Page 88 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2025 THAILAND
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ern Soul delivered the goods: spinning seemed like a smart move. But with fans now
great tracks, serving up a cold, crispy fully camped out on the stairways and in the
house-label pilsner (my favorite), and of- aisles, I had to slowly snake my way back to-
fering just enough distance from the ward my entry gate.
street-level chaos. That’s when the claustrophobia started
Totally worth the near-death scooter to kick in. The gate was chained shut. From
experience it took to get there. the outside.
One of the great perks of slow travel is I took a few deep breaths, calmed the
the freedom to pivot on a whim. After a quiet rising panic, and managed to squeeze my
day, I made a last-minute decision to catch a way back through the crowd. Eventually, I
soccer (football) match. I arrived at the old found the lone open gate—on the far side of
Hang Day Stadium and managed to snag the pitch.
one of the last tickets to the sold-out game. It felt like a tragedy-in-waiting, but
With the upper decks condemned, the somehow this brand of Vietnamese madness
lower bleachers were packed sardine-tight— still put a smile on my face—at least once I
Hanoi Football Club fans shoulder-to-shoul- was safely in the rideshare headed back to
der with Nam Dinh F.C. supporters. Nam Dinh my hotel.
was up 3–0, so slipping out at halftime To truly explore the streets and alleyways
88 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025
