Hanoi

35k = £1
Despite being super sleepy we headed straight to train street which was just around the corner from our hotel. I had some amazing ginger tea as we watched 2 trains fly past us.
After a shower and much needed sleep of 3.5 hours we headed out for a quick explore and grabbed me a SIM for £6 from a Viettel shop as my phone wouldn't take the esim Anna had.
We wandered to the lake and temple (50k) which were very serene in the midst of the city, and then around the old quarter streets. There doesn't seem to be a main centre, just tons of chaotic, jam packed streets. There are plants everywhere and mini red flags and lanterns strewn everywhere. It's a chaotic place but less intimidating than I remember HCMI. Pavements are usually clogged with parked motorbikes so you have to walk along the road dodgy mopeds, cars and rickshaws. Strangely it feels quite safe.
Anna bought some backpacker trousers and top for about £8. We didn't even bother to haggle at that price as £1-2 is worth far more to them.
Anna was flagging so we stopped for coconut coffee (lump of coconut ice cream added, yum!) and kombucha for me. Then we wanted to try Banh mi, a local type of sandwich so I found one on our way back - Banh Mi 25 - which turned out to be a hot backpacker spot and had quite a queue. However we only waited a couple of minutes and they were very delicious. Pork for Anna and tofu / mushroom for me. £3 for both.
Next we headed back to train street to see it all lit up. We shared some spring rolls, I had a coconut and Anna had Hanoi beer before realising there was a chocolate train stout so had to have that too. Train street was much busier in the evening and had a lovely vibe. We wandered back via an ATM and another train engine went by so we got to see 4 in total which was very lucky as they can be hit and miss timing wise apparently.
Back in our room the noisy neighbours started praying very loudly in American accents, which was odd as we had heard them speaking Vietnamese before. The chanting and hail Mary's carried on for ages and it sounded like a cult was gathered next door. After a while I had enough and got reception to knock on their door. Took ages for them to answer as they were asleep and it was on TV. Most odd, I'm not sure praying works if it's in another language and you sleep through it.
A fabulous first day to our adventure.Read more