Here is the list of all the food destinations that he went to. Some of the owners in those restaurants or food stalls say that their life did take a huge milestone or a 180-degree turn for the better after being featured by Anthony Bourdain.

Bun Cha Huong Lien

What is it? Bun Cha – Grilled pork noodles
Address: 24 Le Van Huu
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Note: You should come as early as possible to avoid the crowd and the queue. Also, if you come late, Bun Cha will run out. Only vermicelli and spring rolls available – which happened to us once. We got there at almost 8:00 PM and we ended up eating vermicelli and spring rolls without Bun Cha in a Bun Cha restaurant.

Bun Cha Huong Lien is the most famous destination in the list since it is where U.S. Former President – Obama and Bourdain ate. You can navigate your way to Le Van Huu street which is located in the Old Quarter and drop by a small restaurant fully packed with scooters on the front and lots of people coming in and out. You would know you’re in the right place by seeing all the framed pictures of Obama and Bourdain on the wall. After their visit, the restaurant amended its own menu with the addition of “Obama combo” which literally means “this is what Obama ordered” including Bun cha, beer, and seafood spring rolls, one each. Bun Cha is a bowl of grilled pork, crunchy papaya, and carrots with fish sauce accompanied by rice vermicelli and fresh herbs. Just dip some vermicelli into the bowl then take a pork bite and eat! It’s easy, just mix and take bits of everything together and eat. It’s DELICIOUS!

Cussing Noodles

What is it? Bun doc mung – Noodles with pork and taro stems
Address: 41 Ngo Sy Lien, Hanoi
Opening hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Cussing noodles restaurant is well-known among Hanoians. Some people from other provinces of Vietnam often make jokes about the name of this restaurant and some might even be afraid of it. They make lots of questions about not only the restaurant but also the people of Hanoi, whether they are rude or not, whether they are always cussing or not, and alike. The name of this restaurant is just after the name of the dish – Bun doc mung; however, the owner always cusses at her staff, customers, and even not any specific one, which makes people call her shop “cussing noodles”. This bun doc mung shop started to become famous thanks to the word of mouth as people have been always curious “why cussing noodles? what cussing?” and they just wanted to check it out. It became more and more famous thanks to Bourdain’s visit and that it was featured on CNN, viral all over the world. But the question is how about its quality?

Bun doc mung is a bowl of noodles (same strings of Bun Cha noodles) with pork, tomatoes, and taro stems. The best thing about it is its broth made of pork knuckles and snouts. Cussing noodles shop has been doing a great job in this. People love its broth, so no matter how long the queue is and no matter how much cussing they think they would get, they still come. What’s funny is some customers even “volunteer” and desire to be cursed by the owner that they tried to make fun of her or whatever way they could think of to piss her off.

Bun Oc Pho Co

What is it? Bun Oc – Snail noodles with broth
Address: Giang Bun Oc Pho Co, 36 Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7:30 AM–3 PM, 5–11 PM

This is one of the first dishes that Bourdain had in Hanoi. Although Bun Oc is not as famous as Pho in Vietnam, it is still worth trying at least once. The broth is special; the flavor and the smell are very good. Take a seat on a little plastic stool, swirl the chopsticks around and slurp some Bun Oc like a local.

Bia Hai Xom (Beer)   

What is it? Beers
Address: Bia Hai Xom chain is everywhere. But Bourdain went to 22 Tang Bat Ho, Hanoi.
Opening hours: 10 AM–11:30 PM

Beer is everywhere in Vietnam and the number of beer consumers in Vietnam ranks on the up-top in the world. If you can drink or even can’t but want to see some party vibes and Vietnamese ways to clink the glasses, just come check out Bia Hai Xom – the most popular beer shop chain in Vietnam. You will see all the people around shout out cheerfully like crazy, counting from 3 to 1 and “Dzo”. You say “Cheers”. The Vietnamese say “Dzo” and “Uong” – “Drink”.

Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang

What is it? Banh Xeo – Vietnamese pancake
Address: 46A Dinh Cong Trang, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCMC (Saigon)
Opening hours: 10 AM – 2 PM / 4 PM – 9 PM

This Banh Xeo shop has become popular since Anthony Bourdain’s first visit which literally changed the shop’s destiny and life forever positively. Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang offers a perfect version of Vietnam’s Southern pancake – Banh Xeo. The fried crust is made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder, while what’s inside is full of pork, shrimp, herbs, scallions, and bean sprouts. If you are a vegetarian, you can tell the owner to exclude all the meats. Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang uses firewood to make the pancake, which makes the crust crunchy and the whole cake itself smell and taste better. You can eat Banh Xeo with your hands or chopsticks. Dip your Banh Xeo into a bowl of fish sauce and take a bite!

