Anyone been to Hanoi?

[Jaglim]

Bro.,

 

I did not try the street food not because i think they are not safe. But i could not find one that can accommodate my whole family. They all sit on this tiny little stool by the road side. Anyway, you can find Korean, Japanese, Thai and all kinds of restuarants there. So no worry on food.

 

As for its traffic. It is nothing like BKK, no jams, don't worry. They all drive very slowly. There is very little chance for them to speed anyway. Just watch your left/right/front and back when crossing the road.

 

Hanoi to Halong Bay by bus is approximately 3.5hr 1 way. For my trip, there is only 1 break during the whole journey. So do clear your bladder before it starts.

 

Is the street food safe ?

 

How bad is e traffic ? Like Bangkok which jam daily ?

 

[Shor]

If you have not left for Hanoi, yes, Sapa temperature can go below 10degree now. Then again, weather there can also be very un-predictable. So, just bring along more warn clothing. Few other advises before you go Sapa : Bring along a good pair of boots or footwear. Tour guide may bring you for trekking on high altitude rocky roads. Also, buy yourself some sweets or small packets of biscuits. There are many young children in Sapa who are really poor, they'll be very happy to receive them.

 

i could not catch any sleep to/fro in the train ride so it wasn't a very pleasant trip for me. Luckily my family all sleeps very well throughout the journey.

 

 

Ya in Sapa you will experience 4 season in one day.

 

The two times I went in the winter, the coldest is around 4oC.

 

I tried many many street food, I found out is quite safe while it's hot but the only worry is that am I eating Dogs or Cats meat or not.

 

A good shoe really highly recommended and as for the kids in Sapa, not recommend to give them money, I bought a few cartons of lollipop from Singapore, go distribute to them..... really fun

 

All the poor kids in Sapa very beautiful, the next time I go, i will buy boxes of colour pencils, erasers and drawing board for them.

 

 

Lollipop for them

 

 

Some gave them money but not recommeded

 

 

Because there is a notice board............

 

 

We smile because they enjoy the sweet

 

 

Some exotic street food if you dare to try

Edited December 19, 2012 by Shor

[Galantspeedz]

anyone has friend or contact in Hanoi?

 

Hoping to get help to purchase Arsenal friendly tickets... willing to pay for the trouble....

 

thank you

[Bambinoo]

the city is kinda lack of night life, and the traffic made me scared

[Thaiyotakamli]

Anyone tried their street food tour?

 

I think i want to skip halong bay and sapa, dont like going road trip esp in countries like vietnam i dont think they got good road infrastructure to sapa. Prefer to roam ard old quarter and visit their malls like royal city or aeon

[Lala81]

Anyone tried their street food tour?

 

I think i want to skip halong bay and sapa, dont like going road trip esp in countries like vietnam i dont think they got good road infrastructure to sapa. Prefer to roam ard old quarter and visit their malls like royal city or aeon

 

like that go hanoi for what? might as well go HCMC?

might as well go back visit your homeland. That's what an indonesian chinese couple who resides in australia was telling me while we were cruising in halong bay.

[Thaiyotakamli]

like that go hanoi for what? might as well go HCMC?

might as well go back visit your homeland. That's what an indonesian chinese couple who resides in australia was telling me while we were cruising in halong bay.

Weather cooling le. Also i been to hcm ald so looking for new destination. Heard mixed review from halong bay and see the trip about 4hrs per way. So thinking to stay at city only

[Lala81]

Weather cooling le. Also i been to hcm ald so looking for new destination. Heard mixed review from halong bay and see the trip about 4hrs per way. So thinking to stay at city only

 

err ok. one is a unesco world heritage site and the other one is just a typical vietnamese city. Old quarter is just like a dirty china town except that it has a few thousand scooters going through it.

 

ya the journey takes a while.

 

Edited January 5, 2018 by Lala81

[Dleodleo]

Anyone tried their street food tour?

 

I think i want to skip halong bay and sapa, dont like going road trip esp in countries like vietnam i dont think they got good road infrastructure to sapa. Prefer to roam ard old quarter and visit their malls like royal city or aeon

 

You shouldn't skip Halong Bay and Sapa.  They are the main attraction in Hanoi.  Do an overnite stay for both. 

 

Road trip is like 4hrs from Hanoi to Halong Bay with half an hour toilet break.  Thus overnite cruise is recommended.   Not very expensive.  I paid around USD95 per pax (all in).

 

You may take overnite sleeper train from Hanoi to Sapa (departs around 9pm and reaches around 6am).  From the train station have to take transport up the hill.  Best book with hotel that provide FOC transfer.

