Solo Trip to Hanoi / Halong Bay Day 2

On second day in Vietnam, I went to Halong Bay by bus. Halong Bay is a famous place among tourists due to presence thousands limestone islands near Halong City. The journey took about 3 hours with 1 stop in the middle of route gives chance for people to see locals making handicraft and jewellery. Basically, it's easy to book or buy day trip package to Halong Bay in Hanoi. For me, just did not want to complicate my life, I just booked the package downstairs of my hotel with cost of USD45. 

The scenery of villages surrounded by paddy field heading to Halong City

This jewellery shop conducted by capable local people

I arrived at Halong Bay in the afternoon and was seated in the boat before cruising. We were served lunch while enjoying panoramic view from inside of the boat. The lunch provided consist of spring roll, seafood, chicken, meat and vegetable soup. Of course it is non halal food. Luckily, I had heavy breakfast in hotel early morning that day. During cruising, both locals asked regarding my religion and sensitive question which is I felt annoyed. I just did not want it becomes intense discussion. All mankind in this world have right to opt their religion and it's unethical when you bash other religion if you are not agree with. Palui!

The weather was good, even though scorching hot. Hahaha. Most of us went upstairs to view deck to enjoy magnificent view of Halong Bay and taking selfie for Insta lol.

Bamboo boat ride

Climbing the ancient cave

Photo taken by a tourist, fair enough even though was not satisfied with the angle :-P

Okay, finished day trip to Ha Long. I think for those who are not prefer on 1 day trip cruise, may be you can choose other alternative, you may ride luxurious boat for 2 day 1 night if you have extra budget. If you plan stay in Halong City, you may hike Poem Mountain to enjoy lime stone view from on top if hill.

In the bus heading back to Hanoi, I just thought about dinner because I was so starving and tired. I need rice to recharge my energy hahaha.

Solo Trip to Hanoi / Halong Bay Day 1

         It's along time not to touch my blog, left it covered with dust. Hahaha. Today only I have determination to update my blog in view of long break from work ughhh. This time will tell about my solo trip to Hanoi and Halong Bay in last September. Initially planned to travel with my former Uni colleague, however he couldn't make it due to flight fare price was skyhigh elevated last minute. I already bought ticket 2 months before travel.

Photo of passport and boarding pass taken as starter pack for traveler. Hahaha. I bought ticket during promotion period but still costs RM550. Some people said we can get it cheaper around RM300+ if you are lucky.

Noi Bai International Airport

The journey took 4 hours from KL to Hanoi. The weather was misty and warm during Spring. For your information, Hanoi has 4 seasons, most preferred travel time from December to February due to cold weather which is 16 - 20 degree Celcius. If you want to experience snow, may be you should plan another trip to Sapa, a district located at nothern most of Viet Nam.

Ban Dau Water Tank

From the Noi Bai Airport, I used bus (Bus no 86 orange colour) towards Old Quarters with cost of RM5. It took about 40 minutes facing moderately heavy traffic in the afternoon to reach Long Bien bus station. Then walked to find my hotel assisted by Google map. 

Al-Noor Mosque

Along the way to hotel there was only one mosque in Hanoi, I stopped for a while for Dhuhr and having lunch. The meal was expensive, may be they have difficulty to obtain halal raw materials in here. It was tricky to find that restaurant because its location was hidden inside the mosque's gate.

Sky View Hotel

After 30 minutes walking, I arrived in my hotel. The streets in Old Quarters are quite confusing due to its seem similar, straight and narrowed. Everybody here will ask the name of street in order to find any landmark. For example, my hotel located in Hang Hom street which is 15 minutes walking from famous lake in Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake. The accommodation in Hanoi is not a big deal because the price is astonishingly reasonable around RM50-60 per room.

Before the sun downing, I did sightseeing around my hotel heading to Hoan Kiem Lake. The evening near the lake was happening with a lot of pedestrians and crowd of vehicles. One of the outstanding landmarks is Nghia Thuc Square as it has unique architectural building mimics a ship. That's a famous place for tourists to have beer while enjoying nightlife.

Another place must visit in Hanoi is Thang Long Water Puppet. I planned to watch the show on 3rd day in Hanoi but I must buy the ticket earlier because the seats mostly are fully booked by tourists. The ticket fare is about RM14.

The Red Bridge

Hanoi Opera House

The bright red colour of the bridge was an eye-catching for all tourists in Hoan Kiem Lake. Most of people were waiting till night in order to see its miracle as well as capturing wedding photo for reminiscence. Other than that, you may found varieties of shops roadside selling good quality sport attires with cheaper price if you have good bargaining skill. The local time in Hanoi is one hour earlier compared to Malaysia local time. I managed back to my room around 10pm for rest to prepare trip to Halong Bay next day.