Bun Bo Hue The Lunch Lady

What is it? Bun Bo Hue – Hue style noodles
Address: 23 Hoang Sa Street, Phuong Da Kao, District 1, HCMC (Saigon) or Hem D Chung Cu Nguyen Dinh C, Da Kao, District 1, HCMC (Saigon)
Opening hours: 11 AM – 3:30 PM

One of the most famous street food stalls in Saigon belongs to the legendary, also the street food celebrity – the Lunch Lady or Nguyen Thi Thanh. Anthony Bourdain found her stall and had some delicious noodles that he featured on his show No Reservations. It made this food stall become famous and popular all over the world day by day just after his visit; however, her name was and is still always well-known for her noodles and broth among the locals in Saigon. What’s interesting about this food stall is the way the Lunch Lady rotates her menu which serves only one type of noodle soup or broth every day just because she is an expert in that. Seven days in a week, she can walk you through a maze of noodles’ collection from Bun Bo Hue, Bun Thai (Thai’s noodles?), Bun Mam (Fish sauce noodles) to Banh Canh Cua (Crab noodles). If you visit on Friday, you will be served Bun Bo Hue in which you slurp some clear broth with a meaty flavor and chew on thick noodles while eating some meats, herbs, and rolls.

Cao Lau Hoi An

What is it? Cai Lau – Hoi An Noodles without broth
Address: Central Market in Hoi An

Cao Lau is a Hoi An signature that nobody should ever miss it when they are in Hoi An. Bourdain had Cao Lau in the Central Market, Hoi An where there are a large number of food vendors and restaurants offering delicious Central Vietnam cuisine. Cao Lau has thin slices of pork, thick Quang noodles, and all the fresh herbs and vegetables. If you travel to Central Vietnam without eating Cao Lau in Hoi An and My Quang in Da Nang, you’re not really in town.

Others

The above list is just to map out some signatures. To check the full food list by Anthony Bourdain, you can check the gallery below. Click on the photo for a bigger size and use the arrow to navigate. Feel free to give us your thoughts or feedback on these food destinations!

More articles about Food in Hanoi and Food in Saigon. 

The post Recreate Anthony Bourdain’s Food Adventure in Vietnam appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Nowhere not to be found a street, which given name and resided with different kinds of people, here and there. Yet, are they merely roads with names tagged on cursorily as price tag on a product of a kind, with a view to differ it from the others by means of numbers and digits? They are and are not. Though made of solid concrete and by non-feeling machines, those are not “dead roads”, but perhaps, are brought in a living soul by specific ones who have once made their existence there.

Those streets have accompanied us in the occurrence of many historical events such as the great bombardment of Khâm Thiên, turning it from “the shady street of greenery” to a rough road of rocks and stones; the “yellow street” Phan Đình Phùng covered with the sight of hundreds of yellow leaves in Fall; or the historic Old Quarter singing along our first anthem of freedom.

Hàng Bạc (Silver Street), or more specifically, the alleyway #50 (ngo 50 Hang Bac) is also one of the kind.

As one of thirty-six streets in the Old Quarter, Hàng Bạc has been passing through centuries of ups and downs since it was still once called under the French name Rue des changeurs (the street of monetary traders).

Just until 1945 onwards, “Hàng Bạc” was given as an official Vietnamese calling for the street though the meaning compared to the French one has barely changed. Hàng Bạc was believed to have been built somewhat in the time of Lê Empire or sooner.

Basically, the street is called this way for its historic origin. Approximately in the 15th century, a mandarin whose name was Lưu Xuân Tín, a Châu Khê villager, was commanded by the court to form a foundry in the street. He then invited his family and other villagers to join and they finally came up to opening a foundry school at 58 Hàng Bạc.

Speaking of the alley #50, it is astonishingly filled with surprise when the person who creates the miracle is Scott Matt, a 24-year-old American man. The sweetest thing he has done for the alley is repainting all the flaky old walls and electricity meters, with all the paints and tools bought with his own pocket money.

The second shocking fact is that Scott studied at Drexel University majoring in business, not at all related to architecture or the like. In addition, he has never done such thing for public work before. Thanks to Scott, the alley is now filled with vivid colors bringing a new life to the alley and joy to all residents as well as the visitors. It is just the second time Scott has been here, but what can we say! Maybe Scott has fallen in love with Vietnam!

