Travel advice - Hanoi and Halong Bay please?

seasideone

seasideone

Well-known member
The travel advice and recommendations I have had from fellow Seasiders over the years has been amazing.

So I ask once again -

Today we have booked a last minute holiday, leaving tomorrow to Vietnam.

Myself and Mrs One will be spending time in Hanoi and Halong Bay.

Has anyone got any tips for either areas please?

Ps before anyone asks or comments, living where we do, this is the equivalent of going to Majorca if you live in the UK.
 
Ho Chi Mign memorial Park.
There's a really narrow street that a train goes down.
There's a lake and park in the centre but to get there you have to cross a 6 lane highway. The rule is, you walk and the bikes go around you, takes balls.
Great food and people.
Didn't do Halong Bay as flew south.
Recommended
 
Went to Halong Bay in 1995. Back then there were few tourists and it was the old wooden boats with sails that took you inside caves. Not sure how much it will have changed since then but it will no doubt still be a spectacularly beautiful landscape.
 
seasideone said:
The travel advice and recommendations I have had from fellow Seasiders over the years has been amazing.

So I ask once again -

Today we have booked a last minute holiday, leaving tomorrow to Vietnam.

Myself and Mrs One will be spending time in Hanoi and Halong Bay.

Has anyone got any tips for either areas please?

Ps before anyone asks or comments, living where we do, this is the equivalent of going to Majorca if you live in the UK.
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I was last there 11/12 years ago with my cousin, who was on a student budget and we picked the cheapest Ha Long Bay tour available … don’t do that!

Imagine Hanoi will have changed a lot. Enjoyed the big lake. Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), military museum etc. can’t specifically remember where we are but it’s Vietnam so you can’t go wrong!

Have fun. Sure the Vietnamese will be delighted to see visitors back after a tough couple of years.
 
Went a couple of years ago. The centre of Hanoi is great to walk round with plenty of eateries. Unusually there is a pizza restaurant where they make their own mozzarella! Nice coffee houses doing cake etc too.

The Halong Bay cruise is amazing.
 
Myself and Mrs Beaconfella are due to arrive in Hanoi 25th May (postponed from 2020 due to pandemic) and after much research and youtube watching it seems there are very few foreign tourists at present. Like most destinations around the world Hanoi has had its fair share of business closures and the hustle and bustle isn't as it was.
From my research Halong Bay cruising has been limited to mainly weekends but is slowly ratcheting up so you may find fewer boats operating than anticipated.
Dependant upon how long you are in Hanoi there is a day trip to Trang An supposedly the inland version of Halong Bay. When I say Day trip you will be looking at 8 to 10 hours. There is a Brit based in Hanoi who with his Vietnamese wife run a travel agency https://www.travelagenthanoi.com, he might be worth contacting. His wife runs a walking food tour if you are not confident in searching out street food.
Please let me know how you get on with all the document filling etc.
In the meantime have a good trip.
 
Beaconfella said:
Myself and Mrs Beaconfella are due to arrive in Hanoi 25th May (postponed from 2020 due to pandemic) and after much research and youtube watching it seems there are very few foreign tourists at present. Like most destinations around the world Hanoi has had its fair share of business closures and the hustle and bustle isn't as it was.
From my research Halong Bay cruising has been limited to mainly weekends but is slowly ratcheting up so you may find fewer boats operating than anticipated.
Dependant upon how long you are in Hanoi there is a day trip to Trang An supposedly the inland version of Halong Bay. When I say Day trip you will be looking at 8 to 10 hours. There is a Brit based in Hanoi who with his Vietnamese wife run a travel agency https://www.travelagenthanoi.com, he might be worth contacting. His wife runs a walking food tour if you are not confident in searching out street food.
Please let me know how you get on with all the document filling etc.
In the meantime have a good trip.
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Thanks for that!

The documents where a doddle to be fair, as if you here for 15 days or less you don't need a visa.

Our flight was only 3 hrs so did an ART yesterday afternoon which meant no mucking around with a PCR or ART on arrival.

When we landed here I just scanned the health QR code that was sent to me from their system, which was generated by filling in the health declaration online and that was it!! Dead simple and no queue.

From landing to getting in the car we were less than 20 mins.

The one thing I have found helps when travelling is printing everything out you need - rather than trying to do it electronically.
 
Haven't been since 1997. I was a bit underwhelmed with Halong Bay to be honest but Hanoi was great. The water puppet show was good if a little old fashioned if you are into that sort of thing. Great street food.
 
