Hello everyone, this trip is the most relaxing one because I've been traveling a lot lately. I just got back from Burma two days ago. This Hanoi trip, I plan to focus on soaking up the atmosphere and not venturing outside the city or to other towns. In fact, Hanoi is a starting point for many other places to visit, such as Ha Long Bay, Ha Long Bay, or Sapa. But I've been there before, so this trip I'll just stay in the city. This trip, it's the usual three of us traveling together: father, mother, and child.

This trip was relatively inexpensive, with plenty of delicious food and comfortable accommodations.

Nok Air flight ticket price 9,204 baht

The hotel room for a family of 3 booked on Agoda costs 5,961 baht for 3 nights, including breakfast.

Exchanged 10,000 baht, spent 6,825 baht.

The taxi fare back is $15, which is approximately 540 baht.

A total of 22,530 baht divided equally among three people is 7,510 baht per person.

This price includes everything for this trip.

DAY 1 Sunday is a walking street.

After checking in and clearing immigration at Don Mueang International Airport, we had ample time to spare before our Nok Air flight DD3202 to Hanoi at 6:20 AM. As the airport was relatively empty, we decided to relax at Starbucks, which is usually crowded.

After that, I walked to Gate 23 and waited for the boarding call to board the plane.

It took approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Noibai International Airport (HAN). The walk from the gate to immigration was quite long, and the airport seemed spacious with a moderate number of people. In Vietnam, we only needed to present our passports without filling out any paperwork, which saved us time. After collecting our luggage, we exchanged currency. We opted to exchange Thai baht directly, as we felt it would be less troublesome than exchanging dollars multiple times and incurring potential losses (this is just our personal preference). Exchanging 10,000 Thai baht yielded 6,076,000 Vietnamese dong.

We purchased a Vinaphone SIM card with 8 GB of data and additional call credit for 300,000 VND (approximately 450 THB). We opted for a single SIM card and shared the data among ourselves.

Upon inquiring about a taxi fare, the company quoted a flat rate of 25 USD. My mother deemed it expensive, so we decided against it. As we walked on, a man approached us offering a ride for 18 USD, which we still considered pricey. Turning to our right, we noticed a row of SIM card vendors that we had previously overlooked. Recommendation: After collecting your luggage, look to your right to find several currency exchange and SIM card vendors before deciding on a taxi.

We decided to take a taxi from the designated taxi stand. We informed the driver to use the meter instead of a fixed price, and he agreed. He then helped us load our luggage into the car.

It takes about 45 minutes to reach the city. Today is Sunday, and some roads in the city are closed, so we have to take a slight detour.

We have arrived at the front of the hotel. If you enter very slightly.

The interior was spacious, and the staff was waiting to greet us. We checked into our room, and they served us chilled watermelon juice and fruit.

Following the check-in process, a staff member approached us to introduce tour packages. However, we had no intention of participating in any tours and politely declined. Guests interested in booking tours can do so directly with the hotel. Most hotels offer similar tour options. Although it was only 10:00 AM, the staff graciously allowed us to check into our room. This was a very pleasant surprise.

After putting our luggage away, we went to find something to eat near the hotel. There was a chicken pho restaurant nearby, so we decided to eat there. It was our first meal in Hanoi, and the chicken pho with hot broth and youtiao was delicious.

The mother loved it so much that she ordered another bowl. The two father and daughter sat and waited.

Full and walked to digest near the hotel for a bit.

Mom is still not full. She wants to try the bread from the shop next to the hotel again.

After that, we took a nap at the hotel because we woke up early this morning.

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The afternoon sun was already setting when we woke up. It was Sunday, and the church was open, giving us the opportunity to see the inside. The hotel we were staying at was close to the church, St. Joseph's Cathedral, but on a different street.

For those who want to stroll, shop, or party and enjoy a chilled beer, we recommend coming on Saturdays or Sundays. There will be a walking street similar to Khao San Road in Thailand, which is very crowded with mostly foreigners. In the evenings, the air is pleasantly cool.

Misino also has a shop in Hanoi. In Thailand, they opened a large branch at Mega Bangna, which was very crowded and had a wide variety of products.

Stroll around

Wandering around, we decided to eat at this restaurant. It looked similar to a Thai food stall. This meal cost 475,000 dong, which is about 712 baht.

On the way back, I took a walk around the lake to enjoy the view. Seeing a long queue for ice cream, I decided to try it myself. It was delicious and affordable.

Let's enjoy the view and then go back to the hotel to sleep.

Day 2: Monday

Most museums are closed on Mondays. (We recommend taking a day trip outside the city, such as to Ha Long Bay or Ha Long Bay.)

Breakfast is served at the hotel, with a menu to choose from. The breakfast was decent, especially the bread, which was delicious. The club sandwich was also very good. We were still feeling a bit tired.

Let's take a nap and wake up at noon, then go out and have some fun.

