Arrived at 1725. Rest and relax around Westlake where we stayed.
Day 2 - Hanoi
Trishaw ride around Old Quarter
We agreed with the trishaw man on 300,000 vnd (around S$18) for an hour ride for 2 trishaws. After the ride, he claimed the fare should be 300,000 vnd for 1 trishaw.....
Hoan Kiem Lake
Vietnamese Women's Museum
North and South Vietnam unification on 30.4.1975
A section of the exhibit featured Singapore
Quan An Hgou Restaurant - 18 Phan Boi Chau St
From left- Banh Xeo (pancake - yummy), Nem Chua (fermented pork), fresh spring roll, Bun Oc Chuoi Dan (vermicelli with snails) and the famous Bun Cha (pork vermicelli) -not in pic
Hoa Lo Prison - Guillotine
Dinner at don's a chief's bistro - Westlake near the hotel we stayed
Duck Pho
Overnight train to Sapa - King Express - depart Hanoi at 9pm arrived next morning 5am at Lao Cai station
Day 3 - Sapa - Cat Cat village
Sapa - 1 hour ride from Lao Cai station - 1600m above sea level. View from Sapa Eden Hotel
Cat Cat village trekking
Traditional handicraft
Hmong's house
Milling corn
Tien Sa water fall
Day 4 - Sapa - Bac Ha Market (Sunday market)
Vietnam China border - China side (Yunnan)
Vietnam side (Lao Cai)
Bac Ha Sunday market (the market is 3 hours ride from Sapa and only open on Sunday)
Buffalo market
Vendor selling sticky rice
Barber at the market
Horse market
Sweet Hmong's girl
Village school
Nature View Restaurant - getting some warmth from the fireplace
Day 5 - Sapa Town, Love waterfall
Sapa market
Beautiful lake in Sapa town
Beautiful plum tree next to the lake
Love Waterfall, with our tour guide a Hmong lady who spoke very good English
Eating BBQ sweet potato at road side stall with our guide
Having a cuppa at Sapa O'Chau Cafe - a non-profit organisation
Heart shaped handicraft made by our guide
Overnight train back to Hanoi - Victoria Express. We traveled on Christmas eve and each of us got a surprise Christmas present from the train operator. Victoria Express is supposed to be higher end than King Express.
Day 6 - Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh's Residence
Stilt house where HCM lived
Meeting room below the stilt house
One Pillar Pagoda
Temple of Literature and National University
We saw many youngsters in traditional Vietnamese costume taking photo
Lunch at Newday Restaurant at Ma May St at Old Quarter - a busy restaurant where many local patronise.
Ancient House opposite the restaurant
Egg Coffee at Giang Cafe - 39 Ngugen Huh Huan - must try
Drinking coffee the Vietnamese way - sitting on low stools and eating sun flower seeds
The cafe is not obvious from the street. We need to walk through a dark alley that led to the staircase to the cafe upstairs
Quilt shop - a non-profit organisation which sells very pretty quilts
Opera House next to Hilton Hotel
Hanoi Stock Exchange opposite Opera House
Night view of Old Quarter - near Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre next to Hoan Kiem lake
Water Puppet show
Day 7 - Halong Bay
Handicraft centre cum toilet stop - Halong Bay is around 4 hours ride from Hanoi
Halong Jasmine Cruise
The Vietnamese government has sanctioned all cruise boats in Halong Bay to be painted white.
Cave visit
Dining in the cave
Fishing village
Fishing boat - the lights are for catching squid at night
Fishing village - school
Houses in the village
Supermarket on water
Sampan ride around fishing village
Cooking class - making Vietnamese spring rolls
Halong Bay at dusk - Reflection
Day 8 - Halong Bay - Airport
Halong Bay on a misty morning
Tai Ji class at sunrise
Visiting the beach and climb up the hill for panoramic view of HLB
The boat docked around 11am. From Halong Bay, it takes around 3 hours to the airport.
I really enjoyed the photos especially of Sapa and the village markets. It looks really cold! Halong Bay looks interesting too. I must visit these places one day!
ReplyDeleteYes, both places are worth visiting. Sapa was cold particularly in the morning. When it was sunny, the temperature was just right.
ReplyDelete