Hanoi from the Sofitel © Neil Ta

A few years ago I had a dream about Hanoi, I knew where I was because I saw a sign saying Hanoi. I believe all dreams mean something and I remember I thought the dream must mean that I should travel there… although I didn’t even know anything about the city. I even went to the library to lend a book on how to learn Vietnamese. Later I realised the dream probably meant I will travel to Hanoi someday, not that I have to make it happen within the next few months. Below are some phrases I learnt before I decided to give up on this impulsive idea. But since then I have always been very curious about Hanoi, just as curious as I am about Bangkok, Sydney, Rio and Buenos Aires.  

Hello (to an older man) = Ong

(to a younger man) = Anh

(to an old woman) = Ba

(to an older woman) = Chi

(to a younger lady) = Co

How are you? = Bac co Khoe Khong?

Well, thanks = Cam on binh thuong

Thank you = Cam on

Goodbye = Tam biet

Where’s the bathroom = Cau tieu o dau?

Yes = Da (ya in north)

No = Khong (khum) 

Excuse me = Xin Toi

I want/need = Toi can/toi muon

I don’t dream about travelling especially often. Since my Hanoi dream I have only dreamt about Chile, that I was walking out from a hotel in East Village in New York a rainy spring day, and that I was meeting some friends in Finsbury Park in north London. I wonder what will be next. Maybe Australia. When I lived in London last year, my flatmate’s friend who is a palmist said that I will travel in Australia, and Brazil and Ecuador in the future. He also said I will be going to California and San Francisco for short periods. I remember he spoke about my past life as well. I doubt it, but according to him I was living on a vineyard in south France during the 1800th century, followed by a life as a painter near St. Petersburg in Russia. Who knows what’s true?