HANOI - THE CITY OF LAKES

I have wanted to visit Halong Bay very badly ever since I came to know this place through a TV program. Halong Bay is listed as one of the 7 new wonders of the world.

Anyway, I am not going to write exactly a full story on my trip as it might drag me up to few pages. So I guess it would better if I just state my itinerary, place to visit & include some pictures as well so that audience might not get bored reading it

Here’s how my itinerary works throughout the trip. I did purchased the package through a local agent before I came here as I am afraid those places I intend to visit such as Hanoi Bay & Tam Coc might be full.

FIRST DAY

8.30AM           - Arrived Noi bai International Airport & Transferred to Hotel
10.00AM         - Visit Ho Chi Minh Museum, Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
1.00PM            - Lunch
2.00PM            - Visit Flag Tower War Museum, Old Cathedral, walk around Hanoi City & search
                            for nice food.
4.30PM            - Early Dinner. (Own Expense)
6.00PM            - Back to Hotel.
7.00PM            - Visit Hoan Kiem Lake
8.00PM            - Hanoi Puppet Show.
9.00PM            - Visit Hanoi Night Market (2KM Long)
11.00PM          - Back to Hotel & called it a day.

SECOND DAY

7.30AM           - Breakfast at Hotel
8.00AM           - Depart to Hoa lu
10.30AM         - Arrived at Hoa lu to visit 2 Temples where you will be able to see the stone
                            pedestal of a royal throne, bronze bells and statues of the Emperors.
12.00PM          - Arrived Tam Coc & proceed to have buffet lunch at International restaurant.
12.45PM          - Tam Coc river cruise by Sampan Boat. You will be able to see shallow rice paddies      
                           and three splendid long grottos.
2.45PM            - Free at your leisure for 45 minutes - Cycling & Photo taking.
6.00PM            - Arrived at Hanoi City.
7.00P                - Dinner at your expenses & free at your own leisure – Visit Hanoi Night Market,
                            Massage, Clubbing, shopping, and so on..

THIRD DAY

7.00AM           - Breakfast at Hotel
8.00AM           - Depart to Halong Bay at Bus
12.00PM          - Arrived Halong City Wharf & embark Super Dragon Cruise boat
12.30PM          - The boat starts running. Lunch is served on the boat.
1.30PM            - Along the way, you will pass by islets such as Teapot Islet, marker Islet, Fire Islet,   
                           Dove islet, men's Head islet, Tortoise Islet, heaven gate Area.
2.30PM            - Embark a smaller ferry & head to cave of surprise.
3.30PM            - Kayaking.
4.30PM            - Swim at Titov beach or Soi Sim beach, Climb up 400 stairs to see the stunning view of
                           Halong Bay.

5.30PM            - Back to Super Dragon Cruise Boat.
7.00PM            - Dinner is served on the boat.
8.00PM            - Free at own leisure - Fishing,singing, drinking, etc.

FOURTH DAY

6.30AM           - Wake Up & Photo taking for Sunrise
7.00AM           - Breakfast
12.00PM          - Reached Wharf
12.30PM          - Lunch at Halong City(Local Cuisane - HAN SONM TOU SONG).
5.00PM            - Back to Hanoi & Check-in Hotel
6.00PM            - Dinner at own expenses & free & easy at your leisure.

FIFTH DAY

6.30AM           - Breakfast at Hotel
7.00AM           - Proceed to Noi Boi International Airport
9.20AM           - Depart from Hanoi & back to Malaysia.

SUMMARY:

HALONG BAY
 That’s the reason why I am here. A place worth visiting for anyone. Stunning scenery, clear blue sea, Greenish Mountain, is what you will witness here. If you were travelling alone, don’t worry anyway. You will not feel lonely as you will be able to make lots of new friends from different countries around the world on the boat. As for food wise, it is so-so only.

TAM COC
Another interesting place not to be missed. Located approximately 3 hours from Hanoi City, Tam Coc is considered as a small Halong Bay according to the locals. Take a 2 – 3 hour cruise by sampan boat along the river & you will be able to witness the nature beauty of it scenery, rice field & 3 nature caves.

HOA LU
There are two temple here where you are able to see the stone pedestal of a royal throne, bronze bells and statues of the Emperors. 1 hour from Tam Coc & about 2 hours from Hanoi City.

HOAN KIEM LAKE
A Lake situated centre of the city & opposite Hanoi Puppet show. A place just to relax. There’s a pagoda situated the centre of the lake. There’s a bridge connecting it to the Pagoda & it is closed after 7pm.

HANOI NIGHT MARKET
Stretching up to 2KM long Night Market that are only available from Friday to Sunday. Business starts as early as 6pm till 11pm. Clothes, Food, Souvenir, Shoes, and Bags can be found here at a bargain price.

HANOI PUPPET SHOW
May not visit for the second time. However, those peoples that is keen to know more about Vietnam History & Cultures, you may pay a visit here.
Ticket Price: USD 6

BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES
For those who love taking pictures, you may want to visit Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Pagoda, War Museum, Flag Tower, and much more.

The package is about USD 128.00 which includes Airport Transfer, transportation to Halong bay & Tam Coc, 2 Mineral Water Daily, 3 Night stay at  Hotel, 1 Night stay on Super dragon Cruise boat & English speaking tour guide. As for the meals, it includes 4 daily breakfast, Lunch from second day to fourth day, & dinner tor third day only.

As for my accommodation, I was attached to a 2 Star Hotel known as Emperor Hotel which is located along Duong Buom. Since it is rated as 2 star, so do not expect much from this hotel. However, you will be glad anyway since it is located along one of the bustling street where you can find almost everything here; café, restaurant, some modest shopping centre, night market, Puppet show, lake and other tourist attraction are just within walking distance.

Just in case you are interested, here’s the email & website of the Tour Agent.