Why Dubai & Hanoi??
Southeast Asia had been at the top of the bucket list for a long time, but I always found myself waiting for the “right time” to go. However, since there was an opportunity to partake in the inaugural Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai to Hanoi, it was clear that the “right time” had arrived.
The aforementioned inaugural Emirates roundtrip flight from Dubai to Hanoi was via Starwood – they auctioned off the round-trip business class flight and a 3-night stay at the Sheraton Hanoi. The inaugural flight was a big deal – at least 10 media personnel were on the flight. And it was a fantastic experience for me, but more on that later.
Logistically, it was going to go like this: fly via Etihad from Chicago to Abu Dhabi, take Etihad’s free shuttle from there to Dubai. Spend 1.5 days in Dubai, then fly with Emirates Airlines from Dubai to Hanoi (roundtrip) and spend 3.5 days in Hanoi. Spend another day in Dubai and fly back to Chicago via Air Canada. For reference, Chicago – Abu Dhabi was 36k AAdvantage miles & $7. Dubai – Chicago was 42.5k United miles & $31.
Dubai
I was not new to Dubai, I visited for 3 days back in February of 2014. However, this was the perfect chance to explore new areas, so I figured that spending a couple of days there would be ideal. My last trip to Dubai included the 148th floor observatory at the Burj Khalifa, $40 drinks at the Sky View bar of the 7-star hotel – the Burj Al Arab (drinks not worth it, the views also not so much – at least not at night), touring the Gold Souks, a safari tour, the Dubai Mall, etc. All of these places were beautiful in their own ways, the safari tour probably being the favorite and providing the largest adrenaline rush (although looking at the clouds from 148th floor wasn’t far behind in that department).
This time, at the top of my list was the Dubai Marina. There is still quite a bit of construction going on in this area (as there is in most of Dubai), but it’s already a great area to spend some time. Filled with restaurants, shopping, people walking around & riding their bikes, running, etc. The Marina seems to be very popular with ex-pats and I can definitely see why, one cannot be bored there with a large selection of available activities and it’s easily accessible by train, so going to work to the Financial District should not be that difficult.
Even though I had already been to the Dubai Mall, I decided to check it out again as well as see the beautiful Dubai Fountain right outside the Mall. The fountain is visible from a few restaurants/cafes in the Mall, so it’s the perfect opportunity to grab some food or coffee and enjoy the views/show. The Dubai Fountain is the largest choreographed fountain system, larger and more impressive (at least in my opinion) than the one at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The Mall itself is HUGE. Movie Theater – check. Aquarium – check. Sharks in the aquarium – check. Ice Skating rink – check. Indoor skiing resort – check. Whatever you want, they’ve already thought of it. Walking through the Mall can get exhausting after a while as there’s never an end to it, always new stores (sometimes 3 of the same brand), new restaurants, etc. At the same time, if you’re a shopaholic – this is the perfect place for you.
Inaugural Emirates Dubai-Hanoi Flight
As mentioned earlier in the post, this was the inaugural Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai to Hanoi. I was quite excited and looking forward to it for a number of reasons… First and foremost I was going to Hanoi (Captain Obvious, I know), I was going to get a chance to check out the Emirates Business Lounge at Dubai Airport, and would get a chance to fly business class with Emirates (considered one of the top airlines in the world).
The Dubai Airport is extravagant itself, as are Emirates Airlines. Combining the two, I expected the business lounge to be quite impressive. And I was not disappointed. First, it was huge, at least three times the size of any lounge I had been to before. Showers, beds to lay down and nap, an impressive selection of food and beverages. Also a spa if you want to get a massage. A kids play room with video games. Basically something for everyone.
As far Emirates business class, I truly cannot say anything bad. Fully flat seats, mattress to put on top of the seat when you sleep, socks, eye shades, noise-cancelling headphones. Also one of the best business class amenity kits out there with various Bvlgari products. The food was delicious and I got the feeling that it would keep on coming if I kept ordering more. A beverage menu with plenty of options, from alcohol to juices. Three different screens – besides the TV, you also have the iPad, and the controller with a screen, so essentially you could watch three different shows at the same time. But what impressed me the most was the service. Hands down, second to none (at least in my experience). Extremely accommodating and willing to take care of any issues. At one point I was dosing off and noticed that the stewardess kept coming back until I opened my eyes so she could confirm what I wanted for my next meal.
