Vietnam, Ha Long Bay & Hanoi by Gautam Khattak

Last updated: August 08, 2014

Disclaimer: These are notes I’ve written or gathered from various sources. I have not experienced all things in this document nor is it intended to be a definitive guide.

General Tips

Hanoi and Ha Long Bay are in northern Vietnam so be weary of going here in the winter time because it can get cold!

Currency: VND – Vietnamese Dong

Conversion Tool: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=100+usd+to+vnd
(Update for current rates)
100 USD = 2.04 Million VND
1 USD = 20,408.16 VND
100 VND = .0049 USD

Tipping:

Tipping is not expected but very much appreciated in Vietnam. Considering that people earn about $100 USD a month, a tip of $1 goes a long way. Those that often deserve the tip don’t ask for it, others will include it their price for service and still ask for more money.

Local Customs:

Most of the tourist destinations take American currency but its helpful to have some VND around because almost all the destinations cost between $1-$1.50 to get in but if you use American dollars it will cost you ~$2 because they round up. I know, its not a big deal, I’m just passing along the tip!

Transportation

Hanoi is a little chaotic with the driving. You have to watch out for taxicab scams. You’re best off going with a big name Taxi company like Vinataixis and making sure the meter is reset when you get in. Doesn’t hurt to negotiate a price beforehand if you’re looking for someone to take you on a tour.

Because I spent most of the trip in Ha Long Bay the cruise company Jasmine Cruise picked us up from our hotel in the morning and drove us the 2.5-3 hours to Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is amazing. There are hundreds of island formations jutting out of the water. Some mountainous some small. It is really majestic. . but you have to be capable of doing nothing but relax! I flew in to Hanoi late Thursday night, was picked up in early morning Friday by the cruise company  Jasmine Cruise and taken to the water for a 3 day 2 night cruise in Ha Long Bay. The cruise company then drove me back Sunday afternoon with enough time to spend about 4 hours seeing Hanoi before flying back to Hong Kong.

The  Jasmine Cruise in Ha Long Bay was really enjoyable. The Jasmine is one of the more upscale ships in Ha Long Bay. Clean, good rooms, comfortable and the food was excellent. So understand, this was not a party boat but there are plenty of those if that is what you’re looking for.

On the Jasmine you basically relax on the sun deck or inside. You can get various types of massages for about $20 USD for an hour.

On Day 1 of the cruise (Friday) we went Kayaking again but this time to Cua Van Fishing Village, the biggest and oldest fishing village in Halong Bay.

On Day 2 (Saturday) Some of us transferred onto a sister boat for lunch and then that boat took us to Cat Ba Island. We went on a fun bicycle ride, visited a local village and then we went Kayaking to a small private beach where we could swim leisurely.

On the morning of Day 3 (Sunday) The book took us to Ti Top island, the Tam Cung Cave and Poem Mountain. You hike up to the top of the mountain to get a view of Ha Long Bay (and our ship) from up high. You also get to hang out at a beach for a while before heading back to the dock to leave the ship.

Other than the above the rest of the time was spent on the boat taking in the great views of Ha Long Bay, eating good food, taking cooking classes and getting massages.

Tourist Destinations (Hanoi)

Since we only had 1 night and about 4 hours on Sunday to check out Hanoi. We did not get to explore too much. But that being said, Hanoi is very similar to Ho Chi Minh City. You can soak in the local vibe at the art galleries and coffee shops.

Ho Chi Minh Museum – I don’t recall all that much about the museum other than it has some weird weird pieces of work. See pictures.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum -is located in the centre of Ba Dinh Square, next to the Ho Chi Minh Musuem. It is the location where Ho Chi Minh, Chairman of the Communist Party, read the the Declaration of Independance

West Lake Park (Ho Tay) – Our hotel like may others was by the West Lake Park. It is the largest lake of the capital and a popular place for recreation with many surrounding gardens, hotels and villas. At night there were a lot of people hanging around the lake in groups. The lake is also nightly lit up and pleasant to walk around. From West Lake you can veer off into the backpacker part of town to find some smaller cafe’s and restaurants. 