To see more photos, check the open album taken by Phuong Hoang @Maze Vietnam below or go to Flickr:
Photo Album Flickr
(Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

Words by Trang Nguyen
Photos in Album by Phuong Hoang

The post Someone turned the dark Alley 50 in Hang Bac st. into a trendy Instagrammble Spot! appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

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Nem Chua Rán Bà Già (The Old Lady’s Fried Fermented Pork Roll)

Staying hidden in the side of Hàng Bông Street, the Old Lady’s is easily missed by most foreigners. With a small hand-drawn sign and not at all highlighted, the Old Lady’s, at first sight, seems to scare a bit. If you are not a meticulous person to notice the sign, the only signal that will tell is an old lady or old man at the entrance of the lane will ask you something like: “Nem chua không em ơi?!!” - Do you want some fried fermented pork rolls my pal? The feeling of entering the small lane (alley) for the first time seems quite scary because it is dark even in the day light but somehow very adventurous. However, when you finally get there, you will find yourself sitting in the tiny room with plain plastic table sets but miraculously fits about 10 people. The place has another back door which opens to the side lane which is another “snack’s heaven”!

About the fried fermented pork rolls, there is nothing you have to worry about because they are absolutely delicious! If compared to Ấu Triệu’s fermented rolls - a popular spot for nem chua, this dish will definitely be better and cheaper! Besides the rolls, the Old Lady’s also offers some other dishes and drinks such as fried fries, cheese sticks, iced tea, and kumquat tea and so on.

Address: #38 Hàng Bông Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Hanoi Light Bites

Chén Trứng Nướng (Nguyễn Quang Bích’s Fried Eggs)

Nguyễn Quang Bích is well known as the night street of snacks and hotpots. There is also a market that opens late at night which sells mainly fish. On the side of Nguyễn Quang Bích, you will notice a few lines of chairs and tables set on the side of the street and people are sitting there, one side for hotpot and one side for snacks. As soon as you arrive there, just look to the opposite side, you will see a few people are cooking with small stove and grates, just go there and order your food, there will be a menu for you. If you cannot read Vietnamese, you can order these suggested dishes:
The first dish that you must try is small bowls of fried eggs (Chén trứng nướng) which is the specialty of the stall. If you go in a group of two, you can order 4 bowls because they are quite small portions.

The second dish you can order is oyster grilled cheese (Hàu nướng phô mai). The taste is absolutely mouth-watering! You can order 4 of them for 2 people.
The last but not least dish, which you will definitely like, is fried bread with salty chili powder (Bánh mỳ nướng muối ớt). The name may sound “spicy” and slightly creepy but believe me, you will fall for it in no time. The bread is well fried in butter, salted shredded meat and salty chili powder. There are also small slices of sausage to eat along with the bread.

You can also order some parchyrrhizus for dessert and lemon tea for drink.
Address: #24 Nguyễn Quang Bích Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Hanoi Old Quarter Popular Foods

Phở Cuốn Ngũ Xã (Ngũ Xã’s Rolled Phở)

Mentioning of Ngũ Xã, no one will forget about its notorious rolled phở (phở cuốn). The one-and-only rolled phở here has made its name for a long long time. If you want to try the most genuine rolled phở in Hanoi, just pack your bag to Ngũ Xã Street, there will be millions of family restaurants for you to choose from. However, the one on the street side is still advisory since it is an old family restaurant that has been put in choice by so many customers. Again, you will have your plastic table sets and sometimes you will find that there is not so much space for you to sit properly and if you are a little bit too tall, well, this will be an obstacle! In contrast, maybe it is still acceptable because you can try the best of the best-rolled phở in Hanoi!

Usually, if you go in a group of 2, you should call a dish of 10 sticks, but if you can eat more, just go for it! There is also a very great dish that you should also order which is bloated fried phở (phở chiên phồng). Because this is served in dish so one is fair enough.

Bánh Gối Gốc Đa (Gốc Đa Fried “Pillow Pie”)

There will only be one place where you can find the finest pillow pie (bánh gối), that is the popular family restaurant Gốc Đa, located in the Old Quarter. Gốc Đa has been selling fried pillow pie for years and despite the space is limited and it looks not-quite-hygienic but you can fully put your trust in the quality of the final dish because the pies are fried in front of your face, you can see the owner frying the hundreds of pie as soon as you stand at the front of the restaurant.

