2024-07-25 From Hanoi to Viral Fame

The journey home commenced with a flight aboard the whimsically named "Happy Pill". Scoot Airlines, it seemed, possessed a penchant for the absurd. The promise of happiness, delivered via pressurized aluminum tube, was a concept both intriguing and cynical. Hanoi, under the influence of Typhoon Praripoon, was shrouded in a watery embrace. The airport, a bustling hive of activity, was a testament to the resilience of air travel. A thirty-minute delay, a mere hiccup in the grand scheme of things, was met with resignation rather than frustration.

The morning had been consumed by the demands of business. A meeting with An, the head of the AI team, had revealed a promising future. Their capabilities, honed in the crucible of Hanoi's entrepreneurial spirit, held the potential to disrupt industries. The journey from hotel to office, a solitary affair, allowed for reflection.

TikTok by Chef

The reunion at the airport was marked by a mixture of relief and anticipation. Raymond, our Hanoi-based cousin, waved goodbye, his business in Vietnam a testament to the allure of Southeast Asia. The discovery of our viral TikTok fame was a surreal twist to the narrative. The video, a fleeting moment captured for eternity, had ignited a storm of controversy. Our faces, obscured by the digital veil, had escaped unscathed. Raymond, less fortunate, had become an unwitting celebrity.The implications of this unexpected fame were yet to unfold.

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2024-07-24 Hanoi Hustle and Hidden Costs

The afternoon unfolded in a haze of consumerism and indulgence. Tràng Tiền Plaza, a temple of luxury, yielded to the allure of retail therapy.

A subsequent retreat to the L’Opera offered a much-needed respite. The promise of absinthe, a potent elixir of myth and legend, was replaced by a benign concoction, more akin to a fruit-infused cordial. The jazz-infused atmosphere, coupled with the attentive staff, created an oasis of tranquility. Tapas, a pre-dinner snack, proved to be a miscalculation. The impending dinner cast a shadow over our appetites.

Vietnam, a country of captivating contradictions, revealed its darker side. Earlier, the Ho Chi Minh taxi driver's audacious attempt at price gouging was a stark reminder of the city's underbelly.

A chance encounter with a street vendor, a master cobbler with a penchant for drama, showcased another facet of Hanoi life. His skills were undeniable, his sob story less convincing. The final price, a compromise between extortion and gratitude, was a bitter pill to swallow.

Le Beaulieu, a gastronomic destination of repute, offered a fitting finale to our Hanoi sojourn. The bread, a masterpiece of culinary artistry, set the stage for a symphony of flavors. The chocolate bar, a mobile indulgence, was the pièce de résistance, a decadent conclusion to a sumptuous meal. Exhaustion, a welcome companion, crept in as the night deepened.The L’Opera, a sanctuary of comfort, awaited our weary bodies. The final curtain fell on our Hanoi adventure, leaving behind a tapestry of memories, both delightful and challenging.

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2024-07-24 Wet Hanoi and Pho Fantasies

(Photo from my previous trip)

The L’Opera, a bastion of Hanoi’s colonial charm, provided a luxurious backdrop to our city sojourn. Its neighboring streets, a stage for a daily performance of human vanity, was a captivating spectacle. Selfies, a modern form of narcissism, were captured with an almost religious fervor, while professional photographers, their lenses capturing fleeting moments of artifice, transformed the streets into a living catwalk. A particularly memorable image, etched into my memory, depicted a woman, her cleavage pressed into service as a novel storage solution for her smartphone.

Breakfast at the hotel was a leisurely affair. My culinary desires this morning were simple – an omelette, assembled with the chef’s liberal hand, and a strong cup of black coffee. The Viet Nam News, a daily chronicle of the nation’s pulse, offered grim tidings – Kamala Harris, a rising star in American politics, was poised to eclipse Joe Biden, while Typhoon Pariphoon, a tempestuous visitor, threatened to disrupt our plans.

Hoan Kiem Lake, a serene oasis in the heart of the city, was a microcosm of Hanoi life. A steady drizzle, a gentle kiss from the sky, failed to deter the city’s inhabitants from their daily rituals. Selfie sticks, a ubiquitous accessory, transformed the lake into a forest of outstretched arms. Ice cream, a defiant act against the elements, was consumed with gusto.

We introduced Shiqin to the legendary Kem Tràng Tiền, a haven for Instagram enthusiasts. The lake, a canvas of human activity, provided endless entertainment. People-watching, a timeless pastime, was elevated to an art form.

The Tràng Tiền Plaza, a glittering enclave of luxury brands, offered a stark contrast to the lake’s pedestrian charm. Here, the world’s elite vied for the attention of discerning consumers.

Our rendezvous with Irene and Ethan led us to Huyen Huong Pho, a hallowed ground for pho enthusiasts. The broth, a symphony of flavors, was a revelation. The chicken, a curious blend of tenderness and texture, hinted at a free-range existence. The accompanying condiments, a palette of tastes, elevated the dish to celestial heights. It was my second visit but remains a firm pho favorite.

A solitary afternoon beckoned. A business meeting with Tuan and Sophia, a partner in a nascent venture, demanded my attention. The Xanh SM app, a digital concierge, summoned an electric vehicle to whisk me through the city’s traffic. The meeting, a productive exchange of ideas, marked the beginning of a new chapter. As the day drew towards the evening, a sense of satisfaction washed over me. Hanoi, with its intoxicating blend of old and new, had recast its spell on me.

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2024-07-23 Hanoi Hustle and Buffet Bliss

The transition from the coastal languor of Nha Trang to the frenetic energy of Hanoi was immediate and jarring. The Vietnam Airlines flight, a cocoon of comfort, offered a brief respite from the impending assault of the senses. Hanoi, a city of contrasts, welcomed us with open arms and suffocating humidity. Typhoon Praripoon, a menacing specter looming in the distance, promised a drenching baptism for our arrival.

Sen Hồ Tây, a buffet haven according to Raymond, our local oracle and cousin, was our first port of call. The restaurant, a bustling hive of activity, was a testament to its popularity. The cacophony of Vietnamese and sprinkling of Cantonese chatter, a familiar symphony to my ears, mingled with the general din of the crowd. A mountain of food, a tantalizing array of colors and textures, beckoned from every corner.

The sashimi counter, a siren song for seafood lovers, drew me in with irresistible force. The rhythmic cadence of "Happy Birthday" songs, a constant soundtrack to the dining experience, created a surreal atmosphere. Oysters, plump and briny, were my obsession for the first three rounds. Only then did I venture into the realm of boiled delights – seafood,vegetables, and a medley of flavors that danced on the palate. The buffet, a gluttonous paradise, was a symphony of indulgence.

As the night drew to a close, sated and slightly dazed, we parted ways. Raymond and his family, their knowledge of the city a trusted compass, disappeared into the Hanoi night. The L’Opera Hotel, a beacon of elegance in the city’s bustling heart, awaited our arrival.

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