Going to Hanoi for a few days in March with my daughter, shes 11,what are the must see things?, any good mid range hotels to suggest in the old quarter of Hanoi? Is Ha Long bay worth the trip ive heard it is much the same as Krabi where we have spent a lot of time before.

Would love someone to reply to this as my questions are much the same. we will be there 26th April

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

I spent a few days in Hanoi in Feb 2006, but only really as a stop off point to do overnite junk trip on Halong Bay. We stayed in the old quarter (a rather cultural experience!) at a place called Hong Ngoc Hotel, but I wouldnt really recommend it. It was probably about 2 star and very basic. I cant even tell you the price cos it was all included in our fare. There are about 3 or 4 Hong Ngoc Hotels in Hanoi, all about the same standard. We werent there long enough to note some other better Hotels to stay at - sorry!
As for Halong Bay - I would highly recommend it, except when we went in Feb it was rather chilly and we actually had to buy a warm jacket at the wharf before getting on the boat! I havent been to Krabi so cant comment on if it is similar or not. The overnite junk trip was good and worth it. There were only 8 of us on the junk with about the same number of staff. We did sea canooeing and a cave walk. Food all included and really fresh and nice too. From pictures it looks similar to Thailand islands ... so I dont know if that helps you at all, cos I havent actually yet been to Thailand ... BUT ... only 50 more sleeps to go!!!!

Oh ... forgot to mention that the only other thing we did in hanoi (apart from a little shopping of course) was to go to the water puppet theatre ... which I would also highly recommend, especially for an 11 year old girl.

We're going to stay at HANOI ELEGANCE HOTEL on the recommendation of some friends.

We are looking at this as well there are more than one of them I think

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Elegance 2 is the one we are looking at. It's so confusing isn't it, so many hotels have 1, 2 or 3 after them and are usually around the corner from each other

You can stay in Intercontinental or Sofitel Metropole or Hilton Hanoi Opera. They're great.

Rob,
Once coming to Hanoi, you should visit some of the must-see places as:the Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh President Palace, The Museum of Ethnology and Hoan Kiem lake. I suggest you stay in mid-range hotels in the old quarter: Thang Long opera hotel, Hong Ngoc hotel, Bao Khanh hotel...
I hope you find this information helpful and wish you nice days in our country.
You can contact me at my Y!M: duc_nguyen1211 for more details that I can help.

I'd say Halong Bay is slightly similar to Krabi but no way is it "much the same as..." I consider Halong a MUST for anybody in the Hanoi region, we did the tour in bad weather (January) but it was still stunning. I remember standing on deck of our junk looking out across that remarkable scenery with my MP3 player turned up full blast and listening to some outstanding songs.
We also went to a performance at the Hanoi Opera House. Fortunately there was a special performance on at the time we were there, so I took my wife to dinner then to the opera. It was one of the best evenings we've spent together.

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