Travel Tips-Vietnam, Hanoi and Ninh Binh

  Many times we try to get useful information before travelling to an unknown land. It is wise to know few important points so that we don't take our travel plans off the track.
I had great time visiting the wonderful country- Vietnam. One of the primary reason why I started writing blogs is to refresh my memories and to also spread the emotions of visiting conventional and unconventional places. This post will help you plan wise for your trip to Vietnam, I have tried to include minute details that can help travelers on their visit.

1. Visa
First things first. To enter any country you need visa. Acquiring Visa to enter Vietnam is quite easy and very nominal. There are many companies that provide you visa, its very easy to fall prey to fraudulent companies. I used Visa Pro, it's totally reliable and quick. Use the link below to visit the site:
Visa Pro

- Fill the application.
- Make payment, this is for providing approval letter.
- You will get an approval letter with all the tourist names in 2 days. If there are issues, write to them and they respond quickly.
- Carry this approval letter during your travel to get visa in airport along with documents mentioned in the site. You also need to pay for Visa at the Airport, they accept USD and Euros.

2. Weather and time of the year:

Dry period is during March to May. Colder months are during November to February. Also keep in mind that this part of the world receives very harsh rainfalls. Typhoons and cyclones are common, so do search before planning for travel. Months of September and March to May would be preferred months to visit.

3. North, South or Central:

This is tricky country to visit since it offers something throughout the length of the land.
If you have time, you can plan to cover all of them, if you are short of time, then you need to pick one and savor it. Travelling from one place to another is time consuming here so it's better to stick to one and plan accordingly.

4. People of Vietnam:

There are kind people in different parts of the world but Vietnamese belong to a whole new level.
I'm not exaggerating when i'm telling that they are one of the kindest I have met. They helped me even cross roads, they guided me genuinely, they prepared food with love and cared every bit to make us comfortable. Some of them who says that they are harsh or they tend to cheat in shops unfortunately are seeing the business side of it, I have met such people in a lot of countries who cheat in small way to see little bit of profit. But just try to have a conversation and ask for help then to will truly understand that they are nicest of the lot. Vietnam is a very safe country to travel.

5. Local travel app 'Grab':

Install the app called 'Grab'. A very reliable app for local travel. It's nominal, safe and easy.

6. Accommodation in Hanoi:

Options are plenty in Hanoi. Staying in Old quarter makes things much easy and vibrant, highly recommended. I used booking.com for my stay.
I stayed in Nova luxury hotel in Hanoi, the staff were very kind and super friendly, they are really fantastic people. They helped a lot to design our itinerary and also provided lot of tips for our travel in the country. Click on the link to see more about Nova Luxury Hotel.

7. Accommodation in Ninh Binh:

Again there are many home-stays in the remote province of Ninh Binh. I stayed in Tam Coc Mountain Lake Homestay. Lan and family who run the homestay would go any mile ahead to make you comfortable. They got up at 4 am while I was departing back to airport and provided some breakfast. As is said, Vietnamese are of different level of kindness. I highly recommend you to stay here.

8. Ha Long Bay Cruise:

It's absolutely fine to splurge on cruise. It is worth it. Note that the cruises in Ha Long Bay are allowed to paint only white, so if you see any other color of cruise it is not recommended. I booked Orchid Cruise, it was absolutely fabulous to say the least.
Orchid cruises

9. Forex:

You'll be a millionaire on exchanging dollars to Vietnamese Dong. you'll be dealing with a lot of notes so take care of the counting.

10. Local Shopping:

Do not miss the hat, they look marvelous. Do bargain to get a better deal. Old quarter in Hanoi is a paradise for street side shopping.

11. Food:

Being a vegetarian, it was hard for me to find and reliably eat a meal. Hotel staff were really helpful to serve food and guide me to find best food in the city. Popular and easily available Vegetarian food are Rice, Rice noodles, Salads, Veg rice paper rolls, Fruits, breads. Needless to say there are plenty of options for Non vegetarians.
I found a Indian restaurant that servers delicious food (Veg and Non Veg) in Hanoi, 'khana khazana'.
They also deliver to the door, you can whats app them with your orders, the number is +841233404695.

Vietnam is a fabulous country that offers huge variety of places to visit. Getting some minor things right will make the travel even more memorable.

