Life These Weeks in Hanoi, Vietnam: August 16-30, 2026

My room was Super Charming! And the street below the balcony was just exactly what I’ve always wanted – hotels, shops, cafes, restaurants, people, motorbikes…all the activity. I love watching it, I love hearing it as I lie in bed.

Wine bar across the street

Down the street. It’s an alley, but wide enough for cars, so I can get Grab rides right from the front door without having to walk out to the main ride. Score.

First night’s security.

Second night’s security, improved, once I realized from outside the door you could see straight to the bed through the crack in the door.

Modern technology. Not me everytime I leave afraid I’ve left the key inside. I miss Korea and the numerical touchpads.

My wonderful big window with the lights strung outside. I love laying in bed with a book, watching the leaves or the rain (lots of rain the first 2 weeks), listening to the sounds of the street below. This is heaven.

Lucky Cat waving from Hanoi.

Across the way neighbor exercising early in the morning.

There’s a cafe on the first floor that’s great for reading, working, or waiting for Grabs in the ac.

Always something to watch on the street below.

My first walking foray down the street towards breakfast.

Lots of stairs up to the breakfast spot.

Balcony seating.

The view. St. John’s Cathedral. Opened in December 1886, it is one of the oldest French colonial structures in Hanoi, built on the former grounds of the Bao Thien Pagoda. Its design is inspired by the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. There is your history lesson for the day. It’s a Very Popular tourist spot (read: popular Instagram photo spot) so that end of my street is always super crowded.

Breakfast. The bacon was good. The hash brown had a hard time staying down. I don’t know why I’m having such strong food ick in Vietnam.

Couldn’t get this translated accurately (read: At All), but that’s Ho Chi MInh the man. He dedicated his entire life to freeing Vietnam from foreign rule, first from France and Japan, and later fighting South Vietnam and the United States. His image is everywhere.

Street scenes on my way to the ATM.

Walking home.

The trash lady. You put your trash bags out after 5pm, beside your front door….and she comes along with this push cart and picks it up.

I’ve happily discovered that Vietnam has the same ruby grapefruit honey black iced tea that I loved in Korea.

A rainy evening. We had like 5 days in a row of heavy rain on and off all day and night. This is the tail end of the rainy season here in northern Vietnam.

Eggsellent breakfast at a hotel buffet on my way to a co-working space cuz the chairs in my room are Hid. Ee. Us. It was SO so good. The next time I went back it was SO so bad. Ha.

The coworking space was on the top floor of a hotel/corporate center/wedding venue. It was a nice setup but I couldn’t do the monthly subscription cuz of the way they broke up the months and they’d never give me a price for a daily pass. So I only worked there the one time.

I love when it’s just starting to get dark and the lights come on – the colors on the street are so rich.

Mo rain.

On days when I want to leave the room but not the building (which are many), the first floor coffee shop is perfect. It’s like I’m out in the world without really being Out In The World.

The window sill menagerie is growing. Lucky Cat and capybara from my great niece…husky from Katie.

I got myself out for dinner. It wasn’t that good, ha ha, and I got lectured for not eating all my fries!

I returned to the comfort of the downstairs cafe and a brownie. THAT I finished, no lecture needed.

When I DON’T get myself out to eat, cheese and crackers is a common meal. Yes, I’m slicing my cheese with the vegetable peeler. Or at least I’m trying to. I did not bring my cheese slicer this trip and I regret it immensely.

Thursday is Room Cleaning Day. She cleans the floors and the bathroom, changes the bed and gives me frsh towels. I love Thursdays.

She brought me a bathmat so I didn’t have to step out of the shower onto layers and layers of folded paper towels (which stick to your feet when you walk away).

One night the road really flooded. I’m grateful to be on the second floor.

On my way somewhere.

Work, coffee, and a cannelle.

I found a more reliable coworking space. It’s roomy and FREE, as long as you buy a drink. I get a new coffee every two hours…and sometimes a sweet treat.