Two clueless souls about Hanoi - and here's how we introduced our city to them...through their tummies!

Hanoi, January, 6th, 2025

We were thrilled to welcome Denise and Sean, a delightful duo from Australia! They picked Vietnam as their holiday destination because everyone raved about how beautiful our country is. And after their trip to Hạ Long Bay, they arrived in Hanoi with zero knowgledge about the city. No worries though – we're pros at treating our travellers with delicious food while sharing the charm of our capital!

Sean’s favorite? Crispy fried pillow dumplings and banana fritters. Meanwhile, Denise fell head over heels for green rice with lotus seeds – technically a desert, but hey, she claimed it made a perfect breakfast! 😂

At our final stop, a cozy little cafe with street views, Denise and Sean kicked back, enjoyed their coffee, and shared some unforgettable (and hilarious) stories that we’ll probably never forget. 🥰🌟

Denise and Sean made it to Hanoi and tried bánh cuốn (steamed rolled rice pancakes) for the very first time! They totally loved it and wiped the plate clean.

Sean nailed the chopsticks like a pro, while Denise… she gave it a shot, but in the end, she decided forks are her best friend 😄

Looking at these sizzling, golden-fried banana fritters!

Our lovely couple couldn’t stop praising these treats - they were hooked from the first bite. And honestly, it’s no surprise these golden bites of happiness are a favorite even among us locals! 🍌✨

We passed through an intersection, and the traffic here was… a bit chaotic. Sean found it so fascinating that he just had to give it a shot. Well, guess this is one of the unique features of Vietnam’s streets! 😄🚦

On to the next treat - Vietnamese donuts! Sean was totally in love with them! He couldn’t get enough of that crispy, sweet delight! 🍩❤️

And here's how they come to life – with a crispy golden layer of fried goodness (but don't worry, the inside stays soft and chewy)! 😋🍩

Next up, bún riêu cua (river crab noodle soup)! This dish easily won over our couple. Probably because of its perfect balance of sourness and that rich, flavorful broth that just hits differently. 🍲🦀

Our next stop? Fried pillow dumplings! And once again, it’s a big Yes from Denise and Sean. While munching away, we even bumped into two friends who had already been here and came back for round two because it was just that good! 😋🍽️

Take a closer look at this little beauty! Nope, it’s not an empanada, its preparation and flavors are completely different!

As we were walking down the street, we ran into an adorable local kid who was super eager to chat with our couple. He waved and asked, “What’s your name?” (just like in the photo!) and proudly showed off his toy with the biggest smile! It's always these unexpected little moments that make the day extra special. 😊🎉

No food journey is complete without a taste of Vietnamese sweet soup!

Sean ordered logan with lotus seeds (on the left), while Denise went for green rice with lotus seeds (on the right). Both of them were absolutely loving their choices, but Denise? She was really blown away. She even said, despite it being a dessert, it would make the perfect breakfast! 😋🌿

Since our couple shared their deep love for coffee, the final stop had to be a cozy cafe with some seriously delicious drinks. While here, they even shared about a time on a trip when they packed their coffee machine in their suitcase instead of clothes because... the coffee at their destination just wasn’t cutting it. Classic move! 😂☕

For their drinks, Denise went with iced chocolate (afraid coffee might keep her up all night), while Sean chose salt coffee. Neither had ever heard of salted coffee before, but after just one sip, they were hooked, raving about how amazing it tasted. Vietnamese coffee really knows how to impress! ☕✨

Join us to explore the heart of Vietnamese cuisine with our Tatse of Hanoi food tour and create memories that last a lifetime: click here

Ngoc Anh (Ice)

Beyond Vietnam