Hanoi City Guide
Arriving into Hanoi
Except for some ASEAN member countries, all nationalities require an entry visa for Vietnam. Tourist visas are generally valid for a 30 day period; however they may be extended when you’re in Vietnam.
When arriving into Vietnam, you need to fill in a “Arrival/Departure” card; you MUST keep this and return it to the Custom official when exiting the country.
There are limitations on the amount of cigarettes (200), alcoholic drinks (1lt) and foreign currency ($3,000USD) that you can bring into the country.
Air
Most travelers arrive into Vietnam by air. These days there are many international carriers flying from around the world to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The national carrier, Vietnam Airlines, offer numerous services to/from Europe, the USA, Australia and other major Asian hubs to Hanoi almost on a daily basis. Full schedules can be found at www.vietnamairlines.com (Vietnam Air does not offer online bookings).
If you’re traveling on a budget, check out some of the low-cost airlines, you can now travel between Hanoi and Thailand/ Singapore for as low $25USD one way (plus taxes). For online bookings and details check out the following carriers:
Tiger Airways - Singapore to HanoiGetting to and from the Airport is easy work with Noi Bai Taxi's (Ph: 886 5615). While many of the drivers lack English skills, they are "mostly" good drivers with clean and modern cars.
Air Asia - Bangkok to Hanoi
Jet Star Pacific - Domestic Flights
Prices are fixed for the 45 minute journey and are posted next to the taxi stand. (subject to change).
A handy tip is to remember to write down the address of your hotel when you make the booking. Many drivers will speak little or no English and with the Vietnamese language being tonal, it's very easy to end up in the wrong location!
Only use taxis at the Taxi Stand, don’t go with taxi drivers inside the terminal!
Train
If you began your travels in the south, you may arrive into Hanoi via Vietnam Railways fine train service. Or you may have traveled south from China to Vietnams Capital, either way you’ll end up in the same spot, Ga Hanoi (Hanoi Train Station)!
Hanoi Train Station is located southwest of the CDB, in Le Duan Street. Whatever time you arrive, there will be Taxis waiting on the platform and outside the main gate there will be plenty of eager taxi drivers, cyclo riders and motorbike taxis ready to take you to your hotel.
All taxis should be metered and will cost around 30/40,000VND to the center of town. Cyclos and motorbike taxis will generally cost around 10/20,000VND, be sure to negotiate a price before leaving. Prices will vary depending on traffic, time of day and your bargaining skills!
Generally speaking the area around the train station is safe; however you do need to be on guard. The major risk is pickpockets, so keep your bags and wallets secure and you shouldn’t have a problem.
If your taxi driver tells you that “your hotel burnt down last night” or “your hotel is fully booked,” don’t believe him/her. Chances are they want to take you to a hotel that pays commission!
Bus
Many companies now have bus services plying up and down National Highway 1. The journey into Hanoi will begin for most in the Imperial City of Hue. Taking around 16 hours and costing only a couple of dollars, it's a cheap means of travel.
Most of the Tour Companies operating now have large modern air-con buses (while others now have sleeper style seats) which make regular stops at local cafes. Most will offer a pick up service in Hue and arriving in Hanoi, they will drop you at their “company” hotel or office.
Most of the company hotels a good value and designed for the traveler. If it’s not for you, the bus staff can help you arrange a taxi to your choice of hotel.
Where to Sleep in Hanoi
As the tourism industry grows, the choice of accommodations also increases. Whether you are after 5 star mega hotels with all the trimmings, or a cheap and basic room to throw your bags, Hanoi has something for you. Most hotel rooms will include the basics such as:
- Air-con
- En-suite
- Cable TV
- Laundry service (additional charge)
- Mini – Bar (additional charge)
- Security Box/Safe
- Tour Booking services
Due to the law in Vietnam, the reception staff in most hotels will ask you to leave your passport with them. They do this, as they are required to complete registration forms for each guest (which later goes to the police station). Passports are returned on check out.
Hanoi hotels/hostels that get rave reviews include:
Joseph’s Hotel - 5 Au Trieu St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. New hotel with great rooms, huge breakfast, friendly staff and the best location! Our Pick!
Hanoi Backpackers - 48 Ngo Huyen. Central location, with dorm and private rooms. Full range of services. Cheap, friendly and a great meeting point.
Sofitel Metropole Hanoi – 15 Ngo Quyen Street. Hanoi at it’s best. This hotel is nothing but 5 star luxuries. Centrally located near Hoan Kiem Lake, the Sofitel Metropole is continually ranked as “the best in Hanoi”.
Intercontinental West Lake Hanoi - Newish upmarket hotel set over the waters of West lake. High quality hotel, that has lots of cheap offers. 10 minutes by taxi into central Hanoi.
Currently many hotels don’t offer an online booking service, but will take bookings over the Internet via email or you could call them. If you want to book hotels in Vietnam check out Hotels Combined or Email Adam – adam [at] vietnamandcambodia . com
Eating in Hanoi
When you’re in Vietnam the amount of choice when it comes to eating is truly staggering!
Pick your meal and Hanoi will have it – Local Vietnamese, sandwiches, pizza, steak or pies, its all here for the taking.
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For the more spirited traveler, be sure to try some of the street food on offer. Many of Hanoi’s street stalls are full of cheap, tasty fresh dishes. Best thing to remember when eating on the street, if it’s full of local people; it’s bound to be good!
