It's Ya Boy in Hanoi
- Tahsan Scott
- Sep 25, 2023
- 5 min read
I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA. When I was 13 years old, Sacramento was found to be the most diverse city in the United States, according to research done by Harvard University and TIME Magazine. It only makes sense then, that growing up I would have friends from all different backgrounds, cousins who are half Chinese, and another who is half Spanish.
One of my closest friends growing up was Hoc Tran, aka The Hoc Man. Born in Vietnam, Hoc and his family moved to Sacramento in the mid-90’s. Hoc and I would become friends at David Reese Elementary, eventually forming a tight knit clique of 4 kids whose teacher’s pushed them into advanced math studies. There was Jacob who was white, Josh who was a Korean-American, Hoc, and yours truly who (since at home DNA tests and ancestry kits weren’t really a thing back then) was Black.
We were an inseparable cohort until middle school when we all began to take different paths. We’ve been fortunate enough to stay in contact and meet up once in a blue moon, usually around the holidays when everyone is back home in Sacramento.
Hoc and I have remained close over the years. At some point in our youth, his family moved to a house around the corner from mine, and we started carpooling to high school together on late start Wednesdays. We’ve since hung out in Vegas during my college days at UNLV, and even occasionally caught up in LA when we both lived in SoCal in our late 20s.
About two years ago, Hoc and his new bride Cathy moved (technically moved back I suppose for Hoc) to Vietnam. I didn’t get a chance to see him before he left because I was on vacation for a month in the Dominican Republic, but I promised that next time I came to Asia, I would drop in on him.
So I did.
Vietnam honestly hadn’t been on my radar of places to travel, despite my affinity for all Anthony Bourdain shows and books. But visiting an old friend is always a great cause for travel.
I spent one week in Hanoi, a bustling, motorbike pervaded city that blends both the ancient and modern aspects of Vietnam. Lots of history, tons of delicious food and coffee, superb cocktail bars, friendly people, and seemingly endless things to discover made Hanoi a never-ending adventure.
What did I do?
Caught up with one of my oldest friends
Hanging out in a foreign country with an old friend is by far one of my favorite things in life. I got a few chances to hang out with Hoc, meet his wife and amazing 4 month old baby boy, catch up and reminisce on old times. We met up for some Vietnamese bbq one night, which was very tasty. Hoc then took me to check out the new cat cafe he and his wife own, Meo Haus. It's a great cafe, with a great cause: helping rescue, rehabilitate, and find good homes for stray cats.
The next day Hoc offered to take me for a wonderful hot stone massage and a unique Vietnamese original: egg coffee. Similar to a cappuccino, egg coffee features a creamy foam layer atop some espresso, but has custard-like texture thanks to some extremely fresh and vibrant egg yolks that are whipped into the creamy foam topping. Amazing.
My last night in Hanoi, Hoc and I had dinner at a nice little French bistro. Over a carafe of good Bordeaux, we laughed and commiserated over the constant and curious changes that life hurls at you to keep you on your toes.
It’s funny…it feels like it wasn’t that long ago we were kids playing video games and riding bikes around the neighborhood. But now we’re both real adults, balancing the demands of family, finance, and our futures. Yet we have both still found ways to have fun amidst the more serious facets of life.
Got an intro to the city from a new friend
Zach, a friend and old coworker of mine had been to Vietnam recently, and I asked him if he had any tips or recommendations. His recommendation? Hit up his younger brother Aaron who lives in Hanoi with his wife.
Aaron had recently moved to Vietnam to be with his wife, a Vietnamese native he met through some convoluted family related travels (his adopted Vietnamese/Hawaiian cousin’s wife’s cousin or something or other). Aaron was gracious enough to give me some info about different places to visit in Vietnam ahead of my journey, and actually showed me around the Old Quarter one morning. We went for some tasty bun cha- a pork noodle soup with a sweet and tangy broth, rice noodles, and fresh herbs, walked around Hoan Kiem Lake, and of course had some coffee.
It’s always a treat to have a friendly face in a new city, let alone a country you’ve never visited before. Thanks Aaron & Zach!
Checked out the historical highlights in a vintage military Jeep
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has lots of history, and tons of interesting monuments to see. I took one of the popular military Jeep city tours and saw some of the highlights: Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, Long Bien Bridge and the Instagram famous Train Street. The Jeep was a bit of a challenge to get in and out of gracefully (if you would have seen what happened when my shorts got caught on the door hinge as I was jumping out of the Jeep), but it was a cool experience overall.
Tasted the local specialties
Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles has the Obama special: 3 wings and a waffle. Hanoi has the Obama combo at Bún chả Hương Liên: bun cha, a fried seafood roll, and a beer. I couldn’t come to Hanoi and not visit the place where President Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain dined seated on tiny plastic chairs, so I went.
It was delicious and anyone visiting Hanoi should definitely stop by for a good meal (everyone except for the Australian dude sitting behind me in the restaurant who asked the server if there were any vegetarian dishes at a place that literally just sells pork noodle soup, seafood rolls, and pork skewers).
I also had some really good Bahn Mi at Banh Mi 25, and some delicious smoked goose breast at a few different places during my stay. Also, the steak and grilled pork cheek at Bò Tơ Quán Mộc were really delicious.
Drank AMAZING cocktails
Hanoi has some great cocktail bars making some very inventive and delicious drinks. I had an impressive Pho flavored cocktail at Nê Cocktail bar, in which the bartender ignited a cup of gin, and poured it through a 3 tier system to infuse it with the herbs and spices traditionally found in a bowl of savory Pho soup.
The Old Well and The Attic were both stellar cocktail bars as well, both with a focus on really creative flavors, using local Vietnamese herbs, fruits, liqueurs, and spirits that I’ve never seen or even heard of before. Divine.
Had afternoon tea with a view
On the 62nd floor of the Intercontinental Hanoi Landmark72, sits Hive Lounge, a large airy hotel bar and lounge that serves a great afternoon tea set. It is a great place to relax for the afternoon and take in the sunset with some tasty mini sandwiches, tarts, and delectable cakes. You could also have a cocktail or two if so inclined. Afternoon tea is quickly becoming a favorite hobby of mine.
Considered a career change
Briefly moonlighting as a banana salesman on the streets of old town Hanoi
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