Gốc Đa serves with a wide range of different dishes from pillow pie, fried pie, jiaozi (há cảo) and so on. The cover is crispy and the stuffing is absolutely appetizing and there is nowhere to be found a stuffing as tasty as Gốc Đa’s. The difference that makes the name of Gốc Đa is not only the pie but the mouthwatering sauce. And as people say: “The soul of the dish is its sauce”.

Address: #52 Lý Quốc Sư Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Bánh Tráng Nướng Hàng Tre (Hàng Tre’s Grilled Girdle Cake)

A place where Hanoi’s teenagers usually come every weekend is probably 48 Hàng Tre, where has the well-known grilled girdle cake looking like another version of pizza. The making of grilled girdle cake is very simple but there are so many flavors that you can choose from such as butter, beef jerky or mixing of all kinds. If you go to Hanoi, then Hàng Tre’s girdle cake is a dish that you must try at least once!
The restaurant is not too big but there are two floors. Most of the time, the owner will ask you to go through a small lane to the second floor because it is cleaner and there are small table sets which fit three people. The price is also very cheap and competitive so you can enjoy your dish to the fullest!

Address: #48 Hàng Tre Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Bánh Tráng Trộn Cô Toàn (Aunt Toàn’s mixing girdle cake)

It has been a long time since Hanoians, especially the teenagers usually dropped by Aunt Toàn’s girdle cake family restaurant. Until now, if being asked about the place with the best mixing girdle cake, most of the answers received will be Aunt Toàn’s. Mixing girdle has no longer been a strange dish to Hanoians for the last few years. And for a snack that you will probably want to enjoy all day, mixing girdle cake is definitely the dish. Actually, in a previous post of Luke Nguyễn, girdle cake was once recommended by him as the most tasteful dish with a surprisingly cheap price that you can get in the capital. The ingredients are so simple such as quail eggs, fennels, mints, mangoes, beef jerky, dried shrimps and chili powder can still add up to such perfect snack. Aunt Toàn’s mixing girdle cake has made its name as the best and most favorite kind of girdle cakes in Hanoi.

For that reason, there are also many ungenuine restaurants opened under the name of Aunt Toàn but of course, the taste cannot be compared. The only genuine Aunt Toàn’s girdle cake family restaurant is located at Hàng Trống Street. Aunt Toàn also opens another restaurant in Tạ Quang Bửu Street but most people still love the taste of girdle cake in Hàng Trống more.

Nộm Long Vi Dung (Long Vi Dung’s sweet and sour grated salad)

Sweet and sour grated salad or also known as “nộm” in Vietnamese is an absolutely delicious treat that you must never ever forget to try when setting foot to Hanoi. The Old Quarter is indeed a heaven for snacks in the capital. Here you will find dozens of scrumptious treats but only if you look closer, can you find the best dish! Long Vi Dung’s Nộm is an example. This nộm restaurant has been in working for such a long time. In the past, it was run by Mr. Long, who is native of China, and the ingredients, as well as the recipe, were brought by him from the country to Vietnam. Nộm at Long Vi or in general is generated from China for a long time and now it has been changed partly to fit with Vietnamese’s appetite. After Mr. Long passed away, the restaurant was passed on to his son and the flavor is still stay the same.

The dish is a harmonizing mix of papaws, carrots, fennel and different kinds of beef and jerky. Again, the soul of the dish is still the sauce, which is mixed together with all the ingredients to create the most unforgettable taste that one can find. The restaurant is relatively small but there are always so many customers so sometimes you will find yourself sitting on the side of the street with the same plastic table sets, except for the table is now replaced with a plastic chair and a metal tray. Well, but that is just the thing that creates the unique street-eating style of Hanoi! Besides nộm, you may be interested in bánh bột lọc, a kind of cake with a transparent cover made of flour and mixed stuffing of mushrooms, chopped pork and small shrimps. The place also serves fried fermented pork rolls and iced tea (trà đá), lemon tea (trà chanh) and kumquat tea (trà quất) in case you are interested.

Address: #23 Hồ Hoàn Kiếm Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Mỳ Vằn Thắn Đinh Liệt (Đinh Liệt Street’s Vằn Thắn Noodle)

Đinh Liệt Street in the Old Quarter is definitely another place you should drop by if you are a noodle lover. Vằn thắn noodle in Đinh Liệt has been so popular for such a long long time since the time of our parents, they have gone there hundreds of times just to have a bowl of noodle. It even used to be a dating place for former generations in our city! Having a taste of vằn thắn in the middle of the winter is somewhat an indescribable feeling.

Usually, in other vằn thắn restaurants, they will only offer normal vằn thắn bowl in which the noodle is soaked in bouillon; but at Vằn Thắn Đinh Liệt, you will find another dish known as dried or mixed vằn thắn noodle dish in which the noodle is mixed with a very special sauce. The first time tasting this dish, most people also bear the same question in mind of what ingredients is this sauce made of; but of course, it is the restaurant confidential information!

Address: #9A Đinh Liệt Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Read our full guide to Hanoi here

HANOI TRAVEL GUIDE

Covering from popular tourist hotspots to antique and hipster places for adventureous backpackers

The post Hanoi’s 10 Best-Kept Secret Street Food Spots appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Coffee shops seem to cater many lots of our needs these days, turning themselves into a much more lovely destination as a relaxing spot, a working space rather than just a place of drinking coffee. Having sifted through loads of cafes in Hanoi, here we suggest to you the best 7 ones that should suit for your need.

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Hoa 10 giờ - Floral & Book

On taking your first steps into this wonderful store, you will definitely be astonished by the pretty colorful flowers on sale. Orderly laid on the shelf to the left, these delightful flowers make up a small floral shop on the first floor. Buy yourself a bouquet or head to the bar on the right of the room to order a drink then have a seat, watch the fresh flowers and take a few photos at will. Another choice is to mount the staircases to the second floor where you will find a little library with many literary novels, comics, and even economic books. To mention, you can’t use the large glass door upstairs but take the small route beside just like the Diagon Alley in Harry Porter instead to get into the second floor’s interior, which is of much excitement, isn’t it?

Address: 26 Hàng Vôi, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Open – close: 7.30 am – 22.30 pm
Price: 20.00VND – 50.000VND

Le peti

Le peti - "small" in French - is a little cozy coffee shop located in Hạ Hồi street. Decorated in a Paris style, Le peti is an ideal place for anyone who wants to get away from the bustle, crowded streets of Hanoi, an escape from the noise.

Address: 25 Hạ Hồi, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Open – close: 7.30 am – 22.30 pm
Price: 30.00VND – 70.000VND

Work Cafe Hanoi (UPDATED: PERMANENTLY CLOSED)

Book ceiling is what Work Cafe Hanoi will impress you the most. Just look up, you will see dozens of books right above your head, giving a delightful feel. Housed in B tower of Vincom Centre, it is such a large but also quiet coffee shop with many plants, a somewhat suitable place for a group meeting.

Address: 4th floor, B tower of Vincom Centre, 119 Ba Triey St, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Open – close: 9.30 am – 22.00 pm
Price: 35.00VND – 55.000VND
You always need to prepare some games when going to cafes in groups, don’t you? Knowing that it does confuse you times and times, we recommend you 2 most popular coffee shops that treasure trove of the board game to play. It’s time to have the most fun. Bring it on!

The Cube Cafe

This is the largest boardgame cafe in Hanoi, well-known for its wide range of games with more than 400 boardgame US. All such games are free while only a few ones ask for 5.000-10.000VND to hire and such money is completely used for importing more games. Come and order drinks at the bar on the first floor and then find yourself a place on the other 3 stories to start the games.

Address: 168A Tran Vu, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Open – close: 8.30 am – 22.00 pm
Price: 20.00VND – 50.000VND

The Nest – Boardgame cafe

“We are the little Board Game Cafe from Ha Noi. Let’s laugh and play our hearts together.”

Located in the centre of Hanoi, The Nest is an easily reached cafe if you’re staying around Hoan Kiem Lake area. Sitting on the upstairs of an old house, The Nest has a lovely interior with the bright white wall, offering a pleasant atmosphere.

Address: 2nd floor 4A Tràng Thi, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Open – close: 9.00 am – 22.30 pm
Price: 30.00VND – 80.000VND
The love for pets is never enough. Drop by these 2 pet cafes to meet such friendly, cute dogs and cats while having a cup of coffee or juices.
Bear in mind that you can also buy foods at these cafes to feed the lovely pets.

Ailu cat house club

It is probably the oldest pet cafe in Hanoi which opened in 2010. After 3 years contemporarily out of business, Aliu has come back in 2015 and remained a popular spot for Hanoi pet lovers. Situated on the second floor of a small house, although Aliu isn’t spacious itself, it still spares quite a big part of the cafe to be the playground for cats. The range of cats here are somewhat variable but the cutest ones, according to many guests, are those with short legs who look so funny as running.

