This past spring I was granted the amazing opportunity to study abroad in southeast Asia, and was able to travel around a special part of the world that I knew little about prior to visiting. One of my favorite places that I visited was Hanoi, Vietnam.
Part of Hanoi’s charm is its tiny, bustling streets accented by little hole-in-the-wall cafes. On my first day in Hanoi, I stumbled across one such cafe that was completely covered in love-letter post-it notes.
Images Courtesy of Gianna Mangiarelli
I then wandered around Hoan Kiem Lake, a place where you can find peace and quiet to counter the city’s liveliness.
Image Courtesy of Gianna Mangiarelli
Another amazing part of Hanoi was the famous (and sometimes terrifying) Train Street, an active railroad track where locals hang around until the next train comes. I enjoyed some Banh Mi while sitting alongside these railroad tracks.
Image Courtesy of Gianna Mangiarelli
My friends also took the opportunity to try egg coffee, which as it turns out, it’s more of a dessert than a drink. We sat outside of the cafe with our drinks and took in some more views.
Image Courtesy of Gianna Mangiarelli
The best part of this beautiful little city was that the locals were so kind and easy-going. You could tell they had a relaxed and carefree outlook on life—and if you don’t believe me, here’s some Vietnamese graffiti:
Image Courtesy of Gianna Mangiarelli
The overall atmosphere of this city was one that was welcoming and peaceful, which made this one of my favorite cities I’ve ever visited.
Image Courtesy of Gianna Mangiarelli