The most striking thing about Hanoi was, hands down, the constant state of movement and traffic. Never for a moment (except during the police enforced 12 a.m. curfew) would the traffic relent. People always seemed to be on the move and rush hour was nearly unbearable. There are no traffic lights in old town Hanoi and no discernibly grid system for the street making for some of the most intense intersections I have ever seen (up to 9 ways!) 90 percent of the vehicles on the street are motorized bikes or scooter of some sort that zip and zoom where ever they need or want to go. No real one ways or sides of the road, sidewalks are free game for driving, people just go anywhere. I honestly think these are some of the most aware driver in the world because no one ever stops or hesitates on the road. Everyone fluidly weaves around each other like it was nothing.
Crossing the street reminded of something from an Indiana Jones movie "only the penitent man shall pass" because you just go. whether there is an open street in front of you or 30 motor bikes heading right for you. You don't break your pace and just step into the unknown and somehow this works perfectly. I never saw any ting even resembling an accident or traffic accident. I took a bit of getting used to but after a day or so I loved it, so efficient!
Where we were staying was an area of town called the Old Quarter. It sounds historical but was really more like the worlds largest outdoor shopping mall. Street after street of shops selling everything you could think of from food to to the finest silk dresses, L.E.D. Buddha statues to personalized hand carved grave stones. It was bizarrely refreshing to be somewhere that wasn't just a destination for foreign travelers and backpacks. This is where everyone was coming to get what they needed.
Just a small side note about the peope of Hanoi, They look good. All the time. The women always seemed to be dressed in beautiful printed blouses and dresses, then men looking super sharp in fitted suits or designer jeans. Here travellers were more obviously from there clothing rather then skin tone or luggage. Everyone seemed like they were going out to a Friday night in LoDo.
Hanoi is a place that seems to defy logic for me. The roads should be backed up for miles with loads of wrecks, but aren't. The hawlkers should be pushy and aggressive, but weren't. The people should be cold and distant but were surprisingly beautiful and uplifting. The taste in my mouth was expected to be sour and harsh but, oddly enough, I was more intrigued and excited about Hanoi over anywhere I've been yet.
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