Hanoi's social life centers around cafés. From young and stylish to aged and wise, everyone kicks back with a cup to see the city's sites, and to be seen.
Going out in Hanoi is simple. Cafés abound in the capital of Vietnam. All day long and into the night people congregate around little tables to drink, smoke, discuss, and watch life go by. Café culture plays an integral role in the social life of this historic city. This makes sense: intellectualism runs deep in Hanoi, where the National University was founded in 1076.
What to drink
Vietnamese drip coffee is very strong: think something between espresso and mud. Most people drink it on ice, with or without sweetened, condensed milk. With milk, it is served unstirred. Stir it quickly and vigorously, and it becomes frothy on top. “Lemon juice” is also a popular drink: it’s thirst-quenching, and each shop makes its own special version. Green tea and jasmine tea are favorites too, either hot or iced. Some cafés serve beer. Hanoi beer is the most commonly found local brew.
When to go
In Hanoi, it's always time to drink a cup, whether it's coffee, tea, or juice. Many cafés don't serve food, however, so don't go when you're hungry. A cool glass of sweet coffee is the perfect dessert after you've eaten a bowl of pho, or Vietnamese noodle soup. And like the cafés, pho shops are open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and on, until eleven p.m. when all the city’s establishments shut down. Lemon juice is nice after a bike ride through the city’s narrow, busy streets.
How to order
While it's true that many people don't speak English, or aren’t comfortable speaking it, that doesn't mean that they aren't willing to work with you in your (assumedly) very rough Vietnamese. Also, many menus are printed in Vietnamese and English, which is a great way to learn some of the language. Lonely Planet makes a nice, compact Vietnamese language phrasebook that's for sale everywhere in Hanoi. Get one, and try it out!
Where to go
Anywhere that looks good. Again, like pho shops, cafés are strewn throughout the city. After a shopping spree at the huge Dong Xuan market in the Old Quarter you can find a spot across the street and watch the motos zip by as you revitalize with a lemon juice. Or take a stroll along the southeastern corner of Ho Tay Lake, where you’ll find a strip of cafés that overlook the water. There are spots near Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, just south of the imposing complex.
Seeing the sites in Hanoi is fun if you stop at cafés. Historic monuments may stun, but the best things to do in a city are often the most simple. Perched on low, little stools on the street or inside at a trendy new place, you can relax and enjoy Vietnam's beautiful capital like the locals do.
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