Hanoi
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Hanoi
Begin your adventure in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
- Wander through the Old Quarter, taking in its scenic lake and vibrant street markets, along with the St. Joseph Cathedral.
- Enjoy a drink on Train Street while watching the train pass by. There are two streets; the southern train street one is less frequented. If you choose the busier street near the center, arrive at least 45 minutes before the train’s arrival to secure a table.
- Join a street food tour to savour a variety of local dishes.
- Consider attending a water puppet show, a popular attraction among tourists. Consider booking tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Visit the Temple of Literature, a significant cultural landmark.
Travel Tip: If you’re arriving at Hanoi Noi Bai Airport during daylight and plan to head to Sa Pa, consider taking a direct bus close to the airport for direct travel, saving time on transfers to and from central Hanoi.
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Hanoi
- Visit the Vietnamese Women’s Museum to gain insights into Vietnam’s history and the significant contributions of women, including those as young as nine who fought for their country.
- For souvenirs, check out a night market where you can find a variety of local crafts and goods.
- Explore the vibrant street murals that reflect Hanoi’s culture and history, making it a must-see for art enthusiasts. Information about each mural is available in both English and Vietnamese.
- Tour Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple, two important cultural sites in the city.
- Discover the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, which features numerous monuments and museums. Plan to spend at least 1.5 to 2 hours here, with an entrance fee of 70,000 VND.
- Stroll through the Presidential Palace Gardens and visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum for a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s political history.
- If you’re interested in incense, consider taking a trip outside of Hanoi to an incense village. Many visitors opt for tours that include multiple stops along the way.
- Visit the Military History Museum, which houses over 150,000 exhibits, including aircraft, tanks, weaponry, and war relics. This museum focuses on Vietnam’s establishment, protection, and development, making it essential for anyone wanting to learn about the country’s history.
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You can explore Sa Pa independently or opt for a more authentic experience by booking through an agency in Hanoi. These agencies typically organize trekking and homestays with local families.
- Moana Sa Pa Cafe: Ideal for capturing Instagram-worthy photos of Sa Pa’s iconic scenery. There’s a small entrance fee.
- Cat Cat Village: Spend a morning exploring this small village. Entrance fees apply, but you can enjoy traditional shows and dances. Consider renting a traditional costume from nearby shops for authentic photographs.
- Fansipan: If it’s cloudy, wait until after lunch for potentially better views. Be cautious of early closures during poor weather conditions.
Sa Pa’s weather patterns vary significantly throughout the year, affecting the landscape:
March to April: Hot and dry, marking the start of corn planting season.
May to June: Ideal for seeing mirror-like rice fields and the beginning of rice planting.
July to mid-August: Luxuriant rice fields and corn harvest period.
Mid-August to mid-September: Rice harvest season with vibrant colors.
November onwards: Empty rice fields and foggy conditions, potentially limiting visibility, especially at Fansipan.
When planning your trip, consider these seasonal changes to align with your preferred scenery and activities.
Alternative areas to visit near by: Ha Giang
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- Visit nearby waterfalls like Love Waterfall and Silver Waterfall. These scenic spots are located a bit outside of town, so transportation is necessary.
- Hiking in Sa Pa: If you haven’t booked a guided tour for your hike, you’ll easily find someone to guide you in Sa Pa. In the town center, there are always local women eager to show you around. If you typically use hiking apps like AllTrails, consider using it only to navigate to main sites like Cat Cat Village. Be cautious, as many trails suggested by the app may run along roads or through private property, making navigation and finding specific trails challenging.
Transportation options include taking a direct bus from Sa Pa to Ninh Binh, checking for a direct connection to Ha Long Bay, or opting for an evening bus from Sa Pa and spending the night in Hanoi. There is also an option to take the train to Hanoi, but it is more expensive than the bus, and takes a lot longer.
Sa Pa
Ha Long Bay
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Take a cruise along the Ha Long Bay. This can either be done as a day trip or up to 3 day cruise. You will likely be picked up for your cruise between 11 AM and 1 PM. If you have some free time in the morning, consider relaxing on the beach before your cruise. Many cruises offer similar itineraries, with some including more activities than others. The boats typically dock in the same area overnight, so the main factors to consider are your budget and comfort level. For a luxurious experience, we recommend Sea Star Cruises, which are exceptional and priced around £160 per person, plus transfers if needed.
For our cruise, we found that booking through a third party was significantly cheaper than reserving directly. So ask around and compare prices before making a decision.
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Unless you choose a 2-night, 3-day cruise, you will be docking around 10 AM, so make sure to arrange your transfers. There are convenient transportation options available to Ninh Binh, Cat Ba, and Hanoi from this location.
Alternative areas to visit near by: Cat Ba Island
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From Ha Long Bay visit Ninh Binh and understand why it’s called ‘Ha Long Bay on land’.
- Immerse yourself in Vietnam’s rich history at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. For the best experience, consider renting a bicycle or hiring a guide to explore the area thoroughly. When visiting the temple, be mindful of appropriate attire. Women can borrow skirts if needed.
- Embark on a serene boat journey through Trang An, where you’ll encounter stunning temples and mysterious caves. Choose from three equally priced routes, each lasting at least two hours and offering unique combinations of cultural and natural attractions. You will get some time off the boat to visit the temples. The main difference between the routes is the amount of temples and caves you visit, the scenery is likely to be all similar. Don’t worry about there not being any boats when you arrive as they have 2,000 boats with each staff waiting. The staff may be waiting a while until they get a boat of customers so there will always be someone happy to take you.
