The Old Quarters of Hanoi is like a treasure trove filled with interesting sights and smells. This is our second trip to Hanoi and yet, we are just as amused as before how the locals cross its busy streets. They just meander their way across the road following the flow of the traffic.
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| A crossroad in Hanoi with traffic iights installed to ease the flow of traffic |
In certain nooks and corners of the Old Quarters, there would be some delish delights awaiting. There is this Giang Cafe where we savored the Egg Coffee. We had to walk through a narrow passageway before it opened up into the cafe. This coffee is a must-try as it is distinctly rich and creamy. Just round the corner is a shop that sells the sticky rice with toppings of meat floss and shavings of compressed cooked bean paste. Some students would have this for breakfast to last them through the day till dinner time.
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| Egg Coffee |
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| Sticky rice |
Then there is this Heritage House in Old Quarters where we got to see the architecture of a home before modernization sets in.
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| The Kitchen |
Interestingly, this kiln-like object is a water tank. It is placed in the air-well to collect rain water and water from the gutter at the eaves of the roof. We were informed that such water tanks are still in use in some homes in certain provinces of Vietnam.
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| The water tank |
At Hoan Kiem Lake, it is a different picture during the weekend. The quietness of the park as enjoyed in the morning would be replaced. The park would be abound with activities from classical music performances, dancing performances to a bustling night market scene nearby.
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| Hoan Kiem Lake - in the morning |
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| Classical music performance |
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| Night market |
The Old Quarters of Hanoi is still as fascinating, and has made our current trip just as worthwhile and memorable as before.
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