Vietnam is a Communist state. So there are few monuments in Hanoi that represent struggling of the people. This Martyrs’ Monument is dedicated to all the soldiers who gave their lives fighting for independence. It’s located at the northeast corner of Hoan Kiem Lake.
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Ngoc Son Temple
We reached Hanoi at about 3.30 pm. The train ticket to Sapa haven’t delivered to the hotel yet, so we decided to catch the Water Puppet show if possible, which is right beside Hoan Kiem Lake. So while waiting for the Water Puppet Show to start, we had a walk to Ngoc So Temple at Hoan Kiem Lake.
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Vietnamese Hospitality
Once in Hanoi, the first things that we did was to have a sinh to fruit shake again, as the weather was hot. Here we met a Vietnamese girl Dien who paid for our sinh to! What a wonderful ordinary Vietnamse.
Traffic in Hanoi Vietnam
Traffic in Vietnam was really crazy. Basically they still follow a rule – drive on the right and stop while red traffic light. However, bike drivers were not obliged to wear helmet, and they just didn’t have the habit to give way, to other pedestrians or other motorists. So what they did is (and they do have a great skill in) avoiding clash with other people or vehicles.
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Mid Way Stop
The minibus stop at this place Rong Vang Ba Tien mid way back to the Hanoi. It was not an interesting shop that basically just selling overpriced souvenir.
Halong Bay Tour Package Selection Guides and Tips
With so many tour operators and travel cafes / agencies operating tours to the vast Halong Bay, confusion tends to arise. It’s especially so when the price for the tour packages can range from USD $16 to over USD $100. Here is my observation and guide on how to best enjoy and get the best value out of the Halong Bay trip.
Disclaimer: This article is solely based on my observation and experience on the time of my visit. It may be incorrect or becomes incorrect as time passed.
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On the Way to Hanoi
After leaving Halong City for just a while, the minibus crossed a bridge which exposed beautiful scene on the river, quite similar to that of Halong Bay. This inferior photo took thru the bus windows.
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Lunch at Thang Long Restaurant
We reached Bai Chay of Halong City at about 11 am, earlier than usual. Later we had lunch at Thang Long air-conditioning restaurant. It’s a hot day today. There were souvenirs sold here too, and the price just a bit more expensive than Hanoi, if you’re not good in bargaining.
Bien Mo Junk
This was Bien Mo Junk that we overnite and spent the second day in Halong Bay. I would say it’s of lower class.
Chat on the Junk
Today boat trip of Halong Bay was my biggest consent, as most Sinh Cafe or Open Tour tour package just stated that ‘the junk will bring you to tour other part of Halong Bay’ without any specific destination. So it turned out to be my nightmare, the junk simply brought us back to Bai Chay (Halong City) along the longer route across Halong Bay, with no stoppage at anywhere. So we can just sat on the junk and have a nice chat, other than appreciate the wonder of nature beauty.