Hanoi through the lens of foreigners: The more you explore, the deeper you love

“On the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is a dream, a thrill, an intoxication, a ‘parenthesis’… that I long to get lost in”, commented journalist Alain Gérard, Editor-in-Chief of Latitudes, Belgium, after 3 business trips to Hanoi . Love for Hanoi is also the feeling of many other foreigners who have visited the beautiful capital of Vietnam.

Satisfying the adventurous souls. On his third trip to Hanoi right after storm No. 3 had just passed, journalist Alain Gérard, Editor-in-Chief of Latitudes e-newspaper (Kingdom of Belgium) had many memorable experiences and discoveries. Walking on the streets of the capital, witnessing fallen trees, he thought he could not "stay out", so he quickly made a photo report.

Photo caption — Journalist Alain Gérard shares at the training course to improve skills in producing multimedia information products in Vietnam in September 2024.

Meeting Hanoi in a different appearance, after the devastation of storm No. 3, but that did not make him feel the sadness covering the city, he felt the "green shoots" of life rising. "In the photo report, I want to share my feelings when witnessing the big storm passing through leaving serious consequences for the city and the urgent positive actions of the people of Hanoi. Everyone from old to young worked together through the night to clean up fallen trees, rebuilding the trees that were still alive. Everything was so miraculous, that I felt like the storm had not passed this place, I cannot forget the vitality of the city, of the people here", Mr. Alain Gérard shared. During his 3-week assignment, “desiring to leave footprints all over Hanoi’s streets”, journalist Alain Gérard walked to explore the Old Quarter, jogged around Hoan Kiem Lake, walked along the cathedral area, recorded moments in the popular areas along the Red River… or chose a quiet cafe in an old French villa to sip a cup of coffee… He had integrated into the life of Hanoians without realizing it.

“I like wandering around the streets, listening to the sounds of traffic, feeling the smell of the streets, I also like visiting the streets by motorbike, taking pictures... During the day I work, so I usually go out and explore the city at night... next to things like a painting, bringing a different feeling", Mr. Alain Gérard expressed. In July 2024, a reporter from Tin Tuc newspaper had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Agustin, a Spanish tourist, he expressed his love for Hanoi (Vietnam) after 9 years of returning to travel, he also intended to live in Hanoi forever. In October 2024, by chance, the reporter met him again with a simple, lovable appearance, chatting with people around... and he has now settled in Hanoi. He “boasted” to us about his small apartment on Xuan Dieu Street (Tay Ho District) with a reasonable rent, the peaceful atmosphere urged him to stay in Vietnam after his trip to Hanoi in July.

In the song "Hanoi and I" (composed by musician Le Vinh), there is the line "Small alleys, small streets, my house is there...", it would be a mistake to miss the small, winding streets; the narrow, deep alleys... when exploring Hanoi, looking for its unique features. Mr. Agustin, a Spanish tourist, felt. "The more I explore, the more I love Hanoi... There are many small, beautiful alleys, I was surprised and excited when I got lost alone in the narrow, deep alleys, as if I were immersed in an adventure, whose treasures were unexpected small eateries, peaceful moments, nostalgic for the slow, leisurely pace of life, in contrast to the bustling atmosphere and modern life outside. I have been to many cities, many countries in the world, but I chose Hanoi, Vietnam, right now I feel happy...", Mr. Agustin confided.

