A Return to Hanoi - June 2026

Over the last few years I have started a tradition of getting out of Auckland for my birthday week. It usually coincides with Kings (Queens) Birthday weekend which makes it easier.

“Out of Auckland” can mean Raglan or it can mean overseas. Last year was time in Sydney (amazing) and this year I decided to return to Hanoi, Vietnam.

The return was required. I visited Hanoi last year and fell in love with the city. It’s noise, aromas, hustle-and-bustle. However, some of the memories became tainted later in 2025 and I really wanted and needed to replace those memories and create new ones. I can say I was successful in this endeavour.

I was in the city for 8 days or so, meaning I could take my time to wander and explore.

I ate all the food. I drank all the beer and cocktails. And lived on coffee. Vietnamese coffee is the best!!

I used my Wise card at the ATMs. Cash is KING in Vietnam. I also used an Airolo eSIM which was easy and saved me a lot of money. Use my referral code SIMON2978 to get NZD$5 off your first purchase.

Here’s an incomplete list of places I ate at:

Bun Cha Huong Lien - 24 P. Lê Văn Hưu, Cửa Nam, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Pizza 4P’s Bao Khanh - 11B P. Báo Khánh, Alley, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su - 10 P. Lý Quốc Sư, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

And some of the rooftops (there are too many to list!):

Bar Dinh Rooftop Lounge - Rooftop, 105 P. Nguyễn Trường Tộ, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Bella Premier Hotel and Rooftop Skybar - 11A P. Cầu Gỗ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Dusk Sky Bar - 84 P. Hàng Gai, Phố cổ Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

And some of the coffee spots:

Cafe Giang - 39 P. Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Phố cổ Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Hidden Gem Cafe - 1 Hàng Mắm, Phố cổ Hà Nội, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 10000, Vietnam

The Note Coffee - 64 P. Lương Văn Can, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Seriously though, make your own list and experience. There are 1000’s of amazing and authentic places to eat. Street food everywhere. Great coffee everywhere.

I can’t fault Hanoi! I need to return often I feel.