Hanoi, Vietnam : What I found to be the most challenging part of my trip also happened to be the most beautiful and rewarding. Vietnam was everything that my Anthony Bourdain dreams had prepared me for, yet I wasn’t prepared at all.
Our first stop was Hanoi, a bustling city with so much character that it’s a little bit intimidating. The cab ride from the airport to our air bnb found me face out the window following the tons and tons of mopeds racing down the street and weaving around each other. If I had one suggestion to give before visiting Hanoi, it would be to watch YouTube videos on how to cross the street. There are no stops signs, no crosswalks, and not even any lanes for that matter. It’s a total “every man for himself” mentality when it comes to both driving and walking around the neighborhood. With that being said, nobody wants to hit you. Walking with confidence will get you where you need to go.
I could go on and on in detail about about each spot we went to in every city, but I figured it would be more beneficial to show you!
This street just wide enough for a train to pass through is lined with homes and a few shops and bars. We sat outside on tiny chairs and drank cold beer until it was time for the train to come, at which point you have to stand in the doorways to not get run over. It’s terrifying and incredible all at the same time.
We were looking for a place to get out of the heat after visiting the John McCain memorial and ended up spending a couple hours at this brewery. This was one spot that provided some calm and relaxation from the outside chaos.
Hoi An, Vietnam: If you’re traveling to Vietnam or Asia in general for the first time and are a little bit intimidated about where to go, Hoi An is my suggestion for you. There is so much charm and culture to this city, but it’s still clearly a destination for tourists.
Hoi An was where we finally felt comfortable enough to rent a moped and go riding down the streets exploring. We took a day trip to the beach and even had our own custom-tailored suits and dresses made. The work ethic in Vietnam is insane, as shown by our clothing that was hand-made for us in less than 24 hours.
Hoi An is also where I found my favorite food of the trip…Banh Mi from Madam Khanh otherwise known as the Banh Mi queen.