Hanoi Street Food & Water Puppet Show: A Local’s Review

Okay, so you are thinking about visiting Hanoi and maybe want to sink your teeth into some authentic Vietnamese cuisine while you’re at it? Perhaps you are even tossing around the idea of capping it all off with a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form, water puppetry? Well then, a combination tour sounds, that it does, like a fantastic way to get it all done! I recently took one of these combo tours, and I would like to share the experience, the ups and downs, and a few thoughts for you.

First Impressions of the Tour

Okay, so right off the bat, our guide seemed rather enthusiastic, which, honestly, is something you really want. His English, too it’s almost, pretty good, and he really knew his stuff when he began chattering on about the Old Quarter. Apparently, it’s almost quite easy to get turned around in all those little streets, so having somebody who knows their way is, that it is, pretty helpful. The group wasn’t too enormous either, that it wasn’t, about twelve people, I guess? That’s still sufficiently small that you can still ask questions and it doesn’t feel super touristy.

We kicked off, so we did, near Hoan Kiem Lake, a really prominent gathering place. Right away, the guide gave us, very, very, like, a brief intro to the city’s past, highlighting a couple of the more relevant places we were passing. Now, I always believe learning something new about where you are can bring the experience alive and make you feel that, actually, you are part of the story. That definitely seemed to give us, actually, a bit more of an feeling about the atmosphere.

Diving Headfirst into the Street Food Scene

Alright, so the foodie bit? It’s what I was really anticipating! We went to some places I never ever would’ve picked myself – really narrow fronted spots with these tiny plastic stools spilled all over the pavement, that, they did. These places, I learned, they tend to be where the locals hang. I had to remind myself to get past the “tourist hesitation” of judging things against sanitized western ideas.

The first stop, though, I think that it may have been “Pho.” Everyone has heard of Pho! It was excellent, but the guide explained, like, there are many types and styles that shift a little based on region and taste. That broth? Very flavorful! That said, if you’ve a sensitive gut, you may want to go slightly easy on the chili sauce at the start! Other dishes followed at several spots – some Bahn Mi, and also these savory pancakes… Banh Xeo I believe? They were super crispy and seriously scrumptious, filled with sprouts, shrimp, maybe pork? I could easily eat more of those! Along the way our guide told us of the origin of the ingredients, maybe the heritage of the recipe, too, and just little anecdotes related to Vietnamese chow.

What I thought that was genuinely great? So it was the sense that it felt super authentic. The guide just had that feel that he liked to eat that food. No fancy, tourist trap locations. That’s an insight that only somebody “in the know” can provide and it can bring it alive, sort of. We didn’t only get to taste some stuff; but we saw a few of the people make the items right in front of our noses. That, you know, really gives it, in some respects, more legitimacy than several fine dining locations can.

The Magic of the Water Puppet Show

Alright, after all those great bites, it really was time for something completely different: Water Puppets! Now, I only have to say, I had observed pictures, but I really didn’t understand the way it would actually come to life in person.

So, right, water puppetry is an historic artform. In years gone by farmers from the Red River Delta designed a entertainment when the rice fields had been swamped. Figures built out of wood dance across the water; managed by puppeteers hiding behind a screen with long sticks. These performers put so much of their soul in there and you can truly notice, right? It looks incredibly effortless, but I think it can take so much skill. It really tells country life stories, folktales, along with national myths.

It’s really all set to traditional songs (sung live!) That blend can make it, apparently, just a little hypnotic. While maybe all of the cultural significance got dropped on me, the humor is super visual, which helps you keep track, or something. The whole act is really just enchanting; it seemed to blend this age-old tradition and tongue in cheek levity. It’s really quite something and unique.

What Could be Improved?

Okay, so it mostly went super well, that, it did! The guide may have benefited by slowing down a tad, though. There were tourists in my gang that appeared to fight slightly to stay current when he had been informing us about some historical info and they looked tired, but. Maybe he was just super excited to share? Furthermore, some street food stalls? Well, there might be a lot of people about. It can feel, so it can, somewhat cramped in that Old Quarter area, I suppose? Just prepare to get pushed a little, too.

It could be suggested that tour companies inform people up-front that you might not like all the courses. It may be awesome to open travellers’ horizons to novel tastes; still it could possibly avoid potential unease if people realize that trying novel delicacies isn’t mandatory! If all foods got listed that, might also actually address allergic-based questions or options.

Is This Tour Worth It?

Okay, after considering all, yes; absolutely! This combo passes you authentic Vietnamese foods along with a traditional showcase – stuff which would most likely take time to independently assemble. Seriously? I felt I genuinely touched real Hanoi spirit in some respect. Sure; one or two portions can need a tiny adjustment; really though the knowledge and pleasure totally surpass any drawbacks. Anyone hoping to dig deeper more so in Hanoian life must seriously think about such a program, anyway.

Remember you’re not only eating various food; you’re having the chance, apparently, to engage a city and that legacy as soon as you’re with the locals, I think. Water puppetry adds, truly, something spectacular that would stick in your brain in contrast to taking a couple of photos alone. Because seriously – which memory might outshine food? The experience that involves every part.