During my trip to Hanoi in January, I jotted down a few thoughts in my Moleskin. I've finally gotten around to post them on my blog. Randomness really. Better late than never! Part 1 of 2.
Stay Cool
Chilling in Hanoi takes on a different meaning during the winter months (as I found out). With temperatures hovering around 18 Deg. Celsius in the day and dipping to a low of 13 Deg. Celsius at night, I've hardly taken off my jacket here. I even sleep with my socks on because it's freezing!
How anyone can stroll about in a pair of bermudas and a thin t-shirt is beyond me. In fact, I asked this British dude I met on my Halong Bay tour how he was the surviving the weather as such. He admitted, he wished he'd brought his jacket at least. I bet a lot of tourists realised their folly upon arrival, though to be fair, if you'd compared Hanoi to Ho Chin Minh, it's never so chilly in HCM.
Thank goodness for roadside stalls selling hot green tea to warm up your engines. They cost pittance and offer welcome relief. Plus they're great pit-stops after a long walk, so you can tank up on tea or coffee and a cigarette or two (or three) before getting lost again.
Fashion Forward
The Vietnamese folks never fail to impress me with their fashion consciousness. The younger folks are all about looking flashy with the latest brand names but it's the older generation who earn my admiration for their stylishness. They all looked so prim and proper whether in their colourful, traditional outfits or their European-influenced wear - full tweed suit, with matching vest and flat cap anyone? Like most of Hanoi and its buildings, the elder Hanoians ooze old school cool.