Vietnam Dec 2023 Day 1

10 Dec 2022

Day 1

Singapore to Ninh Binh 

This morning I flew on SQ192 to Hanoi to start my Vietnam discovery trip. It was planned for 16 days and will traverse North to South by the Vietnam Railway. 

There will be six stops along the journey that end in Ho Chi Minh  City. The cities are Ninh Binh, Vinh, Hue, Quang Ngai, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang. In Quang Ngai, a night will be spent on Ly Son Island as well as a day tour to Sa Huynh.

From Hanoi Airport, I took a bus to Hanoi Railway Station that went through Hanoi city centre before terminating at Ga Hanoi.

Train SE 5 departed Hanoi at 1530 to Ninh. Ticket was bought conveniently online with E-Ticket issued. For the 2 hours journey, the cost was $15. 

The train are rather old and cruise at only 65 km per hour. 

The ride out of Hanoi was rather boring. The train track inside Hanoi city was so close to the buildings and houses. It was so close you felt like the train wast in the tunnel. The track run alongside the main road. And the roads were clogged with motorbikes, certainly outnumbering the volume of cars.

Finally, train arrived in Ninh Binh at 1745 and the sun had set. I had a quick dinner outside the station and took a local taxi to Tam Coc. This tourist town has numerous accommodation and food outlets were everywhere. 

All went as planned.  I checked into Moon Lady Homestay, all ready to enjoy Ninh Binh in the next few days.