The puppet show in Hanoi is well worth a visit, this is in the main square area if possible book a couple of days before to get the best seats. Enjoy the local food it’s cheap and excellent. War museum as already mentioned is great if a bit one sided in its view.
 
seasideone said:
Had to look that up - will try and find it and have a go - thanks 👍

I have had something similar off the street in China once and it was tasty 😋
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Right - tried it twice as apparently there were two types:

Type 1 - a younger embryo that is not as developed which was juicy and the insides tasted a bit like an egg surprisingly but more salty. Quite nice 😋 this was more like the Chinese version I had previously.

Type 2 - really not sure about this one as the embryo was more developed and had soft bones and you could see the duck forming. Tried it - but not sure will be rushing to do this again. The hardest part was the mental side as it wasn't disgusting or anything - just not for me.

Had a few local beers with it that have to be drunk within 20 hours of it being made - they were 30p each I think and very nice to!!
 
seasideone said:
Right - tried it twice as apparently there were two types:

Type 1 - a younger embryo that is not as developed which was juicy and the insides tasted a bit like an egg surprisingly but more salty. Quite nice 😋 this was more like the Chinese version I had previously.

Type 2 - really not sure about this one as the embryo was more developed and had soft bones and you could see the duck forming. Tried it - but not sure will be rushing to do this again. The hardest part was the mental side as it wasn't disgusting or anything - just not for me.

Had a few local beers with it that have to be drunk within 20 hours of it being made - they were 30p each I think and very nice to!!
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Bia Hoi? Nice!

Have the Heart of Darkness brews made it up north from Saigon? Can recommend their cucumber pilsner on a hot day 🍺
 
Go and visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. I stupidly and naively thought that it was in Saigon and didnt realise until i was on a coach on the way out of Hanoi !!! Had Pho and vietnamese spring rolls every day...do an overnight stay at halong bay on a cruise if you can (if you havent already been).
 
Been a good few years since I was in Vietnam and I was on the backpacker trail so it was slightly bebauched. Hanoi was a great city though, museums are good (war one slightly one sided as mentioned). Would recommend trying the egg coffee, sounds horrible but it's delicious. As Devonshire says the puppet show is well worth a visit too.
 
Beaconfella said:
Myself and Mrs Beaconfella are due to arrive in Hanoi 25th May (postponed from 2020 due to pandemic) and after much research and youtube watching it seems there are very few foreign tourists at present. Like most destinations around the world Hanoi has had its fair share of business closures and the hustle and bustle isn't as it was.
From my research Halong Bay cruising has been limited to mainly weekends but is slowly ratcheting up so you may find fewer boats operating than anticipated.
Dependant upon how long you are in Hanoi there is a day trip to Trang An supposedly the inland version of Halong Bay. When I say Day trip you will be looking at 8 to 10 hours. There is a Brit based in Hanoi who with his Vietnamese wife run a travel agency https://www.travelagenthanoi.com, he might be worth contacting. His wife runs a walking food tour if you are not confident in searching out street food.
Please let me know how you get on with all the document filling etc.
In the meantime have a good trip.
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Just got back to our hotel in Halong Bay after an overnight cruise around the bay.....it is stunning!

Boats seem to be running everyday now, but obviously not all - but the ones that are that we noticed were reasonably busy if not full. Most seem to to do it as direct transfers from Hanoi, missing out stopping in Halong bay - which is a shame.

Halong Bay (the landy resort bit) is not what I expected though, its commercialised beyond belief - but with Covid loads are not open or gone bump.

The Chinese have spent a fortune building this place by the looks of it.

Sunworld (amusement park and cable car) are meant to be open again at weekends after being closed for two years - so we will see tomorrow as the Cable car looks great leading up to the huge wheel on the hill.

Will let you know.
 
My daughter visited Halong Bay a couple of years ago and also said it was stunning. However she was amazed to see the crew of the boats emptying rubbish out into the bay at the end of the trip. Plastic bottles and carrier bags just floating off into the bay.
 
CompleteControl said:
My daughter visited Halong Bay a couple of years ago and also said it was stunning. However she was amazed to see the crew of the boats emptying rubbish out into the bay at the end of the trip. Plastic bottles and carrier bags just floating off into the bay.
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Have to say we didn't see any of that - thankfully!!

Also, the waters - although not 100% as you always get something - appeared to be very clean.
 
