Discover Hanoi: 10 Surprising and Entertaining Facts You Never Knew About Vietnam's Capital City

1. Motorbikes Galore

In Hanoi, "two-wheelers" reign supreme like a never-ending biker rally: With over 5 million registered motorbikes in a city of around 7 million people, these resourceful road warriors vastly outnumber cars. But fear not, Hanoi's wild ride may finally hit the brakes, as officials have proposed to ban motorbikes by 2030 to combat worsening air quality and reduce congestion.
Source => phys.org

2. Train Street Adventure

Choo-choo choose your own adventure: Hanoi's Train Street doesn't just transport you to a quirky world where trains and homes share the same address, but it also leads to a bustling nightlife scene filled with delightful bars, captivating live music, and rooftop venues for those night owls who hoot for a breathtaking view.
Source => vietnamisawesome.com

Did you know Vietnam's coffee industry is worth billions and supports almost 3 million people? Discover this and more surprising facts about the country!

=> Fun Facts about Vietnam

3. Egg Coffee Creation

What did the chicken say to the barista at the cafe? "Whisk me up an eggstra special brew!": In 1946, Hanoi's Cafe Giang invented the Vietnamese egg coffee, a delicious concoction of whipped egg yolk, sugar, and robust Vietnamese espresso, as a result of a milk shortage, and maintains its legacy of serving the original and best egg coffee in the city, with three cafes throughout Hanoi.
Source => ethnicspoon.com

4. Long Bien Bridge's Eiffel Connection

If the Eiffel Tower had a long-lost Vietnamese cousin, it would be Long Bien Bridge: Contrary to popular belief, Gustav Eiffel didn't design Hanoi's famous bridge, but it was built using cast iron steel, just like the iconic Parisian edifice. The bridge has a storied past, having been constructed by over 3,000 Vietnamese in 1902 and surviving both French and American-Vietnam wars, while it now accommodates trains, vehicles, pedestrians, and a daily sunset spectacle.
Source => uncovervietnam.com

5. Femme Fatale Foodie Tours

Feeling hungry and adventurous? Hop on the back of a motorbike driven by a femme fatale for a stomach-growling, tongue-tingling adventure through the neon-lit streets of Hanoi: The Hanoi By Night Foodie Motorbike Tours, led by female drivers, whisks you through the Old Quarter and French Quarter, allowing you to savor local delicacies like Banh Cuon and Bun Cha, visit iconic spots like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex and Temple of Literature, and finally reward your taste buds with a sip of classic Vietnamese egg coffee at a cozy café.
Source => biketourshanoi.com

6. Hoan Kiem Lake's Legend

As mythical as the dragons and warriors of legend and lore, one Vietnamese lake would make even King Arthur jealous: Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake is steeped in history, featuring a story of a warrior named Le Loi, who discovered a powerful sword named Thuan Thein that was granted by a Dragon King. This mighty blade brought victory against the Ming Dynasty of China and ultimately was returned to its aquatic guardian, represented today by the turtle-themed stone structure called Thap Ruá that stands on a small islet within the lake.
Source => thenotsoinnocentsabroad.com

7. Highway4's Award-Winning Liquor

Need a drink after stalking Asian spirits? Highway4 in Hanoi has your back – quite literally: This renowned dining establishment not only serves up delicious Vietnamese fare, but also holds the distinct honor of producing Vietnam's first and only internationally-awarded liquor, "Son Tinh", available in a variety of fruity, herbal, and plain flavors. Cheers to that!
Source => tripadvisor.com

8. Obama's Vermicelli Embrace

If he can't stand the heat, he shouldn't have entered the Vietnamese kitchen: Barack Obama shared two servings of Bun Cha and Hanoi beer with Anthony Bourdain at Hanoi's Bun Cha Huong Lien, a once-ordinary family eatery that has since skyrocketed to fame as the restaurant whose owner praised the former US President's hands for being as soft and warm as grilled pork in a vermicelli embrace.
Source => jackytravel.com

9. Beer Street Extravaganza

If you're seeking a spirited soiree, a historical hubbub, or a culinary conga line in Vietnam, there's no place like Hanoi's very own "Beer Street": Ta Hien Street is a vibrant gem in the city's Old Quarter, boasting outdoor bars, scrumptious street food like pho and bun cha, and cultural treasures, such as the 11th-century Bach Ma Temple, making it a hotspot for locals and travelers alike.
Source => vietnamisawesome.com

10. Magical Sword Guardian: Thap Ruá

In a surprising twist to the tale, the legendary Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle's distant cousin, Thap Ruá, holds down a fort in Vietnam, protecting a magical sword from prying human eyes: Nestled in the heart of Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake lies the enchanting Tortoise Tower – built in 1886 as a monument to the fable of General Le Loi and the protective golden tortoise, Kim Qui. Although off-limits to curious visitors, this shimmering spectacle can be admired from a distance – especially when it’s illuminated in the night's embrace.
Source => thenotsoinnocentsabroad.com