Street theatre…well according to wikipedia…street theatre is a form of theatrical performance and presentation in outdoor public spaces without a specific paying audience. I’d say that’s the absolute perfect description for the street activity in Hanoi, Vietnam because it’s a fine tuned performance for sure. Yes, it’s chaos…but organized chaos.
There’s motorbikes, bicycles, cars, trucks, taxis, and numerous cyclos (a three-wheel bicycle taxi)…not to mention tons of pedestrians…but there’s no doubt…motorbikes rule in this city. The most important lesson for a pedistrian to learn when crossing the streets? Trust the process. Do not change your pace once you start…otherwise you’ll throw off the motorbikes…thus creating total mass confusion. Let’s just say that took some getting use to…well perhaps getting use to probably isn’t the right way to put it…I don’t know how anyone visiting for a few days could ever get used to it! But…I did find myself warming up to the idea of just throwing caution to the wind and hoping for the best! And it really does work!
For a visitor, I think three full days in Hanoi is just the right amount of time to get a feel for life in this city…especially if you’re focused on the historic Old Quarter. Now having said that I could’ve easily stayed a few more days at the Essence Hanoi Hotel and continued wandering the streets, watching the activity and eating more street food. This was the best hotel experience ever. There’s only been a couple of times during all my travels that I’ve had tears leaving a hotel…and this was one of them. The people at the Essence Hanoi Hotel know service and are so eager to please…and boy…do they deliver. (Thanks so much to my blogger friend Cathy for the recommendation!)
You can read and learn all about Hanoi…the Old Quarter…and the Essence Hanoi…on the internet or a travel book. I just want to share enough images for you to get the feel…for the people, the atmosphere…for the beat of this city.
Oh…to have one of those baskets!
ahhh…the makings of Bánh mì
first suit
those shoes!
This guy came out of nowhere…and I was so disappointed that I didn’t react fast enough to get him in focus…but not all images can be perfect, right? It won’t win any awards, but I’m keeping it because I want to remember that fun moment!
I came across this elderly lady in one of the many small alleyways while exploring. She was A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E and totally fine with me photographing her after my nod to the camera. In a few minutes I’d captured what drew me to her…her age (I ❤️ the elderly big time)…the feel as if she was one of those sweet little caged songbirds…the color of her sweater and lips and the metal door…and those teeth. My first reaction to her teeth was probably the results of chewing betel nut throughout her years like I’d seen in Myanmar, but later realized it was an old tradition called tooth lacquering. From what I’ve read…for some of the traditional women of rural areas of Northern Vietnam…it was done to prevent tooth and enamel decay as well as a coming of age ritual. She totally stole my heart.
So hopefully that gives you a taste of the Old Quarter vibe and that’s just during the day! Thanks for the patience of wading through all those images…it was so hard just to pick these! More soon!
What a beautiful tribute to Hanoi, independent travel, and a well developed eye. I love seeing real life images, that’s where the real beauty lies…in the eyes of your caged grandma.
Thanks Abby! So appreciated! Yes, that caged grandma could tell stories…I’m sure! xo
I truly believe that I would recognize your images anywhere now, the way you capture the realness in the streets and the beauty in the faces, the high energy or the peaceful lulls. I, too, love the Grandma and also the sweetie in his first suit.
You should never concern yourself with how many photos you share … what an absolute joy to get to see and learn so much from your wonderful travels, just keep ’em coming, sister! and thank you ~
Thanks so much my dear…wow, that’s a pretty powerful statement! So appreciate you!!! xoxo
OMG… I can’t even imagine trying to cross a street in all that “organized chaos” but I love, love, love each and every photo you shared. My favorites are the little boy in his first suit and of course the elderly lady behind the bars… what a gem!! My question is are so many people wearing masks because of pollution or what? Thank you so much for sharing and Bro and I can not wait to see you and Bob real soon!!! XoXo MORE!!!
We so look forward to seeing you two soon too!! Especially to have your world famous jambalaya! So, I was told (when I asked) that the masks are to help with all the pollution in the air…with all those motorbikes you can only imagine! Not sure if that really helps, but I can tell you on the flight from Seoul to New York there was a person in front of us that coughed the entire flight. Not happy…but, there was something comforting about him having on a mask! Thank you always for you comments! xoxo!!
You don’t know HOW MUCH I have been waiting for this first post on Vietnam, Robin. “I would walk 500 miles” through all the images you have, just to see it all through your eyes. Seriously. (And always, whenever you hope we have patience for all the images you show, I wonder how you must roll your eyes over ALL of mine!!)
I hope this is just the beginning because I can just imagine what else you saw. THANK YOU for starting us off midst the hubbub…showing life there like it really is.
