Hanoi Day 1 : The Budget Terminal & "老 虎 机"

As in all tours. Day 1 usually begin with a journey to the Airport. You can think of it as "cheating" but it's a must to go to the Airport to begin your trip.

Summary of the Planned Trip

Place of Visit : Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Hanoi

Time : 17th Sep Till 24th Sep

Departure Flight : Tiger Airways, TR303 @ Budget Terminal, 1810

Arrival Flight : Tiger Airways, TR302 @ Hanoi International Airport, 2105

Flight Time : Estimated 3hr 30min

Exchange Rate : S$1 - 10,000 VNDong

Day start with work....Yes...I am still working on the day I am to depart for my holidays. went to the gym and reach home around 3pm. Departed in a cab with Mr H @ around 4.30pm. Thought that the timing was really late as we are "suppose" to check-in at 4.10pm.

It was my first time at this Budget Terminal. It is definitely smaller and have lesser shops and a lack of "class" look to the environment. The Entrance , aka car park look like some entrance to some aircraft maintenance building...lol

There was only 2 flights checking in at 5pm, TR302 to Hanoi is one of them.....the other being tiger flight to Bangkok. It funny how the taxi driver...who was blasting the vulgarity all the way from Hougang to Changi Airport and describing Tiger Airway as 老 虎 机, sound bit crude....and also wonder if we are going to vietnam to look

for prostitute, well come'on....aren't we decent?

There was already a queue when we reach the counter, but check-in was quite brisk.

We're all set for the trip...confirm seats...

Sadly only 2 of us is going on this trip....but it has been like over 5 year since we last been on a trip....Taiwan to be exact... so I kinda expecting the poor photography skills and the loud noise at night....

'

With advances in Technology. Now u can even use auto-clearance....without the need to go thr the immigration officer....cool ...I get thr this in like secs....

Though the budget terminal is relative small and has no sky-bridges to link to aircraft. It does have the necessary stuff....eatery, like Secret Recipe, a sandwich shop and a Chinese food place

The typical Perfume and cosmetics shops present in all airports...probably for people to get duty free stuff..

Another chocolate gift shops.....

They even have "drawing corner" for kids just in case they get bored waiting for the plane...Last I heard is that Budget Airline are always late...

That's why passenger might still be able to squeeze in time for a foot massage...

Before boarding the plane...we actually make a very "unforgiving" mistake of not taking note of the time the aircraft is to depart....my friend basically have no idea.....we realise that while we are having our dinner....our aircraft is issuing the final call.....This make this dinner tasteless....as i basically put whatever i can into my mouth...how sad...lol...(FYI, it cost some $10)

Still in time...as they are still checking the baggages....

I know u cannot take photos here....which i did for my friend which he did not return the favor...as he was not aware of this rule.....by the time his photos was taken the authorities are rushing us up the plane already.....well...what can u expect when i am the one holding the camera....(good photos for others...usually bad photos for myself...my experience say)

The Flight was a estimate 3hr 30min....and it a pretty full flight.....lucky we are seating at the rear(we choose it) and one of the seat at the aisle is spotlit.....meaning only 2 person (me and me friend) seating....GREAT...

This is 1 way the airline can make money look at the prices...I actually brought the "100% fruit juice" thinking it is genuine, all i got is a packet of drinks label...Orange juices....

We were pretty much on time...arrive at Noi Bai International Airport @ 8.35pm est. We quickly spotted our hotel pick-up staff....putting up my name.

The Airport is pretty small comparative to Changi.....and does not look as high-tech. but got no time to really explore it...though...was bit tired and just want to reach hotel in 1 pc.

We quickly change some USD100 into VND. Exchange rate was ~ 17187. We were later ask to wait outside the airport entrance while the staff drives over his vehicle....(a Car actually, which I thought would be a van)

The journey took us about 60mins to reach our hotel. Cost me about 26,000VND ~ 14USD. Not sure is this expensive...but since we are not familiar with the place...it pay to ask the hotel to provide this service...along the way....we can see the driver "horning" all the way...which i believe are horn to warn motorist of oncoming traffic....

By the time we reach the hotel...it was almost 9.40pm local time....and it pretty dark as our hotel is in a small street.....no street lamps...

We settle our next few day i itinerary with the counter staff...and went up to our room on the 6th floor for some wash-up. By the time we are done is almost 11+, we walk around the street and come upon a shop that sell donuts....though we find the donut is like been there for the whole day....we did buy any...but we try some of their drinks....just for fun...cost about $3 sing dollar...though

feeling hungry from the unfinished food @ Budget Terminal, we took some risk to communicate with the local to order the bowl of chicken mee....there was't any beef available at this hour....it was quite tasty and healthy.....lot of vege and chick meat without the skin....cost us 20,000, aka $2 sing.

The thing different about this noodle is the type of noodle they use...the Vietnamese uses this thin white noodles....

The Environment we have our meal was pretty "dirty and smelly" along the roadside and sine drainage system and the plastic chair and table seem like they have not been clean at all....but when your tummy is "rumbling" ....u don really care much...lol lucky no LS after these though...

Tomorrow is another Free and Easy day @ Hanoi city..... Tour does not begin till on Saturday....