Arriving in Hanoi
1. Airplane
- AirportNoi Bai International Airport
- Distance from the center: 45km
- Airline: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines
2. Train
- Main stationHanoi Railway Station (120 Le Duan Street)
- railway lineConnecting with many provinces and cities across the country.
3. Passenger buses
- Main bus stationMy Dinh, Giap Bat, Gia Lam
- Connect: With most provinces and cities nationwide
Getting around Hanoi
1. Public buses
- NetworkWidespread, covering most districts and counties.
- Ticket prices: 7,000 – 9,000 VND/trip
- AdvantageAffordable and convenient for local residents.
2. Taxi
- Reputable company: Mai Linh, Vinasun, G7
- PriceApproximately 12,000 – 15,000 VND/km
- NoteIt's advisable to choose taxis with meters.
3. Ride-hailing apps
- PopularGrab, Be, GoJek
- Vehicle typeCars, motorcycles
- AdvantageConvenient, transparent pricing.
4. Motorbikes for rent
- Rent: 100,000 – 200,000 VND/day
- AdvantageFlexible, easy to explore narrow alleys.
- NoteAn international driving license is required, along with protective clothing.
5. Bicycle
- AreaCommon in the Ho Guom area and the Old Quarter.
- Rent: 20,000 – 40,000 VND/hour
- AdvantageEnvironmentally friendly, suitable for short distances.
6. Electric train (coming soon)
- RouteCat Linh – Ha Dong
- Length13km with 12 stations
- AdvantageReduce congestion, speed up transportation.
Main attractions and transportation options
- Old Quarter
- Transportation: Walking, cycling, rickshaw
- Highlights: 36 streets and alleys, street food.
- Hoan Kiem Lake
- Transportation: Walking
- Highlights: Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple
- Temple of Literature – National University
- Transportation: Taxi, bus (routes 02, 23)
- Highlights: Ancient architecture, doctoral steles.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Transportation: Taxi, bus (route 09)
- Note: Please dress appropriately.
- Tran Quoc Pagoda
- Transportation: Taxi, motorbike
- Location: On the shores of West Lake
- Museum of Ethnology
- Transportation: Taxi, bus (route 14)
- Highlight: Cultural artifacts of 54 ethnic groups
Suggested itinerary (2 days)
Day 1:
- Morning: Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake (on foot)
- Lunch: Have lunch at a restaurant in the Old Quarter.
- Afternoon: Temple of Literature – National University (by taxi)
- Evening: Watch a water puppet show (walk or take a taxi)
Day 2:
- Morning: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda (by bus)
- Lunch: Have lunch at Tay Ho.
- Afternoon: Tran Quoc Pagoda and a stroll around West Lake (by bicycle)
- Evening: Enjoy street food in the Old Quarter (on foot)
Things to note when traveling in Hanoi
- Traffic can be heavy during peak hours (7-9 am, 4-7 pm).
- Always wear a helmet when riding a motorbike.
- Be careful when crossing the road; use overpasses or pedestrian underpasses if available.
- Keep your personal belongings safe, especially in crowded places.
- Carry a map or use a map app on your phone.
With its diverse and convenient transportation system, Hanoi offers numerous opportunities for exploration. From ancient streets to modern buildings, every corner possesses a unique beauty of the thousand-year-old capital. Plan your trip and enjoy the unique beauty of Hanoi!
