A leisure morning on a lakeside pedestrian street in Hanoi

Kieu Giang

The Sword Lake looks peaceful early in the morning

Hanoi has dramatically changed compared to my last visit years ago. The most interesting thing which I found during my recent trip is a leisure walk around the Sword Lake. I enjoyed seeing people joining interesting activities on a pedestrian street by the lake.

Well-dressed people go to the pedestrian street with friends and family to breath in fresh air and watch folk games of Vietnam like rope jumping and bamboo dance while kids participate in toy car rides and teenagers danced to fun melodies.

Some families sit on small stools on the pavement to wait for artists to finish their paintings. A large crowd admires people playing musical instrument and performing traditional and contemporary songs of Vietnam.

Visitors can drop by the nearby old quarter of Hanoi. It is interesting to pass by a small food street called Ta Hien. Small shops in yellow walls and green windows are what characterize the street.

Those who feel hungry after a walk should head for an eatery on Ly Thai To Street to savor bun cha (vermicelli, grilled chopped meat and fermented vegetables which are dipped in fish sauce), a popular specialty of Hanoi. Diners can also order spring rolls made from crab and meat to eat with noodles.

Tourists can finish their walk by visiting some shops nearby or sipping a hot coffee on a floating café on the river.