[punk]

I'm going to Hanoi and thereabouts in a couple weeks and was hoping for some recommendations. I'm interested in the city, but also trekking/backpacking options. Historic sites, bars, cafes and other interesting places for the open mind. Cheap (but not crappy) accommodations would also be most appreciated.

[Sazzy]

Ooh oooohhhhh - my favourite Asian city!

You can basically walk around Hanoi - wander around the French Quarter, Old Quarter and the lake. The Temple of Literature and the Presidents Palace are a not to miss. Warning - for locals these places are free but for tourists, a fee is charges.

Hanoi is quite cheap - so you can get a decent hotel for a very reasonable price. Look here http://travel.roughguides.com/roughguides.html

We also had a day trip to Ha Long Bay - 3 hour bus ride there, 4 hours on a boat around the mountains and caves and 3 hours back. You can do this by a 2 day trip. The tour operators were based around the lake.

Have a great time

[Khema]

any interesting cycling itineraries (1-2-3 days) around Hanoi? just enough for a long weekend...?

[lastrega]

Check out a previous thread on this - http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/thread...html#post29608

For trekking - do the trip to Sapa in the north ... it was one of the highlights of my one month trip to Vietnam. Loads of great trails and opportunites to see the various montagnard tribes. The much touted Sapa market tour is a bit of a tourist trap. A better market is Bac Ha Market on Sunday - the various montagnard tribes come here to trade so it's a kaleidescope of colours, sounds, smells and experiences. Make Sapa your base - the Bac Ha market is about a 2 - 3 hour drive. You can take the overnight train to Sapa - loads of tour agencies will sell you a tour which is OK but it's really easy to do on your own. In Sapa, stay at Cat Cat guest house - large room with your own fire place and a gorgeous view from its terrace. It's not totally backpacker standards but neither is it the Hyatt. The owner is wonderful and will go out of her way to ensure you have a great time.

Have a good trip!

[punk]

thanks so much for your comments. lastrega, sounds like you prefer the sapa route to the ha long bay one. is the drive by bus, or do you hire someone to take you by 4 wheel drive?