Address: 2nd floor 114 Trấn Vũ, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Open – close:8.00 am – 22.00 pm
Price: 20.00VND – 60.000VND

Luffy cafe

Although it has been opened recently, Luffy cafe has been well known among young Hanoians as a nice pet cafe. Here they offer care services like spa, grooming for pets and it is reviewed as a quite clean coffee shop, which is plus. Luffy has three stories: the first floor sells coffee, pet accessories and is the playground for guests and pets; the second floor is the playground belongs to the pets only; and the third one is pets spa. 

Address: 25, Lane no 81, Láng Hạ street, Đống Đa District, Hanoi
Open – close: 9.30 am – 22.00 pm
Price: 25.00VND – 50.000VND

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“Do you believe in the Otherworld?”

“Yes, definitely”, which is the answer you will get from almost all the 4.5 billion and more people in Asia-Pacific region, and in Oriental countries including Vietnam in particular. Out of such religious belief, the need for offerings to send to the dead spirits in the other world appeared, causing dozens of villages specializing in making trumpery paper stuffs to form.

1872 saw the invasion of the French into Hanoi, followed by the renames of all the streets and stores. Hàng Mã, living up to its meaning in Vietnamese – the street of trumpery paper goods – paper votive offerings, was called Rue du Cuivre then.

It has been a crowded, bustling and narrow street with all the houses built in the distinct old architecture of Hanoi – 2-storey very narrow block with windows and doors open to the street, tile roof and a porch expanding over the frontage – which was somehow used properly as both homes and working places.

Hàng Mã would be really busy from August, which is July in the lunar calendar, preparing for lots of ritual days such as Mid-Autumn Festival preceding our traditional Lunar New year. Since 1986 so far, there has been a decrease in the number of families running this business, partly due to the government’s policies against superstitions but also because of competitive Chinese goods. They, instead of making goods on their own, hire premises in the suburb and craftsmen there to produce goods as ordered.

The colorful street we find today has been blended with tons of children’s favorites such as lion heads, lanterns of all designs from the old-fashioned five-star ones to those printed with cartoon characters, masks, bubble guns, disguise clothes and so on. People often joke that this business will never cease going up as goods can be stored for variable sale seasons from Vietnamese Mid-autumn festival and Tết to western holiday like Halloween and Christmas, which is thanked the cross-culture.

To enjoy the atmosphere to its fullest, just visit Hàng Mã on the above occasions when stores are open all day until midnight. If you do not find the overcrowded streets a good idea, however, come by at any time, but before 7 to 8 pm to make sure that the close side of the board has not been switched on. Suppose you are wondering how to get to this lovely destination, here is the probably easiest and most familiar route for you. Just follow Đinh Tiên Hoàng St. until you meet Hàng Ngang – Hàng Đào St.(which faces the fountain at the end of the walking street curving around Sword lake); be patient and keep walking ahead before taking the forth on the left. Well done, now welcome to one of our busiest ancient streets.

To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr:
Photo Album Flickr
(Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

The post Hang Ma Street – One of Vietnam’s Most Colorful Urban Streets appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Albeit the fact that French has implemented a subsequent number of cruel strategies on Vietnam during the colonization (1887-1954), which caused severe consequences to Vietnam in general, especially Hanoi, it is unreasonable to completely negate the beauty of many sophisticated architectures they have brought to our capital. People said that these colonial sites in Hanoi carried the charm, elegance, and gorgeousness of a French “mademoiselle” when she set her first step on this S-shape land. Therefore, in this article, we recommend you top 8 French colonial sites in Hanoi that you cannot miss.

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Long Bien Bridge

Constructed from 1899 to 1902, Long Bien Bridge was the first bridge across Red River. At that time, it used to be called “Doumer”, the name of Indochina president - Paul Doumer. If you go there by motorcycle and bike, park your vehicle on the side of Long Bien Bridge, stand there and watch the antique attractiveness of our “historical observer”. Not shiny or modern like other bridges as you may see in Da Nang or Quang Ninh, Long Bien Bridge can lure tourists into the primitive color of rust. Combining with the fierce Red River, the whole scenery may make you feel breathless. Moreover, if you are lucky, sometimes you will be able to see the train pass by and experience a little bit of fear when the bridge vibrates slightly.

 

Address: Cầu Long Biên, Phúc Tân, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội

Hang Dau Booth

In 1894, the French built two booths calls Hang Dau and Don Thuy (located at the end of Dinh Cong Trang street) to provide water for the citizens as well as Western soldiers in the Old Quarter. The tower looks like an ancient fortress constituting three floors, cylinder with 19-meter diameter and 25-meter height. Continuing to explore inside, you will find some stone walls with doors to wander around. Since 1954, Hand Dau booth has been abandoned and turned into a touristic spot in Hanoi. Furthermore, the presence of this water tower appears as an evidence for a historical period of our capital.

Address: Hang Dau booth is located at the intersection of Hang Dau, Hang Than, Quan Thanh, Phan Dinh Phung, Hang Cot and Hang Giay (Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội)

Hanoi Opera House

If Sydney’s symbol is the opera house and Norwegian people are also proud of their opera house in Oslo, Hanoi’s opera house is a must- visit place in our capital. Resembling the model of an Opera house in Paris, this site was constructed from 1901 to 1911 on Trang Tien Street. If there is a classical band or musician arriving in Vietnam, definitely Hanoi opera house will be the place to hold their performance. Recently, Hanoi opera house has cooperated with Institut Francophone International to open a virtual tour around the house combining with the gentle melody of French classical music in 15 minutes, which gives the audience a clearer view about the establishing history as well as the sophisticated architecture of this site.

Address: 01 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3933 0113
Website: http://www.hanoioperahouse.org.vn

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

With the typical features of Gothic style in Europe with high stone walls, dome and lots of windows, for a long time, St. Joseph’s Cathedral has become an ideal place for couples to take wedding photo. Inspired by the design of Notre Dame in Paris, the construction of this site began in 1886. Therefore, this is the oldest church in Hanoi. Inside, the church is sculptured with sophisticated pattern beneath an admirable system of holy pictures on colorful glass. If you are a type of dreamy person, this place will make you feel like a princess living in her antique castle.

Address: 40 Nhà Chung, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3928 6350

Dong Xuan Market

Tired of historical sites, then you might be interested in this one - Dong Xuan Market, where you can find almost everything in the world with cheap price if you know how to bargain. Located in the old streets, Dong Xuan market is known as the “stomach” of Hanoi. The history of this area is attached to the establishment and development of Thang Long, which once was the name of Hanoi. Dong Xuan market was built in the middle of 1889 by the French government. Despite the fast pace of modern life, for more than 100 years, Dong Xuan market has still been so lively and always full of customers. Not only is this the most crowded in Ha Thanh (another way to call Hanoi), Dong Xuan market comprises a significant amount of cultural and mental values illustrating divergent lives of old Hanoi people.

Address: Đồng Xuân, Hà Nội

National Museum of Vietnam History

To understand better about the glorious history of Vietnam in general, you should visit National Museum of Vietnam History. National Museum of Vietnam History is one of the oldest museums inheriting the infrastructure of Louis Finot, which was erected in 1926. Visiting the museum, you will be amazed by the grand exhibition through 30- 40 thousand years until today. Not only can you emerge in the solemn atmosphere but you are also able to witness an important part of Vietnam during the colonial period.

Address: No. 1, Tràng Tiền – No. 25, Tông Đản, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Website: http://baotanglichsu.vn

Government Guest House

After passing by National Museum of Vietnam History, you can easily see a grand yellow mansion with Vietnam’s flag held in the front roof. Government Guest House possesses the classic beauty of French architecture, with the symmetrical ground and façade complex resembling authentic European style.

Address: 10 Lê Thạch, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3825 5853

Hoa Lo Prison

If you are a brave person and fond of a terrifying experience, then this prison should definitely be included in your checklist. Hoa Lo prison was held up by French colonists in 1896 called “Central prison” to imprison Vietnamese patriots and politicians during that time. The Vietnamese history says that the Frech colonists applied many savage methods from hitting, locking people in iron cache to sentencing them to death in order diminish the spirit of Vietnamese soldiers. Today, Hoa Lo prison has turned into a touristic spot for who wants to comprehend the difficulties as well as incredible strength of Vietnam to be able to defeat the French colonists.

Address: 1 Hoả Lò, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
Phone number: 024 3934 2253

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel

Constructed in 1901 by two French investors André Ducamp and Gustave-Émile Dumoutier, Metropole is the first 5- star as well as oldest hotel in Hanoi. For a long time, this place has been chosen to be the accommodation of many politicians, movie stars, and famous writers when they visited Hanoi such as Charlie Chaplin, Jane Fonda, George H. W. Bush, etc. Metropole hotel comprises of two main area: the ancient Metropole and the new Opera.

