Best Hanoi Travel Tips

Hanoi is an absolute amazing place for foodies, adventures, cultural traveler, and even nightlifers. Hopefully, these best travel tips will help you to find so many amazing things as well as how to prepare your adventure.

1. How to get in and around Hanoi.

In most cities of Vietnam, such as Hanoi and Saigon, you will have to deal with the heavy traffic.
For getting in Hanoi, many travellers arrive in Hanoi at the Noi Bai International Airport. If this is the first time that you have come to Hanoi, it’s not easy for you to cross the street.

For this reason, we are highly recommand for you The Airport Transfers from the airport to your accommodation.

If you’re backpacking Hanoi on a budget, you’ll be happy to hear about the express bus from the airport to the city. It’s cheap, convenient, and saves you the headache of haggling with taxi drivers. If you’re feeling lazy, there are legit taxi stands where you can get a ride for about $20-25.

For getting around in Hanoi, there are plenty of options:

• The Old Quarter is compact enough to get around on foot.
• When you want to venture around the city, you can catch a local bus with the price around 7.000 VND – 30.000 VND based on the distance.
• One fun way to get around Hanoi is on a cyclo (pedicab). Just be clear about your destination and the fee. It’s up to how long and where you want to go.
• Many backpackers rent a motorbike, only costing around $5-6 a day and about $1 to fill up. Hanoi’s traffic can be insane, to say the least, so I don’t recommend getting a bike.

2. Vietnam’s currency is called dong (VND for Vietnamese Dong)

The exchange rate will leave you fumbling with the notes in confusion, at least in the beginning. At the time of writing 100 USD equals 2,340,705 Vietnamese dong. So you can imagine that transactions in Vietnam begin in the six figures, several thousand dong.

When shopping at a market or shop in Hanoi, don’t be surprised to find that prices of goods change by the hour/day. Just bargain to a price you’re willing to pay and leave it at that. It’s one of the best Hanoi travel tips that we want to suggest you.

If you are not sure where to change the currency in Hanoi, the most expensive and prestigious price, please refer to the addresses below.

• Airport: Money exchange at the airport seems to be the most convenient place but the rate is quite high and you may have to pay more.
• Quoc Trinh Jewelry Company: 27 Ha Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
• Banks: You can choose to exchange money at Vietnamese banks. Because the transactions here are licensed by the state. However, when you will have to list when lots of papers and many different procedures.

3. The food in Hanoi is so amazing.

Well, it’s Vietnam, so of course, the food is amazing and Hanoi was heaven of food. Whether you prefer street food or fancier restaurants, you’ll be spoilt for choice and the best part is that it’s all pretty cheap.

Eat like the locals in no-frills street kitchen, seated on plastic tables and low chairs, with $1-3 meals served in plastic bowls. Here you’ll find bank executives in suits, chatty women in dresses and young college students washing down their meals with local beer. You can also take a guided tour of street food in Hanoi, if you aren’t sure about doing it on your own.

Once you come to Hanoi, one Hanoi travel tips is that you must definitely “make friends” with the TOP 10 dishes here to build your Hanoi food blog.

4. How to explore Hanoi – one of the best Hanoi travel tips

There is a bunch of fun things to do in Hanoi. For example, entertainment at night, interesting slow downs, where to visit in Hanoi, local secrets, shopping, as well a huge share of history. But we are sure that you should not miss certain places to visit in Hanoi.

In addition, for more Hanoi travel tips to have a magical day just outside of Hanoi. You can find some Hanoi Tours with all tours and activities.

Moreover, there are many travel agents in the Old Quarter that can support you in booking tours or finding guides if you want.

5. The locals in Hanoi are warm and friendly .

If walk around in the residential neighborhoods of Hanoi, you’ll find that people are warm, friendly and approachable. Whether it’s asking for directions or striking up a conversation with a local at the market or in a café, don’t be shy. Use Vietnamese phrases such as Xin chào (sin chow) for hello and Cảm ơn (gahm uhn) for thank you, and see their faces light up with a smile.

To sum up, for first time visitors, 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.