Today was my first full day in Vietnam, in the northern city of Hanoi. At first impression, it's my least favorite city in all of Southeast Asia. It's too touristy, there's not much to do, and people are constantly trying to sell you stuff and haggle with you. The food, however, is really good.
In the morning, I went to a café and tried the famous egg coffee. It was thick, creamy, and delicious. After that, I hit the gym and had a solid workout—it cost just over a dollar, which was a big difference from China. It feels strange being back on the third-world backpacker route, but I adjusted pretty quickly. Honestly, I adjust quickly anywhere at this point.
After the gym, I met up with my good friend Ben Shifrin from Dunwoody, GA. Ben and I first met in Chiang Mai, Thailand, after I noticed his Dead & Co. sticker. Since then, we've crossed paths in Pai, Chiang Rai, Vang Vieng, and now Hanoi. It's always awesome running into a fellow American Jewish backpacker with so much in common. We laughed, shared experiences, and I felt really grateful for his friendship and the moments we've shared.
Later, we visited the Hỏa Lò Prison. Originally, it was used by the French during their occupation of Indochina to imprison Vietnamese political dissidents who opposed colonial rule. The museum spent a lot of time detailing how brutally the French treated Vietnamese prisoners. After Vietnam gained independence, the same prison was used to house American POWs, mostly captured fighter pilots during the Vietnam War. According to the museum, the Americans were treated well—they were allowed to play sports, and supposedly, they were even given food more expensive than what the locals ate. It's always funny seeing the bias in museums. This was the infamous prison where John McCain was held. Of course, the reality is that the Vietnamese tortured American prisoners.
Oh, before the prison visit, I had my first phở of the trip, and it was really good. After the museum, Ben and I grabbed bánh mì, a famous Vietnamese sandwich. I never understood the hype back home, and I still don't—it's literally just a sandwich. I guess the bread, a French baguette, is what makes it bánh mì. That influence, of course, comes from French colonialism.
At night, we went to Train Street and watched the famous train pass through a narrow alley lined with cafés. It was actually pretty cool.
Tomorrow, I (hopefully) leave Hanoi and start a crazy adventure. Stay tuned for updates.
