Hanoi, Vietnam

By the time we got to Hanoi, we felt like pros navigating Southeast Asia. We'd survived the dangers of crossing traffic in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and were still alive even after jumping off a ferry in Bangkok 10 seconds before the boat drove away (please do not attempt this ever). Here's a tip: the trick to crossing the street is finding an old native and following her as if you were part of her family. Though the stress and terror of the situation will never fully dissipate, we found this tactic to be extremely helpful when crossing the streets in Hanoi.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is charming and extremely beautiful in its own way. No one is pretentious, and after opening its doors to tourism, the charm and atmosphere remains.  Once you've been to Saigon, Hanoi seems quieter, though still vibrant.

Day 1

• Arrive in Hanoi from Bangkok.
• Check into Minh Anh Hotel
• Lunch @  Bún Chả 34 Hàng Than. This place was recommended by our concierge. It's a lunch staple of Hanoi and it's addicting. Luckily, the place is also their street name so it's easy to find on Google Maps.
• Shopping @ Chợ Đồng Xuân (Dong Xuan Market). A flea market where you can find gifts and souvenirs.
• Dinner. We tried a few dishes at the different vendors on the streets by Hoan Kiem Lake. 
• Hoan Kiem Lake. It's a piece of oasis in the middle of Hanoi's Old Quarter.
• Thang Long Water Puppet Show. It's an hour long of music, Vietnamese folk stories, and marionettes on water. Drop in as early as you can to buy your tickets for the time you want before it sells out. There are many shows throughout the day.
• Night Market. Always bargain for whatever you're buying. Otherwise, enjoy the night eating and shopping.

Day 2

• Ha Long Bay. A UNESCO heritage site. You have to book a tour to see this. It's amazing and words cannot describe how beautiful it was. We booked our tour through the Sinh Tourist. Due to time constraints, we were only able to do the one day tour. Be careful when booking a tour as there are a quite a few scams and copycats out there.
• Dinner. Street food. Try some pho ga.
• Dessert. Vietnamese che is colorful and comparable to Thai's desserts, Filipino halo-halo, or Taiwanese baobing. There are many variety to choose from. Some are hot while other desserts are served over shaved/crushed ice. 
• Walked around 

Day 3

• Fly back to Saigon for Christmas.

Here are some more tips to navigating Hanoi.