Wanted to stay at my favourite place in the Old Quarter of Hanoi - the North Hotel No 2 at 5B Ngo Tam Thuong Street. But they where complete full - good for them - bad for me! More information about the hotel here!
So I did need a new option. The Hanoi Blue Star Hostel it was. In a very small alley next to everything in the Old Quarter as well. If you book here - make sure you book the Superior Double or Twin Room - since the Standard does not have a window. Usually the price with my link above is the same.
The master plan was to walk to the places I was years ago and see how they do look today. But it was hot and Gray all the time so I did skip that and walked only a bit round the hotel.
That has to wait till next time :-)
Flower Seller
Mulberry Seller
Plastic Household Goods Seller
Meat Seller
Vegetables Seller
Preparing the shrine for a good day of selling in the shop
The local butcher at work
Bia Hoi Delivery Truck
Headstone Shop
An Evening at the Hanoi Backpacker District
Hanoi’s backpacker district is located just north of Hoan Kiem Lake in the city center. Of course there is a lot to do in the evening. But I was only here for 3 nights and to lazy to wander far. So I walked a bit in the area that has a lot to offer. Live music in bars and on the street. Performances of all sorts as well as lots of open air Bia Hoi bars that sell cheap but really drinkable beer. You can sit here all night and do the people watching thing. But most of the times you end up with a table full of people from all over the world and talk about everything and nothing for the rest of the evening. And from a quick snack while walking, a street food stall with chairs and table, simple Vietnamese restaurant or more expensive international places - you will find food you like!
If you visit Hanoi - make sure to roam the streets one evening. Forget about the market that goes up all the way from the traffic circle at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hàng Đào street. Full of people so you only have to dodge them all the time and almost only cheap Chinese shit. Better roam the streets left and right and make your way up towards the north!
Some sort of temple theatre
Close your eyes now!
Did work for her
Where is my date??
Waiting for customers
Hanoi Backpacker District
This street was full every evening - on the left and right almost only bars and restaurants
You find live music on a few different corners
Most of the people are still Vietnamese which makes it very different from KS road in Bangkok.
Not sure what that is - but I am a Vegetarian anyhow :-)
One of to many coffee and tea shops
You see half the kitchen and the open air part of the restaurant. Wonder how they do it in rainy season?
Roasted corn cobs
Another band
Shoes