Mr. Cho Hyun Dong (25 years old, Korean) is studying Vietnamese in Vietnam and said that as a young person, he feels that life in Hanoi is not only relaxing and peaceful, but also helps reduce stress and pressure. When he has free time, he works out at the gym to improve his health and explores restaurants and cafes in Hanoi. “For me, the cost of living in Hanoi is quite cheap and convenient, I can go anywhere in the city, experience the culture, cuisine... When eating bun cha, the taste is really impressive, I am completely attracted by the dipping sauce, the salty, sweet taste combined with the sour taste of lemon, the spicy taste of chili, pepper, and many kinds of raw vegetables to enhance the flavor... In particular, I like to experience the cafes in Hanoi, every location has a drink shop next to it, with a variety of drinks and impressive decoration styles... I think living in Hanoi for a whole year still cannot explore all the cafes...”, Mr. Cho Hyun Dong excitedly said. Traffic is “a bit adventurous” Many foreigners who come to Hanoi for the first time are quite surprised by the “strange” traffic “rules”, crossing the street is like playing a thrill ride, especially during rush hour, when everything becomes chaotic; riding a motorbike taxi feels like “crossing rapids on a rushing river”… However, many foreigners consider it a mark, an adventurous and interesting experience. “There is always room for pedestrians… At first I felt scared, an ‘impossible’ task, but then I understood that, just blending in, ‘leaving behind’ the traffic in front or behind, I can still cross the street safely, without any incidents…”, said Mr. Alain Gérard.

“I was scared to cross the street, but after almost a day of walking around, taking pictures… I learned how to cross the street in Hanoi. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, everything is quite simple, nothing is difficult,” shared Ms. Liliana, an Argentinian tourist.

At the end of her trip to Asian countries, Australian tourist Melissa Bailey was excited to stop in Vietnam. She shared: “The people are friendly, the food is great, I personally find it quite easy to get around, I also walked around Hoan Kiem Lake, although the traffic was heavy, I still felt safe, lots of green space, friendly…”

Spending 4 days exploring Hanoi with her friend, French tourist Raphaelle Michon said: “We were excited to walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, watching the crowded scene of people passing by. I also like the architectural works here. The traffic is not too complicated, I feel okay. But I have not dared to try riding a motorbike on the street, because I do not know many streets, I am afraid of getting lost…”. “Feels like coming home” After 3 times coming to Hanoi, the first time in 2019, the second time in 2023 and this time: “Hanoi brings a strangely familiar feeling, I feel like I am at home, in my city - Brussels (Kingdom of Belgium). I can comfortably walk, stroll, without fear of getting lost, because there are streets and places that have become familiar, deeply engraved in my mind…”- Journalist Alain Gérard shared.

This feeling was felt when journalist Alain Gérard walked around Hoan Kiem Lake, a place he loved, sometimes getting lost but quickly finding a familiar place... He confided: "There were evenings after work, I walked around the streets, sometimes wandering quite late, I met the cleaners working late at night, sweeping the city, so that the next morning the city would be clean and beautiful again. Meeting the workers cleaning the streets at night after storm No. 3 passed, I was impressed by the images of such tireless labor... Those were the simplest, most familiar things"...

During his three months in Hanoi, Mr. Agustin, a Spanish tourist, spent most of his time reading books in libraries, wandering through small alleys, and discovering delicious food. He enthusiastically shared with reporters his favorite dishes, including grilled spring rolls, fried dumplings, crab spring rolls, and spring rolls with lots of vegetables. To make it easier to explore Hanoi, he asked how to make bus tickets for the elderly and learned basic Vietnamese phrases to ask for directions. After retiring, he is living a peaceful and happy life in a rented apartment in Hanoi and considers it his second home. “Wearing a bus card and waiting for each trip, I feel like a true Vietnamese person,” said Mr. Agustin.

Although he only had 3-4 days to experience Hanoi, Mr. Andrea, an American tourist, fell in love with this city without realizing it. In a conversation with reporters, he "favored" all the "winged compliments": "Wonderful people, lots of drinks, delicious food. I walked around and asked about Hanoi's typical dishes, bought Dong Ho paintings as gifts for my family... Despite the language barrier, I could communicate through gestures, through phone applications... everyone was willing to help and I felt warm, like my friends back home... I loved every moment here..."... From the perspective of foreigners, Hanoi brings different looks and feelings. However, it is undeniable that the love and new experiences the city brings to tourists when visiting Hanoi in particular, and Vietnam in general.