Leaving the Homestay
At half past five we stepped out of our homestay and picked everyone up again for the evening. The day was easing toward night, and the light had softened into something warmer. March in Hanoi felt gentle—warm without being heavy, with spring in the air.
With no real plan, we headed toward Hoan Kiem Lake by a different route, walking south along Hang Tre Street and then onto Hang Voi Street. The streets were active but unhurried. Motorbikes passed in steady lines, shops began to close, and the sounds of engines and distant horns blended into a calm, familiar rhythm.
First Sight of the Lake
Turning onto Tran Nguyen Han Street, the lake appeared ahead of us. The water reflected the fading sky, and the noise of the city softened almost instantly. We turned right again onto Dinh Tien Hoang Street and paused at the “Determined to Sacrifice for the Nation’s Survival” monument to take a photo.
Standing there for a moment, the monument felt quietly powerful—a reminder of resolve rather than glory. Traffic flowed past, people moved on, but the statue remained still and unchanging.
Circling Hoan Kiem Lake
After crossing the road, we stepped onto the lakeside path and began walking anticlockwise. By six o’clock, the light was low and warm, stretching across the water. People walked slowly around us—couples, families, locals out for their daily exercise. Voices were soft, footsteps steady, and the lake seemed to absorb what little noise remained.
Near the end of the loop, we stopped at a bench and set up a time lapse of the sunset. Colors deepened, reflections softened, and the city quietly transitioned into night.
Following Our Appetite
As the sky darkened, our thoughts turned to dinner. We stayed along the lakeside path, heading north, before crossing Dinh Tien Hoang Street onto Lo Su Street. We ended up at My Hai Restaurant, where we were finally reunited with white rice.
We ordered BBQ meat, a fried egg, steamed rice, and two iced teas. The bill came to VND235,000 (≈ MYR35/USD9/EUR8)—simple, satisfying, and exactly what we needed.
Night Streets and a Familiar Stop
After dinner, we walked back along Lo Su Street toward Hang Tre Street. The Old Quarter had settled into its evening rhythm. Restaurant lights spilled onto the pavement, conversations drifted from doorways, and motorbikes passed slowly.
Along Hang Thung Street, just nearby, we stopped at our favourite sundry shop. It was run by an elderly deaf couple we had come to know through smiles and gestures. The shop was softly lit and calm. We bought two bottles of water, shared a quiet moment, and stepped back out into the night.
Closing the Evening
With full stomachs and water in hand, we finished the walk without hurry. It wasn’t a big evening, but it didn’t need to be—just walking, eating, and letting the city carry us felt enough.
We wandered to Hoan Kiem Lake at sunset, followed our hunger to a simple dinner, and ended the night with a quiet walk home through familiar streets.
In the next episode, we set out on an unexpected mission: the hunt for a pair of Bluetooth headphones. Please stay tuned!
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23B P. Hàng Tre - https://maps.app.goo.gl/LrtA6xLFHWhzzzA29
Pont Rouge Hanoi - https://maps.app.goo.gl/ajuGvvo3QoJdekBP9
Hoàn Kiếm Lake - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TRGjZn6xZXiNG5aA6
My Hai Restaurant - https://maps.app.goo.gl/EFAqcaoCUccRwFNY7
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