Hanoi
First thing to note before going to Vietnam is that you need a visa if you are a US citizen, more on that later. When I arrived, I had already received my visa approval letter (necessary for a visa) via Vietnam Visa Corp, so that wasn’t an issue. I paid $25 for the visa, waited for about an hour in the custom lines (quite a few flights arrived around the same time as mine), and was out the door. As I arrived at my Sheraton hotel I received the star treatment – gifts and a picture with the hotel manager as well as another employee (or maybe they just thought I was famous?). The rest of the night included getting measured for a custom-made suit at Kitonali, which I’d recommend if you are looking for a suit. I explored the Old Quarter and marveled at the number of small restaurants, stores, and the crazy (yet seemingly safe) traffic. After a beer at Prague Pub, which turned out to be a very popular place for ex-pats, it was time to call it a night.
The next day started with the best hotel breakfast I’ve had in my life. The presentation was done well, but I am referring to the quality and selection of food. Very impressive, I could eat there every day. For the rest of that morning/early afternoon I walked around and explored Hồ Tây (West Lake). Surrounded by hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, gardens, villas (many still under construction), it’s a great area for recreation. I settled down at Chops right by the lake for a burger. Turned out that everybody was a tourist at this place, although the burger wasn’t bad at all. And the place had AC, which my body needed after walking around in very humid 100 degree Fahrenheit weather. Afterwards I headed to St. Joseph’s Cathedral, which is the oldest church in Hanoi. It was completed in 1886 and is still active now. While it may not be as impressive as some of the old churches in Europe or South America, it is still worth a visit. Next destination was the most visited temple in Hanoi – Ngoc Son Temple. The place itself is not that large, but for an entrance fee of $1 it’s worth walking around and exploring the architecture and some of the beautiful art. The Temple is surrounded by Hoan Kiem Lake (or the Lake of the Restored Sword). The Lake is one of the major scenic areas in Hanoi and is a clear focal point for its public life. People jogging, doing yoga, working out, all of this happens around the lake. Close to Hoan Kiem Lake is the Hanoi Opera House – a beautiful building worth visiting, especially at night when the lighting is gorgeous. Even better if you can go see a play there. I ended my night with dinner at Quan Bia Minh, which has a nice balcony for people watching in the Old Quarter (the food wasn’t bad either).
Some other notable places visited during the rest of the trip included the Hóa Lò Prison or the Hanoi Hilton as it’s sometimes known. It’s a big tourist destination in the city and I’d say worth visiting for its history and role in a number of conflicts (including the Vietnam War). Since I wanted to eat like President Obama and Anthony Bourdain (at least for a day), I had to check out Bun Cha Huong Lien. I ordered “The Obama” and was not disappointed – the food there was delicious. Although you can get this type of food in most restaurants in Hanoi. Since I wanted to somehow partake in the crazy Hanoi traffic, I took a motorbike uber to Thong Nhat Park – great place for walking around and unwinding. One of the very popular places for shopping is Hang Gai street – DO NOT be afraid to bargain. You can always negotiate at least a 20% “discount.” A place that I ended up at accidentally while walking around the Old Quarter was the Hanoi Backpackers Hostel. For one it seems to be a good option if you are looking for a hostel in the city. Besides that, it’s a great crowd and a perfect place to meet people. I came for a beer, ended up having a few more.
Summary
While these two destinations are very different, each one is rich in its own way. Dubai having been basically built within the past 15 years and Hanoi having a long history and lots of stories to tell. A few more thoughts about the trip: the “dress code” is not as conservative as one might think (not much of a difference from the US & Europe). Motorbikes are EVERYWHERE in Hanoi – you can rent one or take one as an uber (as I did). Women’s motorbike fashion is huge in Vietnam. Often women cover up head to toe to protect their skin from the sun, but the outfits can be very unique. Music is not played in taxis in Hanoi (unless that was just a coincidence, although I took a taxi quite a few times). Hanoians are extremely active people – working out outside, running, stretching, playing soccer, etc. And although it might not be apparent at first, they are also very friendly – I got invited to play soccer and chess while just walking around at the park. Cafe Giang in Hanoi – the egg coffee is worth a try (that’s truly the breakfast of champions). 🙂
Also, as mentioned previously, US citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam. It’s possible to get the visa at a Vietnamese Consulate in the US, but only in New York, San Francisco, or Washington D.C. Travelers can also apply using regular mail, but that may take a while, so is not the best option in you’re in a rush. The most convenient option is applying for a visa-on-arrival. Here, you fill out an application online with an approved travel agency (such as Vietnam Visa Corp) and pay a fee of up to $20. Then, within 2-3 business days (can be expedited), they email you an approval letter, which you print and bring, along with a passport photo, to the immigration line upon your arrival at a Vietnamese airport. Pay another $25, wait for 15-20 minutes, and voilà – the visa is yours!
