Visiting Hanoi: Tips for First Time Travelers
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December 4, 2014
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Get out of the City and explore other places. Sure a new city is always great, but the reason why I left my city was because I wanted some down time for myself so despite the fact that I was surrounded with other bloggers, that didn’t stop me from having moments of blissful solitude during long and quiet rides towards outer parts of Hanoi. On our second day, we got to see Ha Long Bay and again, every now and then, I found myself away from the group and enjoying a few minutes just taking in the beauty that was around me. We also got to have a very nice dinner at the luxurious Co Ngu Restaurant where we had a generous array of fresh seafood. Check out my experience of Ha Long Bay here.
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We also got to stay at the Flamingo Dai Lai resort which is closer to the airport but farther from the city. Trust me though, when you’re here, you wouldn’t even think of life outside the resort. Take advantage of all the natural beauty around you and bask in it! Check out our stay in Flamingo Resort here.
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Shop at the Local District. It may sound silly and immature but anywhere I go around the world, I always check out the local markets or shopping districts, you’ll never know when you’ll find a good bargain. We made sure we had time to do a bit of shopping at the Old Quarter in Hanoi. You’ll find items from knit scarves, to traditional Vietnamese hats to even their famous vietnamese coffee! With a budget of just 100 US dollars that afternoon, I was able to buy a bag, a jacket, scarves, coffee and a bamboo wind chime (as requested by my mom)! Not bad at all!
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For those who are visiting for the first time, here’s our itinerary, maybe you can get a tip or two from it:
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Hanoi Itinerary:
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DAY 1
00:30 Arrival in Noi Bai International Airport followed by Check in at Crown Plaza West Hotel
07:00 – 9:30 Breakfast in Hotel and check out.
10:00 Start of City Tour. Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, Ba Dinh square, and Temple of Literature
12:30 Lunch at Green Lotus Restaurant
14:00 Continue City tour. Went to Hoan Kiem Lake, Ly Thai To statue, Ngoc Son Temple, rode the cyclo around Hanoi Old Quarter.
16:30 Depart for Ha Long Bay
20:30 Arrive in Ha Long. Dinner will be served at Co Ngu Restaurant.
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Day 2
07:00 Breakfast in Hotel
07:45 Transfer to Ha Long Harbor and met our cruise crew. Ha Long Bay is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
12:00 Lunch on Deck.
1:30 Depart for Hanoi
16:00 Arrive hanoi. Watch the traditional water puppet show
19:30 Dinner at Com Viet Restaurant
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Day 3
10:00 Check out of Hotel
12:30 Lunch at Bun Cha
13:30 Transfer to Flamingo Dai Lai Resort
18:30 Dinner at Bamboowings Restaurant
22:30 Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for flight from Hanoi to Manila
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So there you have it, a few tips for those of you who will be traveling to Hanoi for the very first time. You’ll be happy to know that Cebu Pacific is the only local airline that flies direct to Hanoi three times a week! So if you’ve got a long weekend coming up or just want to go on a leave for just a few days, I’d say put Hanoi on your bucket list, it’s not too far, it can be inexpensive if you know when to spend and when to save and well, Hanoi is so rich in culture, history and natural beauty that trust me, once you visit, your heart will long to go back again and again and again.
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 Get in touch with Hanoi Red Tours
Website:Â https://vietnamholiday.com/
Contact Number:Â Tel: 84.4. 3928 5588 / Fax: 84.4. 3928 5779
63 Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
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