A Warm Stay in Hanoi A1 during Winter

Hanoi was still experiencing winter days when we were there at the end of January, 2013. It was colder than we had expected. We had read about their winters but we had underestimated it. We brought along our sweaters and shawls but shivered every time when there was a cold wind. Most of the time, the sky was grey and cloudy.

Most Vietnamese donning thick jackets during winter

There was no snow in Hanoi, unfortunately. Otherwise, it would be a golden opportunity for us to step in the snow. It was just cold weather and at times, it was windy and it rained for a while. Despite the cold weather, it made strolling around the Old Quarter very pleasant. This might be the low season but tourists were everywhere in Hanoi.

The entrance of the hotel

We had ordered airport pick-up from Hanoi A1 Hotel and as soon as we reached the arrival hall, we saw our driver and he drove us to our hotel in Old Quarter. It was about an hour drive. We reached Hanoi A1 hotel at about eight something in the morning. I did not realise how small the hotel was until we reached their doorstep. The staff from the hotel quickly welcomed us and helped us with our luggage. We were told by Miss Jennifer, the Sales Executive, that our room was upgraded to a deluxe room with a balcony (from our pre-booked superior room) since we were staying there for a week. We were indeed delighted.

The deluxe room

Cosy feel of the room

The bathroom

The room was on the first floor and from the balcony, we could see the streets of the Old Quarter and hear the frequent honking from vehicles below. It was annoying at first but after some time, we got used to it.

Colourful sandals sold next to the hotel's entrance

The room came with daily breakfast for two. However, choices were limited to Western breakfast /  Vietnamese noodle soup (Pho) / pancakes / sticky rice and toasted bread with butter and jam. A not-to-be missed was their Trung Nguyen coffee. We were addicted to it.

The restaurant in the hotel

It was also good to note that the noodle soup served during breakfast in the hotel restaurant was bought from stall or shop outside the hotel. As this was a small hotel, they did have a cook. 

 The delicious Pho ga (Chicken noodle soup)

The slices of lime were to be squeezed into the soup of Pho Ga. The sour lime enhanced the taste of the soup. Beware of the Vietnamese chillis as they were very spicy. We ate Pho Ga almost every day for breakfast. It was simply delicious. There was also Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) for those who loved beef.

Bun Thang (a type of noodle soup too) but we still prefer Pho Ga

Bun Thang was just okay for us. It was a different variety of the noodle soup. We still preferred Pho Ga.

Banh Cuon (that tasted like Chee Cheong Fun minus the shrimp paste) 

Banh Cuon tasted like Chee Cheong Fun without the dark shrimp paste. It was supposed to be dipped into the Nuoc Mam (Vietnamese fish sauce in the bowl) before we ate it. This was not in their breakfast menu. We had asked the kind waitress to help us buy from the street. That plate of banh cuon only cost 1 USD.

The pancakes with honey

During our first night in Hanoi, we were too tired to go out for dinner. So, we ordered from the hotel menu. The staff had ordered the food delivery from a restaurant nearby. We had Vietnamese fried spring rolls, fried chicken with rice and seafood spaghetti. The food was just average.

Fried Vietnamese spring rolls 

Fried chicken with rice

Seafood spaghetti

We were also lucky to meet a pair of bride and groom on their wedding day during our breakfast on  our second last day in Hanoi A1 Hotel. We quickly congratulated the couple. We noticed that the Vietnamese wedding had similarities to the Chinese wedding. For example, the groom would fetch the bride and bring her to his home for a tea ceremony. 

The bride and groom

The bridal car was beautifully decorated with flowers and the brother's (heng tai) car also bore the Chinese word (hee) in red. 

The bridal car

The brother's (heng tai) car

We had a very pleasant stay here and did I mention that this hotel was near to the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake and famous Water Puppet Theatre? It was only a 5-minute walk to the lake and the theatre. Not only that,  but it also was about 10-minute walk to the weekend night market. The HSBC ATM was just on the next road which was visible from our room balcony. So, we had all the conveniences at our doorstep!

Address of the hotel:

1 Cau Go, Hoan Kiem,

Hanoi, Vietnam