Day 6: The Amazing Race--Hanoi

Today we participated in a scavenger hunt with the Hanoi Kids. The 6am wake up wasn't awesome, but the day ahead of us had a lot to offer. We met up with the Hanoi Kids participants around 7:30am and headed to a public park where we would be split into teams and given our first hint.

The hunt gave us an opportunity to meet and talk with some of the other members of the student group. Speaking with new members of the group gave us additional perspectives and further insight for our research. The scavenger hunt included A LOT of walking (and sore legs ensued), but it was worth getting to see new areas of Hanoi that we wouldn't have otherwise. The clues took us to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, a pagoda, a school and a district designated for cooking. Before solving the next clue, each group had to complete a task (a few of these are pictured below).

One group even had the opportunity to try lunch from a street vendor that served delicious barbecued pork ribs and noodle soup. The scavenger hunt finished in the early afternoon, and the exhausted abroaders returned to the hotel.

Later that afternoon we held our first forum that allowed each group to discuss the findings of their research thus far. It was interesting to learn about what other groups have been working on, and helpful to receive feedback from one another as well.

After class we packed our bags in preparation for an 8am departure to Halong Bay--we love the hustle of the city, but we're admittedly ready for a change of pace, and to see a new part of Vietnam

Written by Erica Dedufour

Day 5: Saturday in Hanoi

After team morning meetings with DH to discuss our various research projects--ensuring we are on the right track, we spent the remainder of the afternoon exploring the city in teams. One team sought the city's post office and stumbled upon a dance group filming a music video just beyond the Hoan Kiem Lake.

Weary feet and bodies meant massages for some abroaders in the late afternoon, and just before dinnertime all of the abroaders reconvened at the hotel. The whole group headed for the "Times Square" of Hanoi to a restaurant that offered both Western and Vietnamese style (a little of something for everyone). After almost two hours at the restaurant some abroaders had enough excitement for one day and headed back to the hotel. 

Those brave enough to weather the famous night market were overwhelmed. Thousands of Hanoians flock to the flea market every Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. "Mob scene" doesn't even scratch the surface. The tents line the street for over 1 km, and the market is two tents wide! Clothing, sweet foods/coffee/nuts, jewelry, and household items are just a few of the offerings. At the one hour mark all of the study abroaders who braved the crowds had exhausted all remaining energy. 

A 7:30am departure the next day meant the abroaders were tucked in early--the Hanoi Kids invited us to join them for a Sunday Morning scavenger hunt to explore new parts of the city.

Day 4: Adventuring Hanoi with the Hanoi Kids

We met a number of students from the Hanoi Kids organization during the early afternoon. We took taxi vans to the Temple of Literature: the site of Vietnam's first University which is over 1000 years old! The beautiful gardens and Buddhist temples were created with Chinese influence over a century ago. Today, students come to pray in the temples before important exams. Education is a highly regarded aspect of Vietnamese culture--outside the Temple of Literature there is a floral sign that translates to "the future lies in the talented"

 

After leaving the Temple of Literature, the Hanoi Kids let us on a walking tour of the city in search of the best street food. We stopped for mixed fruit bowls with milk, tapioca jelly and shredded ice--a Vietnamese equivalent of frozen yogurt with all the fix-ins. We then walked past the government district in search of dinner food. The Hanoi Kids that were leading us recommended "Bahn My"--a popular meat and vegetable sub sandwich. Those who steered clear of the street meat opted for "Pho Bo"--a noodle, herb and meat soup. The open nature (among many other factors) of the restaurants that served these items suggested that they would not have passed an American health inspection, but fortunately the Vietnam study abroaders have remained remarkably healthy thus far *fingers crossed*

Day 3 Researching in Hanoi

After a short lesson in the morning, DH set us loose on the streets of Hanoi for the remainder of the day instructing us to complete our research. We circled the Hoan Kiem Lake, sampled a variety of local restaurants, and spent hours people watching. As some feet became weary groups formed to partake in different activities. Some groups chose to continue adventuring through the city on foot--visiting the "Hanoi Hilton" where John McCain was held as a POW during the Vietnam War. Others returned to the old quarter where they witnessed a wedding on the steps of the St. Joseph's Cathedral, just minutes away from our hotel.

The late afternoon brought opportunity for team meetings and reflection on our research for the day. We met back at the hotel, prepared for dinner, and returned to shopping district of the old quarter in search of a restaurant. After dinner the lead abroaders split into smaller groups and enjoyed some of the local pubs for a couple of hours before returning to the hotel for another early class the next morning. 

We have heard about the excitement that comes with the weekend night market here in the old quarter. Friday-Sunday nights merchants line the streets in order to peddle their goods. The abroaders are ready to put their Vietnamese and bartering skills to the test tonight. Updates on that coming tomorrow!

Photo credits: Jon Morfe