 

Have a great trip! 

[Lala81]

You shouldn't skip Halong Bay and Sapa.  They are the main attraction in Hanoi.  Do an overnite stay for both. 

 

Road trip is like 4hrs from Hanoi to Halong Bay with half an hour toilet break.  Thus overnite cruise is recommended.   Not very expensive.  I paid around USD95 per pax (all in).

 

You may take overnite sleeper train from Hanoi to Sapa (departs around 9pm and reaches around 6am).  From the train station have to take transport up the hill.  Best book with hotel that provide FOC transfer.

 

Have a great trip! 

 

it actually leaves around 8+ pm and reach about 3+ am. not so late. Then u can take a passenger van up which takes about an hour.

But seems like Pocy mentioned in another thread that now can take direct minibus to there which is lot more comfortable.

[Thaiyotakamli]

You shouldn't skip Halong Bay and Sapa. They are the main attraction in Hanoi. Do an overnite stay for both.

 

Road trip is like 4hrs from Hanoi to Halong Bay with half an hour toilet break. Thus overnite cruise is recommended. Not very expensive. I paid around USD95 per pax (all in).

 

You may take overnite sleeper train from Hanoi to Sapa (departs around 9pm and reaches around 6am). From the train station have to take transport up the hill. Best book with hotel that provide FOC transfer.

 

Have a great trip!

I only book 4 days and 4th day flight is early morning one so consider 3 days. Even if i going to halong at most will be one day trip. And booked le lotte hotel, hopefully it will be a good trip

 

Thks

[Dleodleo]

I only book 4 days and 4th day flight is early morning one so consider 3 days. Even if i going to halong at most will be one day trip. And booked le lotte hotel, hopefully it will be a good trip

 

Thks

 

Oh 4 days is too rush.  I think best to stay in Hanoi itself. 

 

You'll have a good trip cos you are staying in such a nice hotel.  I cheapo, I stayed in old quarters boutique hotel. wahahha

 

[Dleodleo]

it actually leaves around 8+ pm and reach about 3+ am. not so late. Then u can take a passenger van up which takes about an hour.

But seems like Pocy mentioned in another thread that now can take direct minibus to there which is lot more comfortable.

 

Oh, I didn't know that there's another thread in Hanoi.

 

There was already bus going to Sapa when I went few years ago.  I chose to go by train as I wanted my kids to experience the train ride.  Let them experience sleeping in the 4 berth train cabin.  They love it. 

 

I chose the 9pm+ train as I did not want to reach Sapa too early.   

 

 

[Lala81]

Oh, I didn't know that there's another thread in Hanoi.

 

There was already bus going to Sapa when I went few years ago. I chose to go by train as I wanted my kids to experience the train ride. Let them experience sleeping in the 4 berth train cabin. They love it.

 

I chose the 9pm+ train as I did not want to reach Sapa too early.

I thought the van will go up first and can catch the sunrise possibly. But the van just sat there and waited for the 2nd train passengers to arrive. Sit in the stupid van for one hour. Zzz

[Thaiyotakamli]

Oh 4 days is too rush. I think best to stay in Hanoi itself.

 

You'll have a good trip cos you are staying in such a nice hotel. I cheapo, I stayed in old quarters boutique hotel. wahahha

 

Yah i go check out halong bay see got one day trip anot. Most requires overnight

 

I actually wanted to stay in jw but seems like location lotte better plus got mall downstair so adds into convenience.

 

I know hanoi got nth thats why chose nicer hotel lol. Anyway the ticket i got it cheap for $240 per pax so no complaint

Flying by SQ. Last yr wanna go when vietnam airlines fly b787 but i chose to go elsewhere that time

[Neutrino]

Anyone tried their street food tour?

 

I think i want to skip halong bay and sapa, dont like going road trip esp in countries like vietnam i dont think they got good road infrastructure to sapa. Prefer to roam ard old quarter and visit their malls like royal city or aeon

 

Tried A street food tour in Hanoi.  It was dire.

 

Been to both HCMC and Hanoi over last 3 years.

Won't bother with Vietnam any more.

[Thaiyotakamli]

Tried A street food tour in Hanoi. It was dire.

 

Been to both HCMC and Hanoi over last 3 years.

Won't bother with Vietnam any more.

Ok then i go skip the food tour. Thks for the info

[Enye]

Ok then i go skip the food tour. Thks for the info

go visit a wet market with stalls lining the street, selling just dog meat

 

guaranteed you won’t feel hungry after that