Hello everyone!

This past week, we went backpacking in northern Vietnam. We'd like to share our experience and the information we gathered during our trip. We'll discuss what we encountered, what makes northern Vietnam special, and why it's a popular tourist destination. This might be helpful for those planning a trip to Vietnam.

Please note that any errors in the information provided are unintentional.

This trip consisted of 5 members and lasted 5 days and 4 nights. We booked Air Asia's promotional tickets a year in advance, with the price being around 2,2xx baht per person, which was considered a reasonable price.

Our Rough Plan:

September 28, 2017:

• Fly from Bangkok (BKK) to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).
• Take a private van from the airport to Hanoi.
• Explore Hanoi.
• Take an overnight train to Lao Cai Station.

September 29, 2017:

• Arrive at Lao Cai Station.
• Take a bus to Sapa Summit Hotel.

September 30, 2017:

• Check in at Sapa Eden Hotel.

October 1, 2017:

• Take a sleeper bus back to Hanoi.
• Check in at Hanoi Guesthouse Hotel.

October 2, 2017:

• Explore Hanoi.
• Take a private van to Noi Bai International Airport.
• Fly from Noi Bai International Airport back to Bangkok (BKK).

Preparations:

1. Agency:

One month before our trip, we contacted an agency called Ms. Houng to book various services:

• Airport pickup from Noi Bai to their office for $15 total ($3 per person). We could leave our luggage there and use their shower before boarding the train.
• Transfer to Hanoi train station (free).
• Train tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai for $29 per person.
• Bus from Lao Cai Station to Sapa Summit Hotel for $3 per person.
• Sleeper bus back from Sapa to Hanoi for $13 per person.
• Airport drop-off from Hanoi to Noi Bai on our return day for $13 total ($2.6 per person).

The total cost was $253, or $50.6 per person. We found this to be a convenient and time-saving option.

2. Accommodation:

We spent one night on the train, two nights in Sapa, and one night in Hanoi. We booked our accommodation through Agoda and Booking.com. However, in Sapa, you can easily find accommodation by walking in, as there are many options available with various views.

3. Weather:

During our trip, the weather in Hanoi was quite hot, while Sapa had pleasant, cool weather with occasional rain. We recommend bringing a raincoat.

4. Currency Exchange:

We exchanged 10,000 Thai Baht in Thailand, receiving around $300. We then exchanged $100 for Vietnamese Dong at Noi Bai Airport, receiving approximately 2,250,000 VND. The exchange rate at the time was $1 = 22,550 VND.

5. SIM Card:

We purchased a SIM card from the agency for $7, offering unlimited data with no expiration date.

6. Safety:

We recommend being cautious when using your phone or camera on the streets.

7. Transportation in Sapa:

You can rent motorbikes to explore Sapa. Distances are relatively short. Renting through your hotel will be more expensive than renting from local shops. Additionally, rental periods are calculated differently in Sapa. Regardless of the rental time, you must return the motorbike on the same day. This differs from Thailand, where you can rent a motorbike in the afternoon and return it the next day at noon.

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Let's go without wasting any time.............

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28 September 2017: The First in Hanoi

03:50 AM: Time to wake up and head to the airport!

Our flight is scheduled for 07:05 AM, but we need to check in early, so we have to drag ourselves out of bed before the sun even rises.

We arrive at Don Mueang Airport around 5:00 AM. The line is still short, so we get through check-in quickly. Then, we split up to take care of some personal errands before preparing for our departure to Hanoi, Vietnam.

We arrived in Hanoi around 9 am. The agency sent a driver to pick us up with a sign with our names on it. It felt like being a celebrity with fans holding up signs. 555 Then we asked him to exchange money for us. After that, we headed into Hanoi...
The atmosphere inside the car. From the angle of the photo, you can tell how VIP my seat was. 555
We enjoyed the view of the city along the way. Oh, I forgot to mention that they drive on the right side of the road here, with the steering wheel on the left. When we rented a motorbike in Sapa, I kept forgetting and driving on the left at first. 555

We arrived in Hanoi around 9 am. The agency sent a driver to pick us up, who was holding a sign with our names on it. It felt like being a celebrity with fans holding up signs! We then asked him to exchange some money for us. After that, we headed into Hanoi city.
The atmosphere inside the car was great. From the angle of the photo, you can tell that my seat was VIP! We enjoyed the city views along the way. Oh, I forgot to mention that they drive on the right side of the road here, with the steering wheel on the left. When I rented a motorbike in Sapa, I kept forgetting and driving on the left at first!

After we had agreed and paid for the items we had booked, we left our bags here and went for a walk around Hanoi..
The first place we went to was St. Joseph's Cathedral, as it was not far from the office. It's just a short walk away. This church is the oldest in Hanoi and is considered a major landmark in the city.

Truly magnificent.

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After taking some photos of the church, we started to feel hungry. For our first meal in Hanoi, we decided to try bun cha (a popular dish in Hanoi) at Bún Chả Hương Liên restaurant.

The restaurant was about 2 kilometers away from the church, so we decided to walk. It was almost noon, and the sun was shining brightly. We were sweating profusely by the time we arrived.

On our way, we took in the sights of the city. We passed by a school and saw parents waiting to pick up their children. It seems that the culture here is for students to go home for lunch, unlike in our country where students usually stay at school.

Finally... I'm so hungry!

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This multi-story restaurant even boasts an elevator, a rare amenity. Notably, former US President Barack Obama once dined here, reportedly during a filming project. The restaurant now offers an "Obama Set," replicating the meal he enjoyed. Unable to resist, I ordered it immediately, famished as I was.

The Obama Set features grilled pork, fried spring rolls, and Hanoi beer, served with rice noodles and vegetables, all for just 85,000 VND.
**Bun cha is a dish of grilled pork in a sweet and sour broth. It is my favorite Vietnamese dish, and I highly recommend trying it if you are in Hanoi.

We had a hearty and satisfying meal at Bún Chả Hương Liên. The portions were surprisingly large, despite the small bowls in the pictures. Our bill came to 325,000 VND.

We decided to take a taxi to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum instead of walking, as it was quite a distance. Our agency recommended using the taxigroup company to avoid being scammed. The meter starts at 10,000 VND.

Our taxi ride from Bún Chả Hương Liên to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum cost 64,000 VND, which was reasonable considering the distance. We arrived at the mausoleum, where the body of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam's former president, is preserved. The mausoleum building is constructed from marble, granite, and precious woods from across the country. Armed guards stand watch at all times.

Unfortunately, we were informed by the staff that the site is currently closed for renovations and is not accessible to the public. However, we will definitely return for a visit in the future.

Next, we visited the One Pillar Pagoda, located near Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum. This temple is recognized by the Guinness Book of Asia for its unique architecture.

Ho Chi Minh Museum

We did not enter the Ho Chi Minh Museum, but we took a picture of the front entrance.

After taking some photos, we had to move on as we couldn't stand the sun any longer.

Next, we headed to a popular Vietnamese coffee shop known for its egg coffee. Finding the shop required careful navigation using a map, as the entrance was hidden in a small alleyway and required climbing to the upper floor.

The interior of the restaurant has a classic atmosphere.

We ordered the recommended menu, "Egg Coffee".
The taste was strong and creamy, and it blended well.

Next, we will go to eat ice cream that Vietnamese people eat a lot, which is Kem Trang Tien. There are many branches in Hanoi. There are many shops in the same area.

Vietnamese people are seen standing and eating with gusto inside.

Ice cream is available in both stick and scoop-in-cone forms. We each ordered a stick, each with a different flavor. The price is 70,000 - 80,000 VND per stick. The ice cream is a bit sweet, and I suspect that the locals here have a sweet tooth. It tastes like the old-fashioned ice cream we have back home. But if you're in Hanoi, you have to try it.

Let's continue... Let's take a walk along the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake. In the evenings, many people come here to exercise or sit by the lake. There is also another important landmark that attracts many tourists to take pictures, the The Huc Bridge.

The Huc Bridge (also known as the Sun Bridge) is a popular tourist destination in the late afternoon. Crossing the bridge leads to Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple), which we did not visit.

It's almost time for our appointment with the agency... I need to go back and take a shower to get ready for the train to Sapa.
On the way back, I came across this intersection. Crossing the road was so much fun, I honked my horn so much that my ears were ringing.

Before picking up our belongings, we stopped for a bowl of pho at a small street food stall across from the office. The taste was decent, with a strong chicken flavor, as if they had boiled an entire coop. The meal cost 205,000 VND.

After we finished eating, we went to take a shower and pack our things. Initially, I thought there would only be a shower room at the office, but it turned out to be a guest room with a bed. After showering, we could lie down and wait for the time. When the car arrives, she will come up and get us. It's really worth it, and we don't have to pay for accommodation.

The taxi dropped us off at Hanoi Railway Station, and the agency also saw us off. The service was truly excellent.

After a while, they called him to get on the train.

Let's see if the atmosphere is similar to our local trains.

The original text describes a situation where a group of five people needs to share a cabin with four beds, two on the upper level and two on the lower level.

Here's the translated text:

A cabin has four beds in total, two on the upper level and two on the lower level. Our group of five needs to divide ourselves into two groups, one with three people and the other with two people.

All food and drinks on this table are free.

On the train, we met an oppa who was sleeping in the same cabin as us. His destination was Sapa, too. He was traveling with his family, but they were in separate cabins. We had a fun and lively conversation, exchanging travel experiences. We learned that he had been to many countries around the world and had visited Thailand several times since 1980. He told us that he never plans his trips in advance and doesn't book accommodation beforehand. He just walks in. Now that's a true backpacker! Later, we found out that he had taken the same flight from Don Mueang as us. What a coincidence! He said it was "destiny." 😂 This time, he planned to go trekking in Sapa and then continue on to China. We took a記念照 to remember the moment. Click! 📸

As we chatted, he handed us a travel journal and picked up his Vietnam guidebook. He said he had read it before coming to Vietnam and would give it to us later, but he would take it with him to our hotel in Sapa...

After a delightful conversation that lasted until after 11 pm, we decided to call it a night and get some rest for the next day's adventures.

See you soon... Sapa...