossom tree hehe.
Mojito Bar and Lounge is a great place to enjoy your mojito passion and rhum coke. I liked the second floor of this bar because it was not so noisy under a cherry blossom tree, hehe.

Before we ended our stay in Vietnam, we rejuvenated ourselves at the Vietnam Traditional Spa.

Our trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, was delightful and satisfying. The people’s hospitality was exceptional. Everyone was so kind and smiling. It felt like home for me. While eating my Pho, I imagined my favorite Philippine Batchoy. Thank you, beautiful Vietnam. Until we meet again!

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