Hanoi Trip

We have planned to stay 5 nights in Hanoi in early April 09. This is our first timer. My questions are:

1. What do you mean by staying at old quarter? Are you refering to accommodation in wooden houses? Do they have many 3-star hotels at old quarter area? What is the name of the area at old quarter?

2. We have heard of Halong Bay in the forum, which is about 3 hrs drive from Hanoi. Is it advisable to go for day trip or over night at the junk? How much does it cost per person?

3. Is it easy to arrange local tour with the tour operator while you are there or it is better booked it via internet?

4. Can anyone reveal the name of hotels 3 or 4* near shopping complex?

5. What is the name of the biggest shopping complex in Hanoi?

6. Besides shopping complex, where can we get the cheap silk, clothing, shoes, etc?

7. How much can you change for one USD100 to the local currency?

Rgds,

richard

Hanoi Trip

Hi Richard,

1)Old quarter is an old part of Hanoi - lots of character, hotels and restaurants. No wooden houses:)!That is the name of the area - you will find on the maps the Old quarter.

2)Definitely go to Halong Bay - we went only for a day trip, but I would advise to stay overnight. You can stay either in hotel or on the boat. The prices vary depending what you want - basic trip or luxury boat.

3) It is easy to arrange the tour when you arrive in Hanoi. I would do my research on the Tripadvisor before going though, so you would know what you want.

4/5/6 There are no shopping complex in the old quarter (at least we didn%26#39;t see any) but you will find plenty of little shops and market stalls where you can find nice things. If the main reason why you going to Vietnam is shopping I would go to Hoi an in Central Vietnam, it is heaven for clothing, shoes, bags and ect. Talking about the hotel, we stayed in Hanoi Elegance 4 and I can reccomend that. It doesn%26#39;t really have stars but it has all 3* hotel facilities and more.

7)Cannot comment, as it always changes, have a look on Internet.

Hope this helps

Hanoi Trip

Hi Richard,

If your would like to see woodenhouse, please take walking Ma May street, No 87. That%26#39;s ancient architecture in Viet Nam what built since earnly XIX century.

Hotel 3* at oldquater: Majestic Salut on Hang Duong Street

And If you would like to get cheap silk, clothing.. . please walk to Hang Gai Street. Good Price

Thanks

hi Rechard

1, Staying in Old Quater not mean you will stay in wooden house. That means there are plenty of hotel in Old Quater fpr overnight that you can book via internet or through travel agents. Some area name in Hanoi Old Quater gathering hotel: Mamay street, Hang Manh street, Luong van Can, Ngo huyen street....

2, Halong bay is far from Hanoi about 175 km ( 3 drive), Here is famous for caves, grottoes and over 1,000 islands. You can take 1 day tour Hanoi halong or 2D1N Hanoi-halong with 4-8 hours cruise on Halong bay. There are plenty Overngiht Junk for overnight in Halong if you do not stay overnight at hotel: Huong Hai Junk, Bai tho Junk, An nam Junk......

3, It is better if you have partners in Hanoi and book through travel agent. The cost is much cheaper on the internet

4, 3* hotel near shopping central: Hong ngoc hotel, Flower hotel, Bao Khanh hotel, Viet hotel, Platinum hotel....

4* hotel: Flower garden hotel, Hoa binh Palace hotel, Sun eay hotel.....

5, Dong Xuan market is the biggest shopping In Hanoi at Hanoi Old Quater

6, If you want cheap silk, clothes, beside Dong Xuan, you could rent a car to Van phuc village where is famous for silk

7, 100 usd = 1,7480,000 VND. But the exchange rate is daily changable

Hope you will get more information before pick up Vietnam

RGDs

Khanh-Vietcrane

Thanks for the good feedback and it is very useful for my trip planning. Just few more questions here:

1) Regarding Halong Bay, if I decide to take up 1 day tour to Halong from Hanoi instead of 2D1N, how many hours do they normally allocated for cruising on Halong Bay? Is it cheaper to book the tour through the Hanoi travel agent there or is it cheaper to book through internet?

2) Regarding overnight junk, is the boat crusing along the Halong bay big and each have their own individual room like hotel! What about the river condition - is it also rough as sea? Is it bad to stay overnight junk in April 09 because i can easily get motion sickness if the sea condition is bad.

3) Is it easy to move around if we have Hanoi city map or with the help of the cab driver?

4) What sort of currencies do they normally accept for exchanging to VND? Besides USD, what about Singapore Dollars or Brunei Dollars?

5) Are the clothings cheap there? What about food if you have it at the restaurant?

Thats all.

Rgds

ray

Hi Richard,

Old quarter is the oldest part of Hanoi Town. It%26#39;s the most happening part of Hanoi I can say. Really nice to stay around there as never difficult to get anything you want, from eat, shopping of silks (etc), and you can see many travel agent there. Most of them offer a very competitive price in US$. You can just pick one you trust and go ahead with their service. If you looking for a nice beautique hotel I recommend: www.giabaohanoihotel.com they have a nice descent service, as well as the room is very2 clean. I can say worth of money. Some of the hotel in old quarter might be over price.

Moreover, I recommend you to go visit Sapa as well. For Sapa trip you can trust: http://www.sapa-hotels.com/ they are managed by local Sapa tourism Board. Very professional and able to help you in term of tour around Sapa too. They can give you the best advice. I hope you enjoy your stay at Hanoi!

As far as seasickness on Ha Long Bay goes, I get seasick very easily. But in Ha Long Bay, even without medication I didn%26#39;t feel in the least ill. It is very calm.

Hanoi is full of inexpensive cafes and restaurants.

I can%26#39;t comment on Brunei dollars, but I%26#39;m sure we saw signs in jewellers%26#39; shops (they do money exchange as well as banks) advertising rates for SGD.