hanoi: a photographer's messy love affair

so i’m in hanoi, trying to capture the chaos and the beauty. it’s my third day here, and my camera’s already acting up-probably from the humidity. i just checked the weather and it's hovering around 17°C, which feels like 17°C too, so pack a light jacket if you're coming soon. the air’s thick and the streets are alive.

if you get sick of the city, ha long bay is just a bus ride away. but honestly, i’ve been getting lost in the old quarter, dodging motorbikes and eating everything in sight.

someone told me that the best banh mi in hanoi is at Banh Mi 25, but i found a place near the cathedral that made me question everything. it was that good. also, i heard that the hoan kiem lake is magical at dawn, but the crowds are insane. get there by 5am if you want a shot without a million tourists.

*old quarter is where you want to be, but be prepared to haggle. pho thin is a must for breakfast-tiny place, always packed. vietnamese coffee is a non-negotiable; try it with condensed milk. and egg coffee? don’t even get me started. i’m obsessed.

i’ve been shooting at the long bien bridge at sunset-absolutely worth the trip. and for street art, head to the ho chi minh mausoleum area, but go early to avoid the heat. actually, everything here is about timing.

oh, and the temple of literature is beautiful, but it’s a tourist trap. go when they first open. also, i found a rooftop bar that overlooks the hoan kiem lake-great for photos, but pricey.

if you need a break, there’s a cafe trung* that has cats. yes, cats. and coffee. it’s a win.

i’ll link up some spots that i’ve found helpful: tripadvisor for hanoi, yelp for local eats, and a local blog about hidden gems: hanoi free walking tour. they’ve got some good tips.

anyway, back to the grind. my camera’s acting up again, so i might have to find a repair shop. hope the humidity doesn’t eat my lenses.



here are some shots from the past few days:

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