Vietnam 2nd - 9th Aug 07

Vietnam is one of my favoriate Asian countries. Cheap shopping, interesting sights and delicious food. I went to HCMC a few years back for YEP, and boy I had fun there. For those who havent been, you should really go soon! Its developing so fast, I wished it could just stop.

Hanoi

Our first stop was Hanoi, the oooolllldddd city. Hanoi itself is pretty small, but surrounded by many interesting villages, all named after what they are famous for. So there's like Noodles Village, Pots Village... yah but too bad we didnt get to go there! We spent most of the time exploring the Old Quarter, the Returning Sword Lake, went to the HCM Musuems and of coz, hunting for the most interesting food recommended by Lonely Planet. Only two things i didnt like abt Hanoi: The traffic is a killer , and the weather was so darn hot. I was like sweating thru my berms! Yucks i know. We walked along the small alleys, sat on those tiny stools drinking coffee along the streets, ate in the D graded street kitchens with 1.5m ceilings, visited those posh art galleries that were ironically situated next to those street kitchens... thats is vietnam.

Feeling cranky upon arriving in Hanoi. Tried and hungry.

What do u call that again?

ooh tibits

Famous Gate in Hanoi

Fruit Vendors

67 Hang Dieu Rd. Must try!

Returning Sword Lake

Shoe Shopping

Night Activity

Riding on the Xe-on


Some army museum

Eel Noodles

Water Puppet Show

Interesting dinner we had...

Halong Bay

Here we go on our 2D1N cruise along the Halong Bay.. the trip took 3 hrs i think? and when we arrived, the port was packed with people! Mostly ang mohs actually. Quite a drastic switch...We started our journey climbing onto the different junk boats, quite an adventure! We sailed for pretty much the whole day, finally docking in this quiet harbour. Did minimal swimming, maximum poker/dai dee. It was still very hot though!!! Not a highly recommended tour if u love the white sandy beaches and clear sea waters.. its something like Sentosa...

Ho Chi Minh City

Man so many things changed. I dont remember where my favourite hunts were anymore! The hotel we stayed in was like 10 times better than Camellia Hotel (met this grp of weird Singaporeans at the lobby and most prob the same grp during breakfast the next day. Possibly SMU kids! arh!) So we went to Ben Tham Market.. the boys made their suits, i just walked ard nothing much actually.. we tried to find that dvd haven but it was replaced by this mega big shopping mall now.. luckily we managed to find another dvd shop! $1 sgd for 1! how cheap! We also went for this ultimate 1st class spa at Qi Spa... damn good! its under shisedo.. after the spa we really didnt feel like doing anything.. except nuaaaa...

Ben Tham Market

Bo Tang Xeo

Outside the Post office

French Food