Hanoi and Halong Bay, Vietnam
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Vietnam’s capital races to make up for time lost to the ravages of war and a government that as recently as the 1990s kept the outside world at bay. Its streets surge with scooters vying for right of way amid the din of constantly blaring horns, and all around layers of history reveal periods of French and Chinese occupation – offering a glimpse into the resilience of ambitious, proud Hanoians. (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/hanoi/introduction)
We visited Hanoi, Vietnam and took a day tour at Halong Bay last October 14-18,2016. We stayed at Hanoi Elegance E-Central Hotel.
First breakfast and first Pho in Hanoi was eaten at Pho located at 10 Ly Quoc Su.
On our first day in Hanoi, we booked a Walking Food Tour from our hotel which amounted to 25 USD per person, we decided to avail this tour because Hanoi has lots of options, sometimes offering the same food so a guide on the first day would really be helpful.
We were lucky to have booked a weekend while visiting Hanoi because every Fri.-Sun. they close some roads for their night market, it’s a long stretch of streets at the Old Quarter. There are also so many people gathering near Hoan Kiem Lake during the weekends and it’s fun to just chill, watch people and blend with the locals.
On a normal weekday, the roads of Hanoi are always packed with motorbikes, and some cars.. Be very alert when crossing the streets of Hanoi, even if the traffic light is red, not all will follow and some would still continue their way. Crossing at first is a bit scary but once you get used to it, you’d know how to dance with the traffic.
Some photos of the places you can visit in Hanoi are uploaded below.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
- HOAN KIEM LAKE
- VINCOM MALL
- St. JOSEPH CATHEDRAL
- IMPERIAL CITADEL OF THANG LONG
- FLAG TOWER ARMY MUSEUM
- FRENCH QUARTER- OPERA HOUSE – VIETNAM NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Look how crazy the weekends in Hanoi could be. Too many people but still a fun experience.
On our 4th Day at Vietnam, we booked a Halong Bay Day Trip. Our hotel booked us at Alova Day Cruises.
We loved staying at Pateta’s Second Floor and just watch the hustle and bustle of Hanoi.
Once you visit Hanoi, you will understand why it’s Chaotic and Charming at the same time. There were a lot of those quaint and lovely spaces, Hanoi has a lot of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Sample Itinerary:
1st Day: Explore the Old Quarter and get acquainted, you can also avail of the Walking Food Tour. If you visited on a weekend make sure to visit Hoan Kiem Lake in the afternoon and night and just watch the people and learn their culture, also make sure to check on the closed roads for the night market and you’ll see a lot of foreigners and locals eating on the streets.
2nd Day: From the Old Quarter you can ride the taxi to Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and walk to the Flag Tower and the Army Museum. Please note that there is a lunch break 11:30-13:00, but if you have to wait you can check out the Highlands Coffee branch inside the vicinity of the Museum.
Using google maps you can walk to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda and from there you can either walk or ride a taxi to Temple of Literature.
(During our visit at Hanoi, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was under renovation, they said that every year the Mausoleum undergoes renovation and is closed to the public for a month.)
3rd Day: Explore more of the Old Quarter and French Quarter.
In the French Quarter you can check out the Opera House and History Museum, and you can also explore Trang Tien’s shops it is also in this street where you can find Trang Tien Ice Cream main branch.
4th Day: Take a day cruise or a 2 day and one night cruise at Halong Bay.
For a group tour you’ll most likely be picked up at around 7:45-8:45 am.
The ride from Hanoi to Halong Bay is 3.5 hours to 4 hours. (One stopover for each way)
Cruise through Halong Bay for approx. 4 hours here you’ll visit the floating Village, and Dau Go Cave or Sung Sot Cave, and pass through the Fighting Cock Island.
5th Day: Just explore the place you still want to see, you can visit the West Lake.
EXPENSES:
Cebu Pacific Promo Fare 5,000 pesos for a round trip ticket
Malayan Travel Insurance – 1,950 pesos for us 4.
HANOI E-CENTRAL HOTEL
4 nights / 5 Days Family Room -270USD only because there is a promo at the time we booked stay for 3 nights and get 1 night free.
Airport Transfers (booked through the hotel) 20USD for 4 persons and you’ll be riding a comfortable van.
Walking Food Tour per person- 25USD
Halong Bay Group Tour per person- 55 USD
