Cảm ơn bạn Hanoii (day 4-6)

When i said the Chinese new year here in Vietnam is very festive, well not so festive for my pocket on the airfare to Hanoi... it was indeed my own fault, for not buying the tickets months before...
I was still in confused whether to go or not...
after my friends, Monik and Anna, went to Hanoii just 2 weeks earlier, and I heard their story and decided to go...we run out of tickets!

But yet i still haven't lost my hope on getting theTickets to Hanoi...
(Tania and opiq decided not to go).

Finally, my new friend Thao, was very nice to found 2 tickets to Hanoii one day before Chinese New Year, we jumped on the luck and paid almost $160 for return tickets per person.
Usually it cost only $100, but during a peak season like this, getting $160 for the ticket was quite cheap...

we used Vietnam Airlines; travelers want to check also jetstar airlines for cheap tickets.
anyway, we could use road transportation like trains and buses, but it'll take days... so no, we don't have that amount of time.

For this Hanoi Trip, we left our baggage at our hotel in Ho Chi Minh, and we only carry one backpack each so we don't need to pay more money for the luggage we need to checked in.

Recommended by my friend Anna from Jakarta, we stayed in Serenity Hotel, only $20 per night...yes it was cheap, but they don't have elevator and we were on the 5th floor... i feel bad for my Aunty Ris. :D
http://www.hanoiserenityhotel.com/

Chinese New Year was indeed festive, but don't expect to shop, for most stores are closed. And please... please don't underestimate the cold weather even in an Asian Country... it was freeeezzzing cold, it got to 10 degrees C. And i didn't bring jeans nor jackets what so ever. Budget wise, the only thing i bought there in Hanoi is the knitted hat to cover my ears, and socks... the rest?, i only had a cotton pants which i bought in Bali and a sweater to keep me warm...yikeeesss...
I heard usually it gets colder during Chinese New Year.
dohh too late.

here's our Ittenary,
day 4 - Arrive (noon), downtown walk, Chinese New Year
day 5 - one day Trip Ha Long Bay ($25 not including pick up at the hotel)
day 6 - Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi (5am) - Ho Chi Minh city
Afternoon walk Saigon City
Back Home to Jakarta, Indonesia

for the Ha Long Bay Trip
we took the Sinhcafe tour (http://sinhcafe.com/english_pro/north/Halong%20St08%20-09.htm), not including the pick up on the hotel, i went to the travel agent office....the bus to the harbor awaits there.
and some how i got the tour price cheaper compare from the website, maybe now is the holiday season...

Tour Cost includes::
- Transport
- Boat trip
- Entrance fee
- Lunch
- English speaking guide.