Going inside Kad Suan Kaew

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

Three of our children will be visiting from the US in December and want to have a family holiday. My wife and kids are keen to go somewhere outside of Thailand.  One daughter has suggested Hanoi.

 

Can anyone give hotel recommendations or suggestions for activities and things to see?  I think we'd plan on spending three nights there.

 

 

[PattayaParent]

Hotels of course depend on your budget.

 

Hoan Kiem Lake, especially at the weekend when it's closed to traffic.

The "Ha Noi Hilton" prison

The Temple of Literature.

 

Take warm clothes, it's cold in December, and an umbrella or plastic mac will come in handy too.

[PattayaParent]

Go up the tower of the Lotte Department Store in central Ha Noi, not the one at West Lake, and take the VR glider ride. Good views of the city also.

 

For a day trip out go up Fransipan mountain.

 

Wander round the streets of the old quarter. There's a tour around the old quarter from the top end of Hoan Kiem Lake, in golf carts, not expensive.

 

Go to the Water Puppet Show, again at the top end of HK Lake.

Edited Tuesday at 09:49 AM by PattayaParent

[oceanbluejewell]

Excellent question

We are doing 14 day tour Nov 4 to sort of get our feet wet.

Appreciate the suggestions.

[PattayaParent]

14 days?

 

Go to Huong Pagoda, a day trip out of Ha Noi.

 

Ninh Binh also a day trip, "Ha Long Bay on Land"

 

Ha Long bay of course for a few days.

 

Sa Pa

 

When I used to stay in hotels in Ha Noi I'd find one around Hoan Kiem Lake area. Hang Hanh street has a few (Lakeside Palace, Holiday Lake View) and some nice local restaurants too, my favourite of which now seems to have been renamed Hollywood, I just hope the owners are the same when I get back there.

[sandyf]

On 10/10/2024 at 6:35 AM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Three of our children will be visiting from the US in December and want to have a family holiday. My wife and kids are keen to go somewhere outside of Thailand.  One daughter has suggested Hanoi.

 

Can anyone give hotel recommendations or suggestions for activities and things to see?  I think we'd plan on spending three nights there.

 

 

In Dec I would suggest you look at HCMC rather than Hanoi, weather would be much better.

Plenty to see in the city and worth taking the boat over to Vung Tau.

[PattayaParent]

On 10/16/2024 at 3:20 PM, sandyf said:

In Dec I would suggest you look at HCMC rather than Hanoi, weather would be much better.

Plenty to see in the city and worth taking the boat over to Vung Tau.

 

Weather in HCMC much like Pattaya, Ha Noi more like Chiang Mai, so depends whether you want to be hot and humid or cool and wet.

 

Can't say I find HCMC that interesting, or Vung Tao. Cui Chi tunnels were good and the Mekong Delta tour.

 

Lots of good bars and restaurants where I stay in Xuan Thuy street in Thao Dien so I've not much reason to move from there.

 

[BritManToo]

On 10/10/2024 at 12:35 PM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Can anyone give hotel recommendations or suggestions for activities and things to see?  I think we'd plan on spending three nights ther

Evening walking food tour, well worth the price.

Daytime cultural walking tour if you like a bit of history.

 

Train trip to Ninh Binh, then the rowing boat trip at Tam Coc and the walk around Hang Mua.

Edited 4 hours ago by BritManToo

[sandyf]

2 hours ago, PattayaParent said:

Weather in HCMC much like Pattaya, Ha Noi more like Chiang Mai, so depends whether you want to be hot and humid or cool and wet.

In 25 years I have never known it to be hot & humid in Pattaya in Dec.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

I've been to HCMC several times and at least one of our kids has been there, too.

 

Daughter specifically asked for Hanoi.

 

Where is most convenient to stay in Hanoi in order to get around and see the attractions? I'll sort pricing.

[BritManToo]

23 minutes ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Where is most convenient to stay in Hanoi in order to get around and see the attractions? I'll sort pricing.

Anywhere near the city centre lake, the airport bus stops nearby.

[BritManToo]

This is the area I like, many hotels to choose from, airport bus stop is close.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vJwXkxTtqwr7yGQE7

 

Think the airport bus costs $2-3 per person.

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by BritManToo