Hanoi trip

[baracuda]

Hi guys, i am planning for a 5D4N trip at hanoi also inclusive of halong bay this june. I need some advise especially on the trip to halong bay as still deciding on 2D1N or 3D2N at there. Regarding the cruise at halong bay, any recommendations on it from your experience?? Appreciate for your replies. Thank you

 

[nancy121]

My cousin has just returned from Hanoi and he did a 2 day cruise on Red Dragon cruise. He really enjoyed his time as the crew was very helpful. The cabin was comfortable, boat was quite clean and the food was also nice.

 

[beanstalk6]

I spent 2D1N at Halong Bay. The night was spent at sea as the junk moored in a quiet bay. The other night's extension usually meant a stay at Cat Ba island.

 

[Thai_Rak_Thai]

Guys,

Any decent hotels in Hanoi with range of below USD100?

I've been to Ho Chi Minh and didn't really enjoyed my trip (was staying at New World Saigon), will Hanoi be any different?

thanks

 

[BlackCube]

Hotels that expensive in Hanoi? I don't think so though I never been to.
I find Hanoi is less of tourist attraction compared to HCM.

HCM a decent one cost like 50USD+-..
So I'm guessing Hanoi should be around the range or bit lesser.

I stayed in HCM at backpackers streets, place is decent enough for me. 20+USD per night.

Unless you're talking about those 5 star one.

 

[n2btg]

You can get very clean and decent hotel in Hanoi for less than USD50 a night, breakfast included.

Just look for one in tripadvisor website.

 

[beanstalk6]

Funny how one can form an opinion about a place without ever been there. Anyway, I find Hanoi more interesting than HCM City and I have been to both. One who wants to see history and have a better understanding of traditional Vietnamese culture ought to find Hanoi more interesting. It is certainly less commercial than its southern counterpart. Northerners are different from Southerners, in any case. Hanoi is mostly about government and culture, whereas HCM City is more about business and money. The old quarter of Hanoi is fairly authentic and preserved, along with much of its colonial heritage. The shopping is not fantastic, but you will come away with nice pictures and knowledge.

 

[BlackCube]

Funny how one can form an opinion about a place without ever been there. Anyway, I find Hanoi more interesting than HCM City and I have been to both. One who wants to see history and have a better understanding of traditional Vietnamese culture ought to find Hanoi more interesting. It is certainly less commercial than its southern counterpart. Northerners are different from Southerners, in any case. Hanoi is mostly about government and culture, whereas HCM City is more about business and money. The old quarter of Hanoi is fairly authentic and preserved, along with much of its colonial heritage. The shopping is not fantastic, but you will come away with nice pictures and knowledge.

Com'on..

I did mentioned that 'I find'.
Before I head to HCM, I did my research on Hanoi as well before deciding.

And I will definitely be heading to Hanoi sometime in future.

 

[le_mon]

i went 2D1N with bhaya cruise, very good experience & service, maybe that's y i feel its a lil too short. i missed the food that they prepared.

Day 1- lunch, take small boat to fishing village, recreation time (u can book massage/ jump into the water to swim), dinner & recreation time (they provide free fishing rod/ watch some french movie/ chill at the roof deck).
Day 2- morn yoga, breakfast, brought us to the cave & lunch.

the only thing i don't like is the 4hrs+ bus journey from hanoi to halong bay, the road nt very straight, so it's a lil uncomfortable.

if u tour around hanoi, u can engage the free tour with the hanoi kids, pretty helpful. old quarters is quite unique, i didn't get to comb finish. i rmb the cufflinks at dong xuan market is really cheap, cost less than $5 for a pair, some shopping allows us to use usd (which is cheaper for us for nw).

 

[Olegna]

Trip Report - Hanoi and Tam Coc

Hope everybody can learn and enjoy this trip, as much as we did, this is our travel blog on it -

feastntravel.com/2013/03/03/hanoi-halong-and-tam-coc-a-journey-to-nature/

 

[jingle_babble]

thinking of doing a trip to Hanoi or HCM and maybe bring some lacquer art/decor back for the house... any suggestion for a place to shop for those?
Thx!

