Hanoi Family Adventure – Bánh Mì, Dragonfly Painting & Local Culture | Beyond Vietnam

Hanoi, August 24th, 2025

🥰 A warm welcome to Bridget’s wonderful family of eight to our Hanoi adventure today! We’re ready to explore Hanoi’s rich flavors, vibrant culture, and make unforgettable moments together!

Nothing says Hanoi like the crunch of a fresh bánh mì, our family loved the balance of crispy bread, savory fillings, tangy pickles, simple yet unforgettable. 🥖Beyond flavors, Bridget’s family also embraced the city’s heritage at Kim Ngân Communal House, where wooden pillars and incense carried them into the cultural soul of the Old Quarter. 🏛️

The wooden stamp stop turned into something truly special. Our family visited Mr. Toàn, a skillful artisan who has devoted half of his life to hand-carving wooden stamps. They were swept into his stories, fascinated by the meanings behind each design, and everyone’s eyes lit up when they watched closely as he carefully carved simple yet deeply Vietnamese patterns, as well as their own names into wood. What they carried home wasn’t just a souvenir, but a timeless piece of Hanoi’s spirit. 🌟

If one moment captured the day’s spirit, it had to be the bamboo dragonfly painting activity, a traditional toy of Vietnamese kids. Children leaned over their brushes with bright-eyed excitement, parents joined in with playful competitiveness, and soon the table was full of “artistic masterpieces.” Comparing whose dragonfly was the most colorful sparked laughter that echoed through the room, a simple, creative joy that connected everyone. 🤩

But their journey doesn’t stop there, there’s another surprise awaits at the coffee stop! Everyone was sipping Vietnamese coffee and soaking in the city’s relaxed vibe, then came “Happy birthday to you!” - a little birthday treat we had secretly prepared for Bridget’s husband. Smiles, laughter, and a candlelit moment made the day even more special. 🎂

💛 Thank you, Bridget’s family, for sharing your joy and love for Hanoi with us. From “bánh mì” crunch to dragonfly brushstrokes, from the calm of Kim Ngân Communal House to café laughter and a surprise birthday – our family experienced Hanoi through both its flavors and stories. We hope every dragonfly, stamp, and bite of banh mi will bring back the laughter and warmth of this day.

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Ngân (Hazel)

Beyond Vietnam