All the research we did suggested that the "easiest" way to get from Yangshuo/Guilin to Hanoi, Vietnam was a train/bus combo. So we dutifully booked our package which included a 5 hour train ride, a pick-up at the train station and escort to our hotel, the hotel, an escort to the bus station in the morning, our bus ticket to Hanoi, and an escort across the border-all for $60/person. It all worked and included fun surprises such as having seats on the train next to where all the people came to smoke under the no smoking sign, a very traditional Chinese hotel with rock hard beds and squat toilets, a surly travel guy to help us, and 7 hours on a very comfortable bus to be dropped off in a random place in Hanoi. The countryside was beautiful and all the logistics went smoothly.
Hanoi is the most unbelievably crazy city we have ever been in. All the small streets and alleys are packed with motor scooters, pedestrians and cars. The traffic is like water and one feels like Moses parting the red sea when you cross a street. Just don't stop. Hanoi is a tourist/shopper paradise and has the infrastructure to support it. Shops quote you prices in dollars and people speak English and French. This part of Vietnam has the service industry down-it is so different than China. And we must say thank you to the French for leaving a legacy of wonderful pastries and unbelievably good coffee.
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