We have arrived in Hanoi! Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and a stark contrast to sleepy Laos! There are 90mil people in vietnam and around 10mil in Hanoi!

The traffic here is really different. The rules are... There are no rules! No one gives way to anyone, overtaking is common and if you want to cross the street you kind of just have to go! Scooters and motorbikes are everywhere, talk about hectic. All buildings are concrete and a bit bland looking. Most buildings are about 2-3m wide and 4 storeys high, so quite skinny, like the old terraces houses in Sydney (but not as nice)....

It's much colder here, about 14-16deg so we are pulling out our warm clothes. Tomorrow will be even colder out at Halong Bay and rain is forecasted.

Our hotel is in the old quarter of Hanoi where there is a maze of streets and it's easy to get lost. We are in the oldest street in Hanoi, Hang Bac. Hotel is clean and simple and the shower is hot. Although the shower head is at my chest and the hot water heater at my head height!

It's late when we arrive so we head out to dinner and enjoy some local specialties - orange roasted pork and beef with chilli, cinnamon & citron.

We are off to buy some clothes to keep warm (Paap didn't bring long pants) and I find an awesome beanie and Paap got a jumper and scarf. It's tough finding pants here as most of the locals are half our size!

We have an early start tomorrow heading to beautiful Halong Bay! Woo!