Vietnam, Hanoi / Halong Bay

Stay in the Old Quarter to be near everything.
Eat at Little Hanoi and try the caramel beef and roll your own spring rolls.
Have some great dessert at Fanny Ice Cream.

Halong Bay is absolutely beautiful so definately do a trip. We did a 2 day 1 night trip which was enough. You have the option of staying on an island or on the boat. Seemes silly to come out here and stay in a hotel when you have the option of a boat. You will be bombarded by travel agents selling Halong Bay trips. It's very difficult to work out who's not a dodgy operator. We landed up going with Columbus Travel on Hang Bac who seemed honest and explained what we were not going to get rather than promising the world. Most of the boats are identical and it's the people who make your trip but you want to be sure your boat is OK. Avoid the hundreds of fake Sinh Cafes. We payed $25 each but others on the same boat payed $33. Buy your alcohol beforehand and take some snacks to share out to be social. You can buy alcohol off a boat that will come around when you anchor for the night for last minute orders but the price is higher.