Embassy appointment done !!!!!!!

we arrived to the Embassy just before 10 am there was NOBODY there and absolutely no families having Visa appointments. I couldn’t figure out why the Tue. ordeal we were done about 11 am and Loc said he would be picking up the childrens passports w/visa’s and be back to the hotel around 5 pm. All the families but one went running around found the bookstore, bought luggage, back to the quilt store Fyi if you shop in Hanoi the giftshop @ the temple in the Lake is super cheap the stands in the Hotel very expensive. the child store in the hotel wasn’t bad. We have confirmed through error and the shopkeepers Only use the white Hanoitouristaxi’s the others rip ya off. The city is kinda cool because you will notice the streets are set up to specialize in one kind of item per street. I don’t know how prices are but there are a ton of pharmacies less than a block from the hotel (out the door take a  right and they’re on the  opposite side of the street) We went back to one of our  rooms and had Ice cream,to celebrate all of us going home this weekend we should have had ice cream out @ the vendors from the store in the hotel 6pints cost 48$ when I questioned the cashier she said ice cream very expensive ,Ya think ???? by the Lake I paid just over $5 for 3 double scoop cones . helpful hints I hope  We found a very nice gorgeous rest. HanoiHanoi Restaraunt by the bookstore right down from the lake ,looks super pricey but the food is unbelievable the manager speaks good english service like a 4 star and me ,mom ,&Josiah ate for about $14 tons of food and everyone was happy. Vietnam quilts is a must so gorgeous and cheap for a good cause. Like everyone has said pack less I would not bring any toiletries except face wash not even meds maybe tylenol or advil. Do as much laundry in the provice hotel esp. NT as possible the Rex does 2 pieces of laundry free but only for adults not kids. all the prices for services were more than the travel packet said so just plan for it . sorry for the book just travel tidbits hope they help some one if you have any specific questions just ask Tomorrow one of the familes is leaving around 4 so we will run to the botanicals and the moselium in the morning before they go. We love Vietnam, wish we did Ha Long Bay but are ready to be home.