I planned as soft a landing as I possibly could. I’m Vendoming the hotels and even planned our first day in Hanoi as a meltdown day spent mostly chilling in the suite with room service and pool time. So by 5PM I figured the Deal Kids were ready to dip their toes into Hanoi. A nice stroll around the lake and some ice cream seemed a good plan.
Yea, not so much. Culture Shock set in immediately and in a big way. Between the chaos dodging motorbikes while crossing the street, the strange smells and sights, and just the sheer newness of it all within 15 minutes it was clear I needed a Plan B.
To be honest, I didn’t think it would be this bad. I mean the kids did fine in Paris on Bastille Day- talk about crowded! And they’ve done Guatemala, which is definitely not known for road rules. But on the first try they just didn’t handle Hanoi well at all. I’m confident Hoi An and Da Nang will be much better as the pace is slower.
My Impromptu Cure for Culture Shock
To help change their attitude ASAP I grabbed a cab and hightailed it for the nicest hotel in town. In this case the Colonial era Hotel Metropole did the trick. A beautiful and quiet cafe with amazing service (at the same price as TGI Friday’s in the states) helped smooth over the nerves that erupted more quickly than I imagined they would. Call it a strategic retreat.
So I’d love to hear your advice. How have you helped your kids adjust when they’re overwhelmed? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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Wow. As a non-parent, this is completely foreign to me. It sounds like your Plan B was a very smart move, because (1) they got the chance to experience Hanoi from the comfort and safety of a cab, and (2) you brought them to a nice, yet one that was different from where you were staying. It seems to me that you eased them into the change that way. My biggest question reading this post is, at that cafe, were you ordering cheesburgers (or other Western food), or local food? For me personally (and recall, not a parent), food is the most stressful part of third world countries, but that’s partially because of newfound allergies.
Hi Trevor,
That’s why I was caught off guard, too. Food I planned for, sensory overload just didn’t occur to me!
I think they have seen bits and pieces in other places: noises in NYC, traffic in Paris, poverty in Guatemala, but put them together and add heat and pollution and they got a bit freaked out.
Dia, As I think more of it, I could see how that could happen. I realize this is probably a bit of a crazy suggestion, and not terribly cost efficient, but what about seeing if you can hire a car/driver/guide for a “driving tour” of Hanoi? My wife and I did that in Delhi and found it to be a good balance of getting out and walking (where we felt comfortable, with the guide of course), and being able to see and experience Old Delhi from the comfort of a “safe” car (in all fairness, it was a BMW 3 series, not a Tata). Like I said, its not terribly cost efficient, but if you continue to run into the culture shock, that may be a back-up… But, again, caveat: I’m not a parent.
Actually, a great idea. Cabs here are crazy cheap.
I agree with Trevor, look into hiring a tour guide (through the hotel). Not cheap, but a good transition.
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Another person here without much advice to offer. I agree with Trevor’s guide idea. Also, just know that if you keep doing what you’re doing, following your instincts and not pushing too hard, that they will come around. I have no experience with Asia, but any way that they can soak up the atmosphere without being too immersed in it right away would be great. What do local kids do there? Can they go to a playground or park with other kids playing soccer or anything like that? Anywhere that they can see and hear a bit of what’s going on without being completely surrounded by it.
Good luck to you and your kids. They will get there.