We woke up around 8.30 and headed to breakfast after a shower. This is included and wasnt too bad.
We also talked to one of the hotel staff that advised us to visit the Ho chi min mausoleum before 10.30 as it closes. So we ate up and she got us a taxi there. We ended up arriving dead on 10.30, but also ended up in the Ho chi Minh museum by accident, by the time we realised the mausoleum had closed.. We saw the nearby one pillar pagonda, and walked around the area to the west of the old quarter, eentually ended up in the botanic gardens. There seemed to be some sort of photo shoot happening here as it was full of brides and photographers.
As it started to rain we headed to the b52 remains. These were in the middle of a small lake. Sam also found a shop selling rain coats, where after a bit of haggling he got a poncho for 3000 dong. Only to rip it as soon as he tried to put it on, the lady offered him a discounted second try but he gave up since the rain calmed down.

The humidity was the worst yet today, and we felt extremely sweaty. So we decided to head back to the hotel to shower and change. But first we stopped by a street food place, the food seemed to be traditional but it wasn't great, and we are fairly sure they overcharged us for being tourists.
After deciding to book our 2 day halong bay tour for tomorrow and a train for the following evening to Hue, both of which we arranged with the hostel, we headed out again.

First we went to the nearby lake, where we visited the temple on a small island on the lake. This had a dried and stuffed turtle artefact so we felt it was worth the 10000 dong.
Next we walked down to the French quarter, this area is much more westernised than the old quarter. With lots of big name brands and nice restaurants. We saw the opera house and then realised we should head back to the old district to see the water puppet theatre, quite popular in ha noi.
However it was sold out for today, but Vietnamese people seem to like Isha, and the lady told us to come back at 6.30 and try again. So we shopped in the local Market, got some magnets. And Isha and sam bought a few things and haggled well.
When we got back to the theatre, the lady sold us tickets, don't know how or why but we went to the show. The traditional Vietnamese live music was amazing, and the world famous Water puppet show was really good too.

Next we headed to the markets in the old quarter. All 3 of us got some leather belts at a great price, and few other small things. Haggling is always fun, and sam though it would be fun to see how much he could haggle a really bad fake 'armnai' shirt to. This was hilarious! The Market owner tried to pretend like they didn't know it was spelt incorrectly.. Ha!

Next we walked back to the new day restaurant near our hotel, and the place we were unable to eat in yesterday as it was too busy.
We went for the set menu, we got the famous Vietnamese pho (beef and noodle soup) and spring rolls and a main for just 4 dollars, plus 3 ha noi bia (beers) for less than a dollar each..
Isha even managed to get an exchange rate of 25000 dong to a dollar on her change? Just a mistake I think...

We headed back to the hostel and packed, since tomorrow were leaving for 2 days in halong bay. The bus collects us at 8am so we need to wake early.

Set my alarm and goodnight :)