Learn more about flights to Hanoi 🛫
Crazy Llama will help you quickly and easily choose and buy tickets to Hanoi.
The capital of Vietnam is one of the most interesting places to visit in the country. This is a typical Asian metropolis with endless movement, chaos and noise, which can sometimes lead tourists into a stupor. However, there can be lots of fun, not to mention the opportunity to get a complete picture of Vietnamese culture, lifestyle and spirit.
The airport is located 45 km from the center of Hanoi. Although it is the main airport in Vietnam, it occupies only the third place in the country in passenger traffic. In recent years, it has been actively modernized and increased. In 2015, for example, a new terminal and highway opened between the airport and the center of Hanoi.
This is definitely not the most interesting airport in the world. International flights are now served in a new terminal, which looks much better than the old one. But he has nothing more to boast of. Arrived at Noi Bai International Airport? Try to quickly go through migration control and move on to something more interesting.
By local standards, a taxi at the airport is quite expensive — a trip to the center of Hanoi will cost about 10-12 dollars. However, if you travel in a company and can share the cost among all, it will turn out practically free. You will drive about half an hour without traffic jams.
The cheapest way is Public bus number 7 or 17. The fare is ridiculous: 35 cents. Buses depart every 15 minutes. You will be in the center in about an hour. Routes are open from 5am to 10pm.
In the middle price category there are minibuses. The cost of a trip on such a minibus will be about $2. We'll have to wait until a sufficient number of passengers have gathered. But then the route will be made taking into account the location of your hotel.
In fact, the tourist season does not end here. But it’s more comfortable to go to Hanoi in the winter — the amount of precipitation is reduced. Moreover, in recent years, the dry period is becoming longer.
Hanoi has something to see and do. Most attractions are within walking distance of each other. You can easily mark the route and enjoy the day of wanderings, perceiving the contrasting beauty between the old and the new. Be sure to visit as many attractions as possible to fully understand the atmosphere of Hanoi.
Once you get to Hanoi, immediately head to the Old Quarter. This is the historical and commercial center of the city, where there are many interesting sights, including various temples and pagodas. Moreover, it is not necessary to go to each temple. It’s enough just to stroll through the local streets. Thus, you can appreciate the architecture and enjoy the incredible atmosphere of the capital of Vietnam.
The best part of walking along Hoan Kiem (also known as Turtle Lake) is the lack of traffic typical for Hanoi. There are no cars, no bikes, only relaxed pedestrians.
Remember to cross the bridge that leads to the island in the center of the lake. Here stands the beautiful Ngon Temple. Entrance will cost you less than a dollar. And you definitely need to go there for a portion of cultural impressions.
One of the funniest things in Hanoi is nightlife. Honestly, the local nightlife can not even be compared in scale with Saigon, but still it’s worth at least a little time to go and see what happens there!
According to local law, bars and clubs in Hanoi must close by midnight. However, before closing, the city is incredibly lively. The best places to drink at night are Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter with small bars. It’s best to sit on one of these canonical tiny plastic chairs and enjoy a cold beer.
What can be interesting in crossing the road? In Hanoi, this is a special art that needs to be learned. The fact is that in Hanoi 10 million people ride bikes. And completely ignore the rules of the movement. At the same time, sidewalks are often parked and pedestrians have to pour into the stream of cars, buses and bikes. To cross the road, you just need to go. No one will ever stop before you. The secret is to catch the rhythm of movement and move forward while the drivers carefully circumnavigate you. Surprisingly, just crossing the road in Hanoi will cause you more adrenaline than rides.
The phrase "street food” in this city is taken very seriously, because the food can really be found at every step. In any area you will find dozens of cafes, snack bars and simply stalls on the sidewalks, around which there are dozens of plastic tables and chairs. And all this is more accessible than anywhere else.
The first step is to try the traditional Vietnamese Pho soup. It consists of freshly cooked rice noodles, tender pork or chicken and fresh vegetables. All this floats in a saturated broth that has been boiled for several hours. Fo came up in Hanoi, so you will not find anything more classic here.
In second place in popularity is Bun Cha — noodles with fried pork, fresh herbs, papaya, chili and other ingredients at the discretion of the cook.
Everywhere in Hanoi you will find the classic Bahn Mi sandwich. This is a combination of meat, vegetables, seasonings and sweet sauce in a fresh bun, which has spread widely outside of Vietnam and has become a favorite food of people around the world.