maxi

Hi, I was thinking of going to Phuket right after Christmas but everything is either full or very expensive. A colleague has just suggested Hanoi. But I am a bit concerned because I will be travelling with my husband and our then 1 year old baby.

Can those who have been there share your opinions whether Hanoi is a baby-friendly place and whether it is safe in sanitary terms? Is there anything to do except shopping?

I didn't have time to do research yet and I am running out of time for booking. FYI, we will be flying out of HK.

Thanks.

KimJapan

Look at Bali maybe? Warmer than Hanoi and not a city. Hanoi has lots to do and see, but not much that would entertain a 1 year old any differently than you have in Hong Kong IMO.

Cicerone

Why do you want to leave Hong Kong when it is the best weather we have all year??!!!! You can take ferry rides or the boat trip out to see pink dolphins, take long walks in the countryside without dropping from heat exhuastion, go on picnics on the beach, hire bikes and ride around Tolo harbour, go to the aviary in Pacific Place Park or the little zoo in Central, or birding in Tai Po Marshes, I am sure you can find a few Christmas concerts still going on. I can think of a pretty long list of great stuff to do in this season (I'm staying here myself)....take the time off and enjoy the city you are IN and save Hanoi and Bali, etc for the 7 months or so when the weather is so awful....you will want toget out in March or April for sure, believe me.....consider pretending you are on vacation (I can't tell from your posts if you live here) and stay in a hotel like the Four Seasons, the Penn or the Mandarin for a few days and really pamper yourself (get the Penn to send the Rolls...)

All kidding sort of aside, Hanoi will be a bit cool and possibly damp (see weatherbase.com), and I am not sure there is a whole lot to do that a 1 year old will like, but of course at that age, they won't remember anything and are pretty easily entertained. You can't drink water from the tap and have to be vigilant about foods, but you are going to have those issues most anywhere you go. Dont' know about maleria meds there, and whether in this season you would need them.

You might want to think about Singapore, excellent zoo, etc lots to entertain a 1 year old. Very safe in terms of food and water. You should be able to get flights and hotels.

You might also consider Hainan Island, but it may be a bit cool there. Some nice hotels.

It's actually the rainy season in Bali now. Does not mean it won't be packed with expats getting away for Christmas.

I thought from your other posts that you were actually now in Portugal and the Christmas markets of Germany, so not sure how Hong Kong and Phuket have come into the picture. It's of course virtually impossible to get a booking now for Christams in Phuket UNLESS you try to do it on like Dec 26 and try to get a place for someone who cancelled at the last minute, but even then I am not sure what you would get. Not sure you could get a flight either.

maxi

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

Actually we live in Macau and we just came back from a trip to Portugal. And that unexpected trip did not allow us to go to Europe again for Christmas. So, we're looking at somewhere closer.

And yes, we want to spend Christmas at home and fly on Dec 26. We managed to get tickets directly from HKG to Phuket but hotels are so full and expensive at this point.

After all, we decided that we would just stay around and save the money for another trip.

Thanks for all the info.

Cicerone

I would suggest you really consider coming to Hong Kong, as you may find hotels offering good rates bewteen Christmas and New Years when it is going to be fairly quiet here, if you avoid New Year's Eve. I would see what they are offfering on line and also call them to try to get a "local" package, maybe wait until next week, you may get better rates closer to the dates you want to travel, as they will want to sell the rooms. You can always decide not to go if you can't get the rates, or call on Dec 26 and go right then if you can get good rates. But I think you would have a very nice relaxing time here.

I would love to see your list of favourite restaurants and shops in Macau and list of fun things to do if you ever want to post it.

KMLoke

maxi

Could you start a new thread on Macau. I'll be there next week with my family.

maxi

Cicerone,thanks for the suggestions about HK but we are actually looking for somewhere warmer, so that the baby could enjoy swimming a bit, at least in a nice outdoor swimming pool.

Last night, I managed to book a trip to Singapore from Macau by Tiger Airways. We're there in September/October and found it baby-friendly. So, we are going to spend a few days there after Christmas.

About Macau, I really do think that perhaps you know it better than me! I am not always on the Forum but I have read some things written by you and am impressed with your knowledge. But I will try to post something when I get the time.

KMLoke, I may not be able to post something that soon as I am busy with work these days. If you have more specific questions, it will be easier for me and for someone else on the Forum, like Cicerone, to give you some suggestions.