things to do!
Old quarter - We spent the whole time here and it’s great fun with so much to see and do. Be prepared to walk on the road with scooters zooming past you everywhere. The pavements are taken up with tables, chairs, scooters, things being sold, basically everything bar pedestrians!😂 All of the below is in this area.
Hoan Kiem Lake (see picture and also night picture at bottom) - The calm in the centre of the Hanoi chaos. Well worth a stroll round. You can find the note cafe and Water puppet show here.
Train Street (see picture at top) - The famous street where you sit and have a coffee or beer whilst you wait for a train to go by. You have to be invited on to the street by a cafe owner as it has security. If you are wondering why…well…a big bloody train comes down it! So find out the train times and get there in plenty time. Then get that camera at the ready for your insta and TikTok! It’s big, It’s fast and its very close! BALDY REVIEW - First time i’ve ever enjoyed waiting for a train and i didn’t even get on it!
Water Puppet Show - Sadly missed this, but the most famous Water Puppet Show is on in the Old Quarter Hanoi. Enjoy!
Karaoke on Beer Street! (see picture at bottom) - This i did not miss! Karaoke? Beer? I’m there! Vietnam loves karaoke and so do i! Beer street is the party street of Hanoi, loads of bars and quite a few when you sit in them, put down a microphone in front of you and say, ‘what do you want to drink? And what do you want to sing?!’ Woohoo! Let the party commence.
food & drink
Banh Mi 25 - Favourite Banh Mi of Hanoi and it’s a lot of peoples favourite. There’s three on the street now! Also one has a secret cocktail bar in it, sign-posted ‘hidden bar’ in neon…so maybe not that secret…
The Note Cafe (see picture)- A 4 storey cafe covered in notes from travellers all around the world and through the years. It’s a great idea and fun way to have a wee cup of coffee, reading all the messages! Then of course grab a pen and write your own message!
Hoang’s Restaurant - Really good vietnamese restaurant in the old quarter. I had the pork with quails eggs which melted in the mouth. Everyone was having a dish that came out sizzling. If you go, ask for that because it was clearly the local favourite! You may think how can i do that? You don’t know the name of the dish baldy! Well, just follow this…
‘What would you like sir/madam?’
‘The sizzley dish, thank you.’
Beer Street - For loads of bars, music, atmosphere, bustling streets then here is where to go, Ta Hien Corner in the Old Quarter. Early evening there’s a nice bustling atmosphere, then it really gets loud and crazy as it goes on.
Doner Kebab Duc Long - Didn’t get the chance to try but was recommended to me by a couple of people who lived in the area. Little bit naughtier than your classic Banh Mi…enjoy!
Bami Bread - Another very good Banh Mi so I thought I had to put it on. See the picture at the bottom of one happy bald man post Banh Mi!
my hotel
Bella Rosa Suite Hotel was where we stayed and location wise it was superb. The room was nice enough and it had a nice rooftop bar with a view over Hoan Kiem Lake (see picture). BALDY REVIEW - For the price it really was great, simple 3 star hotel in a great location and I couldn’t complain at all.
