Last Updated on February 18, 2025 by myriamoblogger
If there’s one thing Vietnam will give you, it’s adventure. Vietnam is the perfect place for travellers who want to get out of their comfort zones. Hanoi especially isn’t for the faint-hearted; it is loud and bright. The powerful energy of the city is perfectly balanced by the easy-peasy lifestyle of the locals and the beautiful sceneries.
A few months ago, I travelled to Hanoi for my 30th birthday. My first Asian country, my first “proper” solo adventure outside Europe.
Are you interested to know more about Vietnam or Hanoi? Maybe you’re wanting to travel there? Let me share my first impressions and what YOU can expect.
- Friendliness and easy lifestyle
Vietnamese (in Hanoi anyway) are so laid-back. I was amazed by how “chill” the locals were towards me. I’m Black, and I didn’t see many Black foreigners in Hanoi. For this reason, I thought I’d stand out, but I’m happy I didn’t really. As I was walking, I never felt like eyeballs were staring at me. Of course, I’ve had interactions with locals, with one eventually touching my hair without permission, but it never felt too intrusive. The only time it got weird was on my last day, at Noi Bai Intl airport. Imagine being surrounded by a group of Vietnamese middle-aged men and women asking you for pictures. Well, that’s what happened to me. It was odd because it never happened in the hectic streets of Hanoi, but it did at an airport? Though super strange, I took it lightly, thinking these people were just not used to seeing foreigners or Black people. And thankfully that didn’t represent my Hanoi experience, which was overall positive.
- Hanoi can be HOT
I travelled to Hanoi in August 2024, which is both the hot and rainy season. It was so hot and humid, oh my gosh. During that trip, I learnt to never again use tissue to wipe off sweat. I can’t count the number of times little bits of tissue paper got stuck to my face as I was wiping off sweat. How glamorous, eh? Better believe I got a hand fan after that. But what’s interesting is that you get used to the heat. The heat is just a way of life there, so with more than a week in Hanoi, I got used to it. You can say I became a semi-local, and my body adapted well. As August is also a rainy season, there were some heavy rain days too, but my umbrella came in handy.
- Locals may speak about you
Listen, I don’t speak Vietnamese, but in my old age (I’m only 30), I can guess when someone speaks about me. One time, a local (the one who touched my hair) asked me what my age was and where I was from, she then proceeded to react in Vietnamese. When I asked what she said, she and the other locals who were also listening gave me a big grin (cute, I know) but zero translation. Call it compatriots’ loyalty, I don’t know. Right there and then, I wish I was fluent in Vietnamese. Granted, I had my translating app, but it’d be weird to bring it out suddenly.
Another thing is the Vietnamese language has strong intonations, so don’t be surprised if you hear people interacting loudly; it’s just the language, I think. All in all, if you’re travelling to Vietnam, translating apps are a saving grace, but don’t be surprised if you get lost in translation.
- The city is super busy
Cities such as Ha Giang and Sa Pa are a delight for those looking for nature and calm; Hanoi is an immersion into city life. Not to be compared with European city vibes, though; Hanoi is a class on its own. If you’re there for the first time, it would feel like you’re entering a new world, especially if you’ve never visited Southeast Asia. It is super authentic and bold. If you’re looking for a new experience, I think you can get that in Hanoi.
I admit that the buzz of Hanoi reminded me of my motherland, Ghana. The peculiar way of crossing, the honking and the street food joints across the streets are not new to me. But I can imagine how people who are not used to it could feel overwhelmed in a city like Hanoi.
As a solo traveller, though I was fully immersed, I didn’t feel lonely, so you’re likely not to. In fact, the amount of foreigners walking around is enough to not make you feel alone as a foreigner or solo traveller. But also, Vietnamese people and their smiles have a way of making you feel integrated. You don’t feel like you’re “a bother”; you feel welcomed. No wonder, Hanoi is a very popular place for tourists.
- Safety
My first time in an Asian country, far away from home, but I felt very safe. I didn’t fear walking at night. Partly because Hanoi is full of neon lights, so even at night, it’s still bright. And there’s just something about the environment and people that makes one feel safe. No matter which country you’re travelling to though, it’s important to have local emergency numbers saved and your lodging address sent to for your friends/family back home. I had that down, so that relieved any stress. The only time I didn’t feel ‘safe’ even without real danger was when Grab (Uber equivalent in Vietnam) drivers would lock the doors as soon as I got in. I don’t know if it’s common there, but it happened to me almost every time. I guess it’s for safety reasons, but as a claustrophobic, it wasn’t the best feeling. If you’ve travelled to Vietnam, let me know if it’s a usual practice for Grab drivers to lock the doors as soon as passengers get in.
- France similarities
Did you know that some streets in Hanoi look like France? It was a surprise to me. In some ways, It’s not surprising because of the colonial history between the two countries. Not only are there similarities in the food (baguettes!), but some streets and houses looked very similar. One time, I had an evening stroll in one of those streets, and I was stunned.
I’m not done sharing my Vietnam adventure with you. I can’t wait to share the “things you should know before visiting Vietnam” , “my favourite places” and more photos. This is Travelling Notes after all, and you’re my companion.
Have you been to Vietnam? Are you going soon? Share your experiences.
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