A Quiet Morning Begins
We retired early the night before and finally enjoyed a full night of sleep. By six in the morning we were already awake. I spent a little time working on our videos, then took a shower half an hour later. About an hour after that, we stepped out of the homestay and went looking for breakfast.
Our Airbnb hosts had given us one clear tip: breakfast at The Note Coffee. With that in mind, we set off.
Walking Through the Old Quarter at Dawn
Hang Tre Street was calm. Shop doors rolled open. Brooms swept the pavement. A few motorbikes passed by, steady and unhurried. We walked without rushing.
We turned onto Hang Thung Street, where the pace slowed even more. The street was narrow and quiet. Buildings stood close together. Laundry hung above us. Voices were low. The city felt close and human.
On Cao Go Street, the energy changed. The street was brighter and busier. Signs were colorful. Food smells filled the air. People sat on small stools, already deep into their day. We slowed down, watching it all.
First Glimpse of Hoan Kiem Lake
We crossed Dinh Tien Hoang Street and stepped into open space. Hoan Kiem Lake appeared wide and calm. The water was smooth. Trees framed the lake. People walked slowly, stretched, or simply watched the morning begin. The city noise softened.
We followed the lake along Le Thai To Street, crossed Luong Van Can Street, and arrived at The Note Coffee.
Breakfast at The Note Coffee
Inside, every surface was covered in colorful sticky notes—walls, tables, stairs, even the ceiling. Messages came from all over the world. Some were funny. Some were thoughtful. Some were deeply personal.
We were lucky to sit right at the front of the café, on the surface level, overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. We ordered an Iced Americano, an Iced Matcha, and two croissants, for VND185,000 (≈ MYR28/USD7/EUR6), and watched the lake while the café hummed softly behind us.
A Slow Loop Around the Lake
After breakfast, the morning felt too calm to stop. We took a slow walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, moving without checking the time. Footsteps, birds, quiet voices, and distant motorbikes blended into a gentle rhythm.
When we finished the loop, we stopped at Bon Mua Café. We ordered a coffee with condensed milk and a chrysanthemum tea with honey, for VND135,000 (≈ MYR20/USD5/EUR4), and sat for a while, letting the walk settle.
Mid-Morning Errands
We then crossed to Uniqlo Hoan Kiem, where we bought t shirts for ourselves and for Brendan, spending VND1,173,000 (≈ MYR175/USD45/EUR38).
Back outside, we returned to the lake. The walk toward Thuy Ta House felt open and easy. Sunlight moved across the water. Leaves rustled overhead. Seen from the east, Thuy Ta House looked like a graceful 50 meter ship, moored at the start of Le Thai To Street.
Brunch by the Water
We sat down by the lake for brunch. Cat ordered the Fresh Spring Rolls, and I had the Seafood Fried Rice. With two bottles of Pha Lee purified water, the total came to VND434,000 (≈ MYR65/USD17/EUR14). We ate slowly, watching the steady flow of people outside.
Wandering Back Home
After brunch, we walked along Cao Go Street again. We stopped at Circle K for provisions, then bought deep fried sweet cakes from a street vendor, eating them hot and crisp on the spot.
From there, we continued onto Hang Thung Street, where the pace softened once more, before finally returning to 23B Hang Tre Street and back to our homestay.
A Morning Complete
The door closed behind us, and the city paused. It felt complete—a full morning shaped by walking, food, light, and calm.
Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)
📍 Location:
23B P. Hàng Tre - https://maps.app.goo.gl/LrtA6xLFHWhzzzA29
The Note Coffee - https://maps.app.goo.gl/JnzJmMrLkjQYXjtQ9
Thuy Ta Legend - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jDWDFQcsh8mECZX28
