Christmas in l Vietnam
- RedtravelHood
- Dec 25, 2018
- 4 min read
The day i got addicted to Bánh mì and Phở.
The trip has updated my perspective on the weather of southeast asia country and how much kindergarten chair can mean so much to a country.
As 2018 has come to an end, I spent my last few days with my soul mate in Hanoi who only had three days off. My Christmas was spent in the renowned St. Joseph Cathedral, immersing in Vietnameses church choir.
The next morning Janyce appears as my best present on unboxing day! We had plan but decided to ignore them and set off for Jan-Ning street food tour. We had
Egg Coffee have amazing Bánh mì! Or we're just hungry :P
Bún riêu cua Hàng Bạc (Crab Sour Noodle),
Bánh mì (every single one on the street is good, even better than those in shop!)
Dunkin Donuts (My crave for donuts just strike in! There are others fast food restaurant around here and it is really near to Hoàn Kiếm Lake)
The Gourmet Corner (insta-worthy!)
Second Jan-Ning street tour was organized two days later. Too many #musteat in Hanoi! The breakfast usually opens around 730am while the lunch operates around 11am although some may say 10am on google (its not always true!)
Giảng Cafe to get my egg coffee fix
Bún Bò Nam Bộ serves South Vietnamese Beef Salad, i rate 5 stars for this!!#musttryfood
Chả Cá Thăng Long serves grilled fish hotpot. Sincerely 5 stars and #musttry!I don't considered myself visited Vietnam if i didnt try this out. Promise me you will go.
Bun Cha Hàng Quạt said it opens at 10am but no, it was opened at 11am. Worth a try for the pork skewer and rice noodle in soup!
Phở Cuốn is served everywhere. Note that those spring roll with shrimp we always see abroad is not served during Winter in Hanoi as it far from ocean.
Cafe G66's Coconut coffee (ice) can fix your snowy drink crave
We always knew Vietnam is famous for pho but surprisingly we never ran across any pho along the journey?? Both of us are stubborn on getting pho and eventually we found this one here. It was so good that we came back the day after.
In between we went to the Hanoi Street Train. Twice a day a traditional train passes only inches from the homes of this residential neighborhood. We even saw naked kids being showered on the railroad and local residents rinsing their vegetables on the tracks.
I joined two tour this time and used up my six days in Hanoi perfectly.
Halong Bay 1 Day Cruise Tour - 37USD (through Klook) I visited the world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoyed seafood lunch aboard traditional junk boat, then took a 30 min kayak tour out in the open waters. I also explored the stunning Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Cave) which only open to tourists since 25 years ago. The tour spoke fairly okay English and told us that the cave was discovered by villager under the lead of a monkey. This trip is best joined with a friend's companion. Otherwise the boredom on 8 hours return trip may kill. I would say my expectation meet the price i paid.
Sapa 3N2D Tribe & Trekking Tour - 60USD This one definitely worth the price to the moon and back! Day 01: Sleeping Bus from Hanoi- Sapa - Lao Chai - Tavan (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner at Tavan Homestay) Day 02: Tavan - Giang Ta Chai - Sapa - Sleeping Bus to Hanoi (namecard is attached below) #Hike The sleeping bus was luxurious although I can't fell asleep (it was comfy, and i usually fell asleep on any transportation easily). We had western breakfast at a hotel where we can leave our unnecessary luggage there. There's a rain boots renting before we start the trekking and it proves to be my best decision of the day (60k vnd for 2 days rental). I never imagine southeast asia country will be that cold. It was 4-7 degree celsius in Sapa when i visited during end of December. No wonder all the locals are selling winter jacket. I went trekking in the endless rainy and extreme muddy mountain for 11km in the first day. The only downside of this trip is that it was raining for 2 continuous day which makes it even colder on mountain. "Luckily it's not my sneaker," is all i can think of during the hike. One of the proudest things i can tell you is that i never fell down when everyone kissed the floor like bowling ball. There are locals that will hold our hands when trekking (and of course, i can't resist to buy their souvenir afterwards). "The moment they grabbed my hand, they held my heart." #Homestay Tavan Ecologic Homestay is cozy and serve good traditional Vietnamese dishes. They have a very Christmasy lobby that is great for backpackers to chill. I felt the family vibe when the backpackers are chilling together with red wines, ginger tea and apple cinnamon tea. #Tour This $60 includes all transport, all meals in Sapa (i had 6!), luxurious sleeping bus (they even sent me to the airport directly on the last day, 5 stars for this), English speaking native tour guide, scenery of continuous terraced paddy field to getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. This tour is extraordinarily cheap when I realized other participants on this tour paid $65, $110 or even $290 for itinerary! *Some of them chose sleeping train which costs more.
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