Unveiling 5 Travel Tips To Know Before Visiting Hanoi!
Introduction to Hanoi
For many travelers, upon their first visit to the capital city of Hanoi, they can immediately sense the beauty of this region through the harmonious blend of ancient charm and modern vibrancy present in its bustling streets. Hanoi presents itself to visitors as a rich and diverse capital, offering culinary delights, cultural heritage, and recreational destinations.
One of the most distinctive features of Hanoi is its Old Quarter. This famous destination in Hanoi is a must-visit for tourists. Additionally, there are numerous historical sites and ancient architectural structures, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoan Kiem Lake, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature.
Furthermore, Hanoi is known for its renowned craft villages specializing in pottery, silk, and bronze, offering visitors new and unique travel experiences.
Moreover, Hanoi’s beauty lies in its simplicity, from the mobile street vendors and sidewalk eateries to the night market clamor. The cuisine in Hanoi captivates travelers with its delightful aromas and distinctive flavors found nowhere else.
Although Hanoi may not have as many beautiful beaches, its convenient transportation connections to famous beaches in the North, Central, and other renowned tourist areas make it an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Best Time to Visit Hanoi
Compared to Saigon, Hanoi’s weather is more clearly divided into four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Spring spans from February to April, summer from May to July, autumn from August to October, and winter from November to January of the following year.
Hence, When is the Best Time to Visit Hanoi? Most tourists opt to visit Hanoi during the autumn season. This time is considered ideal as the weather is not too hot, cold, or rainy. With the arrival of autumn, Hanoi adorns itself with a new charm, featuring the romantic allure of golden leaves, the intoxicating fragrance of milk flowers, and the temptation of autumn’s green rice flakes (cốm).
This is undoubtedly the perfect time to explore Hanoi for travelers who appreciate the city’s ancient beauty and nostalgic atmosphere. Apart from autumn, the period from February to April is also appealing, as it coincides with Hanoi’s spring season.
The weather is no longer chilling, sometimes accompanied by light drizzles, offering a chance to experience various famous Hanoi festivals. For those who enjoy Hanoi’s chilly atmosphere, visiting in November, December, or January is recommended.
Where to Stay When Traveling to Hanoi?
So, where should you stay when traveling to Hanoi? Hanoi offers a wide range of accommodations, from budget to luxury hotels, homestays, guesthouses, and more. If you prefer staying in populous and bustling areas, you can choose districts like Dong Da or Tay Ho. For those seeking a quieter experience, the Hoan Kiem district, especially around the Old Quarter, is a popular choice due to its proximity to the city center.
Hotels located farther from the city center, such as Thanh Xuan, Cau Giay, and Ha Dong, are more affordable but may not be the best options for a Hanoi travel experience.
If you are looking for high-quality accommodation in the Old Quarter area, it’s advisable to contact travel companies or agencies. When booking hotels or homestays, make sure to do so 2-3 weeks in advance to avoid any room shortages. Additionally, budget guesthouses can provide interesting experiences for those seeking to save costs.
Here are a few recommended hotels and homestays with good quality:
- Where to Stay When Traveling to Hanoi? – Hotels:
– Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (5-star): 15 Ngo Quyen Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
– Movenpick Hotel Hanoi (4-star): 83A Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
– Adonis Hotel Hanoi (3-star): 55 Quang Trung Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
- Where to Stay When Traveling to Hanoi? – Homestays:
– Au frais Homestay: 23 Ho Tay, Quang An, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
– Tuc xa Homestay: 2nd Floor, A11 Ton That Tung Collective, Dong Da District, Hanoi
Note: Additionally, there is a transportation service similar to taxis, where you can know the price in advance for your journey. This service is provided by the Grabcar ride-hailing application.
If you come to Hanoi for the first time, you should experience staying in the old town once. Choose and book hotels near St. Joseph Cathedral, Ma May, Hang Hanh, Hang Trong, Hang Bong, Hang Gai… From here you can enjoy the bustling nightlife of Hanoi’s center easily. easiest.
For those who want a quiet place, booking a hotel around West Lake is worth considering. Then you can rent a motorbike to reduce travel costs. Here, you get the freshest air of Hanoi, as well as enjoy the romance of West Lake every afternoon. An atmosphere perhaps Ho Chi Minh City will not have.