Keep Reading, Keep Travelling..!!

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

My Rendezvous with Vietnam- Ninh Binh..!!

     If you would like to have a super power, what would you want it to be..?? The most common wish probably would be to fly or being invisible.

Well, you must trust me when i say you will have both these powers when you travel. The joy of being above clouds with feet on your ground and the lost identity in an unknown land makes you nobody to be recognized.

So, Fly!! and Disappear!!

Geography: Ninh Binh is situated in northern Vietnam.

Language: Vietnameese

Currency: Vietnameese Dong

Getting There: It takes 3.5 hours by Bus and 2.5 hours in Train from Hanoi. There are plenty of Bus companies that offers tickets at a nominal price.


What’s Famous here: Tam Coc, Tran An Caves, Pagodas and beautiful Rice fields.

My Story:

Ninh Binh had subconsciously occupied my interest and raced to the top in my list of must visit places in Vietnam. 

County side has always been a turn on for me and I seldom eschewed from even a thin chance of experiencing country side of any land. A city can get adulterated due to global influence and would be ready to compromise it's character but country side truly emits the lands flavor.

After falling head over heels for Hanoi and Ha long bay, the yearning for more of Vietnam was inevitably sown.

You can find my experiences of Hanoi and Ha Long Bay here.

By the time I reached Ninh binh from Hanoi, it was 7-30 pm. Lan and her family welcomed with such politeness and helped to make plans for rest of my stay in Vietnam.

The home-stay was in a place called Tam Coc, took a walk around the place and landed in an Indian restaurant for dinner. 

Early to rise next day with outpouring excitement. The breakfast was a delight sitting in between bird chirps. I decided to rent motorbike to roam around the village.

Old bike

My home-stay was just meters away from Tam Coc boat ride starting point.

Tam Coc boat ride starting point

The genuineness in beauty with something that is simple is more adorable than any sophisticated marvel. 

I continued, throttling my decades old bike.

on the way to Bich Dong pagoda

I stopped a million times clicking pics, for a simple chat with friends, to ask for route, to check the fields, the local experience has never been so complete and heartwarming until then.

deviations into unknown

Entering more unknown

Finally, I reached Bich Dong Pagoda.

From the very first sight you can make out that its a very old place. It's beautifully situated leaning against mountains wrapped around many more. I spent sometime just enjoying the nature and silence around me.

Bich Don Pagoda

Lotus in pond outside pagoda

While on my way to Bich Dong pagoda, the far surroundings to my left were persuading me to meet them. Lurking interests had seen couple of deviations which I knew i would take on my way back. 

I took one riding into the unknown through small Roads, crossing canals and fields to reach much wide open views.

Very similar to Ha long bay

Serene

It was like a deja vu. It was as if Ha long bay had found a land for itself. The typical Vietnam style steep karst limestone mountain cliffs all around me with paddy fields, lotus claiming an abode in ponds, huts, all were way too perfect.

Without any plan knocking my mind, without any hesitation, without a shame in surrendering my consciousness to nature I drove like I owned the world. 

Rumbling against my will to continue, I convinced myself to move ahead to next place. I drove to the start of Trang An boating tour. 

The complex is built well for tourists, very organised with ticketing systems and hundreds of boats to help us float in waters.

Trang An

In no time i was in the boat, rowing in unison with our ever smiling  boat driver, if i may call him so. It was completely silent which could be disrupted only by the sound of water or birds singing. There are 3 routes and we opted for the longest one going through 9 caves and 3 temples.

Staying so close to water and mountains is mesmerizing to say the least. The entire place was intertwined by range of mountains and valleys connected by rivers and caves, all sharing the same secret with diverging ambitions.

Dancing in river

incredible sight

As we moved close to a cliff, i could spot a tiny opening which happens to be the first cave. It was surreal, the cave was passing through the mountain with waters getting narrower. You just have to remind yourself that nature creations are most absurd and beautiful.

We passed through one side of the mountain and came out from another side after about 10 mins. I saw behind and it struck my mind that huge huge mountain was on top of my head. phew..!!

We continued, I have never been in such awe, being in the middle of such audacious nature exhibit. We took a stop in a temple, after spending all the energy climbing up and down the steps, we found the Pagoda surrounded by waters and cliffs. Rowing again in emerald waters, we enter more caves and temples.

