4D3N @ Hanoi

Well, it’s time of the year again and we have to go somewhere…because we need to finish up the free tickets!! So we were considering Krabi Island, Thailand or Hanoi, Vietnam. Daddy says he doesn’t want to dive, so Krabi is not de location. Hence we decided, Hanoi!! Of course I’m the tourguide, so I did all the research, where to eat, where to go, itinery everything. And good thing I’m blogging & came to know that Paik Ling was a regular there, so she gave me some tips what to eat there..so I google and noted down those places.

We took very early flight (6:30am) to Hanoi. Even the moon was still around when we board the plane. It was pretty boring, 3.5 hours flight and I couldn’t sleep. Luckily there wasn’t many passengers. We arrived there at 8:30 (local time) and the taxi that supposed to pick us up (arranged by hotel) didn’t turn up *duhh*. So we took a cab to the hotel instead. Since we were there early, they had to clean up the room first before we could check in, so we went to have our very early lunch, by the roadside!!! It was some rice with some veg and meat.

After that we checked-in to the hotel..well…Daddy again complain it’s not 3-star!! To me, it’s pretty clean, and there are alot of people staying here actually, all the ang mos..We took a short nap there after, and then went out walking around the Hotel Area as per our plan. We stayed in Old Quarters, which is the best place to stay cause there are loads of things to be seen around there.

Our first destination is Hoan Kiem Lake, famous for Ngoc Son Temple and Turtle Tower. There’s actually a Pagoda thingy in the middle of that lake. Very beautiful sight. If you go there in the evening or at night (where the lights are all lighted up), it’s even more beautiful. That’s what made us return the next day to walk around the lake side.

Then we decided to go to Uncle Ho’s territory (Musuem & Mausoleum). We were actually kinda lost walking about, and because the people there don’t speak English it’s pretty difficult. And while bumming around, we accidentally found the Tourist Information Center. Thank god for that. We got ourselves a very detail map, then I asked them where’s all those places, the place to eat everything under the sun and they were really helpful.

It’s supposed to be a 40mins walk to the Uncle Ho’s place from Hoan Kiem Lake, At first we thought of taking a cab, but since we wanted to tour the city, we might as well walk there slowly. So Daddy is the navigator and we walk walk walk walk..pass so many shops, even the railway track!!!

Finally after the 40 odd minutes walk we arrived at Uncle Ho’s Place, but that place was closed!! Arghh…darn. Apparently it’s open like half day only *scratch head*. So what to do, just camwhore outside it. Before that we actually went to the Military Museum, quite interesting stuff we spotted there. Daddy was pretty tired he say not gonna walk another 40mins LOL…so we headed home with a cab.

We went back hotel, freshen up and it’s time for early dinner!! The place gets dark very early, like 6+. So what’s for dinner. Cha Ca – Grilled Fish with Dill. This was recommended by Paik Ling of course. I went online and search and found there’s a famous shop. In fact when we arrived there, we found that the Street was also known as Cha Ca Street haha…every shop there sells Cha Ca, but the best is Cha Ca Va Long. That’s the restaurant. It’s very near our Hotel, Old Quarters Area.

Basically it’s fish, marinated with kunyit (lemongrass?). They bring in a piping hot charcoal stove. There were lots of veg and peanuts. Put the pan of fish on the fire, it came with some oil as well. Then dump the Dill and it just pan fried on the spot. Steaming hot and yummy!! We ate it with bun (beehoon/noodles like). Slurp it was really yummy. We even met 2 girls there whom are Malaysians on a working trip. And we happen to know their colleagues, whom is our neighbour LOL..what a small world huh.

After that we went to walk around the Old Quarters and also beside the Lake. We had our dessert by the Lakeside later on, hang around there until it was almost 12am, then we headed back to the hotel. Our travelling partner, whom is another couple, arrived in Hanoi too and we manage to meet up with them. Tomorrow 4 of us is gonna tour the Old Quarters.

Day 2 – Old Quarters

Old Quarters is where the old part of Hanoi is. You get to see alot of people, it’s very busy. Not forgetting the mix of old and new culture and architecture. As you walkabout the 36 streets within Old Quarters, you will see people selling shoes, lacquered products, paintings, mask, CDs, clothing, etc. You can also find alot of interesting places to visit (pagodas, temples, church) around this area. Won’t get lost no worries, just use the map. Their roads are pretty well labelled, though it’s in Vietnamese, but quite easily spotted.

We were basically walking, stopping at shops looking at things. Then walk again, taking photos whenever we want. It’s really leisure. Some are pretty friendly people, they won’t mind letting you take photos of them. Some are rather shy, they will waive at you to tell you not. We came by the St. Joseph Cathedral. It’s a really OLD Catholic Church, but beautiful (as you can see in the scrapbook above). We had french food for lunch in one of the restaraunt which was quite cheap actually, then we walk again.

We went to one temple where there were monks living in there. Forgot what’s the name sorry, but it was very nice that place. We also witness ourselves when we pass by the school. All the parents were waiting outside to fetch their kids. It’s a usual scene here in KL, with all the cars and drivers. But over there, it’s a massive of motorcycle!!

