Hanoi — A thousand-year city between rivers of motorbikes.
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Vietnam

Hanoi Travel Guide

A thousand-year city between rivers of motorbikes.

BEST TIME: October–April CURRENCY: VND COORDINATES: 21.03°, 105.83°

French colonial boulevards, the buzz of the Old Quarter, and some of the world's best street food.

Last updated: 2026-07-16

PRACTICAL INFO

What to know before you go.

Tourist traps, SIM cards, cash vs card, taxis and safety — the city's reality in five questions.

Biggest tourist mistake

Stopping and running when you cross — in Hanoi traffic the steady walker is safe, the hesitant one is in danger.

SIM card & internet

Viettel/Vinaphone airport SIMs take minutes; eSIMs are common too.

Cash or card?

Cash dong leads; don't confuse the zeros, double-check notes. ATMs charge per withdrawal.

Taxi & transport apps

Grab (bike or car) is standard and honest; street taxis run meter tricks.

Safety

Violence is low; the real 'risk' is traffic and minor overcharging. Follow track safety on Train Street.

CITY PULSE

The city's 24-hour rhythm.

Turn the dial to any hour and it tells you where you should be.

12:00
0006121823
BUDGET

What will it cost me?

Pull the day dial; the estimated per-person cost is calculated instantly.

Total Estimated Budget
$216
$72 / day · 3 gün
1 day7 days14 days

Figures are per-person daily USD estimates compiled from BudgetYourTrip, Numbeo and recent traveller reports. Flight/ferry tickets not included.

Hanoi budget in detail: daily costs & calculator →

TRAVEL GUIDE

Insider knowledge.

Things you won't find on the first page of a search engine.

Must Do

  • Day/boat trip to Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh.
  • Try an egg coffee (cà phê trứng) — a Hanoi invention.
  • Eat street food in the plastic-stool culture, not in a restaurant.

Avoid These

  • Stopping or running when crossing — walk at a steady pace, traffic flows around you.
  • Meter tricks in taxis; use Grab.
  • Lingering on the tracks for photos on Train Street.

Tips

  • Small notes matter; don't confuse the zeros in VND, double-check.
  • Grab (bike or car) is the most practical transport.
  • Shoulders and knees covered in temples; shoes off.

Hidden Gems

  • Long Bien Bridge: a sunset walk on the colonial iron bridge.
  • Đường Lâm ancient village: an hour out, laterite stone houses.
  • West Lake temples and café scene — an escape from the Old Quarter buzz.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hanoi: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
The best time for Hanoi is October–April. Weather and crowd levels are most favourable for travellers then.
How many days are enough in Hanoi?
2-3 days is a good start for Hanoi's highlights; extend to 4-5 to explore the surroundings and nearby routes. Our hour-by-hour City Pulse plan helps you organise each day.
Is Hanoi expensive? What is the daily budget?
For a mid-range traveller, the estimated daily cost in Hanoi is about $72 per person (food, local transport, accommodation and activities; flights excluded). Budget travellers can spend less; use the budget calculator in the guide to see your own figure.
Is Hanoi safe?
Violence is low; the real 'risk' is traffic and minor overcharging. Follow track safety on Train Street.
How is internet and SIM in Hanoi?
Viettel/Vinaphone airport SIMs take minutes; eSIMs are common too.
Cash or card in Hanoi?
Cash dong leads; don't confuse the zeros, double-check notes. ATMs charge per withdrawal.
How is transport and taxi in Hanoi?
Grab (bike or car) is standard and honest; street taxis run meter tricks.

Nearby routes