Day 1 - Hanoi (Hoan Kiem Lake & vicinity)
Day 2 - Halong Bay Day Trip
Day 3 - Hanoi (Thang Long Citadel, One Pillar Pagoda & vicinity)
Day 3 - Night train (Orient Express) to Sapa
Day 4 - Sapa Day 1
Day 5 - Sapa Day 2-Trekking Part 1
Day 5 - Sapa Day 2 - Trekking Part 2
Day 6 - Sapa Day 3
Day 7 - Hanoi (Temperature of Literature, West Lake)
It was end of November 2017. Flight tickets for end of November was cheaper by half as compared to December flight tickets. One way trip (Singapore to Hanoi) in end November was S$77 per person whereas for December, it was around S$159 one way! (Scoots)
Day 1 Sunday (15-22 Degree C)
Our 'Amazing Race' in Changi Airport T2 once again......
9.10am Flight by Scoot from Singapore to Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport - Terminal 2.
11.35am (Hanoi time) Landed in Hanoi
For clearing Immigration at Noi Bai International Airport at T2, we witnessed that you can just take any shorter queues (even queues for Vietnamese), we didn't .. and got to queue for almost 1 hour to get through.
12.45pm From the Airport T2, we took bus 86 (bus stop is just opposite the airport) to Hanoi Railway station(last stop) (30K VND /pax), you can pay by cash or any international credit card.
Payment is on board the bus and not to worry, the bus conductor provides change. It is a new express bus that runs from Noi Bai Airport T1 and T2 to the city center. The journey is around 1 hour. We did not expect the bus to be full, (no seats)....
Our hotel was around 10-15mins walk from the Hanoi train station. But it took slightly longer, as we had problem crossing the busy STREETS!! Our 1st culture shock! It was a nightmare crossing the streets in Hanoi. The never ending traffic, loads and loads of motorcycles ...pavements not for walking but for parking motorcycles... zebra crossings that 'aren't working' .. even junctions with traffic lights is still a headache!! And not to mention the never ending honkings and beepings on the road.
Our family of 4 stayed at Hanoi Gratitude Hotel (rated 9.1 from bookings.com) in Hoan Kiem (the Old Quarters) and enjoyed our 2 nights stay there. The Suite with balcony comes with 2 king size beds.
Places of interests are mostly within walking distance. Breakfast is buffet style and alacarte.
Time to explore the city ....many Grab motocyclists. Uber rides is cheaper than Grab in Hanoi. We tried taking once on the 7th day and was like ... what ...?!! 16K VND (approx. S$1) ?? Erhmm... the ride was only from within the Old Quarter hee hee and provided got WIFI.
Some common sights in Hanoi....
Countless shops having the same name.... even tour agencies with same name ... but are actually different. You can find loads of shops selling fake 'North Face' jackets and bags.
This building is at the northern part of the Hoan Kiem Lake, near the roundabout.
Hoan Kiem Lake (or Sword Lake) and its surrounding area is transformed into a pedestrian zone every evening from Friday to Sunday.This fountain at the roundabout is at the north of the Hoan Kiem Lake. (map above)
It's amazing to see a lot of people playing capteh (see picture below) in groups on the streets. Looks fun! But can't capture it nicely though...can you spot the capteh flying in the air??
Modified from self balancing hoverboard....
Live street performance ...
Common sight. Locals dining on the pavement and sitting on stools.
Hoan Kiem Lake : there is also the Temple of the Jade Mountain on Jade Island, which is connected to the shore by The Huc Bridge (shown below).
Went to the 'REAL' TheSinhTourist agency to book our next day Halong Bay Day Trip. Why I need to emphasize on REAL? Coz, there are so many agencies on the streets with this name...!! (See the Tel no. and Address on the signboard) The prize quoted online is the same as what we had paid there , 879K VND per person (with Kayaking or Bamboo Boat) . Cheh.... thought got discount....
The Turtle Tower (Thap Rua) stands on a small island near the center of the Hoan Kiem Lake.
St Joseph Cathedral
The church was one of the first structures built by the French colonial government in IndoChina when it opened in December 1886
