A few things I love about Hanoi

Ok, so it is a cheesy title but this post has come about from reading some amazing gratitude posts and because I realised that I was becoming so caught up in work and day to day life that I was forgetting where I was living - and failing to make the most of being here.


It's a bit of a stream of consciousness posting, and finally more about pictures than words. Its a snapshot for others of Hanoi but also a reminder to myself to not let the last half of my posting slip by. It might show me up as a superficial expat because there will be loads I miss. So I welcome comments and things I should add. And then hopefully, this will be a reminder to get out and find more things to add to the list for myself.

So, a few things I love about Hanoi – in no particular order:

Great local cuisine – especially (and somewhat boringly) – Pho, Cha Ca, Bun Cha, Banh Tom Ho Tay, Bun Rieu, Café Sua Da, beer, Fanny’s ice cream – at super cheap prices.

Bun Cha - grilled pork in a tangy soup, noodles and fresh herbs

Markets full of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood and flowers

Great drinks! From drop filtered coffee (hot and cold), to amazing juices, fresh coconuts and fresh beer - you'll never be thirsty in this town. And while the local wine has a long way to go, I am becoming used to downing (tram fen tram - 100 percent) the obligatory thimblefuls of white spirit - especially out in the provinces.

The people - from the older generation up early exercising together, dancing in the park, swimming in the lake before spending the day looking after grandkids, to the young families, enthusiastic young people, entrepreneurs.  I love the young couples, posing all around the city to have photos, and I especially love the day long wedding shoots, where a busy bit of road is transformed into a Parisian Boulevard. I love the can do attitude that is often evident - whether it be people setting up a business in the downstairs room of their house, to our landlord or a handyman who will have a go at fixing a problem. There is so much energy in this city - except perhaps at lunchtime in summer, when its time to kick back for a drink or even a snooze.

I love the chaos. I might moan about it, I might get frustrated by it when I'm stuck in traffic or trying to work out how things work - but at the end of the day, I can't help but be fascinated every time i sit long enough to watch the world - and especially the traffic, go by. 

Intersection at the top of Hoan Kiem lake - love watching it, hate crossing

I love the fact that Hanoi still has an old quarter that is real. Where people still live - even if they are all aspiring to something more comfortable and spacious. I love the fact that its not all gleaming sky scrapers and fancy freeways. Sure crowded footpaths aren't great for pushing a pram, but I'll take that living on the street over a sterile big city any day.

And related to that is the architecture. I love all the old buildings, from the French built government offices and villas to pagodas and the skinny houses that are constantly under renovation.

The Presidential Palace

I love that this is a city of lake and even more, I love that I can now walk to West Lake from my house. I love that just as I have learnt to run, I have found a fabulous spot to run. And more importantly, that I can get up in the morning, and join the locals in making the most of this special spot. As the weather warms up, even at 5.30 in the morning, its crowded with people walking, riding bikes, swimming, fishing and just hanging out.  Best of all, as summer arrived, so to did the lotus blooms. In the space of the week, this often murky lake was transformed by huge lotus leaves and beautiful pink flowers.

There is lots more to Hanoi itself. But for us, there is alot that we appreciate about being here. The chance to send our toddler sons to an international school where they are making friends from all over the world, learning about different places and experiencing Vietnamese culture. The fact that we can visit so many places in both Vietnam and in Asia. I love that I have the opportunity to contribute to a bilateral relationship between Australia and Vietnam that has so much potential. And I love the fact that we are living in a place that attracts so many visitors. Its often only through our visitors that we have a chance to sit back and reflect and realise what a great place this is and how lucky we are to live here - even if it is only for a few years!