Well this trip ended well!!

Loved Vietnam and everything about it.

Went to do my online pre-travel test with a Singaporian doctor (after doing a dummy run an hour before that was fine) and up popped the two lines!!!

That's me banned from entering until negative.

Felt fine, but now feel like toilet with a very heavy cough and cold.

Evacuated myself straight to the UK, as in reality there were very few (if any other) viable options.

Bugger!
 
One minute we’re espousing the virtues of Singaporean society, then when the shit hits the fan it’s back to the good old U.K. to pick up the tab 😂😂
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
One minute we’re espousing the virtues of Singaporean society, then when the shit hits the fan it’s back to the good old U.K. to pick up the tab 😂😂
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Not at all - if you read it properly I cannot enter Singapore and would happily go there if I could.

I would actually prefer to be there as the health care system is arguably the best in the world.

I also have international medical insurance that will pick up any charges for anything to the NHS if required (hopefully they will not) - as being a non resident you are not entitled to the NHS for free with the exception of A&E services.

Even if you have paid millions in taxes over the years!!!
 
seasideone said:
Not at all - if you read it properly I cannot enter Singapore and would happily go there if I could.

I would actually prefer to be there as the health care system is arguably the best in the world.

I also have international medical insurance that will pick up any charges for anything to the NHS if required (hopefully they will not) - as being a non resident you are not entitled to the NHS for free with the exception of A&E services.

Even if you have paid millions in taxes over the years!!!
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Unfortunately you can’t be there, because in your hour of need, you’re left high and dry. No good having access to the best healthcare system in the world, when they refuse you entry as soon as you need them.

So it’s back to the trusty and reliable U.K. The only port in a storm👍


Just make sure you leave the local canines alone… We have standards over here 😉
 
…you might even get to the Derby game at this rate or even the Luton one😉……unless you are in quarantine here…..as we aren’t travelling anywhere abroad I have no idea what the rules are re isolation if coming from overseas….though might need to check as sister in law is visiting us in a few weeks time from Singapore via Rome.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
Unfortunately you can’t be there, because in your hour of need, you’re left high and dry. No good having access to the best healthcare system in the world, when they refuse you entry as soon as you need them.

So it’s back to the trusty and reliable U.K. The only port in a storm👍


Just make sure you leave the local canines alone… We have standards over here 😉
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Only what the UK did to everyone who wasn't a UK National preciously, as you only have to let people across your border if they are nationals.

I knew the risk this could happen before travelling, and I decided to take it - so it's not Singapores fault - it's mine.

Hopefully zero hour of need - but logic dictated to come here for a few weeks, which we were going to do in May anyway.

Singapore would let me in if I took a Singapore passport and dumped my UK one - and in reality that's not happening.

Also, for every UK National who only holds one passport - it's the only place on the planet they HAVE to let you in.

I don't see a big deal here, but you obviously do 👍

...canines will not be a threat while I am here, but if you are a lamb, cow or chicken - I will be coming for you 😀
 
seasideone said:
Only what the UK did to everyone who wasn't a UK National preciously, as you only have to let people across your border if they are nationals.

I knew the risk this could happen before travelling, and I decided to take it - so it's not Singapores fault - it's mine.

Hopefully zero hour of need - but logic dictated to come here for a few weeks, which we were going to do in May anyway.

Singapore would let me in if I took a Singapore passport and dumped my UK one - and in reality that's not happening.

Also, for every UK National who only holds one passport - it's the only place on the planet they HAVE to let you in.

I don't see a big deal here, but you obviously do 👍

...canines will not be a threat while I am here, but if you are a lamb, cow or chicken - I will be coming for you 😀
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I don’t see it as an issue…. I’m sure you’ll be fine👍
 
seasideone said:
Only what the UK did to everyone who wasn't a UK National preciously, as you only have to let people across your border if they are nationals.

I knew the risk this could happen before travelling, and I decided to take it - so it's not Singapores fault - it's mine.

Hopefully zero hour of need - but logic dictated to come here for a few weeks, which we were going to do in May anyway.

Singapore would let me in if I took a Singapore passport and dumped my UK one - and in reality that's not happening.

Also, for every UK National who only holds one passport - it's the only place on the planet they HAVE to let you in.

