Its funny because everyone we bave spoken to absolutely loves Hanoi, but out first impressions are that we dont... It feels a bit like i imagine bangkok did at the beginning of the tourist rush- in no other city have we felt treated or seen as other western tourists. Obviously we were targeted in
Markets, for tuk tuks, taxis, massages, etc, but here is heaving with them: stoned, drunk, travelling in herds. Its a city with great architrcture, very french, and also a lot of buzz- it has a lot of shopping, mixing old vietnam with new, and never have i seen so many motorcycles going in so many directions in such narrow spaces! Its all a bit of a headspin. Our hotel isnt great tonight - the a:c doesnt really work so we are trying to lie very still. The heat here seems greater than others- maybe because of the amount of people around. We are being picke up for our cruise tomorrow, i think that will be lovely. Weve booked a nicer hotel for our next stay in Hanoi (next tue/wed). Weve realised that only a few dollars more a night is a huge amount of extra comfort here.
Sounds an amazing place, but your always having to keep your wits about you.
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