 

[butterbarter]

I've been to both HCMC and Hanoi. I actually like both of them equally. Also, both have roads that are crazy-filled with motorcycles. The first time I visited (Hanoi was first), it took me 10 minutes to cross a street.

After that, I learned the secret of crossing streets (traffic lights are ignored by drivers/riders, don't wait for traffic to clear as it will never happen, just walk across slow and steady, don't make sudden moves, and keep an eye on the bikes coming towards you and ensure they see you), and it was all smooth sailing.

I took the 2D1N Halung Bay trip. I think that's enough, as you would have gone around Halung bay and seen much of it. I spent 1 night sleeping in the ship moored in calm waters. Very clean and comfy, but the bathroom was super small. Important: ask for a room AWAY from the engine room for peace and quiet. The cruise itself was very enjoyable as long as the weather is good. Just relax on the sun-chairs on the ship's deck and enjoy the blue skies, awesome seascape and impressive rock formations. It's heart-breaking to see pollution in the water (patches of floating plastic and rubbish are fairly common) amongst such natural beauty.

From Hanoi, you can also take a day trip to Tam Coc (1 day) to see the limestone karsts(nice, though not as spectacular as Halung Bay), and also a trip to Sapa (I suggest 3D2N), which is a totally different experience and highly recommended.

Small, clean, decent hotels in Hanoi are around 30-40 USD. Obviously for this price, you are not getting the Intercontinental or Hilton. These are typically private hotels with around 10-rooms with aircon, TV, attached bath, a proper reception, bell boy, and usually includes breakfast. You will find lots of options in Agoda.com.

 

[mngedo]

Hi all,

Sorry to be digging out this Hanoi thread. Does anyone have any hotels recomendations in a fantastic location? I have looked on TA and there are like hundreds of hotels with equally good reviews (and makes you wonder if they are reak reviews) and i am really confused. Would like to hear from personal experiences here as a reliable source.

Thank you!

 

[mlangelo]

My recommendations would be to choose the hotel in Old Quarters. Full of life and character. The hotel I stayed in is ranked 332 out of 493 Hanoi hotels. So there are many good ones in the Old quarters. Yet I had a good stay there and made friends with the hotel staff. Read Tripadvisor and get a feel of the place. I booked my tours from the hotel based on the staff's recommendations and had a good time. Lots of food and shopping in that area.

 

[genie47]

Hi all,

Sorry to be digging out this Hanoi thread. Does anyone have any hotels recomendations in a fantastic location? I have looked on TA and there are like hundreds of hotels with equally good reviews (and makes you wonder if they are reak reviews) and i am really confused. Would like to hear from personal experiences here as a reliable source.

Thank you!

Check out Maison D Hanoi Boutique Hotel. Amazing value. Sleep quality rivals Marriott hotels. I was giuven a room with a balcony and for a moment I thought I was in Madrid.

 

[slandtravel]

Hi all,

Sorry to be digging out this Hanoi thread. Does anyone have any hotels recomendations in a fantastic location? I have looked on TA and there are like hundreds of hotels with equally good reviews (and makes you wonder if they are reak reviews) and i am really confused. Would like to hear from personal experiences here as a reliable source.

Thank you!

Depend on ur budget~~ how much do u want to stay in range of 20--30usd or 30--50usd...Ther r so plenty of hotels ard Hanoi Old Quarter..The price is quite cheap..

 

[ktyandkyc]

Sorry for the red dragon or bhaya cruise, isit book via hotel?

 

[nnantasy]

Check out Maison D Hanoi Boutique Hotel. Amazing value. Sleep quality rivals Marriott hotels. I was giuven a room with a balcony and for a moment I thought I was in Madrid.

Try the Chi Hotel (http://www.thechihotel.com/)

 

[zhiwei1984]

i going Hanoi in Nov stay oriental suite hotel

 

[seahorse]

I just cancel my booking with La Storia Ruby Hotel cos a service apartment from air bnb caught our attention. High rating, good reviews & more than 50% saving. 1 minute walking distance to La Storia Ruby Hotel