Hanoi as a cruise excursion from Halong Bay
Why Hanoi
Hanoi the capital of Vietnam and a place that was never off the news for all the wrong reasons in my childhood.
DAY 1
Journey to Hanoi
The journey takes you through a number rural villiages and gives you a glimpse of the locals going about there daily lives. You also notice how in the north of Vietnam there is still much more political advertising all along the route something that was not obvious when earlier on our cruise we had visited other Vietnam ports including Ho Chi Minh city ( Saigon).
So when we did a Cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong on the Celebrity Millennium that included 3 port stops in Vietnam it was one city I wanted to visit.
Probably my enthusiasm to see the city was built on my desire to tick another city of the world off my list as much as from my childhood memories and subsequent curiosity.
Research into our Vietnam port stops quickly identified we would be calling into Halong Bay and the ship would in fact be staying there over night and not sailing again till 7 pm on the second day.
So as a result of that we signed up for the ships overnight excursion to Hanoi, now in normal circumstances we do try and arrange our own excursions but with this being such a long way from the ship and overnight it was a trip we were not prepared to do without the insurance that if we got delayed then the ship would wait for us. So ships excursion it was !!
Of course in these strange times of Covid it looks like once the ships sail again for a hopefully short period ships excursion will be the only way to go, however if that's what it takes fair enough I just hope its not for long and being someone who sees the glass half full I am sure it wont be to long till we return to normal.
Now Halong Bay is a destination in its own right with the numerous stunning rocky islands and general uniqueness of that location but my mind was made up and at that port stop was going to be a trip to Hanoi and we would see Halong Bay on the sail in to port.
As luck had it we got a invite onto the Helipad of the ship to witness that particular sail into spectacular Halong Bay which was a surprize bonus.
Halong Bay
Sail into Halong Bay on Celebrity Millennium
Halong Bay
Halong Bay was a tender port stop for us and since it was a early morning arrival into what was a cool overcast Bay, we were in fact at anchor at around 9 am.
It then did not take long and we were onboard the ships tender and heading to the quayside where our guide and bus were waiting.
Logistics Manager on the tender
Millennium in Halong Bay
Halong Bay
Once our group of 20 disembarked the tender it was a short walk to the carpark that was right next to the tender pier.
Our guide then introduced himself to us and gave a quick outline of what we would be seeing and doing that day on route and in Hanoi.
He also explained to us if anybody had any questions of lets say a political or international element then he would happily and truthfully answer them " On the bus" however if we were out and about in Hanoi his answer would be more Goverment friendly.
It was a very honest and stark reminder that we were in a country that freedoms we all take for granted are not universal worldwide.
So with the introduction over we were quickly on our way.
Its worth pointing out like many of the large cities in Asian cruise itineraries Hanoi is not close to where the ship docked. Fact is, it is a 3 and half hour bus journey away on what can only be described as busy and at times bonkers roads !!
However it did make for a interesting drive.
The guide however cheered a few people up by pointing out the bus had free WiFi which many of our fellow group members quickly got onto as they had not had access to it on the ship. So that took there minds of the roads.
To also make the journey more user friendly we did not do it in one run, we in fact stopped a couple of times.
One stop was at a workshop for local crafts in particular stonework and costume jewellery, which was standard for these excursions with a Cruise company, but it was not a hard sell and it did give those who needed it access to restrooms. The second stop again with facilities was at a small cafe next to a rural smallholding where some of the villagers were busy in the fields working. It was from my point of view much more interesting and a very south east asian vista
Locals had at work in the fields
However in what was by now early afternoon we began to enter the outskirts of Hanoi and the large busy city was in front of us.
We slowly made our way through the city towards Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The mausoleum is in the square, this area is heavily guarded and is a large open square with Goverment buildings around it's perimeters however the Mausoleum is the stand out building. It is a place which is still shown great respect by the Vietnamese.
We parked our bus on the outskirts of the Square and began to join the queue to enter the square and then the Mausoleum. It's worth stating the actual Mausoleum is not always open but it was on our visit.
As we were lineing up a group of local school children were next to us on one side and on the other was a group of elderly Veteran Vietnamese soldiers there to pay there respects to there former leader. Now there was some ex US Vietnam Vets in our group and it was quiet humbling to see how much respect and friendship the vets from both sides of that conflict showed to each other a lesson for us all.
After a wait of about 30 minutes we were allowed into the square and eventually the Mausoleum where alongside interesting artifacts the body of the ex leader is on show. Now the rules are very strict there are no cameras or water allowed in the building and there are many guards and officials in place to enforce the rules.
It was quiet a experience and a bit surreal however very interesting.
Local school children waiting to visit the Mausoleum
Ba Dinh Square and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Closer view of Mausoleum
Logistics Manager in the square
Myself in the square
Parliament House Ba Dinh Square
Hanoi Old Quarter
This is a fascinating area to visit and its where we headed after the square, its a busy, busseling part of the city with narrow streets all of which are packed full with motorbikes, scooters, bicycles and cars. The architecture of the buildings is very colonial and are occupied by local traders selling fruit vegetables and Vietnamese food. There is also hundreds of street stalls and traders, selling there wares so all of this is in itself a experience you just don't see in the west.
We got some free time here and the opertunity to take a short Tuk Tuk ride throught the interesting area, now that was a experience think Tuk Tuk meets bumper car fair ride, but we really did enjoy our hour here.
