For 91 Days in Hanoi

Adventures, anecdotes and advice from three months exploring Hanoi

For 91 Days we lived in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam. We had just spent the previous 91 days in South Vietnam, and couldn’t leave without dedicating the same amount of time to the north. With some of the most bizarre nature we’ve ever seen, a fascinating culture, and incredible food, Hanoi and the northern half of the country provided us plenty of adventure for three months.

Whether you're planning your own journey to Vietnam, or just interested in seeing what makes it such a special city, our articles and photographs should help you out.

Hanoi For 91 Days: E-Book Travel Guide

After having spent three months in Saigon, Jürgen and I got on the road to the north. For the next 91 days, we'd travel slowly toward Hanoi. The first month was spent in the fascinating middle regions of Vietnam. During the second month, we tried to survive the chaotic capital city. And we explored the unbelievable nature of the north during the third month. We've now collected our experiences in Hanoi and North Vietnam into an e-book travel guide, with all of our articles and over 280 full-color photographs, in one handy, portable edition.

Tạm Biệt, Hanoi!

When we said goodbye to Hanoi, it wasn't merely the end of another 91 day adventure. We were putting an end to six months in Vietnam. That is a serious chunk of time, and it really affected us. While packing our suitcases, our emotions were all over the place; there was both sadness and contentment, relief and regret, fulfillment and pride. I guess we were just feeling.

The Zoological Museum of Hanoi University

Walking around the streets of Hanoi, it's impossible not to wonder how many treasures the city has locked away, safely out of the view of tourists. One of the most interesting we discovered is a colonial-era zoological collection on the second floor of the Hanoi University science building.

The Dangers of Traveling in Vietnam

In seven years on the road, Jürgen and I had never once used our travel insurance. With all the adventures we've had, from an encounter with quicksand in Bolivia to paragliding in Macedonia, that's a great track record. But in Vietnam, the streak came to a definitive end.

Here’s the Thing About Eating Dog in Vietnam…

Before arriving, we'd read a lot about the Vietnamese penchant for chowing down on "man's best friend". However, during our three months in Saigon, we hadn't seen a single plate of dog being offered anywhere, and decided the stories were exaggerated. But it turns out that, in the north, they do eat dog. And it's not exactly uncommon.

WARNING: This article contains an image of a dead, cooked dog.

Rooftop Bars in Hanoi

With its smaller, more historic downtown, Hanoi doesn't have quite as many rooftop bars as Saigon. But there are still options... and over the course of 91 days, we discovered some great places to get a birds-eye view of Vietnam's capital.

A Final Day in Ha Giang

It was with reluctance that we got back on our motorbikes, and put Du Gìa in our rear view mirrors. Our next stop would return us to Ha Giang, and complete our tour with Chu Chu. This trip had been incredible, and it was to be our final adventure in Vietnam. Not just four days, but six months were coming to an end, and it was hard to stomach.

A Walk Through Du Gìa

After a long, rainy day on the road, we arrived at the Du Gìa Homestay as dusk was settling in. This town is a popular stop during tours of Ha Giang, and we met a few other travelers, and heard their tales of woe. The next morning, we arose early for a walk through the sleepy town.

From Đồng Văn to Yên Minh

Our third day on the road in Ha Giang was spent in a battle with frequent cloud bursts. Up until now, we'd been having great weather, so it didn't feel right to complain, especially since the slower pace gave us more time to appreciate the province's unbelievable scenery.

The H’mong Opium Palace

Halfway between the Thấm Mã Pass and the Lũng Cú Flagpole, we made a stop at the Opium Palace of the H'mong. We were pretty excited about this. Of all the places which we've visited in our years of travel, almost none of them have had a name as intriguing as the "Opium Palace of the H'mong".