HANOI
TRAVEL GUIDE
and
ITINERARY
Every new year I list down places I wanted to visit and plan for it months before traveling. This can be local or international, a weekend, or a weeklong vacation
and one of those occasions is to travel during my birth month
which has been my practice since I was 31.
Finally, my leave request has been granted!
This is another quick breather from my full-time job. I was initially eyeing to get a Monday-Friday vacation request but restrictions changed my plans
and limited my trip with a 3-day leave grant.
So including weekends off, I will only have 5 days to explore my next destination.
----------------
My Hanoi travel plans started upon reading a travel site named Wearesolesisters.com - this is one of those blogs I have been following since 2013. Lois, the blogger and owner admin of the site is one of my influences in embracing Asian adventures and the famous “Banana Pancake Trail”. Her inspiring stories proved that nothing is impossible, that gave me the motivation to finally make it happen. By 2014, with my cousins, we started our Indochina trips. I am proud to say that I am still doing it at present but I have been learning to travel solo the past 2 years.
In one of her blogs, I came upon a story about Sapa Town in Vietnam with images of the locals and that made me curious ever since. From then on, I started researching about the place and was even more enticed to discover these ethnic tribes. I have been to Vietnam twice back in 2014 and 2015 but only went to Saigon the main city in the southern part, a more industrialized, crowded city in Vietnam. I was looking forward to going back and even envisioned an adventure traveling the country from the South going to the North. But given time limitation, I decided to fly straight to Hanoi and start my adventure in this city and will make sure to get to Sapa.
 |
| Hmong Women, our guide for Sapa Trek |
WHAT is in HANOI
Hanoi is located in the northern part and considered as the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The northern area of the country is comprised of charming ethnic tribes, with fascinating tourist sites, and it's surrounded by majestic mountains and rice terraces. I remember Ho Chi Min, as one of the busiest cities I have been too. It was one of those funfilled trips, where I discovered that Tea and Coffee was everyone's delight, and from then on I started to love Pho and Banh Mi. Interestingly, all these are also loved by the Northern people, a true Vietnamese tradition.
Other tourists may consider Hanoi as crowded but for me, Hanoi's chaos is still a beauty to witness with locals on the roadsides living a simple life, enjoying the parks, meditating and exercising, buying their Pho, and Coffee. Adding to that are the nearby towns and cities for grandiose sceneries of the north, and the chance to discover interesting hill tribes that have existed even until today. People are nice and friendly even if they find it difficult to speak in English. This is another safe city in Asia with the local people getting used to visitors. I am grateful to experience it and walked freely without any fear even until night time.
VIETNAM vs. PHILIPPINES _ Vietnam is nearly comparable to the Philippines in terms of area, climate, and population, although the northernmost part can get even colder in the last quarter of the year. With the Philippines composed of small and big islands, it is a challenge to travel and you will need to do it via plane rides to reach another city. Here in Vietnam, you can travel from South to North and vice versa with convenience either by bus or train rides. There’s easy access to traveling in all their cities.
But I’m confident to say that it is much cheaper to travel in Vietnam compared to the Philippines in terms of food, accommodation, travel tours, transportation expenses, with the exception of the beautiful beaches, and waterfalls that are found in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao islands.
With that distinction, one can’t deny that it is really inviting to explore this charming city with the booming tourism industry. Undeniably, Vietnam is one of the popular countries to complete your Banana Pancake Trail and Indochina trips, a traveler's favorite.
Hanoi continues to offer visitors the authentic local experience, with attractive tourist sites to discover from its Buddhist pagodas, historical landmarks with french colonial structures, their friendly locals, and the amazing and creative food delights. I am specifically highlighting Hanoi for all this comparison.
Hanoi continues to offer visitors the authentic local experience, with attractive tourist sites to discover from its Buddhist pagodas, historical landmarks with french colonial structures, their friendly locals, and the amazing and creative food delights. I am specifically highlighting Hanoi for all this comparison.
Airport: Noi Ba International Aiport
Currency: Vietnamese Dong ( $1 = PHP 50 = VND 23,500 )
Time: 1 Hour advance from the Philippines
CEBU to HANOI
From the Philippines, you can get to Hanoi via Plane ride for around 2 hours and 45minutes. I have reached the city via Cebu Pacific Air with a transit stop in Manila.
Unfortunately, scams are still existent once you get out of the terminal since most cab drivers would take advantage of the newly arrived tourist. Make sure you research for the right price and agree with it before you step inside the car. Better yet, avail of Airport services or the local Buses #7 and #17.
TRANSPORTATION
going to the
CITY CENTER
Knowing scams are still occurring I had to spend some money on transportation going to the Hotel. I arrived around 1:00 AM so I can’t take the risk of doing a lot of haggling, or worst getting lost in the wee hours especially that I am traveling solo. So I accepted the hotel offer for an Airport transfer at $18 to bring me safely to my accommodation. During the day time normally it will take around 45 minutes to reach the city center of Hanoi.
Before departing from Cebu Airport, I made sure to leave a message to the Hotel Manager informing them about my schedule with no delays, so I should be arriving on time. When I went out, to my surprise the driver was already waiting outside bringing a poster with my name in it. Thank GOD! I am finally in Hanoi.