Traffic in Hanoi Old Quarter
Street life in Hanoi Old Quarter
Street traders in Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake
This lake with a temple in its center is a prominent feature of Hanoi, and we did get the chance to take a 15 minute walk along its banks we in fact passed it a few times as we moved around the city but it was at night as you went past it you saw it fully lit up and looking quiet spectacular.
Hoan Kiem Lake
Lake in daytime
After the Old Quarter we got the opportunity to attend at a theater and watch a performance of this ancient art form and the Vietnamese take on this Asian tradition. The puppets dance and slide over the water telling a traditional tale. It really was a unusual and different experience.
Water Puppet Theater
Puppet's during the performance
The actual puppeteers after the performance
After the puppet theater it was now around 8 pm and so after a long interesting and enjoyable day we headed through the dim lit but busy city streets to our hotel for the night.
InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
This was the hotel Celebrity Cruises had booked us into, I have to be honest here I have done a couple of overnight excursion with Celebrity and my experience is ever time there hotel choices have been excellent and this was no different, service room and facilities were perfect.
The hotel is in a great location built next to and in fact on the biggest lake in Hanoi.
So once we checked in here which was quick and professional, we got freshened up and then had a late meal and a few drinks before a very good nights sleep. In the morning it was a buffet breakfast which again was excellent with a wide choice of western and local dishes available.
InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
A morning mist on the water as we walked from our room to breakfast
Another picture of the hotel in the morning
DAY 2
So after breakfast we had been told to meet our guide in the hotel foyer at 10 am and after that we quickly boarded the bus and headed off, we drove first to an area of Hanoi known as the French Quarter, remember France was once the colonial power who ruled over Vietnam and this area in particular retains a very French look and feel, it is in fact a affluent area of the city and home to many of the foreign embassies and government buildings it is also home to the Hanoi Opera House which again was built in the French period.
It was a complete contrast from the Old Quarter we had seen the day before.
Hanoi Opera House
French Quarter Hanoi
Presidential Palace
This was our main destination on Day 2, it was originally built in 1900 to 1906 by the French to house the French Governor General, but after Vietnam gained independence it became the Presidential Palace. That said Ho Chi Minh saw the building as a symbol of colonial rule and refused to live in it, although he did meet visiting leaders there. Ho Ch Minh did however stay in the extensive and beautiful gardens where he had a modest traditional Vietnamese stilt house built which he used as his personal residence.
You actually can't get access inside the Presidential Palace but you do get to wander the gardens and see inside Ho Chi Minh's stilt house. There was also a exhibition of the cars that the ex leader used. But it was the gardens that were truely stunning and I personally enjoyed wandering around.
Presidential Palace
Rear of the Palace from the gardens
Official car used by Ho Chi Minh
Ceremonial Guard at Ho Chi Minh stilt house in the gardens
Logistics Manager with one of the guards before he took his position at the stilt house
Inside of the stilt house
Another part of the stilt house
Vietnamese lady in traditional dress within the gardens.
Hoa Lo Prison a.k.a "The Hanoi Hilton"
This was our final stop of the day but before we reached it we drove past the Vietnamese War Museum that has a vast array of military hardware on show.
We then arrived at Hoa Lo Prison which was again originally built by the French during colonial times and was used by them to imprison many Vietnamese during the independence struggle.
However after independence and in particular during the Vietnam War in the 1960's and early 70's it became more infamous as the place were American POW's were held particular political important ones. One of its most famous ex inmates being the late US Senator John McCain.
It was during this period it got its nickname of The Hanoi Hilton.
Now the one thing you quickly realise is as you walk around this location the story is being presented to you from a very heavily influenced Vietnamese Goverment point of view, its tells you how bad the French treated the prisoners but that when they themselves used it the US POW's lived in 5 star facilities ?
I am sure this is far from the truth however propaganda aside it was a sobering and interesting location.
War Museum in Hanoi
Yours truly at the entrance the the prison
Model of the prison
Illustration of how French held Vietnamese prisoners
Isolation cell
Guillotine used for judicial death penalty sentence during French rule
Flying suit and equipment taken from US Senator John McCain when he was captured
Return to the ship
So after the prison visit that was our trip to Hanoi completed, it was early afternoon and we headed out the city and retraced our journey back to Halong Bay and the Celebrity Millennium.
This time we only stopped once at a small hotel restaurant where we got some light refreshments, on the journey back the roads appeared busier but as it was we got back to the pier with a good hour to spare before final boarding. It was getting dark and as we crossed over to the ship we got a great view of Halong Bay suspension bridge that was very colourful as it put on a light display.
Halong Bay suspension bridge puts on a light display
Conclusion
So what did I think of the excursion ?
Well its like most things it depends on what you like to do and see. I do enjoy visiting different cities and I did want to visit Hanoi. So what has to be accepted is that it is a long bus run from the ship to the city that fact was never a problem for us, however it is fair to say it may be a issue for some.
As for the sights and attractions we visited they were all good and our guide was excellent at explaining there history and relevance.
I have already said the hotel was excellent.
So overall we were very happy with what this excursion delivered and for us it was a interesting and enjoyable ships excursion that we are glad we took.
So hope this is of interest to some and if you liked it please share, and search the blog for other posts.
Keep following and I will see you soon from another location.
Davie
