Hanoi travel

You can visit the pulsing Hanoi at any time of the year. Hanoi is best when visited in the late spring and early summer months between March and May or during the autumn from September to November. Between March and May, the temperature begins to rise as the city shakes off the winter cold, offering balmy days and cool evenings to enjoy sight-seeing. During the autumn, Hanoi cools down from its hot and rainy summer with a mixture of sunny and cool days, perfect for sipping a “caphe sua da” in any lakeside cafe, watching the world go by. On Tet Holiday and Independence Day, Hanoi stands out with its peaceful atmosphere.

Accommodation in Hanoi is centered around Hoan Kiem Lake in the popular Old Quarter. Small family-run styled hotels cost between 5 – 20 USD per night while a luxury stay at Sofitel Metropole will run above 200 USD per night. Guests looking for a quiet respite away from the hustle and bustle of Hoan Kiem District can head north of the city center to the quieter areas of Ba Dinh and Tay Ho District, where hotels like Pan Pacific and Intercontinental can be found with the per night average a little over 100 USD. Trendy airbnbs ranging between 10 – 15 USD are also on the rise, with independent travellers looking for more personal experiences.

A foodie paradise, Hanoi is chockfull of amazing culinary treasures, from small noodle shops and street food delicacies to trendy expat start-ups and fancy restaurants. A typical Vietnamese dish at a local shop characterized by small plastic stools and low tables will typically run between 2 – 3 USD per bowl or plate, while a western-styled meal in a restaurant with normal sized tables and chairs will run between 6 – 12 USD per person depending on what’s ordered. Expensive restaurants usually found in chic hotels are usually starting around 25 USD for main courses, but it depends on the type of restaurant and time of day. For a night out, cocktails are usually around 5 USD per glass in most establishments, with draft beer going for 2 USD and bottled beer 3 USD. Bia Hoi, a type of outdoor beer garden, sell cheap beer for only 0.32 USD.

Some local dishes that you should try in Hanoi: Pho bo (beef noodles), Pho ga (chicken noodles), Bun Cha (Grilled Pork & Rice Noodles), Cha ca La Vong (La Vong grilled fish), Banh cuon (Steamed rice rolls), Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich), Cafe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee), Nem ran (Fried spring roll), Bo cuon la lot (Grilled beef in piper lolot leaves)

Wi-Fi is prevalent throughout the city, whether in small cafes, mostly any restaurant, and all hotels. SIM Cards can be bought from main brands such as Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone from USD2-3 and internet data for USD1-25 at nearly every shop on the street. In case of emergency, dial 113 for the police, 114 for fire, 115 for ambulance and first-aid. Most younger generations can speak a word or two of English, however even though many have studied, locals can be quite shy to speak to foreigners. Be patient and keep a smile on your face–everyone is trying their best!

The traffic in Hanoi is often unfathomable, with motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, taxis, cars, and 4 x 4s all clamboring for space, especially during commuting hours from 7:30 – 8:30 and 17:00 – 18:30. The ever-popular grab application is seen everywhere with motorbike taxi’s wearing their green uniforms, offering rides at a much cheaper, fixed rate than bargaining on the street with local “xe om”. Xe om’s can be arranged on the street corner for around 0.43 USD a km while taxis cost around 0.50 USD per km. Buses, often now with wi-fi connectivity, cost 0.30 USD and less per ride.

Air
Located 35 km outside of the city centre, Noi Bai international airport is the largest airport in northern Vietnam. There are 51 airlines operating with international flights to more than 20 destinations. You can easily find a direct flight to Hanoi from many places all over the world.

Train
From Hanoi train station, you can catch the train to the South (Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh) and to Sapa (in the north)

Bus
With four bus stations, you can find buses to Hanoi from any provinces throughout Vietnam.