Getting Around in Hanoi
Taxi
If you are not familiar with the streets of Hanoi, using taxis for transportation to tourist attractions is recommended for convenience. It’s particularly suitable for families with children and adults, as the taxis provide a spacious and comfortable environment, allowing you to easily navigate to your destination. Here are some reputable taxi companies in Hanoi:
– Thanh Nga Taxi: 024.38.215.215
– Taxi Group: 024.38.26.26.26
– Hanoi Taxi: 024.38.53.53.53
– HaNoi Tourist Taxi: 024.38.56.56.56
– Viet Thanh Taxi: 024.35.63.6666
– Thang Long Taxi: 024.39.71.71.71
Car Rental with Driver
This is a transportation method commonly used by travelers exploring. Renting a car with a driver offers convenience and cost-effectiveness. You can rent a car with a driver from travel companies, which can help you plan your transportation to various tourist destinations in Hanoi.
You can also consider car rental services from businesses specializing in this field. This service allows you to know the cost for your entire journey, giving you the flexibility to adjust your itinerary according to your budget.
Motorbike Rental
If you’re traveling with 1-2 people, renting a motorbike is a budget-friendly option for getting around. The daily rental cost for a motorbike ranges from 100,000 to 150,000 VND, depending on the type of bike you choose. If your accommodation offers motorbike rental, it’s recommended to rent from there for convenience. Otherwise, you can find motorbike rental shops in nearby areas. Some rental shops you can consider are:
– 13535 Motorbike Rental: 088.661.35.35
– Gia Hung: 0936.345.123
– Bonbon Motor: 0855.222.555
– Binh An: 077.6743.863
– Motogo Hanoi: 0338.023.344
Traveling in Hanoi: What Souvenirs to Buy?
– Bánh cốm (green sticky rice cake)
– Trà sen (lotus tea)
– Mận Hà Nội (Hanoi peaches)
– Ô mai (sugared or salted dried fruits)
– Bánh chè lam (sweet green rice cake)
– Sấu (sour fruits)
– Bưởi diễn (pomelo from Diễn village)
– Đồ gốm sứ (pottery and ceramics)
– Đồ thủ công mỹ nghệ (handicrafts)
– Lụa (silk)
Suggest 2 Days 1 Night Travel Itinerary for Hanoi
- Day 1:
Morning:
– Enjoy breakfast.
– Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
– Check in at Hoan Kiem Lake – Turtle Tower – Ngoc Son Temple.
Afternoon:
– Have lunch.
– Explore the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam).
– Check in at Phung Hung Mural Street.
Evening:
– Stroll around the Old Quarter.
– Savor Hanoi’s specialties.
– Check in at landmarks like the Opera House, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, etc.
- Day 2:
Morning:
– Wake up early to catch the sunrise at West Lake (Hồ Tây) and enjoy the fresh air.
– Have breakfast.
– Visit the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.
Afternoon:
– Lunch.
– Check out of your hotel.
– End your Hanoi exploration itinerary.
If you wish to continue exploring Ninh Binh and Halong Bay, you can head to these destinations from Hanoi.
Please note that the translation provided is a general interpretation of the original text and may not capture every nuance or detail. If you have specific parts you’d like to highlight or discuss further, feel free to ask.
Other notes when traveling to Hanoi
Most people have a general view that: the service in Hanoi and the northern provinces is not as good as in Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, you should also prepare yourself to receive the “grains”, the “discomfort” while using the services here, with the following notes:
– When you go shopping, you avoid looking at the goods in the early morning, avoid asking for a lot of prices without intending to buy.
– You should consult the prices in many different sources and definitely pay the price to avoid being “spoiled” or “hacked” when buying.
– Have a map to determine the distance to go, avoid being taken around by others (motorcycle taxi, taxi) and then charged. Ask about the price before using any service. The best way is to ask the receptionist at your hotel for advice and help when you need information.
– To enjoy all the natural beauty and magnificent architecture in large temples, you should not go to temples during the festival season.
– Do not choose to travel to Sapa if you have not booked the necessary services in advance. As the number of train cars is limited, the number of hotel rooms is also limited; you may have to buy train tickets at a very expensive price and have no room to rest.
On long holidays for everyone it is not advisable to go. Since you will have to go to the mountainous market with all the people from the lowlands, the interest in discovering the typical culture of the highlands will be greatly reduced.
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