So i have spent one day in Hanoi and I didn't really accomplish very much. This has a lot to do with the fact that i had a very long layover in Bangkok yesterday and I am not the type of person that can sleep in an intentionally uncomfortable terminal chair. But this isn't about me.
When i first headed into the city I was impressed about how organized the highway was because I had always heard that the streets were overrun with bikes. Apparently the airport is well out of the city and well, this situation changed as soon as we were inside a bit. The streets are absolutely inundated with traffic. I honestly don't think there is room for anything else.
The constant beeping of horns is a bit nuts because I don't think anyone else on the road pays any attention to them. They have grown accustomed to constant horns and well, no one really changes anything about their driving when they hear one. I think the bus driver used the horn at least a thousand times in our 30 minute drive from the airport. (by the way, if you are staying in Hanoi, it will most likely be in the Old Quarter, if that is the case save yourself a bunch of money and take the number 86 bus instead of a taxi.)
This is one of the cons of this city - I am pretty negative person (I know this isn't a good character trait) and I am bit tainted because I have been living in Thailand for so long but I will start with the cons and end with the pros.
- Traffic, already talked about it. However it really must be seen to be believed. I haven't seen an accident yet which says to me that these guys are just really really good.
To me it seems like chaos, and to the uninitiated, Thailand seems like chaos. I haven't seen a single police car so it appears as though people are obeying traffic lights (kinda) on their own volition - which is cool.
sidewalks are tough to come by. Sure, they have sidewalks, but they are filled with parked motorbikes, which necessitates walking in the street a lot of the time... refer to bulletpoint number one for more on that
Where are the minimarts? I can't find any. Maybe i am just in the wrong part of town but I can't figure out where to get a razor or some soap. Perhaps this is just because I am trained in the ways of Thailand, where there is a 7-11 every 100 meters or so. This might not be a con to you but it is to me
Let's move on to the Pros before I appear as though I am just trying to be mean
Traffic, even though it sucks, will dodge you - If you are waiting for a break in traffic, it isn't going to happen. You have to get out there, they will go around you.
cheap noodles are everywhere. I can't speak a word of Vietnamese yet, i just point at stuff. So far it has been good. I think they know that i don't have a clue and are just giving me the basic one.
No stray animals. This is a massive problem in Thailand. I haven't seen any yet. Not one and I wandered the streets for hours today. Do that in Thailand, you will have seen hundreds.
They have really well maintained parks here (again, free of stray animals.) I really like this. The rest of the city can be so overwhelming because there are people friggin everywhere so the parks are a nice respite. It costs 2,000 Dong to get in but this is like 5 cents or something - just pay it.
More photos to come, battery going and i suppose that is another con. I can't find an adapter but i am the moron who didn't bring one to a foreign country.