My first visit to Hanoi was a work trip when we were checking out a business for a possible acquisition. It didn’t work out but at least I got to learn how to cross a street in Hanoi!

Crossing a street sounds like a simple thing, but it’s not in the land of motorcycles. The approach is simple enough in principle, walk with confidence and intent, don’t stop, don’t change direction, the bikes will work around you, in Vietnam pedestrians are not a priority!

After a couple of attempts you’ll be like a local!

It is worth a visit to one of the water puppet shows, a popular activity and a welcome retreat from the relative chaos on the streets. The shows are technically clever in terms of how they make the puppets move in tandem and also crisscross each other.

Hanoi is an introduction to street eating as the locals do. Small plastic seats are the norm in Beer street and everywhere, so get low and get trying the fabulous local food!

These two gents were enjoying themselves on an evening out, we found the people very friendly.

At night the city comes alive, just walking the streets is a treat although some areas can become very busy.

Train street is a tourist draw, the train line runs between the houses and whilst there has been an initiative to stop this as a tourist activity for safety reasons, it is still possible to sit at at a bar and watch the trains come past. As the train approaches, they pick up the track side plastic chairs and usher you to the sides of the buildings and the train horn sounds to alert you to what is oncoming.

The variety of street food is amazing, we tried some of the options but there is so much choice, it’s everywhere, take your pick and dig in!

You will see lots of stalls selling what look like great French style baguettes, know locally as Bahn Mi and a legacy of the French involvement in the region in the mid 19th century.

Below is St Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi, set in a lovely area within the old quarter. Its especially impressive at night.

Looking more closely its an interesting building, constructed by the French in the late 19th Century, its built of brick and plastered with concrete making it look sort of modern in comparison to other buildings of this age.

Some nice cafe/restaurants next to the cathedral.

When in the Old Quarter you need to take walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, again, bristling with life at night.

We visited when they were celebrating International Day, the streets were closed to traffic making for a lovely experience walking around. The local children approached us looking to test their spoken English language skills, which was very impressive!

Below is the impressive Hanoi Opera house, built by the French in the early 1900’s.

We also visited the Museum of the Revolution in Hanoi which was an interesting experience. It has some interesting elements but seems rather neglected with much of what was on show lacking any non Vietnamese language information. No where near as immersive and educational as the one we later visited in Ho Chi Minh City.

Below is the Tran Quoc pagoda, unfortunately we arrived at the wrong time and so were unable to enter…

Walking around Hanoi can be quite challenging at times with the heat, humidity and the bustle of people and traffic, but around every corner there is a surprise awaiting you…

A city full of colour and smells!

Next stop for us is a bus further north to Sapa in the mountains, leaving the electric Hanoi behind us.