Hanoi
Eat
- Bún Chả is a traditional Vietnamese dish originating from Hanoi. It's a delightful combination of grilled pork, rice vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, and a flavorful dipping sauce. Here's a breakdown of the components:
Key Elements of Bún Chả
Grilled Pork (Chả)
Thinly sliced pork belly or pork patties are marinated in a mixture of fish sauce, garlic, sugar, and lemongrass and then grilled to perfection.
Rice Vermicelli (Bún)
Soft, white rice noodles are served as the base of the dish.
Herbs and Vegetables
Fresh herbs like mint, perilla leaves, and coriander, paired with lettuce, shredded carrots, and pickled green papaya, add freshness and texture.
Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm)
A tangy-sweet sauce made of fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, chili, and sometimes a touch of vinegar.
Accompaniments
Served with optional chili, lime wedges, and crispy spring rolls for added flavor and texture.
How It’s Eaten
Traditionally, the grilled pork and dipping sauce are served separately, allowing you to dip the noodles, herbs, and meat into the sauce. Alternatively, everything can be combined into one bowl for convenience.
Bún Chả is famously known as the dish enjoyed by former U.S. President Barack Obama and chef Anthony Bourdain during their visit to Hanoi!
Sleep
- Hanoi is on the great Southeast Asian backpacker trail, and dorm beds/privates can easily be found below $10/$20 through booking sites. You should also have no difficulty finding accommodation upon arrival.
- Despite being overrun by tourists, the Old Quarter is the most lively area to stay in. Further west is also in convenient distance from sights, especially if towards West Lake.
Transport
- Town: Everything is walkable in the Old Quarter, but as soon as you move outside (and you want to move outside the bubble), walking quickly becomes impractical. You are never from a motorbike taxi (xe om). Prices are open to negotiation, but within Hanoi, they typically charge around VND 30,000 for about a 10-minute ride.
Cars (including taxis) are rapidly changing the roads in Hanoi. Prices for taxis are usually [around double] the price of a motorbike taxi. [TBC]
Taxis can be found readily at Noi Bai airport, but they are famous for overcharging, dropping tourists at the wrong hotel, and other scams. Be prepared to negotiate and hold your foot down. Or arrange a taxi in advance through your hotel.
It is also possible to take the fixed-rate Jetstar or Vietnam Airlines buses into town. Leaving Hanoi, it is typically best to arrange a taxi through a reputable travel agency.
- Out of town: many day trips or short overnight trips can be arranged independently through
Common day trips like Halong Bay can easily be visited by organized tours.