Week 83: Hanoi: into a different world

October 23, 2016

Flight to Hanoi

"All that wander are not lost" quoting Bilbo Baggins, then Rachel declares "except in Hanoi."

The flight from Mongolia to Korea to Vietnam starts off a little unusual beginning with a one hour delay, then a wait for a missing passenger. Once the guy shows up we taxi out to the runway, only to have to return because this same passenger has to get back off. Including his luggage. They deal with it pretty efficiently, and eventually we are underway with about two hours delay. Good thing we have four hours in Seoul for our transfer to Hanoi.

We have applied for a Visa On Arrival (VOA). This is done online via a third party. They quickly return a letter to you that states that you have been approved and your visa will be stamped in the arrival airport. American citizens have just been "rewarded" to receive now a one year, multiple entry visa. Problem is that they also stopped issuing shorter (and much cheaper) visas. So now we are forced to buy a $135 visas for our planned stay of less than a month. We do have 90 days so that gives us a little leeway if we want to stay longer.

We made reservations at the Hanoi Brother Inn and they have sent a taxi to pick us up... $18 very well spent. We have a nice room with self contained bathroom and a balcony in the old French Quarter of the city. What a different world from Ulaanbaatar. Narrow streets, trees, people everywhere and a humid 30 degrees.

Journal continues one month in Vietnam and beyond

Our bikes and panniers have all arrived undamaged in Hanoi. We are picked-up with a SUV large enough to take our gear and driven about 20km south to our hotel.

Our balcony with a nice view over Old Hanoi.

Anything can be transported by bicycle. We might also consider this option.

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	0
Comment on this entry	Comment	0