Check out a few listed below:
Cha Ca La Vong – 14 Cha Ca Street. Traditional Hanoi fish dishes.
Bia Tuoi (Fresh Beer) – 124 Hai Ba Trung. 3 story beer house serving up local fresh beer and great food at cheap prices. Busy and very popular with locals.
Highway 4 – 5 Hang Tre Street. Traditional Vietnamese fare. Huge range of foods and local wines. Great atmosphere. Our Pick
Chim Sao – 65 Ngo Hue Street. Vietnamese dishes, along with many traditional dishes from the North of Vietnam. A large selection of local rice wine is also on offer. Reasonably priced.
Moca Café – 14 Nha Tho Street. Famous for its coffee, Moca also serves up great food including Western, Indian and Vietnamese.
Little Hanoi – 21/23 Hang Gai Street. Excellent sandwiches and a great spot for people watching.
Vine – 1A Xuan Dieu Street. Fine dining at its best. Huge menu and a bigger collection of wines.
Pho Bo/Ga (beef/chicken noodle soup) - Located on nearly every street corner, this specialty is generally eaten for breakfast. Pho is a favorite amongst the locals, so look for the signs and go for it. Be sure to add some lemon, greens and a touch of chili!
Several hotels and restaurants are now offering cooking classes around Hanoi. Check out the local Vietnam Newspaper (English and French), Time Out, Discovery or Pathfinder Magazines for advertisements.
Hanoi Sight Seeing
Steeped in history and culture, Hanoi is full of sight seeing opportunities. Some of the best simply mean walking down the street. But if you’re into museums and alike, be sure to visit the following:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hong Vuong Street.
- Ho Chi Minh Museum, behind mausoleum.
- Temple Of Literature, Van Mieu Street.
- Fine Arts Museum, cnr of Nguyen Thai Hoc and Cao Ba Quat Streets.
- Hoa Lo Prison, Hai Ba Trung Street (next to Hanoi Towers).
- Tran Quoc Pagoda, Thanh Nien Street. Free entry. Dress conservatively
- Woman's Museum, Hai Ba Trung Street.
- History Museum, cnr of Tran Khahn Du and Trang Tien Streets.
- Revolutionary Museum, opposite History Museum.
- Hanoi Opera House, next to History Museum. Performances normally weekly, check out the
Vietnam News Paper for details.
- Thang Long Water Puppets – 57b Dinh Tien Hoang Street.
- Walking tour of the Old Quarter. 36 streets of beautiful old buildings, shops and crazy traffic. A must walk for all!
- Hoan Kiem Lake, Central CDB. Great area to walk around
- West Lake. Located close to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, this is Hanoi's largest lake. With plenty of parks and cafes, it’s a great place to relax and take in Hanoi.
Museums are generally opened from 8am – 5pm and closed from 11.30am - 1pm daily for lunch. Many are closed on Mondays.
Tours
Tours in and around Hanoi can be booked with relative ease. Every street in the Hanoi's Old Quarter has a travel agent on it and most hotel receptions can also book tours. Such tours may include:
- Ha long Bay
- Tam Coc
- Cuc Phuong National Park
- Guided City Tours
- Handicraft Village Tours
- Sapa (you'll need a few days!)
Emergency in Hanoi
Before leaving home, many people make up check lists, pack and then unpack only to repack everything again. Often one basic common travel essential is forgotten, Travel Insurance!
Travel Insurance can be a life saver, quite literarily. Should you have any problem's whist traveling, whether they are medical, lost baggage or theft, your insurance can help you out with refunds and piece of mind.
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If your in Hanoi and require Emergency Medical/Dental Treatment, there's a few places you should know about. Such as:
SOS International Medical Clinic
31 Hai Ba Trung Street - 934 0666. 24 hour Emergency Phone - 934 0555.
SOS provides international care 24hrs a day. Staffed by both Vietnamese and Expatriate doctors, SOS is not cheap, but the service is second to none! Also provides Dental care.
Hanoi French Hospital
1 Phuong Mai Street - 574 0740. 24 hour Emergency Phone 574 1111.
The French Hospital is also up there with international care, staffed by local and (you guessed it) French doctors. Full services are available including Dental care.
Family Medical Dental Clinic
Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound, 298D Kim Ma Street.
Full range of Dental care and emergency treatment. Open 8.30am - 5.30pm
Should you encounter a problem such as theft, you will need to obtain a police report from the local authorities. This can sometimes be a time consuming and costly activity.
Generally most police won't speak much English, so ask someone to help translate (maybe a hotel staff) and then begin the process of filling in forms and then some more! Finally you will get a piece of paper with an official red stamp, which you must include with your Travel Insurance claim.
In most cases travelers don't have any problems on the streets. The main threats are pickpockets around crowded markets and crossing the road! If your unsure or want up to date information on Hanoi and Vietnam in general, check out your governments travel advisory on the net.
After nearly seven years in Vietnam, I have never had any problems during my travels, but just incase I always make sure I have travel insurance. This is mainly for piece of mind should something happen or in the case of medical treatment and/or evacuation.
Check out World Nomads Travel Insurance for simple and flexible insurance. Use the following promotion code and save 5% - VNCAM
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