From the hotel, we walked to Ngoc Hoi Temple, also known as Hongoc Sen Temple, which features the iconic red Sun Bridge, a symbol of Hanoi that is a must-visit for any visitor to the city.

The temple is not very large. Before crossing the bridge, an entrance fee of 30,000 dong per person is required. After crossing the bridge, there will be an officer checking tickets at the front of the temple. The temple has only one floor. The temple is located on a small island in the lake, so there are beautiful corners decorated with curved wood, beautiful shapes, allowing visitors to choose a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding lake. The wind blows and the air is quite good.

Father and mother are resting at the pavilion for a while.

This is the view from the other side of the temple.

The bathroom is located on the back side of the building.

After leaving the temple, we crossed the street to the opposite side where there was a hat shop. We bought four hats for 100 baht and three Vietnamese hats for 100 baht.

After walking for a while, we came across a tourist information center that offered free walking tours. The tour lasted 1.5 hours, but we only looked at the brochures.

We continued our stroll until hunger pangs set in.

Another ubiquitous presence is tour companies. No matter where you go, you'll find them on every street corner. If you're planning a trip to Hanoi, you won't have to worry about finding a company to book your tours with. There are so many options that you'll be spoilt for choice.

An authentic Vietnamese barber shop experience. No frills, just a classic roadside haircut.

Tea shops of this style are also found throughout the country.

We stopped for lunch and ordered chicken rice, pho, and fried spring rolls. The spring rolls at this restaurant were incredibly crispy and thin, making them a delicious treat.

This entire street is lined with shops selling scarves, just like in Vietnam where entire streets are dedicated to selling the same type of goods, whether it be shoes, hats, or souvenirs. Each street specializes in a particular product, creating a unique shopping experience.

This bicycle is adorable.

After we were full, we went to have some snacks. There were Burger King, Popeye's, and Dunkin' Donuts. We continued to sit at the latter because it had an outdoor balcony with a view of the city center roundabout. We sat there for several hours. The traffic on the road became increasingly dense, but there were no traffic lights. People could drive however they wanted, but they didn't crash into each other. They were truly skilled.

A street vendor is selling balloons in the middle of an intersection, with no attempt to avoid traffic. Vehicles must navigate around the vendor.

As darkness approaches, the lights begin to illuminate, intensifying the already bustling atmosphere. The volume of traffic surges, further contributing to the chaos.

Traffic is starting to build up as people head home from work.

It was getting dark, so we decided to take a walk by the lake.

Day 3

After breakfast at the hotel, we opened the map and walked to the temple. The map showed that it was about 1 kilometer from the hotel.

Taking a shortcut through the village, I was met with curious stares from the locals, who must have wondered how I got there.

Classic salon next to the temple as usual.

Continuing on, we arrived at the Temple of Literature, also known as the Van Mieu. The entrance fee was 30,000 dong per person. Despite the crowds of tourists, the temple grounds were expansive and serene. The architecture was simple yet elegant, and the site held historical significance as the first university in Hanoi.

In the past, this institution served as a temple and a center for advanced learning for the sons of kings and nobles. The knowledge acquired here was intended to be used in governing the country. Later, the scope expanded to include the children of high-ranking officials. Upon completion of their studies and passing examinations, their names and the names of their fathers were inscribed on stone tablets placed on the backs of turtles, symbolizing wisdom and longevity.

Let's go inside.

The innermost layer is relatively spacious and open.

The interior resembles a miniature museum of antiquities. You can walk up the stairs to the second floor.

The side section is the drum tower.

After that, I took a taxi to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum. On the way, I passed the Flag Tower, the only remaining structure after the Vietnam War.

We arrived shortly after. Cars could park outside, but we had to walk the rest of the way.

The building we disembarked at was a beautiful yellow structure adorned with the national flags of Vietnam and Cambodia. Initially mistaking it for an embassy, we later discovered it to be the Presidential Palace, formerly the seat of power for the highest authority in Indochina. Constructed in 1901 by the French, the colonial-style yellow palace currently serves as a venue for receiving state guests in Vietnam. The surrounding area features a picturesque garden with blooming flowers and a serene pond.

We walked from the street to the front of Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, but did not enter the inner area. If you wish to enter the inner area, please dress modestly.

Continuing a little further, you will reach the One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot). The Vietnamese call it "Chua Mot Cot," which translates to "One Pillar Pagoda." It is a small Chinese pavilion built on a single pillar in the middle of a square lotus pond. The shape of the temple resembles a lotus flower. This temple was built as a Buddhist offering to the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin.

(Free Admission)

We then took a taxi to the west side of the lake.

To reach Tran Quoc Pagoda on the western shore of the lake, you must pass through a modern district known as the Beverly Hills of Hanoi. Despite the surrounding urbanization, the lakeshore remains home to numerous Buddhist pagodas, including Tran Quoc, the oldest in Vietnam. Built in the 6th century by King Ly Nam De during the city's founding, the pagoda is distinguished by its towering structure and a sacred Bodhi tree gifted from India. However, the temple operates on limited hours, closing during midday and reopening at 2:30 PM. Arriving at 2:00 PM, we opted to photograph only the exterior due to the inconvenient waiting period.

