low end. It was an interesting melting pot of culture: high-end stores such as Prada and Christian Louboutin, the Stock Market, the Opera, and just two blocks away were neighborhoods that provided the most challenging language barriers.
I should also mention that Starbucks was only two blocks away and cheaper than in the US. Christian Louboutin seemed to be cheaper in Hanoi as well with shoes that normally cost $1,000 being sold for $500!
Halong Bay:
You must plan to do a full day tour in Halong Bay to see the emerald water and rock formations. It is a very popular destination for rock climbing, which I did, and also scuba diving. Although many people do an overnight boat cruise, I opted for the full day Halong Bay Islands and