Vietnam 2006 Part 8 & 9 : Absolut Hanoi

Day 8 & 9(Sat-Sun) : Hanoi and Back to Singapore

We arrived in Hanoi early on Saturday and decided to walk to the Old Quarters. Along the way we witnessed the local folks engaging in all forms of exercises around the tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake. We then managed to find a place for an early morning bowl of Pho and ‘Yau Char Kwai’.

After breakfast we found Salute hotel opened. This was the real Salute. The one I actually found on the internet. Though a little pricey at US$25 for a room for two, we found the rooms quite well furnished and well worth the price. As check-in was around noon, we dumped our bags and went off for some unfinished sightseeing.

Here is what we did in our final two days …

Second Breakfast at this French-styled café with a great view of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. You might ask why bother waiting in a long queue and getting yourself checked by security just to see one embalmed dead man. Well, this was no ordinary man, this is the most revered leader in this young nation’s history. He’s like what Mao is to China and Stalin is to Russia.

HCM Museum. Everything you need to know about Vietnam’s struggle to become an fully independent nation.

One-Pillar Pagoda. Self explanatory.

West Lake. The biggest pond in Hanoi. Pretty misty, so didn’t stay long.

Elevensies. Yes, we were eating like Hobbits. Hmmm … and there were four of us. Anyway, near the west lake we had porridge and more ‘Yau Char Kwai’.

Lunch at Little Hanoi Restaurant. This place was mentioned in the Travel Guide. There’s a few copy-cats around. The food was so-so.

Shopping Streets in Old Quarter. Good for souvenirs, cheap t-shirts, hand-woven bags, Russion Dolls, DVDs, and other branded imitations.

A local market selling almost anything under the sun.

Dim Sum Buffet on Sunday. Quite a delectable spread for only 75,000 Dong each.

Our trip finally came to an end on Sunday. Bags packed and with heavy hearts, we wave farewell to this fair city, one that is bustling with new-world industry while still holding on to its old charms.

All in all, this trip was quite an eye opener and pretty enjoyable, meeting most of my pre-trip expectations. Still got the rest of the country to visit, so I will definitely be back in Vietnam again one day.

Signing off. Tam Biet.