Located near the Pan Pacific Hotel

After that, I took a taxi back to the hotel and had chicken pho at the same restaurant next to the hotel. Then I went up to take a nap. When I woke up in the late afternoon, I went for a walk and found something to eat nearby. There was also Vietnamese curry rice.

As we approached the hotel, we passed by a restaurant serving "khao kriap pak mor" (crispy rice pancakes), also known as "ban kwan." We decided to give it a try.

Before entering the hotel, I took a short walk to digest my food.

I'd love to recommend this restaurant. It's on the top list of recommended restaurants in Hanoi. I tried it last time I was in Hanoi and it was delicious and affordable.

The restaurant is packed today, mostly with foreign tourists.

Christmas lights at the church are almost finished today. There are more people than usual.

DAY 4: The final day.

After checking out at noon, we left our luggage at the counter and went to buy snacks at the large supermarket by the lake.

Intimex Supermarket's Peach Iced Tea is incredibly fragrant and delicious. My mother had been searching for it for days and finally found it here. She bought 10 boxes! My father also couldn't resist the G7 coffee, while I stocked up on chocolate and snacks.

Crossing the street, you will find the water puppet theater.

After resting and enjoying the view by the lakeside, my mother pointed out an ancient pagoda emerging from the water. Built in the 18th century, it is called Thap Rua, which means "Turtle Tower." Many people claim to have seen large turtles in Hoan Kiem Lake, especially during the changing seasons. The water in Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake) is usually green, hence its other name, "Deep Green Lake" or "Green Water Lake."

The child pointed to the pagoda and said, "Mom, I saw this pagoda the first day we came here. It's been here for a long time." She looked at her mother with a puzzled expression.

The Jade Hill Temple is visible in the distance.

The Vietnamese enjoy sitting, exercising, and socializing around this lake because of its pleasant atmosphere.

A crowded restaurant with a lakeside view.

Afterward, they stored their belongings at the hotel and then walked to Joma Bakery for a snack.

This renowned Laotian dessert shop is a must-visit for any traveler. Despite its modest facade, the establishment boasts a surprisingly spacious interior with ample seating. Patrons can comfortably linger for hours, savoring the delectable treats on offer.

My mother suggested we try a pho restaurant nearby, and I must say, during my four days in Vietnam, most of my main meals consisted of pho. What's unique about this particular restaurant is that their menu exclusively features beef pho. So, if you're not a fan of beef, you might want to skip this one. However, for beef lovers, I highly recommend giving it a try. The broth is incredibly flavorful, and the beef slices are generously sized. It's absolutely delicious!

Here it is! The aroma is amazing, and the broth is superb. They provide a dipping sauce, but be careful because it's very spicy. Add a little at a time and squeeze some lime for extra flavor.

The restaurants "เฝอ10" and "Joma" are located on the same alley as the church. This alley has a high concentration of restaurants and cafes, making it a convenient location for those staying nearby to find food.

A roadside porridge shop called "Chiu Chiu" looks delicious, but I'm too full to eat anymore.

Before reaching the church, this shop seemed to be selling fried food. It was very tempting, and there was a long queue of Vietnamese people. However, my stomach was already full, so I had to skip it.

Near the church, there is a popular Bingsu shop. In the evenings, it is packed with young people.

Tourists enjoy riding rickshaws around the city.

The area around the temple also has many shops, restaurants, and shopping options.

One more photo, I love the beautiful light.

This hardworking grandmother diligently sells her wares at the same spot every day.

The tour prices vary depending on the level of luxury desired. The most affordable option is the budget tour, while the most luxurious option is the premium tour. The mid-range tour offers a good balance between price and quality, and is recommended for those who want a comfortable and enjoyable experience without breaking the bank.

After finishing the meal, they returned to the hotel.

The hotel arranged a car for us for 15 USD. At first, they said it would be a sedan, but when they picked us up, it was actually a Toyota Fortuner. It was very comfortable for the three of us.

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Thank you to everyone who has followed my little girl's travel adventures.

This trip to Hanoi was a relaxing one, a true vacation. While Hanoi may seem less chaotic than Ho Chi Minh City, fewer locals speak English here. However, there are many tour companies available. You don't need to be overly cautious in this city as the people are friendly. However, it's advisable to be certain about your purchases before asking or inquiring about items, as vendors may become quite vocal if you don't follow through.

This trip involved a lot of walking around the city, but we also used taxis occasionally. Transportation in this city is inexpensive, and the taxis are air-conditioned. Taxis come in various sizes, small, medium, and large, and their meters differ. The largest taxis are twice as expensive.

For those who are planning to visit Hanoi, have a wonderful time! If you are short on time and only want to explore Hanoi within the city center for a relaxed 3 days and 2 nights, go for it!

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