Our ongoing stay in Cat Hai has again been weather affected. With rain forecasted for all of today, we have parked our plans to go on a cruise around Lan Ha Bay until later in the week.

Instead is was another low key day around the hotel pool, dodging the rain and going for walks when the clouds passed.

This morning we walked into Cat Hai to look at the options for a day cruise and have decided to go out on Friday, in the hope that the rain & wind will pass in between.

As Michelle read by the pool, Andy researched our plans for Hanoi, our last stop in Vietnam and where we plan to spend 5 days. It’s a combination of trips around the Old French Quarter, walking and a Trishaw cycle tour, along with a visit north to Mai Chau for the day to see the famous stepped rice fields.

With the weather improving ever so slightly, we ventured into Cat Hai late afternoon for dinner.

Whilst still cloudy, it remains very muggy and Andy soon regretted wearing his long sleeved shirt!

The gardens around the port are really well kept and we witnessed the hedges and bushes being trimmed and sculpted. Feels like they have a big summer festival coming up.

As the early evening light started to fade we returned to a restaurant we visited on our first night called Quiri, which does a mix of traditional and western culinary offers. We went for soup and a sticky chicken rice dish. Both were tasty and very reasonable, with the whole meal including a couple of beers being just £8 for the two of us.

Although tonight is Wednesday, the centre had a real weekend feel to it, with lots of families out and lights and decorations around the port entrance. Lit up, the place has a real colourful and vibrant feel.

Cat Hai is going all out with its lights & coloured illuminated trees. A real sight to behold and very popular with the locals.

We walked the full length of the seafront and marvelled at the sparkling hotels and restaurants that make for a great holiday destination, popular with Vietnamese and travellers alike.