Japanese newspaper vividly depicts the charm of the capital Hanoi

The article titled "Strolling Hanoi: Celebrating the city's charm, street food and relics from the past" by Zinara Rathnayake, published in Japan's Nikkei Asia on March 1, opens with an image of a late winter morning in December 2024.

The author said he witnessed a "lively and bustling Hanoi" welcoming the new day with "street vendors riding bicycles loaded with colorful roses, chrysanthemums and tulips, groups of elderly women dancing to cheerful music around Hoan Kiem Lake or nearby, office workers in suits sitting on plastic chairs on the sidewalk, chatting over steaming bowls of pho".

The author asserts that cuisine is also an "indispensable charm" of Hanoi. (Screenshot)

Hanoi's Old Quarter is clearly depicted with the image of "goldsmiths carving jewelry" on Hang Bac Street or Hang Ma Street becoming a "wonderland" every Christmas season.

“According to the city’s Department of Tourism, Hanoi welcomed 4 million foreign visitors in 2023, most of whom stayed on the 36 crowded streets of the vibrant Old Quarter,” the article said.

Cuisine is also an "indispensable charm" of Hanoi, with dishes such as pho, banh xeo, cha ca lang, bun cha, banh mi, banh khuc...

Author Rathnayake commented that Vietnamese cuisine is “a balance of sweet, salty, bitter, sour and spicy flavors” and because of “the desire to introduce Vietnamese cuisine” she “made this tour”.

The author wrote: "Coffee seems to flow in the veins of Vietnamese people, present throughout Hanoi and varied into many famous drinks such as egg coffee, salted coffee, yogurt coffee, etc."

The author lists must-do things when visiting Hanoi, such as: Learn about Vietnamese history on a walking tour; visit Hoa Lo Prison; visit the Temple of Literature; watch a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater; spend half a day at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

Author Rathnayake also gives suggestions on enjoying food and experiences such as joining a street food tour; tasting egg coffee; walking around Hoan Kiem Lake...

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bao-nhat-khac-hoa-sinh-dong-net-hap-dan-cua-thu-do-ha-noi-306946.html