ACCOMMODATION
Finding good accommodation is another overwhelming experience since Hanoi offers interesting choices. Agoda has a number of options, and you can make a shortlist according to pricing, location, amenities, and comfort. Other than the posted pictures, reading the reviews help me a lot in deciding the right option. These are the 3 most popular areas that most tourists would stay when in Hanoi.
- Hoan Kiem Lake Area - city center, wide options for cheap hotels, with more backpacker hostels in Old Quarter or the expensive hotels along the French Quarter area.
- Ba Dinh District - where most historical sites and structures are situated.
- Hanoi West Lake (Tay Ho) - a more relaxed, quiet area, with more expensive hotels.
Since this will be a busy, full-packed itinerary I needed to stay in the central area. I decided to stay in Hoan Kiem Lake mainly for accessibility. This was indeed a perfect location with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby and has allowed me to explore more of the popular local Vietnamese food.
From the airport, it only took us 30 minutes to get to the Hotel. I tried to initiate a conversation with the driver, but sadly he doesn't speak English. Upon arrival, the hotel staff was already at the main door to hand me my keys. Finally checked in at 2 AM, and time to recharge to be able to explore the city when I wake up.
TRAVEL AND TOURS
After breakfast in the hotel, I decided to roam around the area for money exchange. Also, I wanted to find some travel and tour offices. I have visited 2 agencies and both offer the same pricing which mostly are on group tours. Hanoi has a number of travel companies so it is consuming to find a good one. Once back on the hotel, Ryan the Manager also took the opportunity of discussing their tour offerings.
Before traveling I did my own research, came up with a sample 5-Day Itinerary listing down the places I would prioritize touring. I knew I was too ambitious with it so I told myself I should be ready to decide and let go of some places once I arrive. I sought Ryans help and shared my plan including an overnight trip to Sapa, however, I will only be here for 4 days. He answered all my confusion and helped me in coming up with a good plan so I can complete Sapa Tours, Halong Bay, and Hanoi City Tour in 4 Days!
Before traveling I did my own research, came up with a sample 5-Day Itinerary listing down the places I would prioritize touring. I knew I was too ambitious with it so I told myself I should be ready to decide and let go of some places once I arrive. I sought Ryans help and shared my plan including an overnight trip to Sapa, however, I will only be here for 4 days. He answered all my confusion and helped me in coming up with a good plan so I can complete Sapa Tours, Halong Bay, and Hanoi City Tour in 4 Days!
To save my precious time, the inconveniences of finding a travel agency, and transportation, I availed of the hotel tour offering. All of my trips to Hanoi were arranged by the Hotel Staff. I may have paid extra but surely I knew I won't get scammed with any agencies.
Just like any other hotels I have been to in Asia, it is a common practice that they will take the chance of proposing this to all their customers, as they usually have partnerships with travel companies whom they have trusted with these services. They will take charge of the transportation, booking, and will provide free pick-up from the hotel going to your travel destination. There’s a difference with the cost, but everything will be hassle-free by then, it works absolutely right for me this time.
Just like any other hotels I have been to in Asia, it is a common practice that they will take the chance of proposing this to all their customers, as they usually have partnerships with travel companies whom they have trusted with these services. They will take charge of the transportation, booking, and will provide free pick-up from the hotel going to your travel destination. There’s a difference with the cost, but everything will be hassle-free by then, it works absolutely right for me this time.
HANOI TRAVEL GUIDE
SAMPLE ITINERARY for 4 DAYS
Exploring Nothern Vietnam
Departed Cebu at 4 PM transit in MNL
Departed Manila at 9PM
1ST DAY
Arrival in Hanoi Aiport
Airport Pick-up going to my accommodation via Hotel Airport Transfer Service
Check-in at Labevie Hotel
Buffet Breakfast
Search for Travel Agency and Tour Options
Consultation with Hotel Manager for my Travel Itinerary
Hanoi City Tour in the Afternoon
Explore Vietnam Popular Foods
Overnight Bus Ride to Sapa
2ND DAY
Arrival in Sapa Bus Terminal
Traveled via Car service from the terminal to the Hotel Accommodation
Breakfast and Shower in the Hotel
Sapa Trek Tours - Easy Route
Early Dinner in Sapa
Shower in the Hotel
Food Groceries for my Train Ride
Overnight Train Ride to Hanoi
3RD DAY
Arrival in Hanoi
Traveled via Motorcycle from Train station going back to Hotel
Check-in and Breakfast in the Hotel
Halong Bay Tours
Dinner with Pho
4TH DAY
Breakfast in the Hotel
Shop for Pasalubong
Hanoi City Tour and Photo Ops
Church
Depart to Hanoi Airpot - for 1AM flight
5TH DAY
Arrival in Cebu the following day.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT in NORTHERN VIETNAM
- Ninh Binh - for limestone formations, nature, and green landscapes, known as Halong Bay on land.
- Ha Giang - For soaring beautiful mountain landscapes and sightseeing
- Mai Chau - experience homestay villages
- Diem Dien Salt Flats - To see more of northern Vietnam's long coastline of sea salt
Comments
Post a Comment