We spent a week in Hanoi during the middle of February, giving us plenty of time to get to know this city. Everyday we took a walk through the area, exploring the backstreets, watching people prepare and then celebrate Tet, the Lunar New Year. We walked on the train tracks, went shopping in the markets, and loved walking around Hoan Kiem Lake.
Here are some of my photos taken prior to Tet, when the city was very busy and full of life.
Journey Through the Old Quarter of Hanoi
This lady was skinning and quartering live frogs right on the street. The looks on Tyler and Kara’s faces were priceless.
Just by chance, we stumbled across the train tracks running through Hanoi. Some people live right here, with their front doors opening right onto the train tracks. We saw people sitting outside of their house, cooking food or washing their motorbikes, and right before the train rushed past, they would have to gather all of their things off of the tracks. Wow, what a way to live!
Where We Stayed
We spent seven nights at the Hanoi Old Centre Hotel. This place was awesome. It has a terrific location, right in the heart of the Old Quarter. We had a family room on the sixth floor, giving us one queen and two twin beds with tons of space. The room came with a flat screen TV, refrigerator, and even a small balcony with perfect views out over Hoan Kiem Lake. From our balcony we watched the fireworks on Tet. Breakfast was provided every morning and was delicious, offering fresh fruit, pancakes, eggs, and my favorite, chicken noodle soup. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Hanoi Old Centre Hotel is the best place we stayed in while in Vietnam.
Post updated February 2018.
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Comments 5
Hi> You mentioned you stumbled upon the train track running thru Hanoi . I had read somewhere, that these were quite a ways out of town. Do you remember in what area these are at in Hanoi? Looks very interesting.
We are looking forward in doing a lot of the things you write about on our trip next March.
Author
The train tracks run through the center of Hanoi, within walking distance of Hoan Kiem Lake. If you look on Google Maps, just a little ways northwest of the lake, you can see the train tracks. This is where we took these photos. Cheers, Julie
Great pics about Ha Noi!
always LOVE your pics Julie,,,,,,kids are growing!!!!
Love Lora and Pepper
Hello from a fellow AGIer ! Glad you are enjoying Vietnam. Too bad you missed my wife who will be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow and will be staying there for the next 4-6 weeks.
She wanted me to let you know you missed Nha Trang, which she considers the best beaches in Vietnam (and possibly the world) Turn back now before it’s too late!!
Take care and enjoy!
Don and Huyen.