Hanoi Travel Guide
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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 = 22,919.84 VND
$1.00 AUD = 16,576.45 VND
€1.00 EUR = 26,834.20 VND
£1.00 GBP = 31,333.26 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