I have plans to evolve this site to provide more relevant information for those who are planning their trips. So this would be my first post where I've actually consolidate all 6D5N plans into a post. Packs a punch and I hope it will be helpful for you. Leave me a comment on what you think!
Hanoi Day 1 - Singapore to Sapa
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| Hanoi, old quarters |
Singapore to Hanoi (Old quarters)
We took the afternoon flight from Singapore and when we arrived at Noi Bai airport (Hanoi), it was 4pm local time when we arrived. I pre-book a private car from
Vietnam Transfer Service for the airport transfer to Hanoi, old quarters. They were quick to respond emails and the 1 way trip cost US$14. The driver was on time too.
Sapa tour with Classy Travel Vietnam
Upon arrived at the old quarters, we went to our tour agency's office as we're heading out to Sapa in a overnight train in the evening. We took our 3D2N tour with
Classy Travel Vietnam. They were one of the more expensive tours and the reason why I chose them over so many other agencies was their fast response to all my questions (I asked quite a lot). They were also able to accommodate to our request to have a place to shower before we board the overnight train ride.
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| Our private train cabin |
Overnight train to Lao Cai (Sapa)
We wanted privacy, so we paid more and bought out 1 cabin for the 2 of us. I'm glad I did as the cabins were tiny. We had dinner, walked around the old quarters, took a bath and finally transported to the train station to board the train at the appointed time.
Do not expect European rail, imagine Thomas the train, bumpy rides and occasion sudden stops at small stations. My inner child was joyful with my first overnight train ride, so I didn't quite sleep that night.
Our 2N2D Sapa tour cost US$358
Package includes:
• 1-way train in a private cabin for 2 people
• 1-way transport from Lao Cai to Sapa
• 1 half day tours (1 hike and 1 market tour)
• Meals (3 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)
• 2 night stay at hotel (1 night at Sapa, 1 night at Hanoi)
• 1-way limousine bus ride from Sapa to Hanoi
Sapa Day 2 - Hiking around Sapa
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| Sapa's view from our hotel |
We arrived at 6am in the morning at Lao Cai and looked for our driver who was holding a board with our names on it. Waited for everybody to gather and we were on our way to Sapa. The whole journey took us about an hour, including road jam.
Tip: If you have motion sickness, please pop a pill before boarding the bus. The road up to Sapa is bumpy and winding.
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| Sunny Mountain Hotel (mountain view) |
Sunny Mountain Hotel and breakfast
Upon arrival at our hotel,
Sunny Mountain, we were told that we can wash up at the public area and have our breakfast. Do note that public showers are open concept instead of in cubicles. If you're not comfortable with that, just wait out till you check-in and you can bath in the comfort of your room.
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| Best milk bread ever! |
Breakfast was limited and not too bad... I fell in love with their bread. I'm not a fan of bread BUT this is milky goodness was a different story.
After filling up our tummies, we waited at the lobby area for our guide. If you are Chinese, high chance they would assume you're a Vietnamese and would try to speak to you in their local language. The whole scene was quite amusing for us.
Tip: Please request for mountain view at any hotel you're staying, so you get the best out of the trip.
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| The hiking journey at Sapa |
My trekking journey with locals
We were blessed with a good day and dry ground. That was a very important factor for us as wet ground means a lot more slipping and falling down. It can potentially be quite dangerous if it was slippery as one mistake can bring you to the bottom of the hill. Roads are uneven and hiking up and tiring. There are no safety railings as well. There will be local tribes who will come alongside us, they will help us and please don't be paiseh (shy) about it because you will need their help.
The locals who come alongside us will try to sell you their works when they arrived at their home, which was our stopover. The local ladies accompanied us from city centre and will leave when they've reach home. I know I wasn't going to purchase anything from them, so I tipped the lady who helped me through the difficult trek. She had a child on her back and at the same time, helping me with the trek. I thought that was pretty crazy.
Although it would have been better if we visited during their harvest season where the paddy fields will be golden. Since it was March, they haven't started plantation and the land was bare. We didn't have much chance to really absorb the beautiful since we were constantly looking down at our feet to watch our footing.
After completing the most difficult part of the hike, we began to descend down towards the paddy fields. Walking within the paddy fields, we saw the life of locals at their most natural state. Children playing, animals roaming, locals (adult and children) trying to sell us trinkets as we walk pass them. The guides brought us into a small village and into a small home restaurant where we had a simple lunch and performance. After lunch, we met a driver who drove us back to our hotel and it was free time for the whole evening.