Temple of Literature – Is a Confucius temple built in 1070 and was pleasant to walk around for 20 minutes or so.

Dining & Nightlife

Because we arrive late and then went to Ha Long Bay in the morning we didn’t have a chance to dine in Hanoi. But around West Lake there are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops to visit.

Shopping

Lots of Art Galleries to buy local paintings in Hanoi. Since I didn’t get a chance to see much in Hanoi, you can get some tips from here:
http://www.visit-mekong.com/vietnam/hanoi/shopping.htm

Lodging

Itinerary I followed (my first visit)

Day 1 (Thursday): Arrived late Thursday night. Walked around West Lake for about an hour.

Day 2 (Friday): Left very early morning to drive 2.5 hours to Ha Long Bay. Boarded the Jasmine Cruise and set off. Ate, Kayaked, Massage on board the ship.

Day 3 (Saturday): Continued on Cruise. Visited Cat Ba Island for a bike tour, more kayaking and some beach time.

Day 4 (Sunday): Hiked to the top of a mountain to get a view of Ha Long Bay from above. Hung out on the beach, then returned back to shore and drove back to Hanoi. Hired a taxi driver to take us around Hanoi for about 4 hours before heading back to the airport.

Vietnamese Phrases

English Greetings	Vietnamese Greetings:
Hi!	chào
Good morning!	chào bu?i sáng
Good evening!	chào bu?i t?i
How are you?	b?n có kh?e không?, kh?e ch??( informal )
I’m fine, thanks!	Cám on b?n tôi kh?e
And you?	B?n thì sao?
Good/ So-So.	T?t / cung tàm t?m
Thank you (very much)!	Cám on ( r?t nhi?u )
You’re welcome! (for “thank you”)	Ð?ng ng?i ( don’t mind asking for my help )
Hey! Friend!	Này!, Ê!
I missed you so much!	Tôi nh? b?n l?m
What’s new?	Có gì m?i không?
Nothing much	Không có gì nhi?u
Good night!	Chúc ng? ngon!
See you later!	G?p l?i sau nhé
Good bye!	T?m bi?t
Asking for Help and Directions
I’m lost	Tôi b? l?c
Can I help you?	Tôi có th? giúp b?n di?u gì?
Can you help me?	B?n giúp tôi d?oc không?
Where is the (bathroom/ pharmacy)?	Phòng t?m ( nhà thu?c ) ? dâu?
Go straight! then turn left/ right!	Ði th?ng, sau dó r? trái / ph?i
I’m looking for john.	Tôi dang tìm John.
One moment please!	Làm on d?i m?t lát!
Hold on please! (phone)	Xin gi? máy!
How much is this?	Cái này giá bao nhiêu?
Excuse me …! (to ask for something)	Xin l?i cho h?i?
Excuse me! ( to pass by)	Xin l?i, làm on nhé!
Come with me!	Ði v?i tôi
Good/ Bad/ So-So.	T?t / x?u / bình thu?ng
Big/ Small	L?n / nh?
Today/ Now	Hôm nay / bây gi?
Tomorrow/ Yesterday	Ngày mai / hôm qua
Yes/ No	Có, vâng, dúng v?y, ? / không
Here you go! (when giving something)	C?a b?n dây.
Do you like it?	B?n thích nó ch??
I really like it!	Tôi th?t s? thích nó.
I’m hungry/ thirsty.	Tôi dói / khát
In The Morning/ Evening/ At Night.	Vào bu?i sáng / t?i/ ban dêm
This/ That. Here/There	Cái này / cái kia. ? dây / ? dó
Me/ You. Him/ Her.	Tôi / b?n. Anh ?y / cô ?y
Really!	Th?t sao?, V?y à?
What? Where?	Gì co? ? dâu?
What time is it?	M?y gi? r?i?
I love you!	Tôi yêu b?n!
I feel sick.	Tôi c?m th?y m?t.
I need a doctor	Tôi c?n d?n bác si.
One, Two, Three	M?t, hai, ba
Four, Five, Six	B?n, nam, sáu
Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten	B?y, tám, chín, m?oi