Vietnamese paddlers also become a peddler in Tam Coc.

One of the day trip from Hanoi is an excursion to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc.
The highlight of this tour is the scenery of the river and bargaining with peddlers.
I was little surprised that there were other two Japanese tourists, Megumi who manages Asian fancy goods store, Watt Chang in Kobe and Toshiro in spite of English guided tour.

Hoa Lu is a quiet town surrounded by mountains, so now only Dinh and Le Kings' temples remain because most structures have been destroyed.
We visited such places, but they didn't seem to be worth seeing. because of under partly repairs.
Peddlers sold souvenirs very hard there, but they were different from others because they tried to sell something to Aussie couple, Mr. and Mrs. Adams, not us.
Why did they come close to us?
I think they mostly negotiate with westerners, not Japanese.

Ancient Capital "Hoa Lu"
Is here the best tourist attraction?	Some of the temple have been repaired.
He may charge you with modeling fee if you take his picture. But you leave him out of view, he will give up.	a quiet village
Aussie couple were hemed around by peddlers.

Tam Coc Paddled Boat Trip was the highlight of this tour.
It included to enjoy seeing the scenery of the river, and bargaining with peddlers.
We could enjoy experience of leg paddling and taking photos on outward journey, while paddlers became a peddler and they sold some T-shirts and accessories very hard on homeward journey.
Since I expected such a situation, I also enjoyed bargaining with them about T-shirts.
If I had assumed to not buy anything on board, I might have gotten stressed out; hence it would be better to think bargaining to be one of attractions.
Besides any T-shirts can be worn several times, and it's about 30,000VND (US$2=240Yen) per a sheet, which is lower than mug of beer at Cyclo Bar, right?
Therefore I was charged any tips, but I walked without looking aside and got on the bus.
If I had been slow, I might have had an unpleasant by being hemmed around.
As a result unless you think bargaining to be one of attractions, you shouldn't go to Tam Coc.

Tam Coc Paddled Boat Trip (The training tour of bargaining)
Camera men come close to each boat from hand to hand.	Vietnamese women are nice paddler. We tryed to handle them, but couldn't well.
She also handles paddles by her legs very well. But she would become a peddler on return way.	Drinks and fruits are available at halfway point.

How to use the exclusive hotel

Nikko Hanoi Hotel Activity Price List (in US dollar) (Fitness Center at 4th floor) (Applied from July 6, 2002) - Hotel Guest Visitor Gymnasium (including Sauna) Free 20 Gym Free 12 Sauna and Jacuzzi Free 10 Aerobic Free 5 Yoga Free 5 Swimming Pool Free Adult: 10 Child: 5 Massage 45 mins. 20 23 Every additional 30mins. 12 12 Face and Head (30mins.) 12 12 Foot (30mins.) 12 12 Visitor's Package (1 Massage, Sauna and Gym) - 30

Both flights for Japan from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh depart in the middle of the night.
Hence I stayed Nikko Hanoi Hotel for last night on my trip because I preferably wanted to avoid boarding without a shower after exploring the town in a sultry weather.

I got up late and swam in the pool with nobody in it; after that, taking a sauna and getting a massage.
To my delight, many hotel facilities can be used by small members because few Japanese tourists have fun in the hotel during the day.
If you have time to spare, it would be better to walk around Thien Quang Lake, and go to Old quarter by motorbike taxi.
Anyway it's a waste of time to leave the hotel without using these facilities.
I thought restaurants in the hotel to be paid a high price; however, Dim Sum luncheon at Tao-Li Chinese restaurant was US$6 (740Yen), and buffet dinner (on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) at La Brasserie restaurant was US$12.5 (1,540Yen), including free alcohol and soft drinks.
Having dinner at the hotel is sometimes good, I guess.
But I wish I could have done with nice girl, right?