Just beyond the hustle and bustle of this ever-expanding and rapidly-developing city, Banana Island lies hidden in plain sight. This unique place, known to Vietnamese as bãi giữa (“middle ground”), can easily be accessed by the ramps leading down from the Long Bien Bridge. It feels like the island is one large garden. A small population live on the island and farm the land (mostly bananas), and there is also a fishing community that lives on their boats, as well as a spot for a local club of Vietnamese men who love the Red River and prefer to do their swimming and other exercises in the nude. This is a nice way to get away from the traffic and perpetual motion of the city and enjoy some quiet moments walking the dirt paths among the banana trees.