International visitors compare Hanoi to a “conservative girl” to insinuate that its hidden beauty can not be seen thoroughly unless you spend time to explore it.
The youth in Western countries are interested in street style. Therefore, Hanoi is considered as the heaven of foreign backpackers.
Hanoi is a not-to-be-missed destination in Vietnam and once travelling to Hanoi, travellers should not only “glance at” because Hanoi is similar to a “conservative girl”, it is hard to discover the beauty inside it by a cursory visit.
Vietnam’s capital is referred to as a favourite destination for young travellers with a restrictive budget. The living cost in Hanoi is rather cheap, in particular, ordinary life experience will offer an unforgettable impression for foreigners.
A street food shopping tour around Hanoi is a perfect way to see the city’s street culture. Hanoians are very friendly and open. The street-style lovers will certainly think Hanoi is a great holy land because a lot of daily activities take place on the street side.
First of all, regarding eating, Hanoian men especially love chatting and drinking beer or coffee on the street at lunchtime or after work. They tend to drink beer in the group. It is not uncommon to see a group of four or five men drink beer with favourite refrain such as “yo yo yo”, “drain your glass of every drop”… However, someone chooses to drink beer alone and watch the city rush by.
Coffee is suitable for those who like quiet atmosphere and bia hoi (beer) is to quench their thirst. Street food in Hanoi is extremely abundant and bia hoi is a not-to-be-missed beverage of men. A glass of bia hoi, a plate of peanuts and a crony, it is enough for a cheery afternoon. Simply, they drink and discuss everything until dusk and come back home for dinner with family.
Streetlife in Hanoi is truly diverse and bustling with vendors, watch repairers, shoe shiners, manicurists, hairdressers…
As for young Western travellers, who really want to feel and enjoy the lives of the locals, Hanoi is a wonderful place to get valuable experience.
Referring to Hanoi certainly can not ignore its street food. Street food in Hanoi is so rich and diverse that you can not list. Distinguishing the local dishes is really tough challenge for foreign travellers. Go out and taste anything in your sight, we are sure that they will let you down.
Besides, traffic in Hanoi is really a difficult challenge. An article on Huffington Post said that crossing the street at rush hour is a memorial experience that similar to your feeling at the wedding. Your heart beats faster, you are excited and scared at the same time when you finish the mission.
In addition, the Huffington Post also talked about some distinctive places in Hanoi such as Old Quarter. It takes tourists several hours to visit the street and admire the adjoining shops.
Western people often give prominence to privacy. Therefore, they are very surprised and impressive when Vietnamese people are not afraid to let everyone know personal life. The outdoor clothes-lines at tenement houses or porch roofs always delight them every time.