Two days ago was our first Hanoi day proper. As of writing this we had already gone to amazing Ha Long Bay, quite easily the most spectacular visual experience I’ve ever had. But before writing about that I wanna get the stuff we did our first day out the way.
First thing you’ll notice the moment you step out the door are the amazing buildings.
Every bulding has about a 3 or 4 meter facade which they make full use of by building upwards. So while they can be crazy narrow they can be very very high, as high as ten floors Thís makes a varied, interesting and very packed street. Old buildings are mixed with new, old shops share space with newer ones in between. The funny thing is that you would think they make buildings like this because of the limited space, but the buildings outside the city are made the same way. So even at an area with hundreds of meters of space you would find a narrow building like above standing alone as if expecting the space around it to be crowded as well soon.
We had lunch at Avalon Cafe, a 15 minute trek from our hotel and just across the Lake of the Restored Sword at the Hoan Kiem District, which approximates 2/3s of the size of UP lagoon.
Total meal cost was around P915.00 and we agreed it was worth it. Food was 9/10. We didn’t know they were specially known for their coffee, I ordered one and it took around 10 minutes to make. It was powerful stuff but to be honest, did not especially impress me. I guess I’m still a Barako boy.
The view however was spectacular and it was the perfect place to eyeball the lake and figure what you want to do next. We proceeded in a counter clockwise direction around it and to just stop at whatever interesting thing caught our eye.
Here’s one of the stainless padyak cabs you can find everywhere around the park. Apparently the obsession with stainless is not a Pinoy exclusive. No idea how much a trip costs as I am wary of such rides.
Above are electric trams you can also find around the place carrying tourists. Also don’t know how much as we were never approached. You probably have to ask your hotel to arrange these things.
Here’s Jill ordering manggang hilaw (green mango). P20.00.
The place on Jill’s left is one of many small restaurants selling Pho, a kind of noodle soup with lots of broth and either chicken or beef.
The seats are tiny as if to give everyone a hint that once you’ve finished you need to leave immediately as a courtesy to other customers (and for them to serve as many as they can).
I thought the seats were for kids until dinner came around and many people were lining up to sit and order. We had some that evening and it was fresh and delicious – exactly how you would expect boiled chicken or beef would taste, which is why it’s high on the list of food to try here.
The difference from what you can buy at a Pinoy carinderia is that ours would have more fat, while here you get a clear broth and a host of different spices to customize yours to taste. It’s a quick meal to warm your stomach with and get on your way just like at home. I wonder though why no one was at least trying to sell lugaw (rice porridge) or maybe a barbecue or two.
Sanitation wise, its the same with at home. Dishes and utensils are washed on the street, and even their noodles are made right beside where they wash stuff. So if you wouldn’t eat that way back home I doubt you’d like it here.
I’ll finish this off with random pics now, as we’re on our way to lunch and a museum tour. Keep in mind the pics were taken during Tet, a national holiday, so the city is deserted.
Next post will be about the amazing Ha Long Bay.
Ang ganda naman. Gusto ko rin pumunta ng Vietnam, sobrang sarap daw ng pagkain.
Everything we ate, absolutely everything, from the Pho on the street to the spring rolls on the boat to the free croissants every breakfast to the sandwiches at the open air cafe near the hotel, was GREAT. Even the fastfood bbq chicken I posted on FB was really good. They really work on their food. Big on taste low on fat, and CHEAP pa.