Hanoi Tips

Hanoi – Not just another crazy Asian capital

Had a great time in Hanoi and highly recommend it.

FLEW with Tiger Airways. Great flight times that leave in the evenings giving you maximum time there. SQ also fly. Both are relatively expensive compared to other Asian destinations costing all in SGD500-700. Airport is 45 minutes in a taxi – hotel organized it at USD15 each way

STAYED at the Hanoi Boutique Hotel. Now, don’t get confused with the name. It’s not boutique!! But the staff there (Miss Moon) are simply amazing and it’s rated Number 1 B&B on Tripadvisor for a reason. Great location in the old town, basic and clean and for USD30 per night you can hardly go wrong. The only reason I wouldn’t stay there again is if I wanted to impress a special someone (Sofitel supposed to be lovely), but otherwise, I’ll definitely be back

DO go to Ha Long Bay. Hotel organized the tour, which starts with an early morning pick up for the 3 hour minibus drive, then 24 hours on a junk boat with all meals included, kayaking, swimming, caves etc. Very relaxing and all in for USD70. It was basic and there are more expensive ones around, but I’m at a loss to see what else they’d offer. This junk was called Legend Cruises.
Lots of DVDs, ceramics etc for sale in the old quarter which is buzzing.
Plenty of lakes to walk around and relax by.
Didn’t do, but hear it’s interesting is to visit the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (open most mornings from 8-11) and see a Water puppet show

EAT locally. Had a look at as we passed it and it came recommended was “Green Tangerine”, but we didn’t eat there. Similarly, “New Day”. “Ca Cha” was a good place that only serves one dish (fried fish) and is worth a go

DRINK at the local bars that “supposedly” close at midnight, but if you hear music, just walk to the closed doors/shutters and someone will let you in. Some names I remember are “Hair of the Dog”, “Funky Buddha” and “Half man, half noodle”.

TAKE both USD and Vietnamese Dong. It depends on the type of place as to which you’ll need to pay in

Enjoy!!