In a cauldron of mopeds and 'tuc tucs', and with duck embryo on the menu, Hanoi has to be one of the most culturally different places I have ever visited.  Usually I am used to quality London hotels, but I found myself in a hotbed of exhaust fumes and steaming street cuisine- and I loved it.

Arriving in Vietnam had been eventful to say the least, flying in to what can only be described as an Eastern bloc army airport, with security that make western country officials look like 18-30 tour reps. But, I soon settled down and even took a moment to laugh at an irate American being put in his place. (Plus the visa's my friends and I had printed off the internet, as instructed, actually worked)

Once I had got out of the airport, it was off to find our hotel.  Now, here is a tip, ALWAYS use the white taxis and do not trust anybody that approaches you in the airport. They will rip you off, as they did us.  So, paying slightly more than we should to someone around the same age as that kid in the Indiana Jones movies we arrived in the City.

Architecturally it was an interesting place, it felt at times like we had wondered into the back streets of an old Parisian suburb, the French culture instilled was still evident from the French Indochina years.  However, as similar to parts of old Paris it was on the outside, it was equally different on the inside, with no comparison to the Paris hotels I had visited before. I have to say, I was not surprised the hotel was very, very basic, but, to be fair, that was not why I was there.

Luckily, I had arrived in Vietnam on Chinese New Year, which meant I got to experience their new years eve partying, which consisted of a wonderful fireworks display over one of the Lakes, many of those 'Chinese' Lanterns and lots of horn beeping. People were celebrating and riding around on their mopeds and unfortunately my friend, 'Cheets' had a run in with one, which left a tyre mark up the side of his jeans (and leg) but he was OK.

And now for tonight's special – Duck Embryo

Now I had read that duck embryo was one of the 'special' cuisines out in Vietnam. I was told that the reason the Vietnamese started to eat duck embryo was because of the increased amount protein as compared to eggs. Feeling adventurous, I asked my tour guide, Tuan, to take me to try the cuisine, along with my friend Cheets.  

So sitting on those tiny stools you get in Vietnam, we all were shown how to eat the food.  It was important to chew a piece of mint leaf first to extinguish some of the smell, surely not a good sign. Were then broke into the shell and went for it. Luckily it was dark so I couldn't make out what I was eating, but with a sharp eye my tour guide identified the head and told me you don't eat that bit, much to the dismay of my friend who was now sitting there with an empty shell. If I could describe the taste I would have to say it tasted like chicken (doesn't everything) but it was very, very salty, I finished the meal, along with a couple of expletives and headed back to the hotel.

I could sit here and write thousands of words about my time in Hanoi and Vietnam, I really do recommend it if you want to experience a completely different culture.  If you are thinking of going away all I can say is plan out your trip in as much detail as you can. Even the way you save for it. This was the second trip I have been on, and this time I actually used fixed rate bonds so I would not dip into my money for nights out and treats along the way, as I did the first time. I would also encourage you to book as much of your activity as far in advance as possible, this will also stop you leaking money before you go. The trip I was on was a structured one month tour of Vietnam – look out for similar packages as they include accommodation, food and a tour guide.