Hanoi - To Stay
Hanoi - To Do
Hanoi - To Eat
Hanoi - To Do
Hanoi - To Eat
5Day Hanoi Itinerary
(5thNov2016)
Click here for ABBA Map of 5D4N Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
With the exception of Ha Long Bay tour, all attractions are a maximum 15-20min walk radius. Everything is a short walk nearby to see!
Day1 Arrival
Hanoi Old Quater
(visited on multiple days)
Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
An assortment of goods being sold. These range from outdoor wears, replica paintings, propaganda posters, souvenirs and much much more. Competition is plenty so if the shop can't give you a price you are asking, just mosey on to the next one. USD and VND are accepted here.
*Street performer at Quảng trường Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục*
Here are some of the indicative prices in Old Hanoi. Civet cat coffee goes for about 1.8mil-1.4/kg (110Sgd/kg) reportedly many fakes out there, North Face Windbreakers and ski wear about 20USD-200USD, and replica art pieces 20USD and up pending size and complexity.
When night falls, the streets really come alive with the street lighting. A picturesque sight
and a joy to walk through, exploring the various alleyways.
Dinh Tien Hoang Area
This was a really fun, inclusive experience. Participation came from both locals and
tourist of all ages.
walks partaking in classic games within the community. Good fun in reliving and making
new memories.Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
The lake and temple are very iconic to the landscape of Hanoi and just a tranquil place
to chill the day/evening away.Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
Saint Joseph Cathedral
*Its just a picturesque cathedral that didn't grant entry to explore the insides off.*
If one can plan to arrive on the weekend, the street of Hang Dao is blocked off to cars. That doesn't mean scooters are excluded as they squirrel their way though the busy street.
Street vendors open up shop along this long stretch of road, which leads all the way to
Dong Xuan Market. I wouldn't call the products they have for sale as must buy shopping
but they are definitely priced competitively. The goods sold do get repetitive after awhile,
but the blocked off street does add to the festivities of the evening.Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
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Day2
Hoa Lo Prison
30,000VND SGD1.85
Hoa Lo Prison is a little aways from the vibrant Old Quarters of Hanoi but its enroute to Cafe Mai, a famous coffee house among java chasers, the place for genuine Civet Cat Coffee.
Online reports state crossings are in the afternoon and night, stating 4pm and 7pm. From various Internet sources these are the rough timings, we were there from 3pm to catch the crossing of the train track at 3.20-3.30pm.
There's really little clearance on the track itself as with a quick toot from the train it barrels on through. Be quick to get to your safe position! Worth the time out to check out this daily occurrence for the local residence.Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
(5thNov2016)
Click here for ABBA Map of 5D4N Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
With the exception of Ha Long Bay tour, all attractions are a maximum 15-20min walk radius. Everything is a short walk nearby to see!
Day1 Arrival
Hanoi Old Quater
(visited on multiple days)
Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi An assortment of goods being sold. These range from outdoor wears, replica paintings, propaganda posters, souvenirs and much much more. Competition is plenty so if the shop can't give you a price you are asking, just mosey on to the next one. USD and VND are accepted here.
*Street performer at Quảng trường Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục*
and a joy to walk through, exploring the various alleyways.
(Traditional games On the weekend)
tourist of all ages.
*Loosing at Tug Of War*
Given this day's age of digital connectedness, it was really nice to see people from allwalks partaking in classic games within the community. Good fun in reliving and making
new memories.Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake
(Turtle Lake nad Ngoc Son - Jade Island)
(Turtle Lake nad Ngoc Son - Jade Island)
to chill the day/evening away.Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
*Its just a picturesque cathedral that didn't grant entry to explore the insides off.*
Hang Dao
(Weekend only Night Market 7-11pm)
and Dong Xuan Market(Weekend only Night Market 7-11pm)
Street vendors open up shop along this long stretch of road, which leads all the way to
Dong Xuan Market. I wouldn't call the products they have for sale as must buy shopping
but they are definitely priced competitively. The goods sold do get repetitive after awhile,
but the blocked off street does add to the festivities of the evening.Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
Day2
Hoa Lo Prison
30,000VND SGD1.85
A pretty good spot to visit this historical site which was once a French colonial prison. Lots of write-ups in English with some videos to give you a small snapshot of their history.
Train crossing
(Along Tran Phu)
A uniquely Hanoi Experience. Unlike their Bangkok counterpart which has a train running through a wet market, this largely residential district has two trains running twice daily.(Along Tran Phu)
There's really little clearance on the track itself as with a quick toot from the train it barrels on through. Be quick to get to your safe position! Worth the time out to check out this daily occurrence for the local residence.Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
Water Puppet Theatre 8pm show
100,000d SGD6.1484 per pax.
100,000d SGD6.1484 per pax.
The world famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatrevin Hanoi has its roots in an art form that dates back to the 11th century.
Each show runs at multiple time slots for an hour and requires to be purchased in advance as they sell out quite fast. We purchased tickets at 3pm a day before for the 8pm show the following day.
The show itself is quite interesting. The human puppets are a little creepy, but the mythical creature sections were pretty good. An hour is just about right and any longer it would have been a bit of a drag.
Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
Click here for ABBA Map of ground work for Eats and To Do while in Hanoi
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Day3/4
Ha Long Bay Tour - UNESCO World Heritage Site
2Day1Night Tour on the Viet Beauty Boat 135USD/pax regular retail price 175USD
The cruises range from 60USD all the way to 200USD.
There are tons of tours to choose from.
We however went with Vietnam Beauty Cruise based purely on availability and from MK Hotel's recommendation.
*Stop point for some shopping and light eats. Lots of crafts and silk screen prints for print.*
Bus ride is approximately 3.5hrs long to reach with a single rest stop in between for the usual shopping and snack eats.
Viet Beauty Boat Program for 2D1N
Check-in
Lunch
*Forgettable and underwhelming.*
Kayaking and Swimming
(1.5hrs)
*A novelty. It shouldn't be called a cooking class.
It's more like a make your own appetizer class.*
1900hrs Dinner
After dinner squid fishing
*Though its a listed activity, the season for it is only in March and April. Our tour guide
said he could catch 2kg worth in an hour. Squid would have been cooked on site for*
guests to enjoy.
Second Day Of Ha Long Bay Cruise
Breakfast 0645hrs
Surprising Cave 0730hrs
*Your basic lime stone cave. Pretty good sized and a bit of an exercise to get to the top.
If you've never been to a lime stone cave before, it'll definitely be the introductory
experience.*
Pearl Oyster Farm 0930hrs
*Quite interesting, but none the less just another activity to fill up the day. The Pearl
Oyster Farm had potential to be more exciting with perhaps BBQ eats.
Lunch on board 1045hrs
Return to Hanoi
12.40pm flight back.
Ha Long Bay Tour - UNESCO World Heritage Site
2Day1Night Tour on the Viet Beauty Boat 135USD/pax regular retail price 175USD
The cruises range from 60USD all the way to 200USD.
There are tons of tours to choose from.
We however went with Vietnam Beauty Cruise based purely on availability and from MK Hotel's recommendation.
*Stop point for some shopping and light eats. Lots of crafts and silk screen prints for print.*Bus ride is approximately 3.5hrs long to reach with a single rest stop in between for the usual shopping and snack eats.
Viet Beauty Boat Program for 2D1N
Check-in
Lunch
*Forgettable and underwhelming.*Kayaking and Swimming
(1.5hrs)
This was pretty okay. In my mind I'd thought some leaping of the boat action in a secluded part of the bay, but as it turns out its to a relatively controlled. We were brought to a remote section shared by other tour agencies where one gets to enjoy beach side beer, take a short scenic kayaking trip and enjoy the waters.
Towels are provided by the respective cruises and staff are there to watch your items.
ABBATip:
- Bring water proofing for camera for photo taking.
1830hrs Food makingTowels are provided by the respective cruises and staff are there to watch your items.
ABBATip:
- Bring water proofing for camera for photo taking.
It's more like a make your own appetizer class.*
1900hrs Dinner
After dinner squid fishing
*Though its a listed activity, the season for it is only in March and April. Our tour guide
said he could catch 2kg worth in an hour. Squid would have been cooked on site for*
guests to enjoy.
Second Day Of Ha Long Bay Cruise
Breakfast 0645hrs
Surprising Cave 0730hrs
*Your basic lime stone cave. Pretty good sized and a bit of an exercise to get to the top.
If you've never been to a lime stone cave before, it'll definitely be the introductory
experience.*
Pearl Oyster Farm 0930hrs
*Quite interesting, but none the less just another activity to fill up the day. The Pearl
Oyster Farm had potential to be more exciting with perhaps BBQ eats.
Lunch on board 1045hrs
The tour itself is casual and a little underwhelming. It's nice to be out on the waters and enjoy the natural surroundings. The rooms are decent and sufficient for a night stay. I can't say the same for the food, but it's more of the novelty to be dining in the Ha Long Bay, a unesco world heritage site and partaking in random activities. If the squid were in season, it'd be better. (March-April).
If they sell you the routes that the boats go are more exclusive, after a while the landscape becomes the same, so it really doesn't make a difference.
ABBATip:
- Maybe overcharged. Try the multiple tour agencies out there and you may get a better
deal? This really is in doubt. All of their tours start at a basic run about 60USD for a two night stay and 30USD for a single day trip. Yet to be reviewed or verified what standings they are like though. Concierge was sharing that those back packer type cruises are mostly drink binges and tour operators have little to no idea of what is going on.
- The differences between the cruises lay in the boat, slight difference in their activities and the food.
ABBATip:
- Maybe overcharged. Try the multiple tour agencies out there and you may get a better
deal? This really is in doubt. All of their tours start at a basic run about 60USD for a two night stay and 30USD for a single day trip. Yet to be reviewed or verified what standings they are like though. Concierge was sharing that those back packer type cruises are mostly drink binges and tour operators have little to no idea of what is going on.
- The differences between the cruises lay in the boat, slight difference in their activities and the food.
- The tour can arrange for mid transport transfer to Cab and get you straight to the airport. A number of back packers took that option to go straight to the airport.
Day512.40pm flight back.
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