A Slow Start to One of Our Last Mornings
It was our second to last day in Hanoi, and we began it early. We woke at a quarter past seven and left the homestay by eight, stepping into a city that was awake but still gentle.
We crossed Hàng Tre, turned left, and followed Lò Sũ Street toward Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Shutters lifted, stools appeared on sidewalks, and scooters glided past without hurry. The air was cool, carrying coffee aromas and the promise of a calm morning.
Breakfast by Hoàn Kiếm Lake
From The Coffee Club balcony, the lake stretched out like a quiet exhale. The water moved in slow circles, pale light skimming its surface as joggers traced the paths below. The city felt cushioned, held back by water and space.
For breakfast, we ordered:
- American Breakfast
- Baguette with Opla Egg and Bacon
- Cinnamon Tea with Honey
- Hot Vietnamese Coffee
Plates arrived warm and familiar, the perfect pace for easing into one of our final days here.
Errand One: Protecting the Lotus
We paid the bill—VND295,920 (≈ MYRx/USDx/EURx)—made a quick pit stop, and got practical. Our first errand was finding a transparent film dressing for my new lotus flower tattoo.
We headed north along Phố Hàng Đào, threading through growing crowds and fully open shops. Two pharmacies later, we were still empty handed—polite nods, full shelves, but no luck.
A Grab ride for VND33,280 (≈ MYR5/USD1/EUR1) took us to a third pharmacy near McDonald’s by Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Again, no success. Three tries down, the tattoo quietly insisting we keep going.
A Backup Plan at Uniqlo
Next to a Pharmacity in the French Quarter, we spotted Uniqlo—but it wouldn’t open for another ten minutes. We crossed the street and waited on a bench facing the lake, letting the calm do its work.
At ten sharp, we went inside. Since proper dressing wasn’t happening, I bought a grey long sleeved Heattech shirt for tomorrow’s flight. Cat picked up two T shirts for Brendan. Total: VND879,000 (≈ MYR131/USD34/EURx). Problem solved, imperfectly but well enough.
One of the Best Walks in Hanoi
We then took a slow, wonderful walk along Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Trees filtered sunlight onto the path, leaves stirred softly, and reflections wavered gently on the water. Conversations dropped into murmurs. Even traffic seemed to respect the space.
After about ten unhurried minutes, we reached our third errand.
Planning Our Last Sunset
We bought one hour round trip tickets for the Hanoi City Tour bus, VND150,000 ≈ MYR22/USD6/EUR5) each. The plan was simple and perfect: watch our final Hanoi sunset from the top deck of a double decker bus, above streets we’d spent days learning to walk.
Cooling Down, Watching Life
On the way back to the homestay, we stopped at Boulevard Coffee. A beer and an iced tea—VND90,000 (≈ MYR13/USD4/EUR3)—did wonders.
From our table, we watched a street cobbler ply his trade with practiced speed, tools laid at his feet, calling out to passersby—sometimes charming, sometimes a little too aggressive. We sipped slowly, amused and relaxed, letting Hanoi put on one of its perfectly ordinary, endlessly watchable shows.
Morning, Complete
It had been a morning of calm starts and small solutions—breakfast by the lake, a gentle hunt through the city, quiet wins, and easy pauses. Not rushed, not perfect, but exactly right for one of our final days in Hanoi.
Be sure to catch the next video of our lunch, just a short walk away.
Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)
📍 Location:
23B P. Hàng Tre - https://maps.app.goo.gl/LrtA6xLFHWhzzzA29
Coffee Club - https://maps.app.goo.gl/T5tvBEiSpduFgbHe8
UNIQLO Hoan Kiem - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YuzjVrSVR1pyeXch8
Boulevard Coffee - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Amiaha8ZQy7w2YXR6
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