Hanoi and Halong Bay, Vietnam
Hanoi and Halong Bay, Vietnam --- Jan30 to Feb3
From the Hanoi airport we took a taxi (50 Dong) to the Huyen Trang Hotel ($40 per
night, later reduced to $35). This comfortable hotel has a very convenient location
in the old part of town. Upon arrival we walked to the nearby Kangaroo Café and
there bought tickets for a 3-day (2night) excursion leaving the next day to scenic
Halong Bay (US$55 per person all inclusive).
Next morning at 8:00am, with about fifteen Australians, Swedes, Danes &
Norwegians (but no other Americans) we left Hanoi aboard a minibus, arriving for
lunch at Halong City. After lunch we started our cruise in an 80’ traditional boat,
motoring among the many islands scenically jutting out of the bay, even more
dramatic than shown in tourist literature photos. He skies were cloudy and the
temperature around 60F. Stopping at an island we visited one of the many caves in
the area. Around sundown our boat dropped anchor and had an excellent seafood
dinner on the boat. We then went to our tiny private cabin the length of our double-
decker bunks and about 18” wider than the bunks themselves. Through the thin walls
we could clearly hear the spirited conversation of the young Swedish couple in the
adjoining cabin.
From the Hanoi airport we took a taxi (50 Dong) to the Huyen Trang Hotel ($40 per
night, later reduced to $35). This comfortable hotel has a very convenient location
in the old part of town. Upon arrival we walked to the nearby Kangaroo Café and
there bought tickets for a 3-day (2night) excursion leaving the next day to scenic
Halong Bay (US$55 per person all inclusive).
Next morning at 8:00am, with about fifteen Australians, Swedes, Danes &
Norwegians (but no other Americans) we left Hanoi aboard a minibus, arriving for
lunch at Halong City. After lunch we started our cruise in an 80’ traditional boat,
motoring among the many islands scenically jutting out of the bay, even more
dramatic than shown in tourist literature photos. He skies were cloudy and the
temperature around 60F. Stopping at an island we visited one of the many caves in
the area. Around sundown our boat dropped anchor and had an excellent seafood
dinner on the boat. We then went to our tiny private cabin the length of our double-
decker bunks and about 18” wider than the bunks themselves. Through the thin walls
we could clearly hear the spirited conversation of the young Swedish couple in the
adjoining cabin.
The following morning our cruise boat made the short trip to Cat Ba Town on Cat Ba
Island, and from there we went on a minibus tour to look at shrimp farms and
mangrove swamps, then a ride on a small boat to visit another large cave. Shortly
after leaving on the return trip the engine of the small boat broke down and could
not be restarted, so the “Captain” flagged down two 12’ boats which took us back to
the minibus. We had a rudimentary picnic lunch in a house in a farm village and then
walked through the village and countryside for about an hour until the bus took us to
Quang Duc Family Hotel in Cat Ba Town. We had a very basic room with bath but
from our window we had a beautiful view of the waterfront park and colorful bay
doted by many fishing boats and surrounded by many scenic islands. At night from
our window we saw an imitation fireworks display done with flashing electric lights.
After breakfast on the third morning of our Halong Bay excursion a bus was
supposed to take us back to our cruise boat, but on the way the bus got a wheel stuck
in a drainage ditch while trying to pass a truck, so we all got out of the bus and
walked for about 20 minutes to our cruise boat. We spent the morning cruising back
among the islands to Halong City, had lunch there, and spent the afternoon on the bus
back to Hanoi. We enjoyed the company of our congenial fellow tourists. Upon
arrival in Hanoi we checked back into the Huyen Trang Hotel.
Island, and from there we went on a minibus tour to look at shrimp farms and
mangrove swamps, then a ride on a small boat to visit another large cave. Shortly
after leaving on the return trip the engine of the small boat broke down and could
not be restarted, so the “Captain” flagged down two 12’ boats which took us back to
the minibus. We had a rudimentary picnic lunch in a house in a farm village and then
walked through the village and countryside for about an hour until the bus took us to
Quang Duc Family Hotel in Cat Ba Town. We had a very basic room with bath but
from our window we had a beautiful view of the waterfront park and colorful bay
doted by many fishing boats and surrounded by many scenic islands. At night from
our window we saw an imitation fireworks display done with flashing electric lights.
After breakfast on the third morning of our Halong Bay excursion a bus was
supposed to take us back to our cruise boat, but on the way the bus got a wheel stuck
in a drainage ditch while trying to pass a truck, so we all got out of the bus and
walked for about 20 minutes to our cruise boat. We spent the morning cruising back
among the islands to Halong City, had lunch there, and spent the afternoon on the bus
back to Hanoi. We enjoyed the company of our congenial fellow tourists. Upon
arrival in Hanoi we checked back into the Huyen Trang Hotel.
A visit to Hanoi is stressful (especially after the calm of Luang Prabang) but very
worthwhile. There is much to see.
During our stays in Hanoi we tried to get sleeper train tickets from Hanoi to Hue and
from Danang to Saigon, but tickets had been sold out because of the Tet holidays.
We therefore went by air.
Click here for the next page, Hue and Hoi An"
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worthwhile. There is much to see.
During our stays in Hanoi we tried to get sleeper train tickets from Hanoi to Hue and
from Danang to Saigon, but tickets had been sold out because of the Tet holidays.
We therefore went by air.
Click here for the next page, Hue and Hoi An"
Click here to return to the "Indochina Trip Menu"
Click here to return to "Our Travel Journals Main Menu"
Halong Bay, Vietnam.
Rice paddy on the shore of Halong Bay.
Water buffaloes on the shore of Halong Bay.
Back in Hanoi, Vietnam --- 4 & 5 February
Hanoi has practically no public transport within the city, resulting in extremely heavy
traffic consisting of motorbikes, motor scooters, cyclerickshaws, and bicycles, On most
streets this heavy traffic moves in a fast continuous weaving stream with constant horn-
blowing; the few traffic lights are often disregarded. Pedestrians brave enough crossed
the streets by walking to the other side very slowly and steadily, hoping that the vehicles
would go around them. For safety we felt forced to take taxis of various kinds, even for
short distances.
We visited the Women’s’ Museum, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s house, the Ho
Chi Minh Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature and an adjacent fair,
the History Museum, and the Revolutionary Museum. Most interesting was the
Mausoleum; after viewing an introductory movie everyone lined up two-by-two for the
walk to view Ho’s embalmed remains. The History and Revolutionary museums featured
Vietnam’s struggle for independence and unification, first against the French and then
against the Americans.
Hanoi has practically no public transport within the city, resulting in extremely heavy
traffic consisting of motorbikes, motor scooters, cyclerickshaws, and bicycles, On most
streets this heavy traffic moves in a fast continuous weaving stream with constant horn-
blowing; the few traffic lights are often disregarded. Pedestrians brave enough crossed
the streets by walking to the other side very slowly and steadily, hoping that the vehicles
would go around them. For safety we felt forced to take taxis of various kinds, even for
short distances.
We visited the Women’s’ Museum, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s house, the Ho
Chi Minh Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature and an adjacent fair,
the History Museum, and the Revolutionary Museum. Most interesting was the
Mausoleum; after viewing an introductory movie everyone lined up two-by-two for the
walk to view Ho’s embalmed remains. The History and Revolutionary museums featured
Vietnam’s struggle for independence and unification, first against the French and then
against the Americans.
Music shop at a fair in the temple of Literature, Hanoi.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi.