ArRiVing in HANOI , Vietnam

Arriving in Hanoi at 830am, took a cab to our internet booked hotel Royal Hanoi in Cau Go Street in Hoan Kiem District in the Old Quarters. And exactly just like we have been warned before the taxi driver took us for a ride! He drove to another hotel telling us our hotel is not good etc etc and wanted us to book into his friends' hotel. We insisted and finally got us to our destination after more than an hour drive around. Very reluctantly, he had to take us to our prebooked hotel. 

Checking in to ROYAL HANOI HOTEL at Cau Go Street in Hoan Kiem District. Superior room at US$40 per night very comfortable with hot showers and good clean ensuite and flat sceen TV ! It is very very strategically located in the midst of all the shopping area with quaint cafes and restaurants. And the best is the service - highly recommended, ask for Mr Tom. He arranged our trekking trip to Sapa incl the trekking guide, hotel stay and meals in Sapa.

our "contract" for our 4-day Sapa itiniary with Mr Tom. Incidentally he won a US7000 lottery on the 2nd day we were there!

A typical Superior room at US$40 per room per night. Very clean with good hot showers and flat screen TV !

A walk along the shopping streets

shops, shops, shops....

Vietnamese Lacquer ware

" Green Environmental friendly ya  "

One of the shopping haven for tourists is the Hang Da Market  located along Hang Da street. It is a 3 storey indoor market attractive with its white and multi perforated facade. It offers retail sales ranging from socks to "branded" sports & fashion shoes, fabrics, wines, flowers and clothing etc etc.

And DONG XUAN market - you will find everything under the sky ! Wholesale prices too. You can find good branded sports shoes. A 3-storey market located in the Old Quarter, 900m north of the Hoan Kiem Lake. Within 20min walking distance for us from Hanoi Hotel.

And at weekend nights, this Dong Xuan market morphs into a night bazaar.

WHAT THE TOURISTS SEE...

 The HILTON PRISON or HOA LO PRISON

Death Sentence room

shopping delight...

water puppets for sale..

artist at work..... ssh ...

SHOES....lots and lots ...any brands you want..most popular is North Face or Timberland ! Must bragain....

" Gore -Tex " windbreakers

The Palace Relic

Ho Chih Minh Mausoleum. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, modelled after the Mausoleum of Lenin of Russia.

St Joseph Cathedral of Hanoi famous for its architecture as well as for its beautiful scenery. Built in 1886 in its Neo-Gothic style. The Cathedral is located on Nha Chung Street, Hoan Kiem district.

around the " Hoan Kiem Lake ", many cafes and restaurants..... one famous is "Highlands Cafe" which serve the Vietnamese " Highlands Coffee".

WHAT TOURIST DONT SEE...

its a RAILWAY TRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF HANOI !!! MAYBE WE ARE LOST ! MAYBE IT'S TWILIGHT ZONE !

With or Without "SUNSILK ??" 





A SNOWMAN IN THE HOTEL LOBBY !!!!!!

  

walk-about with old faithfuls

playing with fire !!!



cheaper la.....Uncle can la ...

OUR OLD FAITHFULS all polished and shining on the last day just before departure. Costs US1 only to make it look all new again.