It was 14° and raining when we arrived in Hanoi. In Canada this would be considered a balmy spring day, but we had just spent the previous month basking in the 30 to 34° heat of Myanmar. So our reaction was the same as everyone else in Hanoi: Brrrr!

Everyone lives on street food, despite the fact that it’s cold and rainy outside.
Most cafés are either out on the sidewalk under a low tarp, or inside but open to the outside, making for a chilly but steamy lunch.The show must go on, even if it’s pouring…
This restaurant placed a charcoal heater beside our table on its chilly balcony.
Fluffy scarfs and puffy jackets are flying off the shelves. This stylish character even gets his own sweater to ward off the chill.
More on our December 2013 trip to Vietnam.