Hanoi in a Collage of Dimensions: A Photo Journey

By Mark Wiens 25 Comments

Welcome to the fascinating world of Hanoi, Vietnam…

Hanoi Vietnam

Jump out of your armchair and join the sea of motorcycle traffic…

Hanoi moto traffic

the shopping may drive you a little insane,

hanoi shopping

but luckily you can conveniently transport anything you buy,

motorcycles in hanoi

the city is caked with layers of ancient history…

hanoi-temple

so grab a Hanoian drink of choice,

hanoi-drinks

indulge in a little street food,

hanoi-noodles

and a little more…

hanoi-vegetables

and then a little more,

hanoi-food2

and explore the streets of the Old Quarter,

hanoi-old

check out the diverse range of buildings,

hanoi-important

and don’t forget stop and look at the details…

hanoi-carrots

you’ll need a few of the local guilty pleasures like donuts…or guts,

hanoi-guts-donuts

maybe a bamboo smoke or an ice cream bar?,

hanoi-pleasures

try to observe the people who serve you,

hanoi-people

and by the end of the day, you’ll need a recharging power nap…

hanoi-sleeping

ohhh, and don’t forget to choose your meat along the way!

hanoi-meat

Welcome to Hanoi – A city with over a 1000 years of history!

Hanoi is an incredible city promising a million forms of entertainment wherever you look (try to look everywhere)!

-Migration Mark

25 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • vishal kaushik

    3 years ago

    Great writing skills. Thanks!

  • dnsprasad

    12 years ago

    Hi Mark,

    I do not see your journey covering Hoi An. Were you there? Love to see pics and write up.

    • Mark Wiens

      12 years ago

      I would love to visit Hoi An, not sure when yet, but when I get there I will definitely write up some articles! Thanks!

  • The Dropout

    13 years ago

    Just saw this post. Better late than never, hey?
    Great photos. I lived in Vietnam for three and a half years. I went to Hanoi three times and found it hard work and very different to Ho Chi Minh City where I lived. But I still love your pics. Great work!

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      @The Dropout!
      Thanks for the comment! Yes, I would agree, at times the city can be hard work, sometimes you feel like you just don’t want to go outside for the day. I’ve still never been to Ho Chi Minh, I would love to go there and see the differences.

  • Connie

    13 years ago

    I miss Hanoi! Great photos! You’ve really captured the chaos and spirit of Hanoi!

  • Mark Wiens

    14 years ago

    Thanks for checking it out Mary! The street of Hanoi are definitely layered with smells and feelings! Hope you had a great visit there too.

  • Mary R

    14 years ago

    Dear Mark,

    Wow! Your photo display captures Hanoi perfectly! I visited there earlier this year, and I can still feel and smell those city streets! Looking forward to reading more fun adventures!

  • Mark Wiens

    14 years ago

    @Jamie: Thanks Jamie! Just checked out your site, looks like you guys are having adventures too…on the other side of the world!

    @Norbert: Appreciate the comment Norbert. Vietnam is just crazy, for me, it was almost an entertainment overdose!

    @Dina: Motorcycles are used for more things than anything else in Vietnam. I think someone could write a book about positions for sleeping on motorcycles.

  • Dina

    14 years ago

    Mark, I love this photo post! I love it how every single picture captured a story, and together they make the bigger story. The taking nap on the top of motorcycles is awesome, how could somebody do that without falling, or even without afraid to fall!

  • Norbert

    14 years ago

    Wow! Love your photo journey. It has a raw point of view of how Hanoi really is. I’ve seen a lot of Vietnam pictures but these ones show the apparent reality of how it is. Love em!

  • jamie

    14 years ago

    great pics! looks like a pretty vibrant city, i think you captured its essence.
    love the first pic.
    food looks pretty spot on too.
    cheers, jamie from http://www.cloudpeopleadventures.com

  • Mark Wiens

    14 years ago

    @Diggy: Appreicate you checking it out Diggy, Thanks!

    @Caz: Thanks, it seems in Asia that people can sleep in almost any condition or atmosphere!

  • Caz Makepeace

    14 years ago

    Great idea Mark. I love Hanoi and these pictures took me down a lovely memory lane trip. I love the nap photos- so SE Asia 🙂

  • Mark Wiens

    14 years ago

    @Anna: Thanks so much for checking it out Anna and for the awesome words of encouragement! Glad these pictures brought back some memories, come back a visit soon!

    @Jools: Haha, No problem, the availability of street food and donuts are on another level in Hanoi. Hope you can find some soon…!

    @David: Yah, I saw your great pictures at night of Hanoi. Looking forward to your other pics as well. I’m with you on the coffee…I bought about 4 kilos to back with me to Bangkok!

    @Corinne: Thanks Corinne!

    @Randall: Thanks for checking it out Randall! Would love to visit the Philippines again, I’ll be waiting for your first hand report, and eating Balut!!!

  • Randall

    14 years ago

    Once again you make me jealous. Planning a solo trip to the Philippines in January, can’t wait. Love the pictures and yes the street food does look amazing!

    Thanks for taking us there!

  • Corinne @ Gourmantic

    14 years ago

    Well done on the photo essay, Mark. You’ve captured many facets of Hanoi, from the every day to the unusual!

  • Diggy

    14 years ago

    Hey Mark!
    Awesome pictures, I always love coming to your blog and seeing how you experience other parts of the world! 🙂

    Keep rocking!
    Diggy

  • David @ MalaysiaAsia

    14 years ago

    Haha Mark, You beat me to it! I Visited Hanoi in May 2010 and still have not posted articles on it. Soon I promise 🙂 I did do one with Night Shots of Hanoi recently.

    Anyway, Hanoi is a lovely place and I would go back again, especially for the amazing coffee!

    David

  • Jools Stone

    14 years ago

    An amazingly vivid and vibrant set of pics there- and some mind-bending banner too! I want those doughnuts now please. And the street food, damn you! 🙂

  • Anna

    14 years ago

    Mark thanks for taking me back to Hanoi through your pictures! You captured the city beautifully along with all of its quirks! =) Keep doing what you are doing, because you have so many people following your work and life and learning so much through it!