8th Stamp: Hanoi, Vietnam

"Xin Chao Vietnam Again" (Hello Vietnam Again!)

Wearing their Traditional Non La (Hat)

Day O: Travel Tips | Arrival in Hanoi
Day I: Do-it-Yourself Hanoi City Tour
Day II and III: Halong Bay Tour

My 2nd Time in Vietnam, Last February  I was in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Southern Part of Vietnam, Now in Hanoi,the  Northern Part of Vietnam.

Ticket: Via 5J (Cebu Pacific,worth P3082 Single RT,Booked last Nov 2011)

Flight Details: Sept 15 2012,2230H(PH Time)- Sept 19,2012,0100(VN Time)

Tour: 3 Days/ 2 Nights

Pocket Money:$464

Day 0: Sept 15,2012 |Travel Time

Forex: Pesos to Dollars

Philippine Travel Tax : P1620.00

Terminal Fee: P550.00

IO: "How many are you? With Officemates? Return Dates?" STAMP

Manila- Hanoi (3 Hours/38000 Altitude, Crossing the West Philippine Sea)

Arrival: 12:40 AM Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi Time, 23 C) 1 Hour Behind

IO: (No Questions) STAMP 

Downside of this schedule flight of 5J

-No more open FOREX at Hanoi Airport (Unlike in Saigon Airport)

-Transportation from Airport to Downtown are very limited.Watch out for Taxi Scammers (they called Mafia Taxis)

-Thank God, my friend has enough funds on his ATM and withdraw for our Fare (VND- Vietnamese Dong)

Hanoi Airport to Old Quarter,Downtown ( 45kms away, 45mins travel to 1 Hour)

Transportation (Airport to Old Quarter)
-Airport Taxi 300,000 VND( P600.00,$14).We availed this (4 seater)
-Mini Buses ($5 per person)-info from the Filipina we've met at the Old Quarter
-Airport Transfer (from your Hotel - rate ranges from $13-17)

Checked in: 

Hanoi Backpackers' Hostel (9 Ma May St, Hanoi)
Dormitory Type - $9 per person
*AC Rooms and Clean WC/Good facilities and Security/Standard checked out time by 11AM

The Lobby

Free Use of PC

Lounge at 5th Floor

Sensor based Key(Room),2 Keys- Storage

Common WC

 

*located at Ma May Street (Backpacker Street,Old Quarter),a lot of Travel Agencies, Food Stalls,Restaurants and Convenience Stores

TIPS FOR THE DAY

-Before leaving the country,change your Peso to Dollars(Preferably Small Bills).Banks and Money Changers in Hanoi don't accept pesos.
-In Hanoi,I suggest to ride an Airport Taxi  for your security, but make sure that everything is clear (fare,destination etc.) before embarking.
-Thank God I researched before this trip.Make sure you have at least the address,the area,the name of your preferred Hotel in mind and let it show it to your Taxi Driver. Mind the Language Barrier (tenemos dolor de cabeza con ellos..jeje)
-Because it was past 2AM and we're concerned with our security,We don't have any other choice but to stay at Hanoi Backpackpers and will transfer to a cheaper hostel the following day.
-Buy your cigarettes(24kVND),mineral water(4500VND), etc in a convenience store,it is more cheaper compared to street vendors.

Next...Day I: Do-it-Yourself Hanoi City Tour