February 4, Wednesday – Post-trip extension ‘From Hanoi to the Hill Tribes of Sapa’ – Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam – Explore Old Quarter

Destination: Hanoi, Vietnam – Accommodation: Sunway Hotel Hanoi

This morning after breakfast we boarded our bus for the journey to the airport to fly to Hanoi. Everything went very smoothly as it was a domestic flight, so no need to go through customs or immigration.

We had a really nice lunch on the plane and after landing, we retrieved our luggage and met our new guide Thanh.

When we walked out to the bus we noticed the smog that was surrounding the area. We might consider wearing a mask while here. We checked into our hotel and got settled a bit and then Thanh arranged for us all to take rickshaws through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The Old Quarter’s history can be traced back some 1,000 years when artisan workshops joined into guilds to safeguard their trade secrets. The guilds have disappeared, but the craftsmen here have held onto the tradition of grouping their shops by specialty on each street. We passed the fashion area, the shoe area, the fabric area, the medical herb area, the lock area. Yes…they actually have many stores along one street that just sell all kinds of locks.

Based on the rickshaw ride…I have two words to describe Hanoi: Crazy town!!! We thought the traffic and motorbikes in Saigon were bad, but they were nothing compared to Hanoi. It was a free-for-all but the difference being – in Hanoi, everyone blows their HORNS!!!!!!!

As we went through the streets, cars and motorcycles came at us at full force and barely slowed to let each rickshaw pass. You wanted to close your eyes and pray they wouldn’t slam into you. And couple that craziness with the fact the city is getting ready for Tet – the lunar new year – it was chaotic for sure.

After the rickshaw tour, we had the Welcome Dinner and it was absolutely delicious. Then we went back to the hotel to get a good nights sleep.

I have to say though, the people here are not very friendly. We topped the rickshaw driver and he didn’t smile but just grunted. No one seems to be smiling or happy. Maybe the smog makes people depressed. Time will tell.

I took these pics from the bus yesterday This is the traffic that we faced when we were on the motorbikes. And believe me, once that light changes, it’s free-for-all

And this is exactly how close we were to cars and other bikes on our food tour. Everyone edging to get ahead.

Eating breakfast and waving to me when he saw me on the bus.

Touring Hanoi by rickshaw

Decorations are being put up everywhere for Tet celebration

Lots of red for sale so people can decorate their homes

People everywhere and the motorcycles come very close to the rickshaws

People buy these orchids to give to family as gifts or to decorate their own homes during the lunar New Year celebration. It’s like Christmas. People go to visit family and enjoy food together, telling stories, and wishing each other luck for the new year.