I was refreshed in my mind and worn out physically from the hike. I haven't been very active for the past couple of months and that resulted in muscle aching legs the next day.
Sapa Day 3 - Touring around Cat Cat village
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| Flower field after the Cat Cat village |
We visited what seems like a touristy marketplace where locals selling wearable or usable items along the walking road. Brought to an area filled with yellow flowers. At the end of it, we reached to a large open area where the French built the hydroelectric power station and watch a short performance by the locals.
We thought it was going to be an easy tour on day 3 and was sorely mistaken about that. Visiting the Cat Cat village was alright but we didn't enjoy going up the mountain that leads us back to our hotel. Once again we were physically challenged but this time from the aching pains from our thighs. Upon reaching a wonderful alfresco eatery that has a wonderful mountain view, we waved our white flags to take a break there while the rest of them headed back to the hotel.
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| Catching our breath from the hike |
That was the best coke we ever had. Slowly, we inched our way back to the hotel and had lunch with 2 other ladies that we met from the tour. A major accident occurred while we were waiting for our bus that will bring us back to Hanoi and was delayed for about 2 hours in total.
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| Our dinner along one of the stores near La suite Hotel |
We arrived in Hanoi at night and check-in to our next hotel (La suite Hotel) at old quarters. The streets were still lively and we head out for some BBQ food after dropping off our luggages in our room.
Hanoi Day 4 - Food tour with Hanoi Kids and Massage
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| Meracus 1, deluxe room |
We moved to another hotel the next morning,
Meracus 1. We originally booked for the junior suite but was downgraded to deluxe due to renovation. We were not informed prior to arrival and felt a little disappointed. The staff tried to make up for it by giving us a better room rate. After the last few days of hard work, we had a very loose plan today.
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| Yogurt Coffee (bottom) and Coconut Coffee (top) |
We head to
Cong Caphe to try the yogurt coffee and coconut coffee. These types of coffee can be found anywhere and if you love coffee, you need to try their beverages. I love the coconut coffee but the yogurt version was too sour for my liking. Don't forget the egg coffee too!
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| Egg coffee - reminds me of tiramisu |
Hot stone and oil massage at Hanoi Marguerite Spa
Though I had a couple of places pinned down in my map for massages, we ended up going to the nearest place from our hotel. It happened to be
Hanoi Marguerite Spa and did an 1hr 30mins spa with them. As we were their first customers, the boss decided to throw in some discounts and allowed us to do a 2 different types of massage for 1h 30mins.
It was my first time doing hot stone massage and I actually fell in love with it! I love the idea of heat therapy combined with consistent massage stroke on my upper back. Due to work, I have almost chronic rhomboid aches and this massage totally soothe the dull aching pain a little. That magic touch was what I needed.
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| Food tour with Hanoi Kids |
Food tour with Hanoi Kids
In the evening, we met up with 2 guys at our hotel lobby. I originally thought those who brought us out would be university students and apparently, alumni are still allowed to conduct the tours too. The 2 guys that we met are were working adults, they came after their work and brought us out to various places around old quarters to eat.
Hanoi Day 5 - Half day Tour with Hanoi Kids, Night Market, Cafes
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| Another half-day tour with Hanoi Kids |
Today, we took a morning half day tour with
Hanoi kids. 2 university girls met us at our hotel lobby after breakfast. We didn't quite plan for anything and they suggested some places that we can cover around the old quarter. So we picked the prison and Confucius temple instead. Going back to the past for half a day, we get a background of how Vietnam evolved to what they are today.
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| My best lunch ever! This meal is called Bun Cha |
The girls later asked where would we like to go for lunch. We were recommended to try Bún chả for lunch by the 2 guys yesterday. So we told them we have to try this today. The BBQ flavour in sweet savoury soup. I fell in love with the fresh herbs, thick noodles and BBQ pork. You can never find the exact same thing in Singapore!
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| Fried kimbap at the night market (old quarter) |
In the evening, we splurged on a dinner place which wasn't up to our expectation. We were very surprised that they gave us a 50% discount for that. I hope the chef didn't get into a lot of trouble. Thereafter, we covered the night market again and visited a cafe till all the shops started closing for the day.
Hanoi Day 6 - Home Sweet Home
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| Our last coffee before flying home |
Our flight was in the morning and we were shock to how long the queue was for Vietnam airlines! For taxi, we made a booking to have a driver pick us up early. The ride cost us US$11 from Hanoi old quarter to Noi Bai international airport.
Tip: If you're taking Vietnam airlines, make sure you are there early to check in as there may be a very long queue.
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