GOOOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAAAAAAAAM!!
After a pretty scary flight from Vientiane we arrived safely in Hanoi. The turbulence was really bad, worst flight we have been on. Anyway we had a taxi booked and waiting for us as we heard that you can get ripped off with the taxis. The weather wasn't great when we arrived, raining and pretty cold compared to Laos.
Our first impressions of Vietnam were the roads are mental. The amount of mopeds is unreal, everyone is zig zagging and beeping the horns. The craziest roads we have seen so far.
We checked into our hostel, which is one of the best we have ever stayed in. Its a Backpackers Hostel, so they have different things on every night like Pub Quiz, BBQs and Partys. We booked a dorm and it was really clean and had lockers for us to keep our bags so we were happy. We freshened up and went down to the Pub Quiz. We met two girls one from Wales and the other from England so we entered a team and ended up.....not doing to great haha. But it was fun. On the 5th floor they have a lounge area where you can watch films and a pool table where you can have a couple drinks so we went up and ended up meeting the 2 girls we met tubing, so we had a couple drinks with them and heard what they have been up to.
The following day we went sightseeing and decided the best way would be by foot. Well it was an experience, there were no pavements so you had to walk on the road, trying to avoid all the mopeds speeding past and the occasional car. Crossing the road was even worse. Nobody stops for you so you just have to start wondering across and the mopeds will dodge you but you have to make sure you don't get in front of a car because....they dont stop haha. Its just crazy. We went to the lake in the centre that is supposed to have giant turtles and if you see them it brings you luck. It was nice, but not that impressive. We then walked to the old Hanoi Prison. It was really good, was good to read about some of the history of Hanoi and about the prisoners there. We found out a lot about the American bombing etc. It was really informative.
We then went to see a water puppet show which in the LonelyPlanet book is a must see when in Hanoi. It only lasted 45minutes but that was enough really. It was really nice to see, but quite random. At one point the puppets were planting seeds, then there was a bull fight, then they were horse racing.....it was hard to follow what was going on but good at the same time.
When we arrived back at the hostel, we booked a tour to Halong Bay for the following morning. It is a 3 day 2 night tour. So we decided to get an early night and be ready for it as it seems it could be quite a party going by what we heard.
So that's if for Hanoi, nice city but just crazy busy all the time. Tomorrow we are off to Halong Bay.
J+B