What to do and see in Hanoi and Halong Bay
by The Adventure People on 13th August 2018
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My visit to Hanoi and Halong Bay in August 2018
Walking around Hanoi’s old quarter is almost like existing in two different times; The streets are crammed full of both history and the modern world. Darkened shopfronts, exuding the scents of foreign spices, dried herbs, roots and medicines, stand next to modern, bright, coffee shops and Apple retailers. Like other Vietnamese cities the scooter is king, they weave in and out of traffic and pedestrians alike bearing people, animals and goods in truly impressive loads. Around each corner there is a new sight, a new smell, a new activity to confuse and astound the senses. If you are of a nervous disposition make sure you take a deep breath before venturing out; you will be assaulted by a cacophony of car horns, street hawkers, foreign accents and the calls of restauranteurs trying to beckon you into all manner of establishments. While pavements exist, they are most often taken up with a labyrinth of scooters and wares for sale, forcing occasional diversions to the street but as long as you walk at a steady pace the cars and scooters will avoid you.
Try the local food wherever possible, many of the restaurants will look haphazard but the traditional food is a wonderful mix of eastern flavours. If the local fare isn’t your thing then don’t fear, there is a whole host of western restaurants available and more springing up all the time. As Vietnam used to be French colony there are many traditional French restaurants occupying the old quarter where you can experience not only some great food but also some stunning traditional architecture. While Hanoi used to have a reputation for a slow nightlife the city is changing rapidly following some easing of restrictions and the night is coming alive with bars, bistros, clubs and live music.
There is more than enough to do here just walking around the old quarter and absorbing the life and culture surrounding you but for anyone of a cultural mind you won’t be disappointed. The Water Puppet Theatre is a great stop to experience some traditional Vietnamese culture and the Opera House, besides being a lovely cultural landmark, puts on a whole host of performances from traditional Vietnamese opera to contemporary music concerts.
Finally, a visit to spa is a must here. Following a long international flight there is nothing better than a massage to relax into a long holiday. We paid very reasonable prices for full body aroma therapy massages (Approx. $15.00 USD) and were not disappointed. Do your research on this one, there are plenty of reviews out there and a few minutes online will make sure you get the best possible experience.
Hanoi is eye-opening to say the least but if you’re anything like me then you’ll want to escape the madness and the noise eventually. We chose to spend three days here and it was a good length of time. We got a great sense of the city, sampled some amazing food and saw some impressive sights, but at the end of the third day I was ready to move again. Luckily, just a few hours’ drive away, there sits not only a UNESCO world heritage site, but also probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever travelled to, Halong Bay.
A trip to this area of the world wouldn’t be complete without an excursion to Halong Bay. You can book this in advance or when you get here but if you want a place on one of the more exclusive ships then I’d look to get it booked up early to ensure you’re not disappointed. We were advised by a good friend to go all out on this one because you very much get what you pay for. You can go for longer, but you don’t need to in order to get a true experience, we decided to use our funds for quality rather than duration and I am really glad we did. The package offered by most companies includes transfers from anywhere in the old quarter. I won’t lie I’m not a fan of busses, so I was feeling a little trepidation on the morning we were due to depart. I had visions of some kind of 1980’s era rust bucket with threadbare upholstery and air conditioning provided through holes in the floor. Alright I am being dramatic, but I wasn’t expecting much. I couldn’t have been more wrong. They sent a brand-new minibus with eight individual, captain style chairs running along two rows inside. The air-conditioning was brilliant, and we were each handed a cool bottle of water when we entered. Perfect.
Watching the bus negotiate the packed streets of the old quarter is entertaining but after a brief second stop to pick up a few more passengers we swiftly emerged from tightly packed streets to a smooth new motorway. Virtually no traffic saw us arrive in Halong Bay two and a half hours later and that was including a brief stop at a clean service station.
From the dock we were checked in by a happy, smiling crew. Our bags were taken swiftly, tagged and the next time we saw them they were ready and waiting for us outside our cabins. From the dock you take a small tender to your cruise liner and on the way the wonder of Halong bay appears before you.
Emerald waters run between almost two thousand limestone islands. The noise and hectic pace of the city melts away and you feel almost as if you’ve been transported back in time. Our ship was brilliant, decked out in dark wood it was both reserved and luxurious. Watching some of the others pass I definitely think you would see a difference if you were to take the budget option. On board we were offered a host of options for entertainment from cooking and Tai Chi classes to kayaking excursions, caves, squid fishing and swimming in the waters of the bay, all included in the price.
Or, you can just sit, sip a cocktail and enjoy the view as it rolls silently by. We took this option about half the time and I don’t regret it at all.
Side Note: There are jelly fish in Halong Bay, take a peek from the side of the ship and it won’t take you long to spot one. They try to make sure the swimming spots are relatively safe but it’s not something that they can control so be aware. They do have medicine on board to control both the pain and any allergic reaction you might have so no worries really.
In the evening a five-course dinner was provided sampling a range of Asian flavours. It was a set menu but the staff came in advance and they would make any changes necessary to accommodate any culinary preference.
Finally, we were in luck and despite it being the end of the rainy season we were treated to a simply stunning sun set. This was the end of a ten-day journey in Vietnam and I couldn’t have asked for more. Luck and a little bit of research definitely had a part to play but as a destination, Halong Bay is right up there with the best of them.
Hanoi is a great mix. In just a few days you can sample ancient culture, stunning architecture, amazing food and some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world. Put it on your list.
Alistair Phillips
www.avoidingapathy.com
