I’m planning to write a few posts related to my backpack trip to Vietnam. Let me start with an introduction that summarizes my 5 days backpacking in Hanoi and Halong Bay.

Day 1:

Departed LCCT at 6:30 am and arrived Hanoi about three hours later. Checked in at Hong Ngoc 1 hotel, nested in the Old Quarter area. The thing about Vietnam, it is not recommended to come without booking a hotel in advance especially if it is your first time visiting. Taxi driver would try to take you to a hotel where they can earn a commission.

Getting into town:

Easiest mode is by taxi. The cost is USD16 to the Old Quarter. I took a cheaper alternative that is the mini bus. It is actually a 15 seater van. The fare is USD2 up to the minibus station opposite the Vietnamese Airline office just outside the Old Quarter. I paid extra USD1 to ask the minibus driver to drop me at the hotel directly. There are many minibus operators outside the airport’s arrival gate. I would recommend taking the one with Vietnamese Airline labelled on the minibus. The others tried to charge more. Be prepared to sit in a very cramped minibus. The journey from the airport to the Old Quarter is over an hour.

Nothing much done on the first day in Hanoi. The important thing was to book for our boat ride to Halong Bay for the next couple of days. After sorting out trip to Halong Bay, did short sightseeing around the Old Quarter area, tried out varieties of street food and settled down early for the night.

Day 2:

Woke up at 6am, packed up, had breakfast at the hotel before we checked out. Our bus was supposed to come pick us up at 8am but they were late by almost 40minutes as they had to pick up other passengers from the other hotels. Had to endure in a cramped minibus for the next 3 hours for our journey to Halong Bay. The road from Hanoi to Halong Bay is a two-way traffic and everybody seems to drive wrecklessly. It is not surprising when my tour guide told me that there’s almost 3 to 4 accidents happened everyday.

Three hours later, we reached Halong City. After registering ourselves and surrendering our passport to the tour agent for security reasons, we boarded our junk boat. Lunch was provided on the boat. We spent 2 days 1 night on the boat at Halong Bay.

Day 3:

We returned onshore in the afternoon. Had lunch at a backpackers kitchen in Halong City. Arrived at Hanoi City at 6:3opm. Checked in at Hanoi A1 Hotel, located right at the middle of the Old Quarter. Rested for a bit then went out for dinner. At night, we checked out the night life in Hanoi.

Day 4:

Woke up late. Had a good rest from the last 3 days activities. Toured Hanoi city by foot from mid morning till late evening. Returned to hotel. Took shower and went out for dinner. Checked out the night life again but it was quiet this time. Perhaps because it was Sunday night. Returned early to the hotel as we have to wake up by 5am the next morning.

Day 5:

Took a taxi at 6.30am to the airport. Departed Hanoi at 9am. Arrived at KL at around 2pm. Home sweet home!