- End your day in the charming Tam Coc village, a hub of local cuisine and entertainment. Enjoy a delightful dinner at one of the many restaurants or opt for an evening boat tour to cap off your Ninh Binh adventure.
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- Buffalo Cave: Ideal for families with young children, this location allows visitors to see buffalo, feed ducks, and enjoy fishing. There is an entrance fee, which includes a complimentary drink.
- Mua Caves and Viewpoints: A scenic walk from Tam Coc to Mua Caves offers stunning views of the region’s characteristic yellow fields.
- Tam Coc Boat Trip: Experience the beauty of Tam Coc from the water on a relaxing boat ride.
- Pho Co Hoa: This ancient complex located by a lake in central Ninh Binh is perfect for an evening stroll. Visitors can enjoy the illuminated pagodas and lantern-lit boats while sampling local cuisine. Many find it more charming and less crowded than Hoi An.Ninh Binh is an excellent spot for bike rentals, as many attractions can be conveniently accessed by bicycle.
Travel Tip: Buses are a cleaner and more affordable option. Consider taking a direct night bus from Ninh Binh to destinations like Hue, Da Nang, or Hoi An. Alternatively, you can travel back to Hanoi or Sa Pa.
Alternative areas to visit near by: Mai Chau District
Ninh Binh
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Hue
09
Hue & Hai Van Pass
- Begin your exploration at the Ancient Citadel, as it requires ample time for a thorough visit. Here, you can purchase a combined ticket that grants access to several temples in the vicinity, allowing you to plan your day effectively.
- The area is home to numerous temples, including:
Mausoleum of:
Emperor Minh Mang
Emperor Khai Dinh
Emperor Tu Duc
Emperor Gia Long - While Thien Mu Pagoda is often highlighted as a must-see in Hue, we found it relatively small and less impressive. If you haven’t arranged for a car or are not part of a tour, it may not be worth the visit.
- For those interested in capturing eerie photographs, consider visiting Ho Thuy Tien, an abandoned water park that offers a unique atmosphere.
- Near one of the temples, there is a smaller incense village. Although it may not be as visually appealing as the one in Hanoi, you can purchase natural incense sticks and take some memorable photos.
Travel Tip: Hiring a driver to take you to Hai Van Pass and nearby attractions is advisable. Alternatively, you can use Grab; many drivers wait around the temples outside the city and often offer to wait for you while providing transportation to multiple sites at a lower price than Grab.
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Most travelers are encouraged to spend two or three days in Hoi An; however unless you plan to use it as a base for nearby villages or My Son Temple, you can easily explore Hoi An in just one day or even take a day trip from Da Nang.
- Explore Hoi An’s Ancient Town: Stroll through this UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its well-preserved architecture and vibrant atmosphere.
- Coconut Boat Ride: Experience a unique ride among the palm trees on a coconut boat. Bring extra cash for additional expenses, such as hiring photographers who capture your moments and the cost of spinning the boat. Prices typically range from 150,000 VND for a boat accommodating two people (plus a child) or around 90,000 VND per person.
- Evening Boat Ride: Take a tranquil boat ride along the river and make a wish. Each boat costs 170,000 VND, with an additional fee for lanterns. Boats can be boarded from either side of the river.
Travel Tip: Hoi An and Da Nang are located close to each other, allowing for flexible travel arrangements based on your schedule and interests.
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Hoi An
- Bike around: Rent a bike to explore the picturesque villages surrounding Hoi An.
- Souvenir Shopping: Hoi An is an excellent place for souvenir shopping, often more affordable than in Hanoi.
- Consider participating in a lantern-making class or a cooking class to immerse yourself in Hoi An’s rich cultural heritage.
- Visit My Son Temple: If you’re traveling with a group of more than two people, hiring a driver to take you to My Son Temple is advisable, as this option is usually quite economical. The temple complex offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient Cham civilization and is well worth the visit.
Hoi An
Ba Na Hills
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If it’s your first visit to Vietnam and you’re eager to see the Golden Bridge, plan a day trip to Ba Na Hills. However, we found this area less impressive, with many tourists describing it as resembling “Disneyland from Temu” as some areas felt abandoned. The numerous restaurants there lack authenticity. Instead,consider visiting Monkey Mountain (Son Tra Mountain) and the Lady Buddha for a more authentic experience.
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- Morning at Marble Mountains: Start your day by visiting the Marble Mountains, then take a leisurely walk to the nearby beach, which offers stunning views of the sea, palm trees, and the city. Keep in mind that this beach is primarily a working area for fishing. After your visit, you can either enjoy a long stroll along the beach toward the city center or take a car back to My Khe Beach.
- Explore Night Markets: In the evening, check out one of the night markets to sample a variety of foods. Be sure to verify their operating days, as some markets are only open on Fridays.
- Evening at Dragon Bridge: Head to the Dragon Bridge at night to see it illuminated. Consider timing your visit for the fire show, which starts at 9:00 PM and lasts about 15 minutes.
Travel Tip: For your return journey, you can either fly back to Hanoi or opt for a more economical choice with a night bus that will take you directly to the city center of Hanoi.
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End your last day at a sky bar looking over Hanoi’s vibrant lights before flying home.
Other destinations in Vietnam to consider include:
Ban Gioc Waterfalls, Mui Ne Sand Dunes, Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Rang Floating Markets and Phu Quoc Island.
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