Well first I’d never get tired of your images! I learn so much about Europe through your eyes! But, I do know that people seem to be taking less and less time to visit blogs…just looking for that quick “look” so to speak which is why Instagram is gaining so much popularity? Anyway, thank you so much for you kind words. I have so much more to share!
FANTASTIC! The hubby and I both enjoyed this post! Of course, I had to analyze each photo and try to figure out exactly where you were standing when you took it : )
I am happy you posted the man on the little motorcycle – that was my favorite! And who wouldn’t love the old woman. I am so happy you enjoyed the hotel as much as we did! It is tops in our travels as well. I still have my final visit to Hanoi to post on my blog….
Can’t wait to see more!!!
Wonderful!! With as many visits as you both have had to Hanoi…I’m sure you can figure out the location of each and every image! Again, can’t thank you enough for sharing so much information with us! Thanks too for the comment about the little motorcycle…I’m often too much of a perfectionist with my photography…but this one I just had to overcome it and share, ha! More to come!
I love your gorgeous and so lively pictures of Hanoï Robin! I’ve seen many pictures of Vietnam, among them Cathy’s beautiful and so well documented pictures and travels stories, and yours are so perfectly reflecting the atmosphere of this young, colorful and exhuberant city… mixing traditions and modernity, full of contrasts…
… and oh! this chaotic flow of motorbikes, bicycles and scooters… I’ve never been there but my adult kids experienced crossing the streets in Saïgon through the same chaos and were quite proud to find themselves safe on the other side of the street! They brought me back a video and I found one must be inconsciously brave to dive into such a continuous flow!
I have a weakness for the little boy waving at you in his too-big-for-him suit! and also for the black & white picture of the flats piled above one another… as if there wasn’t enough space in the street and they had to pile new flats on top of old ones… they look so unsteady! And this messy tangle of electric cables and loudspeakers! This particular picture is really fantastic!
Greetings Odile! Thank you for your visit! Oh my gosh…Cathy’s blog is just filled with amazing information and images with all of her travels during those years of living there. She was so helpful with this particular trip! So appreciate your wonderful comments – made my day!
Robin, I’ve pondering the the bigness and the smallness of the world today – something about the holiday season makes me deeply thoughtful – about the grand scheme of things. What I love most about these photographs, and about visiting here, is that they both make me a better person with a broader vision and a greater acceptance of what it truly means to be human. Every view is glorious and rich and satisfying. Thank you, my friend, for taking me on so many adventures!
I always love how you think…the bigness and smallness of the world. Thank you so very much always…for your kind words! So appreciated!
Robin, beautiful, beautiful images and realistic description of a hustling, bustling, chaotic, charming city-Hanoi.
Thanks so much Linda for your visit and kind words!
I just have to “ditto” on all the wonderful comments everyone has made, already.
You are too critical of yourself and we all wait with anticipation on your wonderfully written blogs and photographs through your amazing eyes of how you see the world, whether it be in your neighborhood or across the globe. You are absolutely amazing. You capture the essence and knock my socks off with every photo and every thought you write.
I learn so much and appreciate so much what you bring to this world and to your followers whom love and appreciate you, just as I do.
I love each and every photo! The older woman, her teeth, the little boy’s first suit, the streets and the fact that I can travel along with you without leaving my room.
Much love to you, my friend.
Stay warm!
Xoxoxo
Always inspiring me…so many thanks!! Big hugs and lots of love to you! xoxo
WOW, Robin, there can be never enough pictures of a culture we are not familiar with. What a joy, what a chaos and I think I need a double refill of my anti-claustrophobia-pills, too many people in one spot for me. BUT I love to see the pictures.
I totally understand the ‘don’t change the way you walk the street, keep the same pace’… as a bike rider in The Netherlands we kind of calculate the distance/speed/ and NOT to hit point….. so never change!!!!!
What an experience, what a joy, this is just amazing. LOVE that B&W picture of all the wires….
Safe travels and take your wool socks
Love and hugs
Yes, I knew you would get it based on what you encounter in the Netherlands! Truly an experience…and one that I will remember always…the warmth of the people especially. Thank you always!! XOXO!
I always love and am amazed at the way you always manage to capture the colour, vibrancy and occasional pathos of the places you visit. Those pictures of the motorbike filled streets really brought it all home to me, and I could almost heat the noise as they revved up and down the street. I hope you and yours have a really lovely Christmas, and I look forward to reading and viewing lots more of your posts in 2016 🙂
Peter, thank you so very much! I so enjoy your visits and comments. Means so much! Looking forward to your writings in the New Year…always giving me a smile or a spew of my coffee in the mornings, ha! Ditto on the 2016!!
I just couldn’t agree more with all the comments above. Wonderful images of a vibrant city. Ohh imagine the stories the old lady could tell. I love her face with the young eyes looking at you.
Thank you so much! I loved her…and yes…young eyes!
Wonderful!