Hanoi, Vietnam (6th Dec 2014 – 13th Dec 2014)

My trip to Hanoi was nothing short of amazing. I loved every bit of it from the weather, to the food and the people. The most common reaction I got from people when I told them I would be in Hanoi for 8 days was “Whut, isn’t that a little toooo long?”. Nope. Thing is, I wasn’t even ready to come home. 8 days was definitely not enough to indulge and soak myself into the lives and culture of the locals – one of the very reasons why I travel and love to travel so much.

It was winter in Hanoi, the temperature ranged from about 10-15degrees therefore you get to dress up in boots (my favourite!) and coats and look awesomely fashionable. I was never interested in Vietnamese food but it turned out to be not bad. Bun cha was one of my favourite discoveries there.

Introducing.. Bun cha, from the most popular shop in Hanoi. (So they say.) You dip the noodles and pork into this bowl of soup and eat it. Yummmaye.

Honestly, I have no idea what I have been doing for that 8 days, it was just over in a spur of the moment. I only visited 1 museum (damn it), the Landmark tower, and took part in a popping 1v1 event. Okay I also went drinking and clubbing with some of the Milkyway Crew. Baby T! And got the handsome one also k. YAY. <3 HAHAHA. Oh right, and the disappointing Halong Bay. Let’s not get into that.

Yep. Cute hats, fur coats, and boots. I love this weather.

How often do you get to go overseas just in time for a popping battle? Just join only. #yolo

One of my most memorable meals in Hanoi. Idk if I was just hungry or what, but this roadside noodles is damn awesome. Not to mention you get to eat beside some of the MKW crew.. teeheehee..

Meet Baby T, this super cute and dope popper whom I had the honor to sit his bike hohoho.. *inserts appropriate emoticon, you know the one with the heartshape eyes*

This is where Uncle Ho’s body lies.

Welcome to Halong Bay. If you ever decide on going there, please take a good look at your tour itinerary and make sure to visit more than 1 cave. And then minus 50% expectations on how awesome they described your tour to be.

Having my last pho for breakfast before heading to the airport. :( On a side note, this makes a pretty good hangover food.

Well, my best takeaway from this trip? The people of Hanoi. The locals were very friendly, although you have to beware of all the scams and people who are out to tok your money when you shop. (Even some of these people were quite friendly, you just gotta learn how to bargain with them.) There was this one morning where I was sitting at the balcony on the second floor of a café having my breakfast. The balcony overlooked the busy streets bustling with vehicles and people. I saw this bunch of boys (looked like secondary school students to me) kicking a rubber ball around by the side of the road. They looked like they were having a lot of fun. I guess many of the kids in Hanoi aren’t as wealthy or as fortunate as kids in Singapore, but it felt like they possessed so much more than us. True simple happiness. They were contented with what they have. Many of the kids in Singapore take things for granted. They do not know how to appreciate and be contented with what they have because they do not know what it is like to grow up in a less fortunate country. The locals here have so much to give. I stopped by this eating place in midst of looking for the cat café, and this friendly staff was so enthusiastic in helping me look for it. She even suggested that she would run over to the café to check if it was open so I didn’t have to make a wasted trip there. (Mind you it was quite a distant away.) She insisted on helping so we ended up walking to the cat café together. Turns out it has moved to HCMC long ago. She apologized and said it was her honor to help tourists like me. (Thank you. I’m sure you will be rewarded for your kind heartedness.) It’s always people like these who makes my trip a lot more memorable and pleasant. The little boy selling hats who joked with us and took the extra mile to help us because we were so picky with his hats, the cute old trishaw uncle who pointed out tourist attractions to us on our trishaw journey and was even sporting enough to pose for my selfie even though we cut his offer price by 75%, the hotel staff who were so warm and sincere in receiving us.. It gives me something more precious than tangible goods to take home. Thank you Hanoi, till next time. :)