What to do

There are few things to do in this capital, and depends on what you like. I have a to-do list which is quite easy to accomplish within 2days.

You wake up early because of the sounds. Sounds from motorbikes, sounds from speakers or from the streets. The temperature is quite alright in the morning and will increase much higher until noon. Grab phở at 41 Bát Đàn street if you want to taste a vietnamese traditional breakfast.

After breakfast, follow the map and walk to Mausoleum ( the sooner the better), you probably visit this place 1½hour-2hours. You can see Ho Chi Minh’s garden, entrance is on the right of the guards. Near there, you will also find One Pillar pagoda.

Only 10minutes away, you will find Temple of Literature. It is also known as Văn Miếu/Quốc Tử Giám, built into 1070, dedicated to Confucius and this is the oldest school in Vietnam. Pay the fee, which is less then 1$, and enjoy this peaceful place.

From 11 o’clock, the temperature reach kinda high and it’s very painful to walk around (unless it’s raining). The Vietnamese people are taking “siesta”, try to hide inside the house or some cool place.

At 15:00, first to do is buy a ticket for water puppetry(watch video) show, it’s easy to buy it by your self as the sellers do speak english. The performance has many shows a day, that’s is why you can go and buy it now and watch it later tonight. When you got the ticket, you can walk around the lake (and Ngoc Son temple), the Opera House of Hanoi, St. Josheph’s Church. It should take more than 1hour, depends on if you stop to taking pictures. Try to book a tour to Halong Bay if you want to go there next day. It costs around 20$, a full day trip.

At night, i do like to walk around the lake, Hoan Kiem lake, pass by one or two groups of women whom are having aerobics in the dark with lousy speakers. Inside the house is too hot, so walk around the lake is perfect, but then you feel hot after a long walk, right? City View Cafe is a restaurant/bar, locate just right in the center of the city, view over the lake and the streets. Take a lift to fifth floor and choose the best view at the balcony. A shaker costs average 25.000VND (2007)

Next day, what you can do is walking around the old quarters, stop time to time to watch the old houses on the streets, local people’s activities and wondering why bikers, here in Vietnam, can transport so many stuffs on their motorbikes. Each street has its own specialty. Often, vendor are selling similar things on the same street and only on that street. Do be surprise if you see some vendors walking around with bamboo bar with two wicker baskets.

Walking around the old quarter could be hours if you want to discover the old Hanoi, so a good shoes could be nice. Visit Dong Xuan market, just to see how a market should be, or could be. Chaotic scene is normal, men and women are busy to move their goods. I expect you know how to bargain at this time now right? Things are cheap here, but it could be cheaper if you know how to negotiate.

Get there

Flight direct to Hanoi is a simple choice. But there are also buses from Hue to Hanoi. I don’t think you will find any problems with getting here.

Move around

If you want to save money and want to sit behind a motorbike, why not try xe ôm? Good thing about this option is they are fast when it’s traffic jam. Taxi are good when you are moving around the city with your friends, while xe ôm does take one person only ( two if you are really small like the vietnamese). Don’t panic if you see your taxi takes many “detours”, it’s normal in Vietnam. Roads and streets could be one directions only, so they have to drive around and around to get into the same direction. Let say Taxi and Old Quarter area is NOT a good combinations. Of course, taxi driver doesn’t refuse because you are paying them even if they have to make some detours.

Place to sleep

Hanoi has many mini-hotels around, both inside and outside of Old Quarter. Price is reasonable, about 200.000VND (2007) for a double room, air-con.
- Hàng Bông street: A few hotel in this area. Close to everything within a walking distance. Walk about 10minutes to the lake, 15minutes to Mausoleum, 5minutes to nearest Old Quarters area. Food stalls and market, train station is about 10minutes.
- Mã Mây street: You are now inside of Old Quarter, price here could be higher or lower, that’s why you can walk around and ask for prices. Most guide book show you this area, and you gonna find other backpackers here as well.
- Near train station: I asked a few of them down there, and they are about 600.000(40$) for a double room, air-con. Near to train station, Mausoleum and Temple of Literature , but a bit too far to the center.
- Church’s area: hotels in this area grow more recently. Very close to many attractions and restaurants.

Of course, there are many places, areas, that offer cheap and good hotels around Hanoi. Only prices/stars are the difference.

Money
ATM is available yes, as well as banks. Ask your hotel receptionist where nearest ATM is.

How safe?

This is a quote from LonelyPlanet’s forum:

Robbed in Hanoi Friday night by a gang of Vietnamese
Corralled by a Vijetnamese gang on Friday at the market in Hanoi in the Old Quarter. Cards and money stolen
Credit and ATM cards have been cancelled. Money lost only 250K dong. Do I need to contact the police? I wasn’t injured. I made a verbal to a small police outpost but they showed little interest. Happened in front of a load of storeholders but they said they didn’t see a thing (the Sgt Shultz response) Do I need to inform my embassy? Should I write a letter or report to someone?

You can read this topic here. As you know, you should be careful when you travel around. Doesn’t matter how, where, this thing could happens to you at anytime. As i spent my time in Vietnam many times, i haven’t got any trouble with it, but i always aware when walking in a crowd like market, new year’s day or festivals. Lock your bags if they are in the hotels, money and passport can be keep in hotel’s safelock if they have any. Use money-belt if possible.