This is only the beginning of my account on my experience in Vietnam. It begins with Hanoi. Flashbacks that run through my head when I think of this old northern capital city:
- Looking out of the taxi window, groggy after the longest flight of my life, feeling overwhelmed by the chaotic streets with motorcyclists hooting continuously
- Sitting on a child-sized plastic stool on the sidewalk of a busy street and tasting the best bowl of pho ga (divine chicken noodle soup) made by an old Vietnamese woman — about a Euro for it. This became one of my favourite daily dishes throughout the trip
- The strong scent of incense at the Temple of Literature and the peaceful feeling it gave me
- The sun setting on the pagoda
- Waking up early to catch the coach for Sapa, moved at the sight of the old Vietnamese walking out of their humble homes and stretching their vulnerable bodies to the skies
- A kind artist who patiently packaged our paintings in a cylindrical tube and, tying a string on both sides, made them easy to carry
- The little altars and shrines with incense sticks, flowers and fruit in hotels, shops and restaurants
Unfortunately, Hanoi was the first place we went to, so I was jetlagged when my friend and I arrived. My first impression as I stepped out of the taxi was that the place was dirty, chaotic, hot and rundown. I felt a little anxious as the endless stream of motorcyclists drove past, hooting without end. What was this urban jungle?
It was only towards the end of our three-day stay that I started to appreciate the beauty of this old Vietnamese city. I feel like the few images I managed to snap don’t do it justice, but I’m sharing them as they’re part of my journey.
From this point onwards, the experience gets more inspiring, exciting, and enriching. Stay tuned for my next post on one of the most stunning places in Vietnam: Sapa.