After spending three years in Sri Lanka with Atypique Voyages, I chose to continue my Asian adventure in Vietnam. A new destination, a new daily routine, and above all, so much to discover. Between the buzz of Hanoi, the surprises of everyday life and a first getaway to the mountains of Pu Luong, here are my impressions of this new life.

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 is its incredible diversity. From the terraced rice fields of the northern mountains to the karst landscapes of inland Ha Long Bay, from vibrant big cities to the central beaches, the country seems to have a thousand faces.

I was also curious to discover its history and culture, shaped in particular by Chinese and French influences, still noticeable in the architecture, cuisine and certain everyday habits.

But discovering a country on a trip is one thing; moving there is another. And my first weeks in Hanoi quickly had a few surprises in store for me!

Hanoi: learning to live to the city’s rhythm

From the moment I arrived, one feeling stood out: here, everything seems to be in motion. The first image that comes to mind is that of the scooters. They are everywhere! And I will probably never forget my first attempt to cross a major avenue.

My European reflex was simple: wait until the road is clear. Except that in Hanoi, if you wait until there are no more scooters, you might be standing on the sidewalk for a long time!

After watching the locals, I understood that you need to move forward calmly, without any sudden movements, while staying alert to the traffic. Drivers generally anticipate your path. It’s still impressive and requires a lot of vigilance, but I’m gradually learning to get used to this very particular traffic.

A city that lives in the street

What also strikes me is the place the street holds in daily life. Little plastic stools are everywhere. People sit on them to drink a coffee, have lunch or chat with friends. Restaurants spill out onto the sidewalks, markets come alive from the early hours, and the smells of cooking accompany every walk.

As in Colombo, days start early. Around the lakes, locals do their morning exercise while shopkeepers set up their stalls.

I also love Hanoi’s contrasts: an ancient pagoda just a few steps from a contemporary building, a street vendor in front of an elegant shop. The city has an energy unlike any 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 flavours, where aromatic herbs and broths play an essential role.

Phở, with its fragrant broth, was one of my first favourites. I also discovered bún chả, a Hanoi speciality combining grilled pork, rice vermicelli and fresh herbs, which I now happily 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 got into the habit of bringing back a few supplies from France: cheese, saucisson and other little treats that are hard to find locally. In Hanoi, surprise: supermarkets offer a wide variety of imported products. I almost felt like I was in a European supermarket! A detail that may seem trivial, but it changes a lot when you’re settling in abroad.

Another habit amused me: the little nap after lunch. In Vietnam, it’s not uncommon to see shopkeepers or employees taking a short rest at the beginning of the afternoon, sometimes right at their workplace. A practice that surprised me at first, but which seems to fit quite naturally into the rhythm of the day here.

Pu Luong: my first break away from Hanoi

After the energy of the capital, I wanted to discover a more rural Vietnam. Off to Pu Luong, a mountainous region where villages and rice fields create a landscape very different from Hanoi’s.

I discovered the region in October, during harvest season. But if I had to keep only one memory, it would without a doubt be a sunrise over the rice fields. The mountains gradually emerged from the mist. The light revealed shades of green and yellow in the fields, while the first locals began their workday.

Everything was calm. No need to talk or photograph every moment. Just watch. This contrast with Hanoi left a strong impression on me. In just a few hours on the road, the atmosphere changes completely.

This getaway also reminded me of one essential thing: a journey isn’t only about the places you visit, but also about the time you take to discover them.

Living in Vietnam to help others discover it better

My arrival in Vietnam is part of the continuity of the work already carried out by our local team, whose knowledge of the country is a real asset. Settling in now allows me to share their day-to-day life, learn alongside them and gradually bring my own perspective to the destination.

I still have so many regions to explore, people to meet and traditions to understand. And that’s exactly what I like about this new adventure: bringing experiences together, deepening our on-the-ground knowledge and continuing, as a team, to imagine trips that reflect the people who live them.

That’s also the whole spirit of Atypique Voyages: combining perspectives and expertise to create bespoke trips in Vietnam designed as close to the ground as possible.