I had been to Hanoi only for three days. But that trip was very close to my heart and ever will be.It was my first solo trip.I am such a dependent girl, that I even go to washrooms with a gang, during my school and college days :P. But some situations in my life pushed me to do this.

“Vietnam is to Valli , what Bodhi is to Buddha”, The above statement is little exaggerated, but this one trip taught me a lot of life lessons.

1. World is full of Positivism – We hear a lot of negative news in Media, also lots of discussions about dying humanity, FALSE ! I got a lot of help from people around.(At the same time be Cautious).When you are alone, no one will let you feel lonely.
2. You need not want some one else to make you happy always.Self love is very important.
3. Alone, you will get enormous strength suddenly to handle any situation.
4. Decision making – You will learn to make your own decisions, also learn whether it is right or wrong instantly and you will correct it without any guilt of others knowing them. Unlike exam question papers , in our life the questions are more complex than the answers.The answers mostly revolve around Yes or No.

Too much of philosophy , lets go to the itinerary. In Hanoi , I had spent most of my time wandering around the ‘Hoan Kiem Lake’, did not do much sight seeing.

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Day 1 – Old Quarter

I traveled to Vietnam from Malaysia.Took an early morning flight and reached Hanoi around 9 AM.They provide on Arrival Visa for Indian Passport holders and it costs 35 USD -(single entry valid for 15 days stay) .

I stayed in Hanoi Centre Hostel , located at 13 Ngo Tram .Gentle staff and highly safe for girls. Visited Hoa Lo prison , Huc Bridge , Turtle Tower, Ngoc son temple , Thang Long water puppet show – I highly recommend it, extraordinary and unique experience, I just loved the music they played, shopping at Night Market around the Lake (only on weekends).Its very pleasant to walk around the Lake in the night.

Day 2 – Halong Bay

Halong bay is 165 km away from Hanoi city.I had taken a day trip from here. Halong bay consists of more than 1600 Islands or Islets ,forming a spectacular seascape of limestone cliffs.This is listed as UNESCO World heritage natural site.

You will cruise along these limestone cliffs, which comes in different shapes and sizes presenting picturesque , unspoiled nature.You can experience Kayak around the bay and sea food lunch on board.Explore the Thien Cung Cave(Heavenly Palace Cave) , The view of the ocean from here is good.

Day 3

My flight was in the afternoon this day , so planned to visit the cathedral , Temple of Literature, Bach ma temple etc,. But the whole time was consumed in Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. That was not in my Plan, but just came across , I did not know what is inside as well, but just stood in the Queue which took two long hours to enter the place.

So many school students had come to visit this place.while I was in the middle of the queue,I came to know that there is a preserved dead body of Ho Chi Minh inside(He is the most Iconic and powerful leader of Vietnam fondly called as Uncle Ho, and his body is been preserved for about 50 years and still looks very fresh). The entire place is surrounded by vigilant security guards.After entering inside, it is a room , highly air conditioned , there is a desk bed where he is lying in the open surface.Four security guards were surrounding him.You should not bring phones / electronic devices inside.There is cloak room to keep those items.Its again totally a different experience for me.

As soon as I came outside, a lot of students came around me to click pictures.It’s cool when you are treated like a foreigner in a foreign country 😛

Spread Joy!! Spread Positiveness!!!