The journey from Sapa back to Hanoi ended up being a far less debaucherous affair and we arrived back in Hanoi tired but content. My liver was also happy for the respite from rice wine!Unfortunately for us, the night train got us into Hanoi at about 0330hrs and needless to say, Vietnamese hotels being what they were in terms of helpfulness, there were no rooms available for us to grab some sleep. Instead, we dumped our bags in reception and went for an earl...

Ok so the arrival in Hanoi was somewhat unglamorous! I spent 24 hours being harassed in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) by hawkers and street traders who seemed to want to sell me sunglasses, a lonely planet and shine my crocs whilst i sat there, reading my lonely planet in the bright sunshine with no eye strain at all due to me wearing some lovely Oakley sunglasses. Hmmm. I got to the airport in plenty of time having been scammed (or at least he tried) by the taxi driv...