Cinderella Syndrome

Hanoi is an early city. Everything shuts down at midnight…literally everything. As the capital of the communist/capitalist hybrid that is Vietnam there is strong pressure to act according to governmental expectations. From my previous experience this is in stark contrast to Vietnam’s largest city Ho Chi Minh (former Saigon and birth place of yours truly). At my age, you would think that the midnight curfew is a welcome change. In fact, I appreciate the freedom to make bad decisions well into the morning.

The northern capital is a bustling city with winding streets and grand boulevards. Of course the French influence is obvious but Hanoi is surprisingly Chinese as well. Confucian images and characters appear through out the city. Street vendors are ubiquitous, hawking shoe shines to road side hot pot meals. If anything, Hanoi is a gastro-adventure to be enjoyed from early morning to shortly after the last metal grate is locked shut.

 

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