Welcome to the fascinating world of Hanoi, Vietnam…
Jump out of your armchair and join the sea of motorcycle traffic…
the shopping may drive you a little insane,
but luckily you can conveniently transport anything you buy,
the city is caked with layers of ancient history…
so grab a Hanoian drink of choice,
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indulge in a little street food,
and a little more…
and then a little more,
and explore the streets of the Old Quarter,
check out the diverse range of buildings,
and don’t forget stop and look at the details…
you’ll need a few of the local guilty pleasures like donuts…or guts,
maybe a bamboo smoke or an ice cream bar?,
try to observe the people who serve you,
and by the end of the day, you’ll need a recharging power nap…
ohhh, and don’t forget to choose your meat along the way!
Welcome to Hanoi – A city with over a 1000 years of history!
Hanoi is an incredible city promising a million forms of entertainment wherever you look (try to look everywhere)!
-Migration Mark
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vishal kaushik
2 years ago
Great writing skills. Thanks!
dnsprasad
11 years ago
Hi Mark,
I do not see your journey covering Hoi An. Were you there? Love to see pics and write up.
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
I would love to visit Hoi An, not sure when yet, but when I get there I will definitely write up some articles! Thanks!
The Dropout
12 years ago
Just saw this post. Better late than never, hey?
Great photos. I lived in Vietnam for three and a half years. I went to Hanoi three times and found it hard work and very different to Ho Chi Minh City where I lived. But I still love your pics. Great work!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
@The Dropout!
Thanks for the comment! Yes, I would agree, at times the city can be hard work, sometimes you feel like you just don’t want to go outside for the day. I’ve still never been to Ho Chi Minh, I would love to go there and see the differences.
Connie
12 years ago
I miss Hanoi! Great photos! You’ve really captured the chaos and spirit of Hanoi!
Mark Wiens
13 years ago
Thanks for checking it out Mary! The street of Hanoi are definitely layered with smells and feelings! Hope you had a great visit there too.
Mary R
13 years ago
Dear Mark,
Wow! Your photo display captures Hanoi perfectly! I visited there earlier this year, and I can still feel and smell those city streets! Looking forward to reading more fun adventures!
Mark Wiens
13 years ago
@Jamie: Thanks Jamie! Just checked out your site, looks like you guys are having adventures too…on the other side of the world!
@Norbert: Appreciate the comment Norbert. Vietnam is just crazy, for me, it was almost an entertainment overdose!
@Dina: Motorcycles are used for more things than anything else in Vietnam. I think someone could write a book about positions for sleeping on motorcycles.
Dina
13 years ago
Mark, I love this photo post! I love it how every single picture captured a story, and together they make the bigger story. The taking nap on the top of motorcycles is awesome, how could somebody do that without falling, or even without afraid to fall!
Norbert
13 years ago
Wow! Love your photo journey. It has a raw point of view of how Hanoi really is. I’ve seen a lot of Vietnam pictures but these ones show the apparent reality of how it is. Love em!
jamie
13 years ago
great pics! looks like a pretty vibrant city, i think you captured its essence.
love the first pic.
food looks pretty spot on too.
cheers, jamie from http://www.cloudpeopleadventures.com
Mark Wiens
13 years ago
@Diggy: Appreicate you checking it out Diggy, Thanks!
@Caz: Thanks, it seems in Asia that people can sleep in almost any condition or atmosphere!
Caz Makepeace
13 years ago
Great idea Mark. I love Hanoi and these pictures took me down a lovely memory lane trip. I love the nap photos- so SE Asia 🙂
Mark Wiens
13 years ago
@Anna: Thanks so much for checking it out Anna and for the awesome words of encouragement! Glad these pictures brought back some memories, come back a visit soon!
@Jools: Haha, No problem, the availability of street food and donuts are on another level in Hanoi. Hope you can find some soon…!
@David: Yah, I saw your great pictures at night of Hanoi. Looking forward to your other pics as well. I’m with you on the coffee…I bought about 4 kilos to back with me to Bangkok!
@Corinne: Thanks Corinne!
@Randall: Thanks for checking it out Randall! Would love to visit the Philippines again, I’ll be waiting for your first hand report, and eating Balut!!!
Randall
13 years ago
Once again you make me jealous. Planning a solo trip to the Philippines in January, can’t wait. Love the pictures and yes the street food does look amazing!
Thanks for taking us there!
Corinne @ Gourmantic
13 years ago
Well done on the photo essay, Mark. You’ve captured many facets of Hanoi, from the every day to the unusual!
Diggy
13 years ago
Hey Mark!
Awesome pictures, I always love coming to your blog and seeing how you experience other parts of the world! 🙂
Keep rocking!
Diggy
David @ MalaysiaAsia
13 years ago
Haha Mark, You beat me to it! I Visited Hanoi in May 2010 and still have not posted articles on it. Soon I promise 🙂 I did do one with Night Shots of Hanoi recently.
Anyway, Hanoi is a lovely place and I would go back again, especially for the amazing coffee!
David
Jools Stone
13 years ago
An amazingly vivid and vibrant set of pics there- and some mind-bending banner too! I want those doughnuts now please. And the street food, damn you! 🙂
Anna
13 years ago
Mark thanks for taking me back to Hanoi through your pictures! You captured the city beautifully along with all of its quirks! =) Keep doing what you are doing, because you have so many people following your work and life and learning so much through it!