A couple of Observations by Audrey118
While I was only in Hanoi for couple of days I was quick to note several tips:* be firm with what you want to do - and where you want to go etc. I heard and read just one too many stories before my trip to Vietnam that drivers are just great at diverting your plans to say stay at Hotel ABC, and send you to some other Hotel XYZ for a small commission. Stories like the hotel is closed down, flooded etc cannot be taken seriously.
Do not every get PUSHED around to making decisions other than those you have planned for.
* avoid private taxis instead take taxis that you flagged down preferably Hanoi Taxi, CP taxi etc. The private touts usually have tempered meters.
* when shopping at the Old Quarters, you can always request the shop to deliver your goodies to your hotel....so you can keep strolling and rolling down the streets to buy even more!!! without having to lug your purchases everywhere!
* there are lots of pretty Vietnamese girls...even those girls riding on the motorbikes are fashionably clad, with highlights on their hair and even hving a straight perm etc!!! despite lagging behind most of the SEAsian countries, the people here are well presented, with good behaviours.
to be continued....