14 Tips when travelling to Hanoi

[Nguyen Ngoc diep]

You have never been to Hanoi? Please do hesitate to visit our nice city as everything is quite easy. Hanoi Imperial Hotel would like to give  you some travel tips  below and hope they are useful for your trip

1. Visa

It’s the best if you get it sorted before you leave, through your local embassy or travel agent. You can also pre-arrange a visa on arrival online but you run the risk of waiting up to 90 minutes in Hanoi airport while the visa officers decide whose turn it is to do some work.

2. Taxis

A ride into town from Noi Bai Airport costs around VND 350,000 (US$17) and a 10-minute ride in-city around VND 30,000. However, there are many taxi agents and some are unreliable. To avoid taxi scams and cheat on you or take you to another hotel, you should contact the hotel which you have booked for request of airport pick up.
Most reputable cab companies are Hanoi Taxi ([phone]), Taxi CP ([phone]) and Mai Linh Taxi ([phone]).

3. Tours

Everywhere offers guided tours, but one of our favorites is an innovative concept from a student-run NGO: Hanoi Kids Tours. The idea is for tourists to get a flavor of the city by being shown around by local children. www.hanoikids.org; [e-mail];

4. Currency

There are around 21,000 Vietnamese dong to one U.S. dollar, so don’t freak out when the bar tab comes along. U.S. dollars are also widely accepted.

5. ATMs

Cash is preferred in everywhere in Hanoi. International ATMs include HSBC and ANZ Bank but many have a maximum withdrawal of VND 1 million (US$50). If you need more head to the ANZ ATM near Hoan Kiem Lake, which has a limit of VND 9.9 million.

6. Climate

It’s often hot and humid in the summer (May-August) reaching 40 C, a pleasant shower-splashed spring (March-May), a gorgeous walking-in-the-park-every-day fall (September-November) and a cold yet humid winter (December-February).

7. Vaccinations

Travelers are always advised to get themselves protected against the most common diseases, including: Hepatitis B, tetanus-diphtheria and typhoid. Also wise to take anti-malarials if you’re spending long periods outside the major urban areas or traveling in the hot and humid months.

8. Eating

There are many Hanoi specialties and popular food that we should not miss as: Pho (noodle soup), Cha Ca La Vong (Cha Ca street), Bun Cha (grilled pork noodle soup),Banh Cuon (Rice noodle roll), Bun Thang…
Some tips for great eateries: 
Verticale, 19 Ngo Van So St., [phone]; www.verticale-hanoi.com. French-Vietnamese fusion.
Cam Chan Quan, 108 K1 Giang Vo St., [phone]. Singapore-oriented fare
La, 25 Ly Quoc Su St.,, Hoan Kiem;[phone]. Western bistro.
Joma Bakery Café, 21 Dien Bien Phu, & 54 To Ngoc Van. Fairtrade organic café.
La Badiane, 10 Nam Ngu, Cua Nam, Hoan Kiem; [phone]. French experimental.

9. Drinking

Hanoi is famous for many coffee shops. You can also enjoy Hanoi coffee on Hang Hanh street or some coffee shops on Ma May or Hang Gai street…

Hanoi Old quarter also has some bars you could check out include Tet Bar (on the northern of Ta Hien street), Nola at 89 Ma May street, Tunnel Bar at 11B Bao Khanh Street, Sunset Bar - InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, 1A Nghi Tam

If you want, please try to drink beer or Bia hoi on Ta Hien street or on some pavements in Hanoi for experience as a Hanoian.

10. Sleeping

There’s a wide range of accommodation in Hanoi. Here are a few select options:

Budget

Hanoi Backpackers' Hostel, 48 Ngo Huyen St., Hoan Kiem; [phone];www.hanoibackpackershostel.com; [e-mail]. Aussie-run hostel.

Mid-range

Hanoi Imperial Hotel, 44 Hang Hanh str, Hoan Kiem; [phone];www.hanoiimperialhotel.com *   [e-mail].
Excellent services, comfy rooms, nice service, well located.

Premium

Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel, 15 Ngo Quyen St.; [phone]; www.sofitel.com;[e-mail]. Grand, historical, heritage-listed and opulent.

InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, 1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho; [phone]; www.ichotelsgroup.com; [e-mail]. Lake-side suites with private balconies.

Shopping - Hanoi’s old Quarter is lined with various fashion stores, souvenir stalls, snack and trinket sellers. But if you’re looking for an air-conditioned mall experience head for the Vincom City Towers or Trang Tien Plaza where you’ll find luxury brands, a cinema and a colorful gaming area.

11. Tourist destinations

Various popular tourist activities include Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum/Museum, the Hoa Lo Prison, Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Vietnam museum of Ethnology…
Don’t miss the night market in the Hanoi Old Quarter, from 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday every week. You can find here many cheap and nice things.
And make sure you check out Long Bien bridge, an awesome spectacle bolted together by history.

12. Traffic

When Hanoi people move they tend to do it on scooters. And if you wait for a break in the flow of scooters when trying to cross the road, you may miss your flight home. Walk out with intent, and they will avoid you. We promise.

13. Day trips

Trips out of Hanoi are easily arranged via hotels or tour agents. If you want to check outHalong Bay (and you should) spend a night on a boat there too. It’s too far for getting there and back comfortably in one day and this way you can explore some great caves and do some kayaking too.

Or take a trip to the Hoa Lu – Tam Coc 70 kilometers away. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and chill out on a boat ride for a day.

For a longer getaway, consider a trip to Sapa for a few days. You can travel the 350 kilometers from Hanoi by train and minibus and it has some amazing mountain treks. Hiring a guide is essential.

14. Don’t be scared

Hanoi can overwhelm you, but that’s what’s great about it. Try everything, go everywhere, and if you do get lost, physically or mentally, just ask someone for help. A smile can solve anything in this city.