Vietnam Trip: Day 2/3 | Hanoi and the Beginning of my Journey through Vietnam

Somewhat tired and exhausted from the long flight, I finally arrived at the Hanoi airport. The only thing left to do was to get my pre-approved Visa and catch a taxi to my hotel. Because I had no address of the hotel that I picked out on a short notice (at the Incheon airport), I had to improvise and stay at a backpacking hostel called Hanoi Backpackers’ Hostel for USD 7.50, near the Hoan Kiem Lake. It was mostly well organized as described in the Lonely Planet, but I ended up in a room with 7 other people, who had to all snore. Needless to say that I didn’t get much sleep that night

The next morning I met a Danish guy at the breakfast table, with whom I hooked up later that day. I actually ran into him at the Hoan Kiem Lake while I was strolling the streets of Hanoi, after booking the transportation for the rest of my itinerary. A French-Canadian women tagged along with us as well.

The Streets of Hanoi

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As it was almost lunch time, I suggested the 69 Bar-Restaurant in 69 P Ma May street that I read about in the Lonely Planet, which I was very much interested in. Achieving a 3-0 vote we all went to have some excellent Nem (Vietnamese spring rolls).

After finishing our plates we all agreed that it was an excellent pick – after all it was an “our pick” in the Lonely Planet. The funny thing was that the people eating next to us were from France and also had a Lonely Planet on the table. And then I suddenly realized that there were more foreigners in the restaurant then anywhere else, easily distinguishable through their LP guide books. I could also spot a German group. I couldn’t seem to escape Germany, even on my vacation .

Leaving the restaurant, the three of us split up, leaving me to visit the Ngoc Son Temple on the Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Liteture. Find some of my pictures below in the galleries.

Ngoc Son Temple

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Temple of Liteture

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It was time to head back to the hostel and find a good and quiet hotel where I can finally get a good night sleep. I ended up choosing the Hanoi Boutique Hotel situated in Hanoi ’s Old Quarter. It actually ended up being one of the best hotels I stayed in while in Vietnam. I can highly recommend it. Even though it cost around US $ 19 the staff was very attentive and I got a quiet room. Word of advice though, try to avoid the top rooms, because you’ll be likely to hear the washing machine all night. Here are some pictures from my hotel room.

It was also here where the son of the hotel manager broke my room key, leaving part of the key inside the lock. Before I was trying to open the door to my hotel room, but for some odd reason I wasn’t able to. Even my room neighbour didn’t achieve greatness. Long story short, I eventually got into my room after the son of the hotel manager got yelled at pretty bad and called a locksmith. I really felt bad for the kid, because something like this could of happened to anyone.