We took the Vietnam airlines bus from the airport into town ($2 each), and then took a taxi to our hotel (another $2 each). We used Hanoi as a base to go to Ba Be and Halong Bay, but were in Hanoi itself for two full days. Hanoi is a very pretty city, especially the Old Quarter and the area surrounding the lake. We explored the markets, visited the temple in the middle of the lake, walked to the cathedral, and had a delicious dinner at a restaurant called Little Hanoi on Ta Hien street. We then left for Ba Be, came back for one night, and left again for Halong Bay. When we came back for the second time we visited the Mausoleum (where Ho Chi Minh’s body is) and walked around the palace grounds and museum, which was very interesting and enjoyable.