5 Unexpected Things We Learned in Hanoi

Traveling to visit our friends in Vietnam was a completely new experience for us, especially since it was our first time to an Asian country.

It was also the first time traveling to a place where both of us had absolutely zero grasp of the language (unless you count the words phở and bahn my from our menu vocabulary- but even those, we found out, we had been pronouncing incorrectly).

There are a number of countries in the world that I would love to visit with the caveat that I’d only go with someone who knows their way around and can interpret the language and culture. Vietnam was on that list.

Fortunately, our friends had lived in Hanoi for a year already (they four more to go, with a possible extension). What’s more, they work with a cohort of Vietnamese counterparts who love to share about their culture.

For people with stronger ties to Vietnam, the following insights may not be much of a surprise. But for “newbies” like us, we learned a whole lot on this first visit.

Last updated: November 2025. Originally published: April 2015. 

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Traffic Secrets

We had heard about the traffic in Vietnam. And having lived in Dominican Republic, the crazy things people carry on their motorbikes was – yes, crazy – but not entirely surprising. However, before our “orientation” to Hanoi, we had no idea how to properly cross the street! We would have waited forever for a gap in the traffic and then tried to make a break for it.

Thankfully, our friends and hosts showed us the secret. Once we tried it with their help, it worked like magic. In case you missed it, here’s our post with the entertaining video of the first time we crossed a major street in Hanoi.

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Exercise in the City of Lakes

There’s a whole world of activity that takes places every morning around Hanoi’s many lakes. We had no idea we would see so many people – especially senior citizens – taking advantage of the lakeside park near our friends’ home. Many of the exercises people were doing were familiar to us, like walking or tai chi, but there were some really interesting new variations (see the blog post Staying Fit in Hanoi for details).

TIP: If you like discovering local routines and navigating new cities with confidence, our Toolkit shows how we plan experiences like these.

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Coffee Culture

We knew that Vietnam made coffee. What we didn’t expect was the number of coffee shops we would see on every block in Hanoi. They also have some creative ways to serve coffee.

Among the drinks we tried were: a coconut sorbet with espresso poured over it, yogurt and coffee, and egg coffee. Egg coffee, a specialty of certain cafes, was probably our favorite. It’s a bit like eggnog in its creaminess. Needless to say, we really enjoyed discovering the coffee culture in Hanoi.

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North and South

Another thing we came to realize during our trip is that there are often some big differences between the northern and southern regions of Vietnam. For example, the language is spoken differently, such that the Vietnamese workers we met in Hanoi said they have trouble understanding villagers they meet in the southern parts of the country.

Apparently, many of the Vietnamese people who migrated to the States come from the central and southern regions. So the Vietnamese food we’ve been exposed to at home is not necessarily the same style as that in Hanoi (or elsewhere in the North). Fortunately for our own palettes, food in the North is not as spicy!

As with most countries, Vietnam is full of diversity, and each region is unique. It’s always important to remember that the things we experience in one particular town or region is not necessarily true of the entire country.

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Many Kinds of Phở

Historians say that phở got its start in and around Hanoi at the turn of the century. It turns out that the Vietnamese noodle soup we’re familiar with from back home is just one kind of phở. The word phở actually refers to the noodle itself, and there are several ways to prepare it.

During our stay in Hanoi, we tried: Phở (noodle soup), Phở cuốn (rolls), Phở chien (deep fried squares), and Phở xao (fried noodles). You can see more about these dishes in our recent post.

Hanoi First-Timer FAQ

Is Hanoi easy to navigate for visitors?

The Old Quarter can feel chaotic at first, but once you understand the traffic rhythm and get used to walking with purpose, it becomes much easier. Major sights are clustered close together.

Is it safe to walk around the lakes?

Yes. Hanoi’s lakes are popular with locals from early morning through evening, especially for exercise. We felt comfortable walking there during the day and at dawn with our friends.

How common is English in Hanoi?

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, coffee shops, and hotels, but much less so in residential neighborhoods. Simple gestures, photos, and Google Maps help a lot.

Where can I try egg coffee?

Cafés around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter often serve egg coffee. Look for long-running local shops rather than chains for the richest versions.

What kinds of phở should I try?

Beyond the classic soup, look for phở cuốn (noodle rolls), phở xào (stir-fried), and phở chiên phồng (crispy fried squares). These give a fuller picture of Hanoi’s food culture.

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–A budget guide to Hanoi
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–3 Day Hoi An Itinerary and Self-Guided Walking Tour Map
–Hue to Hoi An Motorbike Tour/Transfer
–10+ Day Vietnam Itinerary North to South
–Central Vietnam Destinations and Itinerary
–A budget guide to Ninh Binh
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–A budget guide to Mai Chau Vietnam