Family time, Hanoi style - paint, play & explore

Hanoi, April, l4th, 2025

Bienvenue à la famille Melissa (Welcome the Melissa family) - Mom, Dad, and two sweet girls came all the way from Quebec, Canada and brought along so much warmth, joy, and creativity.

They mostly spoke French, and while the parents and big sister could speak English, the little one couldn’t. But that didn’t stop Linh from trying her best to connect. With her French, lots of smiles, and some gentle help from the parents, slowly, naturally, a bond grew and by the end of the day, it felt like we’d known each other for much longer.

We kicked off the day with a classic Hanoi breakfast: bánh cuốn – soft, savory, and so full of flavor. In the end, there was nothing left! The family totally fell for bánh gối, too!

We wandered through the streets of the Old Quarter with nón lá (conical hats) like locals, visited a local artisan and explored an ancient house. And the grand finale? A creative bamboo dragonfly painting workshop that had Linh wow-ing the entire time at the family’s talent! Each family member painted their dragonfly with such care and personality. The table soon turned into a canvas of colors and joy. And yes, we still can’t wait to show off their beautiful creations!

💛 To the Melissa family - thank you for letting us be part of your journey. Language may differ, but laughter, creativity, and love? They speak loud and clear.

Ready to explore Hanoi's hidden culinary gems with us? Don't hesitate to hit us up - we’ve got plenty more delicious adventures waiting for you! click here

Dung (Emma)

Beyond Vietnam