 | Hanoi Things To Do | Tips 801 - 810 of 830 |  |
Go to Halong Bay for a day trip, even if the weather isn't the best, which it wasn't when I went. I thought the misty rain and fog gave it a mystical look, and was quite pretty. The cave was fantastic. It is a great days outing in all kinds of weather. just make sure you take a jacket, it does get cold.
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Halong Bay is a fabulous area of sheer cliffs plunging to deep blue water. For scenery and photo opportunities, this was the highlight of my trip to Vietnam.
Our 3-day trip started in Hanoi. We took a bus to the city of Halong, stopping at a village for a restroom/souvenir break. Not really interested in souvenirs, my friend and I wandered into the village and through the town's market. Upon arriving at Halong, we boarded our interesting wooden boat with orange sails. After a quick ride, we stopped at the slightly disappointing Hong Dau Go caves. We had a great multi-course lunch on the boat, included in the price. The next several hours were spent on the boat just gawking at the amazing islands. Eventually we stopped in a secluded cove for swimming in the nice warm water for about an hour. Just as it got dark, we arrived at Cat Ba Island, on the back side from Cat Ba town. We had dinner on the boat, had some drinks, then swam after dark in the water as warm as a bath. We slept on the deck of the boat under the stars.
The next morning, we got up with the sun and had an American-style breakfast. We went to Cat Ba town, checked into our hotel, the Sun Flower One, then got on a bus for Cat Ba National Park. At the park, we began a 9km trek through beautiful jungles and rugged terrain. With the intense heat and humidity, this became a taxing nine hour journey (including stops). During the hike, our guide pointed out several animals and a crater from the Vietnam War. We stopped for lunch in a small farming village called Viet Hai. At about six in the evening, we boarded a boat at Lan Ha Bay that took us back to Cat Ba Town.
That evening we had another nice dinner in the hotel, then I wandered around the town to a bia hoi for a few drinks and to watch the people go by. I finally relented to a young man who wanted to take me for a ride in his mid-sized row boat. He gave me a wonderful hour-long tour of the harbor for about US$2.
The next morning we boarded the boat and went back through Halong Bay to Halong city for our bus ride back to Hanoi. Leave a Comment
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Hoa Lu, two to three hours south of Hanoi by road, is interesting for two attractions: 1) its setting amidst karsts that arise out of the ground in the same way Ha Long Bay's do out of the water and 2) two temples that date back a thousand years.
The karsts, typically surrounded by rice paddies, are dramatic.
The temples come from a brief period (980-1009) when Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam -- a much smaller nation then than now -- under the short-lived Dinh and Le dynasties. Leave a Comment Address: South on Highway 1A, about 50 miles from Hanoi
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Hustle and bustle, millions of mopeds and a quaintness left over from colonial times. Leave a Comment
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I would suggest to pay 10,000D by walking past this palace compound to collect your baggage if you left it before you enter the ho chi minh mausoleum. Here I do not think you can see the palace but you will be able to view HCM house, both concrete and wooden stilt as well as the precious peugeot. Leave a Comment
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Just next to Hoan Kiem Lake, you will find the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. There are many shows during the day and evening and the performance lasts around 50 minutes. Entry fee for adults is approx. 40,000 dong (£1.20 approx.) for first class seats at the front (less for 2nd class seats), with extra fees for using cameras and video recorders (15,000/60,000 dong respectively).
The show features mini dance performances by the hand made water puppets, such as the dragon dance, boat racing, catching frogs and the fairy dance! The puppets are controlled by the puppeteers who stand waist deep in the water, concealed by a screen and there is an orchestra which plays live music and a commentary in Vietnamese. A charming show for both adults and kids alike. The water puppet tradition dates back to the 1 century when the rice farmers would put on performances with their hand made puppets in the rice paddies. Address: 57B Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem Dist., HanoiPhone: 8 255450/8 249494Directions: Across from the Hoan Kiem Lake.Website: www.thanglongwaterpuppet.org
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Look around Hanoi and inquire for a Ha Long Bay tour, 2D 1N tour of the bay, around 3+ hours trip from Hanoi to Ha Long Port, board junk boat for lunch, cruise the bay, sleep in junk boat, sunbath on the junk boat deck, kayaking around limestone islands, swimming and visit the rest of Ha Long Bay islands.
We got our tour package from Ho Chi Minh, flight into Hanoi is good, city tour is rushed, hotel is good with computer and broadband connection in the room.
The Ha Long Bay tour appears to be too commercialized. On the way to Ha long Long port there is a stopover on a handicraft shop. There are few junk boat now, all are running on diesel engine and noisy. Our package include seafood lunch at the boat but the only seafood was fish (why does the crew has small shrimps?).
Food is included in the package but drinks are not and cost more than 3x as much from Hanoi.
We have to wake up early to transfer to another boat (not good). Our kayaking was unguided even for the unexperienced.
The Ha Long caves are marvelous and a must see, even though hot (we were perspiring) and crowded. Address: Hanoi
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My tour guide says 'name them whatever you wish!", so I named the islets as I see them.....
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Price of admission is 20,000 VND and 5,000 VND to use a camera. Opening hours are; 8-00am to 11-30am, 1-00pm to 4-30pm. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. (Closed on Monday and Friday).
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Right in the center of Hanoi, on an island in Hoan Kiem Lake. This is a Taoist temple, dedicated to three persons, one of which, General Tran Hung Dao, is famous for the first ever mining operation - against the Mongol fleet in the end of 13th century. The island is connected with the shore by a spectacular red bridge. The temple was founded in 18th century, but existing buildings are more recent. Consider spending half an hour, and try to avoid peak hours, it can get very crowded. Admission charge is 2K VND (12 cents). Leave a Comment Directions: Center of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake.
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