has anyone any advise as to cycling in hanoi, or would it be easier to walk around, also, to book a trip to sapa, hanlong, any suggestions as to where to book these in hanoi

Cycling in Hanoi? You obviously haven't seen the traffic!

Every hotel can book you a trip to Sapa or Halong.

We booked both our Sapa and Halong bay trips through Handspan and had a great time.

http://www.handspan.com/

Hi Jedda

Cycling is fine in Hanoi once you get use to the rules etc etc. My tip is just to stick behind a Cyclo or as far left as possible and change lanes as slow but as steady as possible with plenty of hand movments!!

Cycling by the lake is absolutely beautiful.

Vietnamstay.com head quarters is in Hanoi and you should be able to pick up a cheap trip through them. I found them very organised and other fodorites have used them.

Avoid cycling on Sat and Friday night as this is when the streets are busiest as young couples take their motorbike out for a ride and a ice cream! Absolute moped Chaos!!!

Have fun and enjoy the water puppet show if you can make it!

Eek

A round Hanoi with cyclo is an interesting way, many tourists used it. It's not difficult to book a trip to Halong and Sapa in Hanoi or online.

we will begin our cycling trip from dalat to phang rang, has anyone cycled that route and know of any accommadation around lam son