I want to travel abroad after a long time, but I’m not good at long-haul flights.
So, I was thinking about where to go in Southeast Asia, and then I saw a photo of the cityscape in Vietnam. (I think it was probably the streets of Hanoi).
The unique atmosphere and exotic charm of Vietnam caught my interest, which led to my first step in exploring the country. This time, I’d like to share photos from my trip to the two cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, split into two parts.
The cityscape of Hanoi, Vietnam
Departed Japan in the afternoon and arrived at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi at night. Exhausted from the flight, I went straight to the hotel by taxi and fell asleep.
The next morning, after breakfast, I immediately dashed outside with my camera.
The city overflowing with green trees, colorful signs, and countless motorbikes (apparently, in Vietnam, motorbikes are referred to as “Honda”!).
Everything was different from Japan, where I had been until recently.
Filled with excitement and awe at being in a foreign country again after a long time, I walked around aimlessly, taking photos.
I vividly remember the feeling at that moment, which seemed to be filled with hope and excitement.
The sheer number of motorbikes, the bustling energy of people passing by, and the unique cityscape different from Japan struck me deeply. It felt like I could walk endlessly.
Hanoi’s impressive streetscape, with its well-preserved old buildings full of character, left a strong impression on me.
In Japan, where everything tends to be renovated and rebuilt, every city starts to look the same and lacks charm.
The sheer number of motorbikes and less strict traffic rules compared to Japan in Vietnam.
At first, even crossing the road was difficult.
Even when the pedestrian signal turns green, cars and motorbikes keep coming non-stop. I cautiously crossed while making eye contact with approaching drivers.
It was scary and tough at first, but after a few days, I got used to it, and I realized how amazing adaptation can be.
Being in a different cultural sphere away from my own country, I can’t help but feel the obvious truth that “everyone is different.”
In Japan, there’s often a tendency to perceive everyone as the same due to uniform culture. (In reality, everyone is different.)
Being overseas reinforces the importance of truly understanding that everyone is different, which is essential for reducing various conflicts.
The destination of this trip
As a video creator and photographer, I also have experience as a bass player and men’s fashion stylist. I introduce niche spots in Japan to foreign tourists.