Hanoi Travel Guide
How to Choose a Halong Bay Cruise That’s Right For You
How to choose a Halong Bay cruise – surely it can’t be that hard? I didn’t think so until I heard travellers complain of being put on boats they didn’t book and forced to share ‘single’ ...
Our Vietnam Food Tour Has Ended and We’re Planning Another. Join Us?
Our Vietnam food tour has just finished – 22 days eating our way from Saigon to Hanoi via the Mekong Delta, Dalat, Hoi An, Hue, Sapa, and Halong Bay – and I’m back home in ...
Vietnam Culinary Tour – Join Us On Another Vietnam Food Adventure in 2019
Our Vietnam Culinary Tour will explore the regional cuisines of Vietnam, from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and the Mekong Delta in the south, Hoi An and Hue in Central Vietnam, to Hanoi and the ...
Weekend in Hanoi – An Itinerary for Two Days in Vietnam’s Capital
A weekend in Hanoi isn’t nearly enough time in Vietnam’s atmospheric but chaotic capital, one of our favourite cities in Southeast Asia and our home for a while back in 2012-13 – but a weekend is ...
Footpath Feasting: Vietnam Eating Tips from a Local Expert
Planning a holiday in Vietnam with food a high priority? Who better to consult for Vietnam eating trips than a local expert, the kind we go to for recommendations when we head back to Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City resident, ...
Halong Bay in Northern Vietnam, a Beguiling Seascape of Limestone Karsts
Halong Bay in northeast Vietnam is a dazzling unspoilt seascape distinguished by clusters of verdant islands, craggy islets, limestone karsts, and schist outcrops that dramatically rise out of jade coloured waters. Immortalised in poetry, folk tales, myths, legends, ...
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Hanoi Essentials
When to Go
Mar-Apr & Sep-Nov Weather is mild and pleasant and great for long strolls.
May-Jul Hanoi at its hottest (28-35ºC) and most humid.
Dec-Feb Hanoi in winter is quite cold sometimes gettting below 10ºC, you won’t be sunbaking on deck at Halong Bay.
Health
If you’re sticking to Hanoi, health issues and quality of medical attention is fine. A bout of stomach illness is not uncommon (take Imodium or similar), but overall traffic accidents are your main worry. Do take these recommended vaccinations
Visas
Nationals of United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and some others can get a 15 day visa on arrival. Other nationalities need a visa in advance but you can do this online at Vietnam Visa on Arrival through our visa partner, the most respected Vietnam Visa agent.
Insurance for Hanoi
CURRENCY
CURRENT EXCHANGE RATES
$1.00 USD = 22,914.59 VND
$1.00 AUD = 16,576.39 VND
€1.00 EUR = 26,832.29 VND
£1.00 GBP = 31,333.70 VND
The Vietnamese currency (VND) is called the ‘dong’ and you’ll find most prices quoted to you in dong. ATMs are common around the Hoan Kiem Lake area. When shopping cash rules, but debit and credit cards are used in hotels. Don’t change money on the streets, ever.
LANGUAGE
VIETNAMESE IS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF VIETNAM.
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRICITY IN VIETNAM IS 220 VOLTS. 50 CYCLES/SEC.
LOCAL TIME
CURRENT HANOI TIME
Vietnamese Time Zone is (GMT+7)
Vietnam has never used daylight saving time.
WEATHER
CURRENT HANOI WEATHER
- TEMPERATURE
°C | °C - HUMIDITY
% - WIND
m/s - CLOUDINESS
% - SUNRISE
- SUNSET
- TUE 21°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
- WED 22°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
- THU 23°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
- FRI 24°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
- SAT 25°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
- SUN 26°C | °CCloudiness%Humidity%
TRANSPORTATION
AIR/LAND/SEA
Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is around 30 kilometres from the city centre via a multi-lane highway. There are buses, taxis and mini-vans that ply this route, but your best bet is to organise a pick-up through your hotel – which you should book in advance (around US$15). Despite the traffic, Hanoi’s a great walking town, particularly when so many taxis are fake versions of Mai Ling taxi service.
Hanoi Daily Costs
Budget
Daily Budget Up To:
US$40
- Guesthouse/Cheap Hotel: US$3–18
- Noodle street food dish: US$1–3
- Bia Hoi (draught beer): from US$0.30
Mid Range
Daily Budget From:
US$41–100
- Air-con hotel room: US$25–50
- Good local restaurant meal: US$5–10
- Local Taxi Ride: US$2-5
Luxury
Daily Budget From:
US$101+
- Boutique hotel or resort: US$80–500
- Quality 3-course meal: US$25–50
- Internal Flight (eg Hanoi-Danang): US$60–120