If monuments are the cultural red line of Hanoi, it is its inhabitants who give the soul to this city. So why don't you live a day like a local?
The capital of Vietnam does not have a rich historical heritage like Paris. Its cultural charm is hidden in the narrow streets, through the lifestyle of its inhabitants. It is only by hiding the Hanois that you will understand the soul of the city. It is human contact with the residents of the city that will allow us to live authentic experiences. This mini guide Hanoi offers you a day in the skin of an Hanoi.
Hanoi at dawn (04h00 – 07h00)
Shopping city, Hanoi rises very early. From 4:00 a.m., the wholesale markets are turning into a regime. The inhabitants go to public spaces to do outdoor sports activities: Taï Chi, stretching, aerobics, bike, jogging, gym, badminton, etc. In a city of 7 million inhabitants, the parks are often crowded and this is precisely where you have to go to get closer to sports enthusiasts. In a welcoming nature, the Hanois easily accept to bring you into their group. Then, in the morning is also a good opportunity to discover breakfast at the Hanoi.
In Vietnam, we don't have breakfast at home. Everyone eats out and eats salty, in the clusters that are omnipresent in the alleys of the city. To start the day, we take the famous cà phê sộ "Black coffee with condensed milk." Legacy of French colonization, coffee culture is very strong in Vietnam. The Hanoi people are accustomed to attending their own addresses, either in the clusters or in Vietnamese channels such as Cô careng Café or Highland Coffee.
Discover the street kitchen (09h00 – 12h00)
The street kitchen in Hanoi was formed during the twentieth century. Initially, it was the daily habit of the poor workers and peasants to eat quickly done to go to work. Little by little, tradition has democratized towards the top of society. Today, street cuisine enters the life of the Hanoians of all social strata. Because of the population density, the sidewalk is a social extension of the homes. There are stalls, shops, and sluts.
The street kitchen reflects a lifestyle that is very oriented towards the outside. Through a culinary walk, you can walk through narrow streets, enjoying several specialties such as: bánh cuôn (rolled and stuffed rice cakes), bún chả (roasted pork) cá (fried fish) hoa quả d’égim (fruit salt).
Have a drink in a « Bia Hoi » (18:00 – 19:00)
It is a typical urban lifestyle. Like the Spanish tapas, Bia Hoi is a local brewery that Hanois frequent with friends or colleagues. It is often a large casual space where it is easy to tie contacts. A place of sociabilisation par excellence, the Hanoians also go for networking, a kind of " LinkedIn" offline so! Pressure beer is the main drink and there are many local dishes like Lc luô carec (vapour catechism), th Gobiernot bò khô (dried beef) m borne onc næpeng (cooked dryers), rau mông age ti xào tỏi (baselle jumped to garlic), etc...
Dinner in a Hanoi family (19:00 – 20:00)
When we are invited to eat in a family, we discover not only the authentic flavors but also the typical living space and the customs and customs around the table. Tradition wants several generations to live under the same roof. The dinner is sacred for Vietnamese, because it is the reunion of all family members. Thus, the community sense is very marked in Vietnamese cuisine and this feature of character is perfectly reflected in a meal within a Hanoi family. You will learn the very hierarchical behavior code: how to serve tea, alcohol, rice, distribute baguettes, hold the bowl, etc. This initiation will help you as your trip to Vietnam takes place in other regions.
At the time of the party
More than half of the population is under 35 years of age. The Vietnamese are young and they take full advantage of it. We don’t hesitate to import any kind of foreign cultural current: Christmas, Halloween, Black Friday, gym, etc. Dance clubs, bars, cafés grow like mushrooms, but you have to make the difference between the addresses given to tourists and those reserved mainly for locals. Young Vietnamese represent a contemporary culture that evolves and adapts to the time of globalization. Your participation in a Salsa & Bachata evening or a live music café will allow you to understand Hanoi in its reality.
This article offers a non-exhaustive list of authentic experiences in Hanoi. There are many other things to discover in the city and elsewhere in Vietnam. If you have a more generous time budget, don’t hesitate to make a tour of the blog vietnam-en-profondeur.com for more inspirations.
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