Temple

Each cave is different and has its own story to flaunt, at many places the caves were very narrow that the periphery of the boat brushes the insides of the cave, and we had to duck our heads a hundred times as they were so tiny. It's fills curiosity constantly and indulges every bit of you in its act of showing off.

Range of cliffs

Just outside a cave

After 3 hours of dramatic stuff, I knew i was coming to the end of it. We are hidden from even the information of existence of these natural wonders, it is so naive to only wish to see only famous places. Places like these are indescribable and unadulterated by any imbecile world.

It was time for me to explore more in my bike. I took unknown routes into paddy fields, dipping in endless green. I drove in tiny paths just because a view out there was calling me towards it.

Rice fields exploration

More exploration

The fields had boundless paddies waiting for the hardworking hands to harvest.

I then started to Hang Mua for sunset. The way to Hang Mua itself is something to be relished for long. Sun was racing down and i was sunk in the magical colors all over me.

I was physically outliving my relevance, i dissolved into thin air watching the sunset, standing in the middle of tiny road in between rice fields. Farms, mountains and sunset with a flock of birds hovering in the sky.

Natures Art

This is the painting i drew when i was 6, and its happening in front of my eyes, It was an unbelievable experience.

Quickly reached Hang Mua and steered up those countless number of steps. I was lucky to get the last glimpse of light helping me witness the entire range of vast mountains, rice fields and rivers.

Recalling everything during dinner, It was a very satisfying experience at the end of it.

I had to leave at 4 early morning to catch my flight back from Hanoi. Lan and her family were so kind to get up early to bid me bye and gave fruits for breakfast. I stayed in Tam Coc mountain lake home-stay.

I have been to quite some places but never experienced such warmth and kindness from anybody in the world. 

Vietnam..!!

People have often asked me which is the best place I have been to and I have never dared to spell a name out just because each place has something different and everything is best in its own way. But, as an experience, as of today (the day I'm writing this), Vietnam has surpassed my expectations way too much.
Explore as much as you can, entire world belongs to you.

Tips:

• To get the best display of rice fields, be there before mid of October before they harvest.
• Hire a bike or motor cycle and drive. Traffic is nil and you can take millions of stops. Highly recommended.
• Choose the lengthiest route in Trang An to explore the best caves.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com

My Rendezvous with Vietnam- Hanoi and Ha Long Bay..!!

    We play our existence in search of boundless freedom with a wish to be defeated by unleashing human spirit. In a number of ways unique to each of us, we find a path towards this exploration. Travel is my path.

Geography: Hanoi is capital of Vietnam situated in the northern part of the country.

Language: Vitenameese

Currency: Vietnameese Dong

Getting There: Flights from different parts of Asia and other major cities around the globe are available. Nearest and easiest is a flight from Bangkok. If you are travelling inside Vietnam, buses and trains are available from other parts of the country.


What’s Famous here: Pagodas, thousands of islands, Old quarter.

My Story:

Vietnam is very dear to me in many ways. I landed in Hanoi on a sunny morning, typical tropical greet by sun. After getting hassle-free visa on arrival at airport, taxi found its way through narrow streets of old quarter. The colors, people, costume, architecture, the very way how everything was laid out was already fascinating. 

I reached my hotel and got acquainted to the staff.  I was pressed for time to visit places in Hanoi, the staff very kind to create a plan, I set off to see Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Pagoda entrance

1000 year old

up close

With oozing tradition, this 1000 year old Pagoda stood steady through test of times emitting serenity perpetually.

Next stop: Lotte building. A birds eye view of the city from 65th floor.

65th floor

Hidden in the old quarter amidst busy lives merely a feet away from houses entrance is this crazy railway track where trains still hurl.

filmy but real

train's not coming, so let me take a pic

Kids play, restaurants do their business, domestic works are carried out like any other part of the city, you may never see such a sight in any other place probably.

Evening magnified the colors in the old quarter, this where all the magic happens.

artistic

old quarter

Thriving forever, steep in culture, bustling with shops and restaurants, sprinkled with pagodas and temples old quarter is a delight to be around. Anyone who visits the place cannot avoid to see the cuteness in tiny details of the place. Take a stroll and get lost in the streets, a snack in one of the street side hotel is something not to be missed.
People here like to be down to earth in every sense, they have cute tables and chairs which are very small as if they are made for 5 year old's.

tiny tables

Flaunting a character of its own, the place grew on me.

