Hanoi- My almost lover #culturevulture

Hanoi..

Hanoi is where I'm born and raised-up. To be very honest, I don't find myself belonged to the city.. but I do leave a piece of my heart there. I would say that I have a love-hate relationship with this city. To leave, to come back or to stay, there is always a heavy heart...

At the first glance, as a tourist, understandable if you do not have a good impression for Hanoi. Traumatised by the aggressive noise of vehicles, of the polluted air, of the crazy traffic in peak hours.. Imagine it's like making friend with a problematic and messy person.. She has nothing to offer you at first, however, if you're willing to spend time with her, you will definitely have fun.

She is casual and sincere. You would agree with me, when you explore the Old-quarter, 36 Old-Streets district in Hanoi. My favourite spot was the international beer conner in Ta Hien St, I'm used to be a frequent there, during my juvenile, like 10 years ago, it was a pretty decent conner for travellers to gather in Hanoi. I often went there with my best friend, ordered some dirt-cheap beer, chit-chat with those backpackers and tourists, shared some tips as a local and listened to their travel journey.. it was real darn fun.. Ta Hien St is more happening now, with a new crowd of teenagers, a bunch of new restaurants and bars are opened.. A bit sad as I'm no longer find myself connected to the atmosphere of the place.. but I'm glad that the better crowd reflects the boarder connection between locals and tourists in the city.

-photo taken from Google search

Digging more into the old-quarter, the messy architectural structure of a modern lifestyle and golden past. I was about comparing Hanoi with a teenager who have not formed her characteristic and personality, a messy babe.. but it doesn't sound right. A 1000 year-old city and still behaves like a teenager? Nah it just doesn't sound right.. Hanoi is more like a woman undergoing the change of life! Oh yes here you go.

She is crazy and yet sweetheart. She drives you nut yet comforts you. You might get freak out by crazy traffic in this city.. so horrible.. flows of traffic are interlaced like matrix.. people follow their own rules.. A Hanoian, I, myself do struggle to be a part of that chaos. But when I step aside from all the stress on the street.. to listen to sound of the city, I am rewarded by a beautiful symphony.. a peddler cries his wares, a bike rings its bell and awkward loudspeaker in some precinct plays those old songs of socialist revolution. Simple like this..

-photo talen from Google search

She is a never-ending story teller, stick with her to enrich your soul. How funny it is.. everything of this country has a story behind its name. Most of them are cock-and-bull or legend-tale. A street has its story. A tree has its story. A temple has its story. A dish has its story. And the most scenic spot of the city, Hoan Kiem Lake, has its story. Hoan Kiem Lake means "Lake of the Returned Sword". It's the story of Emperor Le Loi borrowed the holy magical swords from a giant turtle (known as Golden Turtle God) in the lake. After expelling invaders out of the nation, the Emperor went back to the place and returned the sword to the turtle. Ever since he named it "Lake of the Returned Sword".. Hmm end of the story.. Gosh, I sincerely believe that those tour guides would tell the story better than I do.. but yup, it's just to demonstrate the traditional value that this city has accumulated over its history of 1007 years.. it can be seen from the smallest pieces to the symbols of the city.

She is so gonna win your heart by your stomach. Street food in Hanoi will give you headache because of its variety. Yeah, when it comes to food, it's better to present it visually. Most of the photos are stolen from a close friend of mine's Instagram and a few from Google search.

Pho - a worldwide well-known Vietnamese dish, a simple bowl of beef noodles. I would have it daily. Simple yet sophisticated. I love how Vietnamese cuisine using all the fresh herbs for its dishes.

Cha Ca La Vong, grilled fish.. to have with a lot of spring onion, veggies, rice noodles and shrimp sauce.

Are you alright with snail? Bun Oc - Snail noodles, absolutely yummy..

Or shall I just collage a few.. I am toturing myself by browsing through all these pictures at midnight..

Dessert is so my thing.. haven..

Hanoi is going through some turning-points. I'm worried if she ever becomes someone who is completely strange to me. Every time, I head back home, there is always something new about this city, new regulations, new urban centers, new kinds of food.. and with crazy inflation rate, there are new price tags for almost everything.. make me feel like a tourist in my homeland. As something new happens, something old is likely to be replaced, modified or mixed-up. There is no right judgement when it's come to changes.. it's a part of life.. I do see all the changes of myself year by year.. then who am I to prohibit this city from changes.. I just hope that Hanoi will not loosing up herself..

It's my very first time take part in any challenge, but #culturevulture is way far interesting that totally catches my attention.
I'm glad that I have typed down that much.. it helps me realise.. how truly and dearly.. I feel for this city.
Thanks @eroche for organising this meaningful challenge, more to come. Cheers!