This Hanoi travel guide is indeed useful for you to have some ideas before starting a journey to explore Hanoi – the Vietnam’s capital with over one thousand of history and culture. To have a smooth Hanoi day tour, let’s read!
Hanoi travel guide on a budget
When to go to Hanoi
The Hanoi’s climate is split into four separate seasons, comprising Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, but it is difficult to answer the question “when is the ideal time for a Hanoi day trip” since each of the seasons will have certain things to explore and experience.
Spring (March-May)
The weather in Spring will bring travelers a comfortable day trip as the cool average temperature is from 15 – 20 degree Celsius. Especially, this season is the right time of plants and trees in blossom, creating an eye-catching and ravishing natural painting among the blue skype. Another great thing is that you can easily come across interesting traditional festivals in this period when the locals celebrate for a new year.
Summer (June-August)
Summer is not the best time for a day trip in Hanoi because it makes everything seemingly dirty and sticky, causing uncomfortable feelings for travelers to walk around. Not only that, the high temperature (32 degree Celsius) is also a disadvantage during the trip to this high-octane capital. Try imagining how unpleasant it is if you must suffer a terrible weather while going on a holiday in Vietnam.
Fall (September-November)
A charming Fall in Hanoi is also perfect for experiencing the ancient charm of this city full of eventful history. With the average temperature of 25 degree Celsius, cool breeze, and soothing ambiance, it is great to visit landmarks and perceive the lifestyle here. Perhaps, you have not known that the perspective of the capital in fall is so imposing that it was put in many poems of famous Vietnamese authors.
Winter (December- February)
Although winter is extremely chilly with the average temperature of 17 degree Celsius, it is also quite interesting to experience a Hanoi day trip in this time. Why? It is because you can enjoy irresistible hot street food and sip warm drinks at some kiosks while learning about the Vietnamese lifestyle.
Transportation
Bus
Buses to get around Hanoi run quite quickly but are very comfortable. Especially, it is easy to catch the buses and seemingly this is among the most convenient and cheapest means of transport in the vibrant capital. Just buy a map having bus lines on (it is sold at Trang Tien Street), take some time to decide where you are due to come, seek a bus stop, wait for your expected bus, and the get onto it. It just costs VND7,000/ticket.
Taxi
It is not hard to catch a taxicab in Hanoi as it is in abundance, but you should notice that not all taxi services are reputable. Some recommendations for you include Mai Linh, Taxi Group, Taxi Sao Hanoi, Taxi ABC, and Taxi Noi Bai.
Cyclo
Many people insist that cyclo is not ideal for a Hanoi day trip since it is not cheap. However, to peer down at the ancient charm of the capital, being cruised on cyclo is actually too wonderful to choose. With the price of VND100,000/one hour, you can negotiate to have the better deal.
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Motorbike taxi
Motorbike taxi or “xe om” is found every street corner in Hanoi, so it is easy to get it. To hit the Old Quarter, there are lots of ways to select, but motorbike taxi is probably amazing since you can seek it at any time. Remember to bargain over the price before getting on the bike (about VND10,000 per kilometer).
Rental motorbike
If planning to visit hotspots of Hanoi by yourself not through a tour, you are advisable to rent a motorbike. This service is available at shops on streets, such as Tran Hung Dao, Ba Trieu, Hai Ba Trung, or the Old Quarter. The cost is from USD6-50 per day, depending on each type of motorbike.
Where to stay in Hanoi
Hanoi Old Quarter
Regarded as the main backpacker area of Hanoi, the Old Quarter is great to stay when you have a Hanoi day trip. There is a wide selection of accommodations at all prices here, some of which are Hanoi Backpackers’ Hostel, Stars Hotel, Camellia 6 Hotel, Little Hanoi Hotel, Thuy Nga, Green Street, May de Ville Hostel, Dong A Hotel, Hanoi Lucky Guesthouse, and Phu Hoa.In general, although those are quite cheap to stay, you are still offered a sufficient number of amenities.
The surrounding area of St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Accommodations around here are voted as the good places to stay when you have a journey to Hanoi Capital. Some include Hanoi Heart Hostel, Joseph’s Hang Da Hotel, Olive Hotel, Especen Hotel, Hotel Hibiscus, First Choice Hotel, The Artisan Boutique Hotel, Sans Souci IV, and Little Hanoi Hostel 2
The surrounding area of West Lake: Santa Barbara Hotel, Maidza Hotel, Hanoi Garnet Hotel, and Anise Hotel.
Where to visit in Hanoi
While you are seeking someplace to visit when having a journey to explore the charm of Hanoi, some following suggestions are great for you: Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Bat Trang Pottery Village, Van Phuc Silk Village, Dong Ho Painting Village. It will enable you to understand more the history and culture of the locals.
Where to shop in Hanoi
Apart from must-visit tourist attractions for your day trips in Hanoi, another matter of your concern is where to shop. In fact, there are lots of things to buy during your journey, which probably become meaningful gifts for yourself, your family, or your friends, and some of those are handicrafts, traditional costumes, accessories, and food. The places where you can find what you want are Dong Xuan Market, Trang Tien Plaza, Hanoi Square, Nha Tho Street, Hang Gai Street, Hang Gai Street, and Hanoi Weekend Night Market.
What to eat in Hanoi
Surely, it will be with great regret that you ignore delicacies from Hanoi Capital, Vietnam as their taste is indeed unforgettable. It is also the best way to perceive a new cuisine and bring you the new knowledge about the culinary delights of Vietnam. Let’s try Xoi xeo, Banh cuon, Pho (Noodle soup), Bun thang, and Cha ca La Vong.
Hanoi’s nearby hot spots
Of course, nearby hotspots of Hanoi are indispensable to your trip to experience and explore this land. Especially, you will be wowed by majestic and phenomenal spectacles reigning remote areas of the North, such as Halong Bay, Sapa, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Trang An, and Cuc Phuong National Park. Those travel destinations carries the miraculous magnificence which you have probably never seen before.
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