Hanoi - Street Views

It was December 2025. Most of Southeast Asia remained warm enough to continue with t-shirts. I still found the faux fir trees, decorations and blow-up Santa Claus figures at odds with most of my Christmas and NewYear experiences.

I had a sudden desire to be somewhere a bit cooler but not freezing. Delhi was smog-ridden. So I decided the next best thing was to go to Hanoi, another city that is also infamous for..... errr.......its winter smog. I was convinced that it could not be as bad as Delhi (it wasn't but it has its own mix of toxic fumes).

Nonetheless, it was fascinating and fun. So much to describe. I think this post should start with the streets, the scooters and the odd tri-shaw. The scene below is from Christmas Eve when several roads become pedestrian-only.  This small junction in the Old Quarter came to a stand still as bike-drivers tries to make their way to the nearest parking zone.

Later in that week, this flower stall below caught my eye.

This photo below is the beer delivery for Cafe Pho Co in the Old Quarter.  This hidden gem lies on a street not far from the lake Ho Loan Kiem. I hope to write another post to do justice to its unique atmosphere.

This street in the French Quarter actually had a somewhat Caribbean feel with canary-yellow buildings. Other streets in this district were more sedate with a decidedly European architectural style.

Back in the Old Quarter, shops had already started selling bright red decorations for the Western new year. In our increasingly global world, people are more than happy to fuse traditions.

The air quality was pretty poor in these bike-heavy districts, and possibly across town as well. It was very common to see people wearing masks (something that Delhiites should learn to do).

The air was more fresh by this little lake, not far from the Old Quarter. Fortunately, there are several water bodies in Hanoi. I hope they remain preserved in the face of growing urbanisation.

Finally, a street view from another part of town where a handful of traditional buildings (and temples) are flanked by modern houses. As cities across the world become boringly homogeneous with concrete facades,  it is always a joy to spot these heritage buildings.

I must confess to consciously doing some very touristy things. Occasionally I went off the beaten track,. Both were equally fun. More in my next post!

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