Address: 15 Ngô Quyền, Hoàn Kiếm
Website: http://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/

Cua Bac Church

Cua Bac Church is a Roman Catholic church constructed by the French colonist in 1932. The site constitutes the uniqueness in French architecture, which creates an unforgettable mark whenever people visit here. Designed by Ernest Hébrard, Cua Bac Church possesses an asymmetric style, which is totally different from a normal design of other cathedrals built during this time. Moreover, thanks to the harmonic designs between Eastern and Western culture, this site is highly evaluated as a typical model of European and Vietnamese style’s combination.

 Address: 56 Phan Đình Phùng, Quán Thánh, Ba Đình
No matter how the French colonists had sabotaged Vietnam, we cannot unrecognized their effort in constructing many impressive sites in Hanoi. Not only do these places help us to attract a substantial amount of tourists but it also represents the glorious past of Vietnamese people in general.

The post 10 Most Spectacular French Colonial Sites in Hanoi appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Now, it’s time to step inside one of the narrowest alleys in bustling Hàng Buồm St. at Hanoi Old Quarter!

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Video shooter and script writer: Chi Le
Video editor: Duc Hoang

The post Narrow Alley in Hanoi Old Quarter appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

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Video shot by Minh Nguyen and edited by Hung Nguyen
Scriptwriter: Chi Le

The post Hanoi Ceramic Road appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Here are the street vendors in Hanoi Walking street at weekend

To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr:
Photo Album Flickr
(Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

Words by Trang Nguyen
Photos by Hanh Le

The post Street Vendors in Hanoi appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

If you want to have an insight into the intricates and traditions of Vietnamese food, you should not miss “Xôi”, which is one of our most popular and oldest street foods. “Xôi” is the term of steamed sticky rice that varies in dozens of kinds and tastes. It is a delicious, easily found and pretty cheap Vietnamese dish.

Wandering around Hanoi, you will have no difficulty finding a store or vendor selling “Xôi” on almost every main street or down many sides streets and alleyways. I highly recommend that you spend time visiting the two famous stores: Mrs. Thao’s on Hang Dieu St and Mr. Tung’s on Mai Hac De St. But should you be interested in cooking “Xôi” on your own, here is the recipe. Prepare glutinous rice, salt, sugar and oil. Firstly, keep the rice in salted water in 3 hours, then rinse it with fresh water. Next, season glutinous rice and mix all properly. Now put the concoction into your rice cooker, add water following this golden ratio: 1.5 cup of water for one cup of rice. When the cooking is done, serve steamed sticky rice with steamed pork, pork pie, salted shredded meat, fried shallots or any toppings you like.

Address:

Mrs. Thao’s store:
41 Đường Thành Street, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Tel: (+84) 3828 5182
Opening hours: 06.30 AM– 22:30 PM

Mr. Tung’s store:
75 Mai Hắc Đế Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 07:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Xôi chè – steamed sticky rice with sweet gruel

You might now have the thought that there are so many ways to enjoy this dish but then it suddenly comes to your mind that: Is that all? The answer is No. Have you ever heard of “Xôi chè”? I guess you not.

“Xôi chè” is a traditional Northern dessert which is cooked every full moon and Lunar New Year. It consists of two main parts: mung bean steamed sticky rice and sweet gruel. People use the tiny, tender, slightly sweet green beans, glutinous rice to make the former and tapico starch or arrowroot, sugar to make the latter. When the weather turns cold, though, mung bean steamed sticky rice can be served with another sweet gruel called “Chè Bà Cốt”.

There is no specific explanation for its name other than a related old saying of Vietnamese people that: “Con chim chích chòe … ông thầy ăn một, bà cốt ăn hai,còn cái thủ cái tai đem lên biếu chúa… ”. Considered as one of the most distinct sweet courses in Northern part of Vietnam, “Chè Bà Cốt” is always Hanoi people’s favourite dessert, especially in winter. It’s the harmony of glutinous rice, brown sugar and fresh ginger, which will warm you up as soon as you taste the very first spoonful. Try cooking “Xôi chè” in the way you prefer or if you have a chance to visit Vietnam, don’t forget to drop by Mrs. Thìn’s store in No 1, Bat Dan St, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. It will definitely be a lasting memory of your trip, I promise.

Mung bean steamed sticky rice with sweet gruel: 

Mung bean steamed sticky rice with Chè Bà Cốt: 

Address:

Mrs. Thìn’s store:  1 Bát Đàn Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 9:00 AM- 22:00 PM

The post Xôi – Xôi chè appeared first on Maze Vietnam.