Although Hanoi is a fascinating city with some pretty cool things to do, you really don’t need much time here to really experience it. Let’s face it – Hanoi is more of a pass-through city than a destination itself. We ended up spending two whole weeks here so we have a pretty good idea of what’s worth doing if you only have 2 days in Hanoi. And also what’s not worth your time. Continue reading “2 Days In Hanoi: The Do’s and Don’ts”
Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most prized treasures and one of Mother Earth’s most amazing natural wonders. This place is the reason that I wanted to visit Vietnam. I had seen so many of those stunning mountain and ocean view photos and I wanted to experience it for myself. Located only 170 km to the East of Hanoi, getting from Hanoi to Halong Bay is very feasible. Continue reading “Hanoi To Halong Bay: Travel Guide and Tips”
For what is possibly the most beautiful view of Halong Bay, you will need to climb Bai Tho mountain. Most tourists who visit Halong Bay head directly from Hanoi to their cruise and see very little, if any of the mainland. It’s a real pity because Halong City has a lot to offer visitors – including some phenomenal views from the “Instafamous” Poem/Bai Tho mountain. But is Bai Tho Mountain closed? Well, technically yes. But it’s still possible to do a Bai Tho mountain hike.
The poem Mountain Viewpoint of Halong Bay has become famous on Instagram and for very good reason. If you’ve seen beautiful photos of Halong Bay that have inspired you to visit the area, it’s likely views from Bai Tho mountain. While the Bay cruises are definitely the highlight here, I also want to encourage you to stop off on the mainland. Continue reading “Is Bai Tho Mountain Closed? How To Get Breathtaking views of Halong Bay”
On our recent trip to Vietnam we really wanted to explore the beautiful landscape. During our stay in Hanoi we took a day trip out to Tam Coc Bich Dong, a tourist destination that is often, surprisingly, overlooked by visitors. Located in Ninh Binh province, one of the best tours to do here is the Hoa Lu Tam Coc excursion.
Only a two-hour bus ride south of the bustling city of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is the perfect place to escape the craziness. Ninh Binh city itself is not pretty, but you don’t have to go far to find the beauty. Not yet packed with tourists, Tam Coc Bich Dong is a low-key and amazingly scenic place. It’s not overrun with tourists, although many tour groups visit here daily. After spending a few days in Hanoi, our Hoa Lu Tam Coc experience was a breath of fresh air. Continue reading “Hoa Lu Tam Coc: Day Trip from Hanoi”
