Hanoi, Vietnam — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
NoiBaiAirport(HAN)
Tel: (04) 886 5053 or 5127.
The airport is around 35km (21 miles) north of the city. It is the second largest of three international airports in the country (Ho Chi Minh City being the largest) and it serves cities in Asia and Europe with regular flights to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The terminal is spacious and modern.
Airport facilities include bureau de change, duty-free shops and cafes. There are no car hire providers at the airport.
Vietnam Airlines operates a bus service into the city and its office on Quang Trung Street and there is a public bus to Kim Ma Bus Station. Metered taxis are also available.
Getting There By Road
The road network throughout Vietnam is reasonable but the standard of the roads varies dramatically from good to appalling. In theory, traffic drives on the right but in practice drivers take the most direct path avoiding the many thousands of bicycles, motorbikes and animals wandering along the road. As self-driven car hire for visitors is non-existent, visitors to the country have to hire a car with a driver. Most will agree that this is the only way until the country introduces and enforces a system of road rules. There are basic rules, such as you must stop at a red light and headlights must be used at night, but that tends to be as far as it goes. Long-term foreign residents are allowed to drive a car but few are brave enough to do so, preferring to employ a Vietnamese driver. It is safe to assume that if a foreigner is driving a car involved in an accident, he or she will automatically be at fault.
Emergency breakdown services
None.
Routes to the city
The main north to south route in Vietnam is Highway 1 connecting Hanoi with Ho Chi Minh City.
Driving times to the city
From Haiphong - 2 hours 30 minutes; Halong Bay - 3 hours 30 minutes; Sapa - 10 hours.
Coach services
There are several bus stations around Hanoi, each serving different destinations. Services on short journeys depart when they are full and those traveling longer distances generally depart early in the morning. It is not possible to book tickets over the phone so you'll need to go to the bus station the day before to check the schedule for the following day and buy a ticket. A very useful number is 1080 where English-speaking operators can give information on timetables. Buses to Halong Bay and Haiphong depart from Gia Lam bus station on Ngo Gia Kham. Kim Ma bus station, Nguyen Thai Hoc, has buses to the northwest of the country including Dien Bien Phu. Towns south of Hanoi, including Ho Chi Minh City, are served by buses from Giap Bat bus station on Giai Phong.
Getting There By Rail
There is only one major route from Ho Chi Minh City, via Nha Trang, Danang and Hue, with minor routes to northern towns. Internationally, there is a twice-weekly train service to Beijing.
Rail Services
The main railway station in Hanoi is Ga Hang Co, 120 Le Duan, in the southwest of the city. You can buy tickets in person at the station and a very useful number is 1080 where English-speaking operators can give information on timetables. For long distances, it's best to book soft-class sleepers (four people in each cabin) or soft seats for shorter distances. The alternative hard-class sleepers (six people in each cabin) and hard-class seats are uncomfortable and crowded.
Rail Operators
The Vietnamese railway company is Duong Sat Vietnam (tel: (04) 3942 3949; www.vr.com.vn), although it is better to go to the station, at 120 Le Duan, in person to purchase tickets.
Connections
From Beijing - 42 hours; Ho Chi Minh City - 29 to 42 hours, depending on the number of stops; Hue - 13 hours; Lao Cai - 9 hours; Haiphong - 2 hours 30 minutes.
Getting Around in Hanoi, Vietnam
Public Transport
The public bus system in Hanoi is very cheap but confusing, and few short-term visitors to Hanoi will attempt it. There are around 60 bus routes operated by five different bus operators, but information for all routes can be found on the website of the Hanoi Transport Management and Operation Center (www.hanoibus.com). Monthly passes are available.
Taxis
Taxis are the best way to travel around Hanoi. Restaurants, bars and hotels are quite happy to summon a taxi; otherwise vehicles can be hailed on the street. Visitors are advised to check that the meter is turned on. Reliable taxi companies are Airport Taxis (tel: (04) 3873 3333), Hanoi Taxi (tel: (04) 3853 5353) and Mai Linh Taxi (tel: (04) 3822 2666).
Driving in the City
Most visitors to Hanoi are quite traumatized when they encounter the traffic for the first time. The streets are crammed with bicycles and motorbikes, which dart between the growing number of cars. Happily, visitors are only allowed to hire cars with drivers.
Car Hire
It is not possible to hire a car to drive yourself but you can hire one with a driver from tour operators such as Exotissimo Travel (tel: (04) 3828 2150; www.exotissimo.com), Vidotour (tel: (04) 3734 5429; www.vidotourtravel.com), and Buffalo Tours (tel: (04) 3828 0702; www.buffalotours.com).
Bicycle Hire
In a city that is home to thousands of bicycles, you can hire a bicycle for a day or longer period from a number of outlets on Hang Bac Street in the Old Quarter. Good-quality bicycles and helmets can be hired from Marco Polo Travel (tel: (04) 3997 5136; www.bikingvietnam.com) at 49 Nguyen Khoai.
