The day started with a simple breakfast in the guest house, and had the bicycles return to the owner. Thereby, we start to tour around Old Quarter area on foot.

There are a lot of small temple around the Old Quarter, mostly with influence of Chinese Style, as most of them using Chinese characters, and the goddess worshiped are similar / same as in China.

The temple shown above is using Chinese characters, and the old tree beside compose a ancient look of the scenario.

Basically, today is an easy day. Relax and feel the atmosphere of Hanoi. Watching locals' lifestyle and their daily activities. We also started a hunt for souvenirs for our friends back in Malaysia.

Vietnamise are good in art and artwork, a lot of paintings, artifacts, can be found along the streets. Most of the artworks representingVietnamese unique culture - with a little bit of Chinese and Siamise influences.

Of course, apart from the hand made product, e.g. straw hat, Vietnamese bamboo masks and silk clothes, most other cheaper souvenirs are from factory, by machine. Like dolls, keychains, chopsticks.

There is one thing very unique that you can never missed - the cobra wine.

The cobra wine got its name because REAL cobra is actually 'diving' in the bottle fill with wine. This combination would extract the essence from the cobra, and believe to be one of the best nourishing tonic, especially for man. (sort of...)

Product that claimed to make a man *awe-inspiring*, are normally sell at high price. Like 'tongkat ali' (long jack root) from malaysia, tiger penis wine from China, etc.

We actually have limited time in Vietnam, 2 days and 6 hours. Only tip of iceberg was seen. We should have planned a longer trip in Vietnam, and should have include Sapa Highland, Halong Bay, and Hue. Next trip, maybe.

The Clone, The Impostor

We've spotted many clones (I'd rather call them impostors) in Vietnam, say Sinh Cafe, Kangaroo Cafe, and even Darling Cafe. Many irresponsible businessman who are too lazy to create own idea but copycat those who really work hard and famous, and impose on tourists.

Here is one of the Sinh Cafe impostor (with white signboard), and the yellow signboard below is the real and original Sinh Cafe.

↑ This is the fake one.

↓This is the original one.

The real Sinh Cafe is the one provide bus service for us, from Hanoi to Vientiane ('Vien Chan', in Vietnamese) via Cau Treo. Price at US$19 /pax.

There is no toilet in the bus, and the expected travel time is 18 hours. We really need a good WC service before the departure. Public toilet in Vietnam cost 1,000 Dong (RM0.20) per entry.

Well, the departure time is punctual, and we are leaving Hanoi in the rain.

On the bus, we slept, expecting for tomorrow's border crossing.