- Population: 7 million
- The city is over 1,000 years old
- Capitol of Vietnam
- Rainy season is May-September, with 66 inches of rain annually
- Occupied by the French from 1887-1954 (lots of architectural influence)
- Language: Vietnamese
I love Hanoi! It's certainly different than the United States, but that's what I wanted. The city is very densely populated, but it does not feel overwhelmed with people like New York can. Even in the busiest parts there is a certain peace and harmony to the way everything moves together. People seem very friendly even with the language barrier.
That being said- the traffic is a little stressful! Motorbikes rule the road- and the sidewalk. They are everywhere! I've read estimates of about 4 million bikes in the city. The traffic moves slowly (15-35 mph) and the vehicles dance around each other. Though most people obey traffic signs, the motorbikes act more for the opportunity to continue moving. So if no one is coming and the light is red oftentimes the motorbikes carry on. Pedestrians walk at a slow steady pace as cars and motorbikes wind around them. The video to the right shows you some pretty standard shots of traffic in Hanoi. | |
1. Get accustomed to the metric system
2. Bargaining
3. Crossing the street
4. Picking up the language- there are 6 tones (Chinese has 4) an I am constantly saying nothing at all when I attempt it.
5. Being prepared all this crazy rain!
6. Very little, often no cheese at all wahhhhhhh
But I can already tell there are some things I love:
1. Lakes in the city
2. So many plants/trees
3. Beautiful lights on the streets and monuments (it is the capital after all!)
4. The exchange rate- everything is so inexpensive!
5. Most things are in walking distance- and if it's not there's Uber!
6. It's easy to travel out of town