Before I forget, let me tell you their street culture. They loVE HONKING!! Everyone there honks like no business, whether there’s someone blocking your way or not, they just honk for glory. It’s like they enjoy honking. And I think sometimes it irritates the other driver. We actually witnessed 2 scene, almost fought, because of the honking (1. our taxi fight with the lorry driver, 2. some police officer on the bike fight with a gang of motorist). Pretty scary eh, but the advise we got is, just walk straight. Don’t be afraid of them, they are very good at avoiding you LOL…So we just walk like we are in Malaysia lorr…..

Again we went to Hoan Kiem Lake, but this time it’s the other side of the Lake. Many Vietnamese love to sit around doing nothing (LEPAK life). They just sit beside the lake, admiring the beauty. Some couples were seen dating. And some even fell asleep while dating LOL. We love the lake in the evening. It’s so beautiful, with the water reflection on the lake itself. A MUST GO!!

At night, before we indulge with our Anniversary Dinner, we went for foot & body massage. It was cheap. I think it cost like RM20-30, It even came with stone massage, where they use the stone and massage the back and then put the hot stone on your back *Screams……then relax and enjoy LOL*.

We had our dinner at Wild Rice, a villa beautifully decorated with French touch, and they serve Fusion food I think (Mix of French and Vietnamese). This dinner was certainly not cheap, but the ambiance was good. We also open a bottle of White wine. It’s good that you travel in group of 4, not too big, and you can order more food to eat LOL.

After that we went back to hotel, because tomorrow is a long day. We decided to take up the challenge and go Halong Bay.

If you want to see more of Hanoi, go here, I’ve uploaded the photos here for ease of viewing.

Hanoi – The city never sleeps

Building Architecture of Hanoi – be amazed by their French influence buildings and also Vietnamese itself
Day 3 – Halong Bay

We took up the challenge to go Halong Bay. Why it’s a challenge? Because you have to take a van/bus ride for 3.5 hours, before arriving at the destination itself. Not forgetting the bumpy roads. Going there at the beginning wasn’t that bad. You get to see paddy fields after paddy fields. But you can imagine after paddy fields and paddy fields, there’s really nothing much except more paddy fields LOL…I manage to spot a truckload of oinks oinks on the way kekeke…I was pretty delighted when we finally arrived.

We hop on to the huge boat. Some 20 odd of us, comprising of tourist from all over, even Tel Aviv, Israel!! As soon as you started sailing, you can see boat people, rallying side by side, then bunk their boat by the side of your big boat and try selling you fruits and what not.

As you sail further, you begin to see the sights of Halong Bay. It’s really amazing how all the limestones are formed, side by side, in front and behind each other. It’s like a sea full of rocks!!! It’s a pity that weather was a bit hazy, so some photos didn’t look that great.

We stopped by the floating village there, bought some giant clams to eat for lunch. We had lunch served on the boat, home cook Vietnamese food. In fact it’s cooked on the boat itself. Simple and nice. After that we took a small boat and visited 2 caves. We saw 2 gals, fetching oysters squatting by the lake side.

The we went around the Bay with the big boat, whoa…it’s really beautiful. We then stopped at this huge cave, forgot what’s the name, and went inside to see the beauty of nature. It was a cave filled with stalagmite and stalactite. They even put multi coloured lights to shine on them to make it even more amazing.

After that we sail back to shore and that was already 4pm, time to go home. The 3 hours ride back home was boring cause it was getting dark. Yawns…I manage to catch some sleep.

See more of Halong Bay here, I’m sure it will tempt you to go haha…..

our last dinner in Hanoi, we decided to go ComViet Restaurant. Recommended by the hoteliers, just stone throws away from our hotel. In fact our couple friend tried it on the first night and the food was good, and dirt cheap.

We ordered plenty of food there…roast pigeon, unagi Nem(springroll) (self wrap), some veg fried with prawns, claypot fish…yum yum..all so yummy, and it was only like USD20 for 2 person!!!

Then we went looking for Brewery. We spotted one earlier on our way home. And we found it. It’s actually a Bar that brews their own beer. The beer there is really fresh. And Daddy claims that it has a bit of chocolaty taste.

After the beer session, we walked back to our hotel, and we also stopped by the roadside. BBQ Beef by the road side!! Whoa…it’s simply delicious. They bring you a plate full of marinated beef, onions, tomatoes. Heat up the stove and the BBQ pan, and you DIY, right by the roadside. Yummy!!

We left Hanoi pretty early the next day. 9:20am flight. We had our breakfast in airport, it was very cheap, USD4 for 2 bowls of beef stew instant noodle. More beef yeahh…very delicious too.

And so that was Hanoi. Food is cheap and delicious. The place is good to visit, especially Halong Bay. I guess when you are living in a more developed country, it is good that sometimes you take a look back at the countries that are still far behind. The poverty in it, and then you realise how lucky you are today. Just imagine this, 1 mother, 2 kids…all 3 riding on the bike itself!!! Have you seen this in KL, I doubt so…and they went around helmet-less!!!

So that’s all for Hanoi. When is our next trip…hehe…I’m already surveying the hotel and listed down all the to eat and to go places.