Vietnam Part 1: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, Hanoi

Yayyy... Another trip to South East Asia.  I have decided to cover the Asia, my neighborhood, before going out further to Western Region.  This is gonna be my first time in Vietnam and I'm super super excited.  However, this trip is going to be a short one, only four days three nights trip, including two nights in Hanoi and one night in Halong Bay baybeih....

If you are an Australian citizenship, you need to get a Vietnamese visa that you can obtain from Vietnamese Consulate before hand or just book in advance through kind of Vietnamese government's agent before you fly over approximately a month before then by the time you arrive at the airport someone will do the paperwork for you and what you need to do just pay the fee over there. 

Once we cleared all the custom and get our luggage in hand, we headed straight to our lovely hotel.  We spoiled ourself abit for this trip by staying at a luxury five star hotel called Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel Hanoi.

Hotel Sofitel Metropole

Main Reception

Reception only for executive club or suite room customers

In those two nights in Hanoi, we stayed in club suite room.  Not only they have dedicated a separate reception area, you also will get a club facilities exclusively.  Such as separate lounge and dining area located on the same level with our suite room, welcome drinks and snacks, afternoon tea and service desk to help us with tour or transportation booking.

Vietnamese Coffee and Orange Juice for welcome drinks

Light snacks as compliments

Afternoon tea

This is the exclusive dining area only for club executive customers.  In the evening, the room will filled with nice soft melody from the piano expertise.  This area is less crowded with same range of food provided plus bubbles are served on the pre-dinner time. 

Pre-Dinner snacks with bubble

Breakfast @ club lounge

 

Hotel Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi

15 Ngo Quyen Street

Hoan Kiem District
10000 - Hanoi VIETNAM

Club benefit:

6 am - 10.30 am breakfast

2.30 pm - 4.30 pm afternoon tea

5.30 pm - 7.30 cocktails and canapes

 

Taxi from airport to hotel is 370,000 dong and takes about 1 hour

 

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Vietnam:

Vietnam Part 2: Hanoi In One Day 

Club Med Maldives Part 10: Good Bye Maldives, Til We Meet Again

Previously:

Club Med Maldives Part 9: One Day in Male

 



One day upon our departing date, we are able to check the speed boat schedule, complete with the flight details just in case if we forget the flight time.  However, at least, we need to remember which airline are we flying with, otherwise we won't be able to come back home :)  Then just let the receptionist know in advance, confirming that we will catch that specific time boat to airport. 

Long queue at the airport

Post Box at the airport, just in case we need to post the late postcard

Club Med Maldives Part 9: One Day in Male

Previously:
Club Med Maldives Part 8: Club Med Spa

Today we will spend a bit of time outside Club Med.  We booked a day tour from our lovely concierge.  A day tour to Male, the capital city of Maldives and where the government offices are located and where the primary local fishermen do their trading and living.

After we enjoyed our big breakfast, we went straight to the wharf waiting for our boat to depart.  It was still pretty early, so we just snapped some pictures around the jetty and bathed with morning sun.
The boat takes about 20 minutes ride to Male.  From there, we divided into groups according to the tour that we booked.  Luckily, it is only two of us in our group with one local guide to bring us around.  I do not against any big group tour, however, I could feel very annoy when we need to wait for others taking times too long than what designed for (like shopping or private things).  I love freedom.

Firstly, the guide takes us around to see the government buildings, the huge mosque, and some other important landmarks here in Male.  While we wandered around, he were also telling us the history and information about Maldives.  Male, is actually pretty small island that you can cover in one day by foot.

Mosque (the biggest mosque that can acommodate 5000 people inside)

Monument for terrorists attact rememberance in 1988 (9 military died and 10 civils are missing or died)

Tomb

Then after that, he took us to have a look closer the way fishermen and locals live.  The local fresh fruits and vegetables market and the main fish market.  It's an eye-opening somehow to see some of local produces that I have never seen before.  Some fancy looking fishes that they sell in the market.

 

Fresh Fish Market

Our journey today ended in one of the local coffee shop.  Digging some cold drinks and ice cream, what a nice refreshing on the hot day like this.  We actually really want to try their local cuisine.  However, the guide told us that only men are allowed to dine in the restaurant (in the local Maldivian restaurant).  They distinguished between men and women to not mix, as they are Islamic country and we need to bound with their rules as well.

 

 

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Maldives:

Club Med Maldives Part 10: Goodbye Maldives, 'Til We Meet Again