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Bombay | Udaipur | Hanoi | Ha Long Bay | Narita

Bombay | Udaipur | Hanoi | Ha Long Bay | Narita

In Asia again exploring more and new places of India and Vietnam

India, Vietnam, Japan

Nov 15, 2024 - Nov 29, 2024

This trip moved through three very different rhythms: family time and food in Mumbai/Udaipur, cafe and bar culture in Hanoi, a short nature reset in Ninh Binh + Ha Long Bay, and a quick final stop in Narita.

Route at a glance

  • Mumbai (Nov 16-20, Nov 24-25): street food, restaurants, shopping, and Bandra/Colaba neighborhoods.
  • Udaipur (Nov 20-24): wedding events, local art, rooftop views, and street food runs.
  • Hanoi (Nov 26-Dec 1): coffee crawl, old quarter walks, bars, food, and tattoo stop.
  • Ninh Binh (Nov 28 day trip): mountain stairs, biking, river boat ride, and temples.
  • Ha Long Bay (Nov 29-30): 1-night cruise with great scenery.
  • Narita (Dec 2): coffee + park before airport departure.

Highlights

  • Ninh Binh day trip was one of the best overall days: mountain viewpoint hike, bike ride, local lunch, and river boat ride.
  • Ha Long Bay cruise was scenic and very organized; one night felt like the right amount.
  • Hanoi food + drinks stood out, especially:
    • The Halflington (top-tier cocktail experience)
    • Ne Bar (creative Vietnamese-dish-inspired drinks)
    • Pho Ga 26 and Pho Nguyet
    • Banh Mi 25 (went back multiple times)
  • Narita mini stop was unexpectedly great for coffee and a relaxed walk at Great Peace Pagoda.

City notes

Mumbai

Strong food city with excellent range from street stalls to fine dining. Personal favorites included Shiv Sagar (Juhu), Masque, Elco Pani Puri, Gypsy Chinese, and Smart Frankie.

Udaipur

Great mix of family events and slower local exploration. Loved the local snacks and art stops, especially Paliwal Food, Sukhadia Circle, and visits to art studios.

Hanoi

Best balance of coffee, food, and nightlife on this trip. The Old Quarter was highly walkable, with many strong cafe options and bars close together.

Top-rated picks from this trip

  • Bars: The Halflington, Ne Bar
  • Food: Pho Ga 26, Pizza 4P’s (Bao Khanh), Shiv Sagar (Juhu), Masque
  • Coffee: Circle Coffee - Bar, Cafe Giang, Routemap Coffee Roasters
  • Experiences: Ninh Binh day tour, Ha Long Bay overnight cruise, Great Peace Pagoda

Quick takeaways

  • Do again: Hanoi cafe/bar crawl and Ninh Binh.
  • Worth it once: Ha Long Bay cruise (1 night is enough).
  • Planning tip: Hanoi + Ninh Binh + Ha Long Bay works well when timed with early starts and one buffer evening.