Vietnam
A quick recap of where we’ve been…
Was Vietnam what we expected? More or less. Hanoi is absolutely overrun by tourists. Barely any space to walk on the streets. The pavement is taken over by vendors, tables and stools, and parked scooters. When you walk on the street you get honked at every second by cars and scooters.
The food was a bit disappointing to us. We expected to be mind-blown every time we ate but we had a hard time finding the right places to eat.
Ninh Binh was very beautiful. A great place to disconnect and relax for a couple of days. We were even able to rent a scooter and explore without worrying about getting caught.
Recommendations
Where to stay
Where to eat
Banh Mi 25 - Famous Banh Mi, best we had
Lan Ong Restaurant - nice restaurant, good food
Banh Cuon Anh Thu - Best Banh Cuon we had
Bun Cha Ba Vuong - went by recommendation
Misc.
Egg coffee is more desert than coffee. Decadent and very much sweet.
Our first glance of Hanoi.
There is no lack of communist propaganda posters.
You can always count on the restaurant puppies to keep you company.
Those French people...
You can find Banh Mi everywhere on the street.
A well deserved dinner at an actual restaurant. It's been a while.
A surprise attack of Corgis on the street.
Accidentally ordered snail soup
I like the red flags. Or am I biased?
Puppies, ducklings and a sunset.
A lot of cafes tucked away in the corners of the rock formations.
I'm not posing, you're posing.
Trying to make goat friends... Only to be ignored.
I mean, we're here. Might as well meditate.
Beautiful views in Ninh Binh.
Turns out we could fit both of us and both our big backpacks on a scooter.
Adventure time with our scooter that is falling apart.
(Likely American) Tourists are taken around with a military truck. Feels odd to see it.
Aleksei and some old friends.
Just behind our hotel in Ninh Binh.
Aleksei's first HotPot. And very likely last...
Very impressive temple complex.
Love the simple eateries.
In the distance, the empty parking lot of the temple complex.
We stayed until dark to enjoy the lit up views of the pagoda.
We had to go up Hang Mua. One of those, "Okay, Let's go" moments... 7/10
Do they ever use this bell?
Very freshly made Banh Cuon. Ordered too much, as always.
Found the best Bun Cha on our last day!
There is plenty of shopping in Hanoi
Happy faces being stuffed with Turkish food at the lounge on our way back!
Bah Dinh monastery at night.