For the amount of time I spent in Hanoi, I took surprisingly few photos. It’s not an attractive city but it is an interesting city, and one that I’ll remember with fondness for years to come. It was a place that felt like home and a place that I was sad to leave.
However, my first experience of Hanoi was less than desirable. Matt and I had decided to book ourselves into our first Hostel. I managed to persuade Matt that they’re fun, social, good value for money and have been one of the highlights of my trip. I’ve met so many cool people and learned so much from some knowledgeable and friendly hostel staff. This was to be Matt’s first hostel experience.
We checked into the Central Backpackers in the Old Quarter and went up to the room. We refrained from turning on the lights because even though it was only 10pm everyone was in bed and asleep. The beds were uncomfortable, the rooms unclean, the shower filthy and smelling of damp, rats scurrying about the downstairs areas and left luggage room. On the whole an unpleasant experience. Matt was trying his hardest not to put the place down, until I mentioned that I wanted to check out even if it cost me my deposit; I wanted out as quick as I could. Matt was over the moon, he didn’t want to say anything as he assumed all hostels were like this and thought that my life for the last four months had been in utter squalor.
Oh dear, Gary, I was thinking, is this how you’ve been living these last few months
Luckily we found an awesome place around the corner called the Hanoi Backpackers. We were greeted with smiles by staff and fellow travellers. The rooms were clean, bright and airy and I ended up staying here for almost two weeks I liked it so much.
The first night here we enjoyed a pub crawl that started with lots of drinks, roulette dares and some Irish girls. There’s a few scenes missing here, so I’ll leave it at that.
Hanoi is a city where you can buy anything and everything. If you can’t find what you want someone will make it for you. Hanoi has lots of very niche shops, these niche shops come in groups; they herd together along streets with a dozen shops selling identical products - they have a street for silk, a street for coffee and even a street of door handles, electronics and pirated movies.
I had my hair cut by a guy in a park (communist statues in the background for good measure - for the people!).
Here’s me with my hipster haircut drinking coffee with condensed milk and egg whites.
And drinking beer for 80p on the side of the road out of someone’s kitchen/living room/garage.
