First time to Vietnam - Hanoi

Xire

Xire

Xire

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Joined
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Hi guys,

Im going for a trip around Asia in November and one of my stops will be Hanoi for 5 nights. We plan to go Halong bay also while we are here. Has anyone been that could recommend the best places to stay/Things to do etc?

Not really read too much about Hanoi so any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Spent a few days around Hanoi last year, great city! Incredibly busy and crossing the roads is daunting at first but you soon learn :p.

We stayed in the old quarter and opted to walk around the city rather than car / bike. We both felt this gave us the best experience and allowed us to soak in the atmosphere.

I would reccomend you visit the Skyline Hanoi roof bar, it provides amazing views over the city!
 
Xire said:
Hi guys,

Im going for a trip around Asia in November and one of my stops will be Hanoi for 5 nights. We plan to go Halong bay also while we are here. Has anyone been that could recommend the best places to stay/Things to do etc?

Not really read too much about Hanoi so any input would be greatly appreciated.
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Five nights in Hanoi is too long. We done done a long weekend cruise that was good.
 
Halong bay is nice, very chilled. Hanoi is cool, just keep walking when you cross the road, don't ever stop. Just wandering the streets trying the food vendors and sights is the best way to experience it imo.

Like most places in Vietnam, they are both heavily dominated by tourism and unfortunately a large portion of people will try and rip you off, so be switched on to what you are paying. Taxis in particular are a pain, hence my recommendation to walk!
 
Have a look at the Serene Hotel on Yen Thai street in the old quarter. I have stayed there before - it cost next to nothing (by western standards) and was really good.

Agree on the taxis (unless you like driving round in circles)!
 
I'd recommend doing lots of research into the company you want to use for the bay - doing it in Hanoi was a recipe for a rather flawed experience! Unfortunately can't recall who I went through, but the boat we were on was used by multiple other companies, perhaps four or five in total. Those from each company had been promised different things about the boat, all paid vastly different prices, but all got exactly the same thing. Some were sold a multi day kayaking tour of the bay, others multiple meals throughout the day (including me), others free unlimited bar use, others air conditioned rooms (me)...I wasn't too miffed as despite going somewhat hungry, it was so gorgeous outside at night that I slept on the deck. But of course, those who were expecting lots of kayaking and free booze were rather more ripped off.

It's a phenomenally polluted area that bay - be prepared to be in amongst tens of other boats for parts of it. Then other areas you'll be all alone and it's astoundingly serene and beautiful.

Research is key!
 
For taxis, check TripAdvisor. There are only two brands you should use (one is green and white) throughout the whole of Vietnam. Others leave a risk of you being ripped off - even if they have a meter! Don't trust the taxi controllers at the airports either.
 
thanks for the input guys! its greatly appreciated,

we have just booked a hotel in the Old quater.
 
Hanoi interesting but I was disappointed with Halong bay....did a cruise and the boat ect were all good and the trips to the caves ect were good but the bay itself is sooo polluted just plastic and polystyrene everywhere...also lots of visible oil...big shame its not been looked after...
 
I have travelled all over Vietnam and my girlfriend Vietnamese I recommend you dont stay in Hanoi for 5 days I found it boring but get picked up by http://www.indochina-junk.com/ from Hanoi and go on the cruise to Halong Bay these guys were fantastic.

They take you to Bai Tu Long bay which is quieter and away from all the mass boats you do abit of kayaking and explore the caves I done the 1 day 2 night Dragon Legend.

Also travel to Ninh Binh and stay in the Hidden Charm hotel fantastic location go on the free bikes and explore everything its all very close.

Also Hoi an is a must imo fantastic place
 
bingham67 said:
Also Hoi an is a must imo fantastic place
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This. Loved it. Spent a few days wandering around, no real plan, and had a truly lovely time.

Treat yourself to a suit, with multiple fittings and as much choice as you can think up. There are enough shops there for you to walk from one to the next to find what you're after in terms of the materials, options and skills. Some only give you one fitting, fixed set of choices for buttons and cut etc. whilst others (the less famous it seems) let you choose just about everything, so long as it is something they are capable of doing and have done so before.
 
Did it last year, personally I loved Hanoi it's so busy its crazy. Try to go to a night market if you get the chance.

Also there is a little secret cafe (touristy thing, pretty much), but they do some awesome egg coffee and the view over the lake is great. I stayed in the old quarter in some very nice hotels for very little money.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g293924-d2413969-r299035811-Cafe_Pho_Co-Hanoi.html

I also got a massage for pennies, which was great. We went to the prison muesuem which was actually quite interesting. Also beer corner is pretty cool, with dirt cheap food and beer (Bia Hoi). Ask for the local beer, Bia Hoi, and its about 30p a pint. It's not the greatest beer in the world but 30p who's complaining.

I went with ethnic travel for my halong bay trip. 3 days, 2 nights, and it was OK. It was the person I was with who wanted to go with them, personally I'd rather go on something a bit more luxurious. Our bed was pretty tough, and there wasn't too much going on. But nothing could ruin sitting watching the sunset there, then just staring at the stars for hours. We got lucky with the weather, but I hear it's not too uncommon for them to be cancelled due to bad weather.
 
hughtrimble said:
Treat yourself to a suit, with multiple fittings and as much choice as you can think up. There are enough shops there for you to walk from one to the next to find what you're after in terms of the materials, options and skills. Some only give you one fitting, fixed set of choices for buttons and cut etc. whilst others (the less famous it seems) let you choose just about everything, so long as it is something they are capable of doing and have done so before.
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I went with the biggest (probably a mistake) tailor. What a waste of money. My Next suit is higher quality than this thing. How can two shirts be completely different cuts based on same measurements?
 
Kemik said:
I went with the biggest (probably a mistake) tailor. What a waste of money. My Next suit is higher quality than this thing. How can two shirts be completely different cuts based on same measurements?
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Mines is very nice, and fits well. Can't remember who I went with though. Worth it, I think it was about $120 for the full suit.
 
bingham67 said:
I have travelled all over Vietnam and my girlfriend Vietnamese I recommend you dont stay in Hanoi for 5 days I found it boring but get picked up by http://www.indochina-junk.com/ from Hanoi and go on the cruise to Halong Bay these guys were fantastic.
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Going with these guys next month. Been around southern Vietnam before, but never made it to the north, after mugging/hospitalization issues on the way up. Just doing 3 days in Hanoi then the bay, but it's only a 3 hour flight from here, so seemed a decent short break :)
 
Kemik said:
I went with the biggest (probably a mistake) tailor. What a waste of money. My Next suit is higher quality than this thing. How can two shirts be completely different cuts based on same measurements?
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Yaly perhaps, or Dong Silk?

I went to both, and had a list of things I wanted from my suit, but if it wasn't in the options book they didn't seem to have a clue about it. Things like asking for peaked lapels of a certain taper, functioning cuff buttons, extended lining for trousers so that it extends past the knee when sitting etc. Not in the book so not possible.

Went to a husband and wife shop a little out of the way of things, explained what I wanted and they got it straight away. Had three or four fittings over as many days, and they produced the three piece that was pretty much exactly what I was after. It was the first double breasted waistcoat they'd made, and that certainly is not perfect due to how the material interacts with the jacket, but I'm still wearing the jacket and trousers eight years later with no discernible faults in them whatsoever, and all for just over a tonne.
 
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