Solo visit to Hanoi, Vietnam

The very busy traffic overloaded with motor-bikes

It took me days to make up my mind as to which part of Vietnam I wanted to see.
I have always wanted to visit the country but when it came down to finding a flight on short notice, that was easier said than done.  I had also heard not so flattering stories about travelers being scammed on the streets and by taxi drivers, and the unfriendly visa and immigration officials at the airport who will dragged their feet before stamping your passport.

I finally made up my mind and decided to visit Hanoi.  I have read and heard about the magical and beautiful landscapes outside of the city.  Taxi fares are definitely expensive from the airport. However, I decided to purchase a return taxi coupon at the counter outside the airport arrival hall. The coupon also covers the toll fares.

Hanoi is noisy, very noisy.  If you are not used to noisy traffic noise, you will have a headache like me within 2-3 hours.  The roads are crowded with honking cars, motorbikes and people.  Street vendors sometimes will pull you suddenly to ask you to buy their goods; men/women sitting idly on their motorbikes will call out to you to give you a ride some where; and do not even stop to admire or touch things for sale on the sidewalk or shops as you will be persistently pestered to buy.

I do love how each street sells something particular and nothing else. A whole street will sell buttons, then household goods, then bamboo.

Crossing the road was a really challenge. Bravery is essential.  I perfected the art of crossing busy streets the day I arrived in the city.  If you hesitate to cross the road, you will never get to the other side.  Just step forth and watch as the bees of motorbikes will part, weaving in and out.  Like some orchestrated move, they will avoid knocking into you.