After three years spent in Sri Lanka with Atypique Voyages, I chose to continue my Asian adventure in Vietnam. A new destination, a new daily life, and above all, plenty to discover. Between the energy of Hanoi, the everyday surprises of life there, and my first getaway into the mountains of Pu Luong, here are my thoughts on this new chapter.
From Sri Lanka to Vietnam: a new Asian adventure
After three years in Sri Lanka, I wanted to discover another side of Asia. What drew me to Vietnam, above all, was its incredible diversity. From terraced rice fields in the northern mountains to the karst landscapes of the land-based Halong Bay, from lively big cities to the beaches of the center, the country seems to have a thousand faces.
I was also curious to learn about its history and culture, shaped in particular by Chinese and French influences—still noticeable in the architecture, the gastronomy, and certain everyday habits.
But there’s one thing about discovering a country while traveling, and another about settling there. And my first few weeks in Hanoi quickly had a few surprises in store for me!
Hanoi: learning to live at the rhythm of the city
From the moment I arrived, one impression took over: everything here seems to be in motion. The first image that comes to mind is scooters. They’re everywhere! And I’ll probably never forget my first attempt at crossing a major avenue.
As a European, my instinct was simple: wait until the road is clear. Except in Hanoi, if you wait for there to be no scooters, you might end up standing on the sidewalk for a long time!
After watching the locals, I understood that you have to move forward calmly, without sudden movements, while staying alert to traffic. Drivers generally anticipate your path. It’s still quite impressive and requires a lot of vigilance, but I’m gradually learning to get used to this very particular flow of traffic.
A city that lives on the street
What also strikes me is how much space the street takes up in everyday life. Small plastic stools are everywhere. People sit down there to drink coffee, have lunch, or chat with friends. Restaurants spill out onto the sidewalks, markets come alive from the first hours, and the smells of cooking accompany every stroll.
As in Colombo, the days start early. Around the lakes, people do their morning exercise while shopkeepers set up their stalls.
I also love the contrasts of Hanoi: an old pagoda just a few steps away from a contemporary building, a street vendor in front of an elegant shop. The city has an energy like no other.
My culinary discoveries… and a few unexpected surprises
Discovering Vietnam also means discovering a new cuisine. After three years of curries, coconut, and Sri Lankan spices, I’m now exploring fresher flavors, where aromatic herbs and broths take an essential place.
The phở, with its fragrant broth, was one of my first favorites. I also discovered the bún chả, a Hanoi specialty combining grilled pork, rice vermicelli, and fresh herbs—something I’m now very happy to recommend.
And then there’s cà phê trứng, that famous egg coffee whose creamy texture particularly surprised me.
But my most unexpected discovery isn’t about Vietnamese cuisine! In Sri Lanka, I’d gotten into the habit of bringing a few provisions back from France: cheese, sausages, and other little treats that are hard to find on the spot. In Hanoi, surprise: supermarkets offer a wide variety of imported products. I almost felt like I was in a European supermarket! A detail that might seem trivial, but it changes a lot when you’re living abroad.
Another habit that made me smile: the short nap after lunch. In Vietnam, it’s not unusual to see shopkeepers or employees take a brief break early in the afternoon—sometimes right in their workplace. A practice that surprised me at first, but it seems to fit naturally into the rhythm of the day here.
Pu Luong: my first break away from Hanoi
After the capital’s energy, I wanted to discover a more rural Vietnam. Head to Pu Luong, a mountainous region where villages and rice fields create a landscape very different from that of Hanoi.
I discovered the region in October, during the harvest season. But if I had to keep just one memory, it would be, without hesitation, a sunrise over the rice fields. The mountains were gradually emerging from the mist. The light revealed the shades of green and yellow in the fields, while the first locals began their workday.
Everything was calm. No need to speak or photograph every moment. Just to observe. This contrast with Hanoi particularly stayed with me. In just a few hours of driving, the atmosphere changes completely.
This getaway also reminded me of something essential: travel isn’t only about the places you visit, but also about the time you take to discover them.
Living in Vietnam to discover it better
My arrival in Vietnam builds on the work already carried out by our local team, whose knowledge of the country is a real asset. My move here now allows me to share their everyday life, learn alongside them, and gradually bring my own perspective to the destination.
There are so many regions still to explore, so many people to meet, and so many traditions to understand. And that’s exactly what I enjoy about this new adventure: bringing together experiences, enriching our knowledge of the ground, and continuing, together, to imagine trips that resemble those who live them.
It’s also the very spirit of Atypique Voyages: combining viewpoints and expertise to create tailor-made trips in Vietnam thought out as closely as possible to the reality on the ground.
