Hanoi, Vietnam
Your guide in visiting Hanoi, Vietnam
How to get to Hanoi?
Where to stay in Hanoi?
Where to eat in Hanoi?
What to do and see in Hanoi?
Visiting Ha Long Bay
Some say Hanoi is the Paris of the east. I was a bit skeptical of such a statement but now after I visited this vibrant city, I can understand why. Most of the action revolve around the Old Quarter area. Most of the places I’ve been to below is within this area which can be easily explored by foot. The area around Hoan Kiem Lake which is considered the heart of the Old Quarter area is turned into a pedestrian zone on weekends which makes it the perfect place for an evening stroll after the numerous meals you have around the streets.
HOW TO GET TO HANOI
Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport is the second busiest airport in Vietnam. The airport is around 35 km from downtown Hanoi. I would highly suggest having transportation pre-arranged with your hotel before you arrive. It costs me USD$23 for a private car transfer from the airport to my hotel in downtown Hanoi. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport taxi stand.
VISITORS VISA
Passport holders of many countries will require visitors visa to enter Vietnam. If you do require a visa to enter Vietnam, the easiest way to apply for a landing visa. Most major airports in Vietnam will accept landing visa given you have a “Visa Approval Letter”. There are many online private companies that would apply for a “Visa Approval Letter” on your behave which is issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department. You will need to show this letter to the Immigration Office at the airport so they can process and issue you a landing visa. The whole process took me around 30 minutes at Hanoi Airport.
The company that I used is called “Vietnam-visa.com” The process was very straight forward. You enter all your passport and travel details online and pay a processing fee. It was USD$18.25 per person for a 1 month single entry landing visa. The turnaround time for the “Visa Approval Letter” is usually 3 to 4 working days. They will send you a link where you can download the PDF letter. They also have an express service where you pay extra for a guaranteed 2 days turnaround for your “Visa Approval Letter”.
The direction is also very clear from their email. You will then need to print out the “Visa Approval Letter” together with 2 passport size photos. You will need to download and printout a visa application form. You will also need to pay the immigration office at the airport USD$25 for a 1 or 3 months single entry visa. They only take cash. They do have change but best to have exact change. It is best to have the visa application form filled out beforehand so you can pass all the required documents and photos to the immigration office at the airport.
There were quite a few people waiting for their landing visa at Hanoi airport when I arrived. I waited for no more than 30 minutes to get my landing visa stamped on my passport.
Alternatively, you can get your visitors visa ahead of time at your local Vietnam embassy given you live in a major city that have one and do provide this service. You will need to leave your passport with the embassy for a week or two in my city in order for them to issue the visa.
Unless you arrive into Vietnam at an airport or port that cannot issue landing visas, I think the online landing visa application was straightforward and efficient to use. However, given you are expected to wait at the airport immigration office for them to process your visa.
WHERE TO STAY IN HANOI
I’ve stayed at Hanoi La Siesta Trendy Hotel. It is about a 10 minutes walk to Hoàn Kiếm Lake which is the historical center of Hanoi. It is also close walking distance to most of the best street food in Hanoi. The rooms are modern and well appointed. We had a slight issue with dirty towels in the bathroom when we checked-in and it was resolved very quickly by housekeeping.
Other options include:
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi MGallery by Sofitel
Hanoi La Siesta Central Hotel & Spa
WHERE TO EAT IN HANOI
Is all about food in Hanoi and arguably one of the best places in Asia to have street food. For me these are the 5 must eat Vietnamese food in Hanoi.
1.) Phở – Probably the most popular Vietnamese dish, is a soup consisting of broth, rice noodles called bánh phở, a few herbs, and meat, primarily made with either beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà).
Where to have Phở in Hanoi?
- Quán phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn – One of the most famous Phở place in Hanoi. There is always a lineup and when I was there, there were many locals as well.
Why not try all of the below as well and let me know which one you think is the best?
2.) Bún Chả – Bún chả is a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and noodle, which is thought to have originated from Hanoi, Vietnam. Bún chả is served with grilled fatty pork over a plate of white rice noodle and herbs with a side dish of dipping sauce.
Where to have Bun Cha in Hanoi?
- Bún Chả Hương Liên – Anthony Bourdain brought President Obama here. Is it really that good? You be the judge when you visit next time.
3.) Bánh cuốn – Bánh cuốn is made from a thin, wide sheet of steamed fermented rice batter filled with a mixture of cooked seasoned ground pork, minced wood ear mushroom, and minced shallots. Sides for this dish usually consist of chả lụa (Vietnamese pork sausage), sliced cucumber, and bean sprouts, with the dipping sauce which is fish sauce called nước chấm.
Where to have Banh Cuon in Hanoi?
4.) Banh Mi – Bánh mì is the Vietnamese word for bread. The bread which is actually a baguette, was introduced by the French during the colonial period in Vietnam. It comes with many different fillings.
Where to have Banh Mi in Hanoi?
5.) Bún Bò – A popular Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli and beef.
Where to have Bun Bo in Hanoi?
Vietnamese & French Restaurants
If you prefer a sit down restaurant with a nice setting, I will suggest the below restaurants. However, from my own experience, street food taste so much better than those served in the restaurant. Maybe it is the experience and all the people around you slurping down a bowl of Pho or munching through a Banh Mi or Banh Cuon.
- Le Beaulieu – French Restaurant inside the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
- Club Opera Novel – French Restaurant
- WILD RICE
- 1946 restaurant
Coffee Places
A reason why Hanoi is named the Paris of the East is because of her many street side cafes like Paris. My personal favorite is Ca phe sua da which is Vietnamese iced milk coffee.
- Cong Caphe – Local coffee chain. There are many branches around the city.
- Tranquil Books & Coffee
- Cafe Lâm
- Cafe Pho Co – A place famous for egg coffee.
- Oriberry Cafe
- Xofa Cafe
Other mentions:
- Xôi Yến – Famous for sticky rice.
- Lutulata Desserts & Drinks
Drinks and Nightlife
Hanoi have a very vibrant nightlife. I am quite surprised to see such action happening in Vietnam. The area around Beer Corner is packed most nights and where you will find the most action.
- Beer Corner – Street full of roadside bars.
- The Hanoi Social Club
- Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi – Le Club Bar
WHAT TO DO & SEE IN HANOI
Hanoi is not only about street food and beer. Hanoi can be consider the cultural center of Vietnam. Moreover, Vietnamese Revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh final resting place is in Hanoi which you can visit at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
1.) Ho Chi Minh Museum
2.) Thang Long Water Puppet Show
3.) Temple of Literature
4.) Hoan Kiem Lake
5.) Vietnamese Women’s Museum
6.) St Joseph’s Cathedral
7.) Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
8. )Vietnam National Museum of History
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ha Long Bay has an area of around 1,553 km2, including 1,960–2,000 islets, most of which are limestone. The core of the bay has an area of 334 km2 with a high density of 775 islets. The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments.
The drive from Hanoi City center to Ha Long Bay is close to 4 hours. It will be a long day trip. A day trip typically includes a transfer between your hotel and the harbor at Ha Long Bay. There are numerous companies running boat tours in Ha Long Bay and I chose one called L’Azalée Cruises. They have day trips and overnight trips as well. If time permits, I would highly suggest an overnight trip as a day trip is extremely rush and you will spend close to 8 hours in the car in total including the return trip. If you prefer, you could take a seaplane from Hanoi No Bai Airport to Ha Long Bay which will also include a sightseeing flight over Ha Long Bay. The company is called Hai Au Aviation.
