We awoke to very wet and stormy morning in Hanoi. Not stopped by the teeming rain we headed to the streets of the old town in Hanoi to continue our purchasing quest. As the rain got heavier and the streets flooded with water, we found a local cafe to shelter in for a while. It was a great day for hawkers selling umbrellas, rain ponchos and Vietnamese hats, as all the tourists scrambled to stay dry. Prices were hiked in accordance to demand. We settled on the Vietnamese style conical hat: nón lá, with a specially made shower cap fitted to stop the matting from getting wet. Leesa and I traipsing around the old town in these hats certainly amused the locals.
With Rossco's memory fondly recalling our Banh Mi in Ho Chi Minh City we commenced our quest to locate Banh Mi in Hanoi. Steered by google searches we arrived at a restaurant we were assured had the best Banh Mi in Hanoi. A few language barriers, a little sign language and some internet photos later, we discovered that the restaurant google had assured us had Bahn Mi in fact did not sell any Banh Mi, only Bánh bao - a steamed pork bun with egg and vermicelli inside. We decided to try these anyway and they were delicious.
Not stopped by this small set back we continued the hunt, until we all decided that we were just too hungry to continue. At this point Troy and Rossco were tasked with finding a restaurant for us...and that they did! The guys found Nha Hang Bach Phuong - Bun Bo Nam Bo - a little open fronted shop with a BBQ out the front and a very tight quarters inside, with long stainless steel benches and tiny stools to sit on. There is only one dish, and no need to order: it is just placed in front of you. The dish is pho xao bo - sautéed beef served on a plate of noodles with a thick, starchy gravy poured on top. YUM! We were very satisfied with the find, just don't use the facilities....
After a satisfying lunch, and with nature calling, we headed back to the hotel. As the rain had subsided Rossco and Troy were immediately beckoned by the thought of the pool and a few cleansing ales, so thus spent their afternoon. Leesa and I opted for our own spaces and we all agreed that we would met for canapés at 5:30 in the executive lounge, followed by dinner in the old town.
We visited a couple of little bars and finished our evening in a little lounge bar in old town watching what seemed to be an open mike night where locals were singing english songs badly with the band. Rossco decided it was time to leave when we decided to tell the band that he was a musician - his singing in Ho Chi Minh City on the first night was enough for him!
Thank goodness for those canapés, we never did get to that dinner.