I don't see a big deal here, but you obviously do 👍

...canines will not be a threat while I am here, but if you are a lamb, cow or chicken - I will be coming for you 😀
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…I forgot Barnsley…..you could then have a Barnsley Chop😉

even Peterborough😳
 
Pleased to report Seasideone will not be going without in his hour of need. He's got his lad bringing chips in 😂
 
Well, must be so disappointing for you but at least you have seen some of what Vietnam has to offer.

I have just finalised my trip for next month and await with some anxiety the dreaded pre-departure covid tests here in Singapore and returning to Singapore from Da Nang.
 
seasideone said:
Right - tried it twice as apparently there were two types:

Type 1 - a younger embryo that is not as developed which was juicy and the insides tasted a bit like an egg surprisingly but more salty. Quite nice 😋 this was more like the Chinese version I had previously.

Type 2 - really not sure about this one as the embryo was more developed and had soft bones and you could see the duck forming. Tried it - but not sure will be rushing to do this again. The hardest part was the mental side as it wasn't disgusting or anything - just not for me.

Had a few local beers with it that have to be drunk within 20 hours of it being made - they were 30p each I think and very nice to!!
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The Phillipines do this too but with chicken and definitely of the Type 2 variety. The name escapes me now but I never managed to finish one so kudos to you for having a stronger stomach than me.

Do they go for Durian fruit in Vietnam? That stuff is an experience...
 
GeminiPool said:
The Phillipines do this too but with chicken and definitely of the Type 2 variety. The name escapes me now but I never managed to finish one so kudos to you for having a stronger stomach than me.

Do they go for Durian fruit in Vietnam? That stuff is an experience...
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They do Durian, but as someone who lives in Singapore, it's something we see (smell) all the time.

It's actually the national fruit of Singapore but banned (including sealed) on any public transport or in any taxi.....the locals mainly love it though.

I have eaten it - and one piece made me projectile vomit!!!!

FILTH!!!
 
Beaconfella said:
Well, must be so disappointing for you but at least you have seen some of what Vietnam has to offer.

I have just finalised my trip for next month and await with some anxiety the dreaded pre-departure covid tests here in Singapore and returning to Singapore from Da Nang.
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Are you based in Singapore?

Ps. Both entry to Singapore and Vietnam are ART and not PCR.
 
Beaconfella said:
No, near Kirkham
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Ok this may help you....

Entering Singapore from UK OR Vietnam

Set up an account on this website....

Safe Travel Concierge

safetravel.changiairport.com safetravel.changiairport.com

...and it will take you through everything you need to know about entering Singapore, it's very simple to use and very detailed with everything you need to know and do - with links!

As it stands you only need a supervised ART within two days of your departure for Singapore. Please note you DO NOT qualify for the video supervised ART.

Entering Vietnam from Singapore

You need to have an ART test within 24 hours before you land in Vietnam (not depart for it) - so make sure you leave a few hours spare for delays etc.

We use these below, mid range price and still quite cheap, but you get the certified results fast (about an hour) and they have places all over Singapore.

minmed.sg

Antigen Rapid Test (ART)

Antigen Rapid Test at $35 at MOH Approved clinics islandwide near MRT stations. Open Daily walk in or with online booking . Results via email in 15mins.
minmed.sg minmed.sg

You will also need to fill out a health declaration which creates a QR code, just keep the QR code on your phone (and a printed version) and you scan it when you walk through the airport - takes about 2 seconds and that's it.

If you you need any help filling anything in, or anything else - let me know.

Also happy to meet a fellow Blackpool fan for a beer while you are in Singapore and give you loads of tips - PM if you fancy it?

I get back their on May 21st.
 
seasideone said:
The travel advice and recommendations I have had from fellow Seasiders over the years has been amazing.

So I ask once again -

Today we have booked a last minute holiday, leaving tomorrow to Vietnam.

Myself and Mrs One will be spending time in Hanoi and Halong Bay.

Has anyone got any tips for either areas please?

Ps before anyone asks or comments, living where we do, this is the equivalent of going to Majorca if you live in the UK.
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Are they Chinese take aways Blackpool?😂
 
seasideone said:
They do Durian, but as someone who lives in Singapore, it's something we see (smell) all the time.

It's actually the national fruit of Singapore but banned (including sealed) on any public transport or in any taxi.....the locals mainly love it though.

I have eaten it - and one piece made me projectile vomit!!!!

FILTH!!!
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Not filth but decidedly not for me…like rubber custard without the pleasant taste of custard….and apparently heaty…a word you have probably come across in the little red dot…and to this day I have no idea why they say it🤔
 
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