Arrived in Hanoi yesterday afternoon following 18 hour train journey - so glad I booked a 'soft sleeper' - even managed to sleep which was good.

Got picked up at the station by a hotel guy - another scam - he shows you a picture of a really lovely hotel (you should get suspicious straight away really) then rings it to discover that there are 'no vacancies.' He then takes you to a different hotel where the tv doesn't work, the air con makes a really horrible dying animal noise all night and there's a constant paddling pool in the toilet after one shower...still you have to admire a good scam - I'm almost happy to give up $7 for their persistence..... 

Hanoi is really noisy, a bit obvious I know, but its really really noisy - moped horns man, all day, every day, all hours, enough to drive you mad - roads are also really narrow in Hanoi (its more european than other cities in Vietnam). Saying that, its nice to be back in the town for the good food and to hit a couple of bars....I've been trying out all the street food, I can strongly recommend the banana fritters. Reminded me of a discussion I had with someone about corn-beef fritters recently, its funny what foods you miss, except I haven't had corn beef fritters since I was about 10.

Anyway, off on tour of Ha Long Bay tomorrow, supposed to be very atmospheric, strange rocks and stuff. Staying on a boat, going snorkelling, kayaking and cycling across an island too, should be good and a great deal quieter, thank god.

Still you can't help but be impressed with vietnam, great place and people are always smiling - I think they're pretty genuine too.