The famed reunification express left Hanoi last night bound for Hue, a 12hr trip. There were 4 bunk berths which were not as clean as those in Thailand. Apparently the sheets don't get washed after every use... Lovely. Just everything was dirty, mould on the bunks, roof, floor was dirty, window, any nook and cranny was caked with dirt of some description. Mum, you would have hated it....!!! All I can say is thanks Kirsty for lending me your sleep sheet! They ...

I've had a terrible nights sleep and think I am getting a cold, b***** :( This morning we headed off to the Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum where the revered leaders body is entombed. It was quite odd to see it and he continues to be important to the Vietnamese people although he died in 1969. Apparently Ho asked for his body to be cremated but they decided to keep the body on display for the education of Vietnamese people. The body needs to go back to Russia for 2mths ...

We arrived back in Hanoi around lunch time and hit a local cafe for lunch and my first bowl of pho bo, or beef soup! Hurrah! We then headed off for a walk around the city and saw the lake, opera house and lots and lots of scooters. It was still bloody cold so I decided to buy some warmer clothes and we headed back to hotel to relax then change for the nights festivities! We headed to a water puppet show which we had heard wasn't the best from some friends. We ...

Good morning Vietnam....! It's bloody freezing and raining, lucky I bought my beanie!! We head out of Hanoi for today to Halong Bay, it's about 175km north west. Due to quality of roads it will be about a 4hr trip. Thank god our driver is good cause the roads are busy and a little crazy. Out of Hanoi they are a little quieter. It's a single lane road where most motor bikes keep far right (they drive on right side here), then slow vehicles then anything else ove...

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 buil...