Christmas and New Year’s in Hanoi

Tet decorations can be really over the top in Hanoi
Tet holiday decorations can be really over the top in Hanoi

HANOI, VIETNAM – Our Christmas and New Year’s celebrations were certainly a bit different this year. We don’t usually do much, sometimes go to a movie, usually fix ourselves a nice dinner, but we’re not big gift-givers.

We both hate that in the U.S. the “Christmas season” seems to start even before summer ends. Continue reading “Christmas and New Year’s in Hanoi”

A new adventure every day…

Trấn Quốc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi
Trấn Quốc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi

HANOI, VIETNAM – It’s a new adventure every time we step out of the apartment. Seriously, it really is. Take today for instance. Soon you get to know your neighborhood, the stores, the market and what is around. Hanoi just has soooo much!

Today we stepped out of the apartment at about 1 p.m. – lunch time. There were motorbikes parked everywhere; I mean everywhere. “That’s different,” we thought. Continue reading “A new adventure every day…”

What’s for lunch? I have no idea, but we’ll take two…

A typical streetside cafe in Hanoi, Vietnam
A typical streetside cafe in Hanoi, Vietnam

HANOI, VIETNAM – After a stimulating morning at the Museum of Ethnology and a “quick stop” at the gigantic VinMart supermarket that turned into an epic hour-plus meander over the entire store, we were finally back on the street, and more than ready to find something to eat.
Continue reading “What’s for lunch? I have no idea, but we’ll take two…”

Hanoi Old Town Hotel – A great place to stay!

Hanoi Old Town Hotel staff members David, Oanh, Giang, Chi, Sarah, James and Lily
Hanoi Old Town Hotel staff members David, Oanh, Giang, Chi, Sarah, James and Lily
Lisa handles the front desk with excellent service
Lisa handles the front desk with excellent service

HANOI, VIETNAM – We are not getting paid for this plug and that is just fine. This hotel in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Town was a really great place to stay – great breakfast, great helpful staff, great location, and all around good safe choice. We stayed here for 9 days so we got a good feel for everything about the place.
Continue reading “Hanoi Old Town Hotel – A great place to stay!”