Vietnam The Hidden Charm 2, Hanoi

I personally like Hanoi more that HCMC since it is cold there. You'll need jacket and gloves. I was not sure what was the temperature on Jan 2011, but it made me buying new shawl for sure.

Hanoi looked older than HCMC. Many temples were shown here. As for food, you can find a lot of noodle soup called pho. It tastes sooo good. Cold weather and hot soup is a good combination.

Fun fact about Hanoi:

1. Traffic is similar to HCMC, some were crazier. We saw a truck, ran with only right side wheels when we were on the public bus, not far away from Hanoi bus terminal

2. Hostel is also cheap, but no breakfast, no heater...yes..you'll need room heater when you are in Hanoi. We stayed in Hoan Kiem Lake area, Especen hostel for USD 19 per night, double room, private bathroom. Don't worry with the breakfast. Just few meters walk from Especen hostel, there is a good noodle soup shop. 30K Vietnam Dong for a bowl of beef noodle soup.

3. Mineral water is more expensive compare to HCMC. It costed us 8K-10K Vietnam Dong for 1.5 Litre mineral water while in HCMC you can find for only 5K Vietnam Dong for the same brand and size


Here are some pictures we took in Hanoi



The garden





The traffic




The food seller




Hoan Kiem Lake at night with the glowing temple. I can't remember what's he temple's name.


The public toilet




Another temples






Another fun fact, a lot of couples did their wedding photo shoots around Hoan Kiem Lake, we met 5 couples. I could imagine how the torture, the brides kept smiling with the gown while the weather were sooo cold.



To the happy couples, congratulation!!!