Vietnam part 2

Being in Bali looking back at our last story, it seems ages ago... A completely different journey. However, laying in this beautiful Balinese garden next to the gorgeous swimming pool, seems a good place and moment to look back at our Vietnam adventures. 

Last time we told you we would leave for Hoi An, so that's where we start today.

Hoi An is a lovely little town next to a river and close to the beach, but famous for its many tailors. Arriving there in the early morning (by night bus) we were happy to see a nice Vietnamese lady with a sign that stated: MS. FLOOR VAN WAKEREN (the advantage of booking a hotel in advance).  She took us to a nice hotel, with al the luxurious facilities we could wish for: tv, AC, private HOT shower, bath and even a fridge (and it costed us only 10 bugs!). 
After settling down, we decided to go out for breakfast and discover the town. It turned out to be the nicest place we've been thus far in Vietnam! The centre is car and motorcycle free (only primitive vehicles are allowed), and they played classical music which makes the centre a quite and peaceful place. In addition with all the Chinese style houses and buildings and all the traditionally dressed woman, the town is completely different from all the other places we've seen thus far. 
Other travellers and the lonely planet told us that Hoi An is 'the place to be' for having your clothes and shoes made, and indeed it is paradise if you know what you want.... Knowing that we would have to carry everything we would buy, we decided to keep it simple, and don't ask them to make us suites, winter coats, boots, etc. but only try shoes. Obviously Floor couldn't leave this town without having one pair of shoes custom made... So after searching the Internet for the perfect pair of pumps, we went to a highly recommended shoe tailer and showed the picture. The ladies in the shop assured us they could make anything, and would do the best they can to match the picture.
After choosing the design and deliberating about the height of the heel, it was time to pick the fabrics and colours. They had pieces of all types of fabrics and advised you where you needed it. As a result, Floor chose high quality: everything leather! The outside black suede, the inside black leather and a sandy coloured leather sole. 
The last thing to do was to collect the right measures. The lady asked Floor to step on a white piece of paper, and she draw a line around the feet. In addition, she took measurements at three different spots of the feet and that's it. We were ordered out of the shop and had to come back two days later to try the shoes. If necessary, than they would make any changes to create the perfect fit and design. 
Eager to see the shoes, we returned two days later. The shoes almost matched the picture and size was almost right... As a result they promised to change the size a bit, so we had to come back the next day. When we returned, the size was perfect and the design lovely. Happy with this nice experience and with nice new shoes, we were allowed to leave town the next day.

However, making shoes was not the only thing to do and see in Hoi An. We spend our days by wandering around, taking a boat on the river to see traditional fishing, visiting some cultural buildings and museums, cycle around, visiting the beach and eating the best Italian food in ages! Besides discovering Hoi An we went to My Son: rediscovered ruins in the middle of the Vietnam jungles with absolute amazing views! 

In addition to spending time together, we ran in to some other backpackers we met before in both Saigon and Nha Trang, what a coincidence.... Through them we met some other travellers and decided to go out together and have a great time together.

Altogether, due to the good vibe in Hoi An, we ended up staying there for 5 days, and had a very good time. 

Our next stop after Hoi An was Hue: the old capital of Vietnam before Vietnam was divided in two. Unfortunately Hue was not what we expected from a former capital. The city was asleep, but still had some interesting sights which we visited with a boat/bus tour. By boat we crossed the river which separated the North from the South. Along this river there where amazing views, nice temples and daily life on the river. After leaving the boat we visited various tombs by bus. Unfortunately, rain made it hard to stay dry... 

The next day we planned to visit the old quarter and enter the citadel to visit the forbidden city. Unfortunately the citadel was closed where arrived, so we drank some sweet iced tea and enjoyed the views of the citadel city wall... Since Hue had nothing more to offer, we left at night, by nightbus, for the capital of Vietnam: Hanoi.

In Hue, a nice girl in our hotel booked a hotel, with free pickup, for us in Hanoi. Very convenient as we thought. When we arrived there was someone waiting for us, however, not to pick us up. So he let us no other choice than to take a taxi. In addition, the room turned out to be more expensive than it was supposed to be and the guy was really unfriendly: not a good start for Hanoi. After a bit of haggling we agreed on the price and he showed us the room: one on the sunny side of the building on the top floor: like a sauna.. To tired to worry about this, we went for a shower and escaped to the city for breakfast.

Hanoi is, like Saigon, a booming city filled with local life (and more motorbikes than you'll be able to count). When you wander around the small ally's you'll find local food stands everywhere (with the typical child-sized-plastic-chairs). We decided to start our Hanoi adventure local, and ordered a pho (typical Vietnamese noodle soup) for breakfast, which was absolutely delicious! After breakfast we went on a mission: buying new flip flops for Rob since his havaianas refused to take him around any longer. And what is a better place to look for slippers than the shoe market?! The shoe market turned out to be a district filled with little shoe shops and nothing else. Every shop sells approximately the same, but of course with varying prices.. Rob ended up buying (authentic) Abercrombie slippers for only $7, such a good deal for the real deal....
Besides this shoe district, you can find any type of district in Hanoi: districts for mechanics, scooter accessories, clothes, fruits and vegetables, food streets, etc.. 

In the middle of the booming centre of Hanoi, you can find a nice lake, surrounded by a small stretch of green, which feels like a park. Here you'll find the Vietnamese sporting in the early morning or late afternoon (when the temperature is bearable and allows you to exercise). Badminton seems to be a national sport here: you'll find the Vietnamese playing it in every park!

After one day in Hanoi, we left the city for a three days, two nights, Halong Bay tour. More on this tour the next time!

With love, 
Floor&Rob