From The Serenity Of Ngoc Son To The Wild Beer Street!

Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake are two of the most famous places in Hanoi, Vietnam. They are in the middle of the city, and many people visit them every day. The lake is peaceful and beautiful, and the temple is full of history and stories.

Me and Ramesh(@bighungrypanda) were initially supposed to visit this place sometime during the day, but after Googling how it looks at night, I was like Nope. We must visit here once it gets dark because it's gonna look super gorgeous once it’s all lit up. And it did not disappoint.

The Enchanting Huc Bridge

The bridge across the lake was covered in red lights, and it stood out beautifully. It looked amazing glowing bright against the dark water, making the whole place feel magical. Even from a distance, the reflection of the lights on the lake made it look like the bridge was floating. There were people all around, taking photos, talking, and just soaking in the view. Despite the crowd, it didn’t feel chaotic. It felt alive.

Walking across The Huc Bridge was like stepping into a painting. As I looked around, everything seemed to glow in the soft, golden lights. The air was cool, and the atmosphere was peaceful but not silent—there was the distant sound of people chatting, the occasional beep of a motorbike in the streets beyond, and the soft hum of Hanoi’s night.

Exploring Ngoc Son Temple

Reaching Ngoc Son Temple, I was surprised by how serene it felt despite being in the middle of a busy city. The temple had this quiet, timeless feel to it. The stone walls, the incense burning near the altars, and the golden glow from the lanterns all made it feel like a place frozen in time. Even though I’m not religious, I could feel the respect and devotion in the air.

One of the most interesting things inside the temple was the giant turtle preserved in a glass case. It looked ancient, like a relic from a different time. It was strange to think that a creature like that had once lived in these waters, adding to the mystery of the place.

A Stroll Around the Lake

After leaving the temple, we took a slow walk around the lake. It was easily one of the most peaceful walks I’ve had in a while. The city lights reflected off the water, creating this soft glow that made everything feel almost unreal. Vendors sold small trinkets and snacks. During the walk we spotted a lady selling these pop-up cards or 3D Kirigami cards. They were so beautiful that I had to buy one for my friend as a little souvenir. In Vietnam, these handcrafted cards are quite popular as souvenirs, often depicting famous landmarks, cultural symbols, or traditional scenes. My card represents a traditional Vietnamese architectural landmark— the Japanese Covered Bridge located in Hội An.

I could’ve stayed at the lake there forever. There was something about just standing there, looking at the water, the bridge, and the temple, and feeling like I was in a completely different world. Hanoi is busy, loud, and full of energy, but here at the lake, everything slowed down. It felt like the kind of place where you could just breathe, take it all in, and let time pass without rushing.

By the time we decided to leave, I already knew this was going to be one of my favorite memories from the trip. If I ever visit Hanoi again, I have to come back here—maybe even during the day to see how different it looks. But honestly, I don’t think anything could beat how magical it felt at night.

Beer Street – The Perfect End to the Day

Before we wrapped up our Day 1 in Vietnam,, we had a last spot to tick off from our itinerary. The famous Beer Street in Hanoi. This was something Ramesh was very excited about. I on the other hand, was skeptical. Since by the sound of it, it seemed like it was going to be a crowded, too chaotic and a not well-maintained place. Which turned out to be true but in the best possible way.

I wasn’t prepared for how crazy it was going to be. The moment we stepped onto the street, it felt like we had entered a completely different world. Bright lights, loud music, people everywhere. The air smelled like grilled meat, fried snacks, and fresh beer. It's a narrow street with clubs and small restaurants on both sides. There were tiny plastic stools crammed together, and every single one of them was occupied by people laughing, talking, and just having the time of their lives. The energy was insane.

Beer, Food, and the Vibe

Walking through the narrow street wasn’t easy because there were so many people, but it was fun. Every few steps, we were invited to sit down by restaurant owners waving menus at us. They were quite persistent and very energetic in their inviting. The food prices were cheap, and the beer was even cheaper. But Ramesh already had a spot in mind, so we navigated past the eager restaurant owners and headed straight there. As soon as we sat down, 5-6 women in branded t-shirts surrounded us, each trying to convince us to choose their beer brand. Since beer isn’t really my thing, Ramesh picked a bottle.

We ordered fried chicken and cheese sticks. Ramesh was happily enjoying his food, but I couldn’t have cared less about the food—I was completely immersed in the vibe of Beer Street.

Sitting on a tiny chair, I watched as beautiful people in shiny clubbing outfits and casual clothes laughed, weaving their way through the crowded street. A group of friends next to our table cheered loudly, caught up in their drinking game. Different music from various clubs mixed into a wild, energetic hum. The chilly air, made even better by a light drizzle, added to the magic of the moment. I was totally in my zone, soaking it all in.

An Unexpected Fire Show

As we ate, two guys suddenly walked onto the street and started setting something up. Moments later, they were performing fire stunts—right there in the middle of the street! The whole crowd got excited, cheering for the daredevils as they tilted their heads back and blew massive bursts of fire into the night sky. People stopped whatever they were doing and gathered around the performers, some scrambling to pull out their phones, while others simply watched in awe. The mix of heat from the fire, the cool night air, and the electric energy of the crowd made the moment even more intense. It was an unexpected thrill, the perfect addition to an already incredible night!

A Quiet Walk Through the Old Quarter

After we finished eating, we stayed for a while, just talking and soaking in the atmosphere. Then, we got up and wandered out of Beer Street.

Ramesh and I strolled through the quieter streets of the Old Quarter, which had a different but equally charming vibe. The energy of Beer Street faded behind us replaced by cozy little cafés winding down for the night and a few late-night wanderers enjoying the peaceful streets.

Spotted these pretty lanterns 🥹

Walking through the streets of Hanoi, hand in hand, with the drizzle gently falling around us—that moment is easily one of my favorite memories ever.