HANOI: A Family Journey

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Day 1 – First Taste of Hanoi

Our much-awaited family trip to Hanoi finally happened first week of June —all of us together: me, my wife Cynthia, our sons Allen and Paolo, and daughters Nina and Dang, who were home from Australia and took charge of everything—hotel, transport, and tours. All we had to do was show up and enjoy—and we did, starting with our early morning Vietnam Airlines flight.

By 1 a.m., we were up and on our way to NAIA. Check-in was smooth, though the lounge was under maintenance, so we had coffee at Starbucks. The 3-hour flight was uneventful. I tried the beef noodles—okay, but nothing memorable.

At Hanoi’s clean and efficient airport, our van took us straight to Hotel Allure in the Old Quarter. With check-in at 2 p.m., we left our bags and explored. Hanoi greeted us with heat, humidity, and buzzing motorbikes. The narrow streets were lined with shops, food stalls, and locals lounging on tiny plastic stools sipping strong coffee.

We stumbled upon a quirky coffee shop tucked upstairs and I tried a chocolate-egg coffee—sweet and oddly good. Later, we joined a walking food tour led by our cheerful guide, Jasmine, with a Mexican joining us.

We sampled delicate rice paper rolls, peanut-topped noodles, banh mi, and a hidden pho shop inside a narrow alley. The chicken pho was rich and comforting despite the heat. Our final stop was a local café where I cooled off with a Vietnamese beer instead of coffee. Jasmine shared fascinating tidbits about Vietnam’s mix of communism and capitalism, its peaceful progress, and even exotic dishes like fertilized duck eggs—our local "penoy."

By late afternoon, our rooms were ready—simple, clean, and cozy. That night, we dined streetside at a local restaurant serving pan-fried squid, egg oysters, fried rolls, leafy greens, and three types of fried rice. Great flavors, better prices.

Day 2 – Ha Long Bay’s Majesty

After a buffet breakfast—fresh greens, fruits, coffee, yogurt, and a bit of everything—we boarded our bus for the 3-hour trip to Ha Long Bay. Our guide, Kien, a.k.a. “Sticky Rice,” shared Vietnam’s rich history of resilience and growth.

We stopped at a pearl farm, where we learned how pearls are cultivated. Then, the highlight: our Ha Long Bay cruise. Towering limestone islands, emerald waters, and a generous buffet lunch welcomed us onboard. 

Post-lunch, a crew member skillfully sold us pearl jewelry. My wife tried on a full set—necklace, earrings, ring—and I haggled hard for a better deal. It worked.

We then explored Sung Sot Cave—steep climb, but magical inside with glowing stalactites and a panoramic view. A peaceful boat ride followed, paddled by a local woman through Luon Cave into a secret calm lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs. As the sun dipped, we enjoyed fruit and snacks on deck. By 9 p.m., we were back in Hanoi, tired but awestruck.

Day 3 – Into the Highlands: Sapa

After a good rest, we were off to Sapa, a mountain town six hours away. Our sleeper bus had cozy bunks with curtains and views—entertainment screen sadly didn’t work.

We reached Sapa by early afternoon and checked into the Pistachio Hotel. Lunch at the hotel was a feast—pho, spring rolls, stir-fried meat, and fried rice. Expensive but worth it.

Later, we visited the Alpine Coaster—a self-driven rail ride through misty rice terraces. Short but fun.  My kids even did it twice! Moana Park followed—full of Instagram-worthy backdrops like a giant hand and Bali-style gate.

Back at the hotel, we explored its rooftop bar and heated indoor pool. For dinner, we walked to the town center and had a cozy hotpot meal—perfect for the chilly evening.

Day 4 – Fansipan and Farewell

On our last day, we woke early to clear skies and enjoyed breakfast with a view. Then off to Sun World Fansipan Legend. Thanks to Nina and Dang, we skipped the lines and took a scenic funicular ride, then boarded the world-class cable car to the summit.

At the top, rain returned. My wife and I stayed dry while the kids, in raincoats, explored the misty mountaintop temples. On the way down, we strolled through flower gardens, grabbed last-minute souvenirs, and rushed a takeout lunch just before our van arrived.

Back at the bus terminal, we began the return trip to Hanoi Airport, closing a beautiful chapter of unforgettable moments, mountain mists, and Vietnamese warmth.

 

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