The evening only got better with me and my friends becoming a fan of 333. Into the night through chit chatter and stories that made no sense. Late in the night we decided to roam the streets and sit in any of those tiny tables in old quarter restaurant.

Don't know who's bike this is..

Experiencing the night in local way, taking pictures on unknown persons little bike, walking in routes unknown,  this is a night that can never fade from my memory.

With a guilt of not staying more in Hanoi, I had to leave to Ha Long Bay the next morning. Hanoi and it's people were very kind to me. I have not been taken care this way by any other hotel staff until then, they were utterly polite, friendly and genuinely happy to help, they even helped me cross the road, I was blown away by their warmth. I stayed in Nova Luxury Hotel in old Quarter.

After a 3.5 hours of drive from Hanoi, I reached the shores of Ha long bay.
In minutes I was into a small boat escorting from shores to cruise boat. As we were nearing, entire Cruise staff were at the entrance waving like babies all in unison, it was adorable, they sprinkled roses on us, a flattering welcoming gesture. Our guide gave a brief agenda for next 24 hours as we were having lunch. Explored the cruise, it was a 3 floor architecture with suites in the ground floor, dining area in first floor,  sun deck and party area on the top.
It took a while for me to absorb the whole drama around me. Dreams are far from reality, imagination in dreams are as far as reality can remotely get to, within my conscious horizon, it was hard to believe that i was living it at that moment.

entering the maze

We slowly crawled into a maze of islands trapping us in its beauty, with winds caressing my face, dancing through the waves, soaking under sun, I stood on the deck speechless staring at the symphony of mountains that enclosed us from rest of the world.

beauty of Ha long bay

Soon we reached Cat Ba island, the largest in Ha long bay. We were given an introduction to the history of the place. Legend says that to protect the land against   enemies from North, a family of dragons descended creating natural impeccable fortress of more than 2800 islands , Ha long bay translates to descending of dragons. We were taken through a large cave which served as home for many families during war.
Back to the cruise. I was back, up in the sun deck with friends, as we moved into endless maze.

Sun deck

Evening falling on Ha long bay

Shadows of mountains grew larger over its counterparts, noise of emerald waters filling my ears, the evening was here as we were playing hide and seek with sun. It won many times hiding behind island mountains before we could seek only the next morning. It was one of the most melodious sunset's I have been part of.

Sunset

hide and seek

Happy hours, Chit chatter and cooking class. I learnt to make Vietnamese style spring roll before savoring it. Minutes later Mr.T served a delightful dinner. Later, I found myself in the sun deck again dissolving into the wind and enjoying the night sky before putting myself back in my suite for a good night's sleep.

I was up early next morning at 5:30 and helped myself slowly up to sun deck. Sunrise was just about to occur and it felt divine. There's something about early morning sunlight that makes the entire world pure. Tai Chi classes began as mountains were slowly becoming visible with fog escaping into blue sky. Deeply refreshing.

early monring

foggy

purity

The next activity was not in the cruise but out there all by ourselves in the waters , kayaking. I was doing it for the first time, daring before any second thoughts invade my ambition, with my entire trust on life jacket, psssst !! I don't know to swim. Slowly working my way towards and away from islands and mountains, I soon learnt the knack. The view truly was a different manifestation of the same maze of islands from the kayak boats, discovering them and fighting the ripples of other cruises running close to us. Returned to cruise knowing that it was time to get back to the shore.

after kayak

The staff served brunch before having to bid them bye. They gave a gracious farewell lined up at the exit wishing us good. I shook hands with heavy heart. It was the baggage of goodness from hotel staff and local people in Hanoi along with unimaginably courteous Cruise staff left me defeated.

I was dropped back to Hanoi where i spent hours roaming and shopping before It was time for me to head to a paradise called Ninh Binh.

Click here to read my experience in Ninh Binh.

Tips:

• Old quarter deserves a visit in daylight and in moonlight, don't miss.
• Use a app called Grab for motorcycle taxi and normal taxis. it's cheap and reliable.
• If you are purchasing anything in old quarter, do bargain, for at least 30% lesser price.

-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com