Golden Hanoi, Vietnam

Before we left for Asia, we both agreed somewhere along the way we’d treat ourselves to a little bit of luxury. As it turns out this would be in Hanoi, Vietnam. We checked into a rather garishly looking but highly rated 5-star hotel with infinity pool. The place is gold plated everywhere including the exterior. The room is lovely and the bathroom is something else.

So far Hanoi looks to be a busy place with scooters absolutely everywhere and cars honking 24/7. We walked to a famous train street market along a railway comprising of shops, bars and restaurants. Although we did not see the train, at its sight shop keepers uplift their items laid across the tracks and everyone scrambles to the side making way for the train. I suspect it would be chaos - what health and safety?

Later on we returned to the hotel to get on top of bookings before making our way to the Old Quarter, Hanoi’s night life. We understand the city has a slow start but ramps up in the evening, so far so true. We took a scooter taxi, both myself and Jess as pillions this time, and what an experience that was! We thought Bangkok was bad enough but Hanoi is something else as even I wouldn’t ride here. The Old Quarter was all hustle and bustle along its narrow streets with music, performances and bars at every sight. We enjoyed some happy hour drinks before finally calling it a night (morning).Read more