Hanoi, Vietnam Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go

I recently had an unforgettable trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, and let me tell you—I still can’t get enough of it! Well, except for the fact that I came home with a severe sunburn… sigh. 😅

I chose Hanoi because I’d never been to Vietnam before, and I was craving a new adventure filled with rich culture, delicious food, and breathtaking natural scenery. Hanoi just felt like the perfect fit!

This trip was supposed to be a solo adventure, but at the last minute, a friend decided to tag along! She literally booked her flight just a day before I left. I flew with AirAsia and landed in the afternoon, while she landed at midnight with Vietnam Airlines. Thankfully, I had already booked and paid for my accommodation a month in advance, so she just had to cover the cost of our room upgrade.

✅ Flight To Hanoi

I booked my AirAsia ticket in December 2017 for RM345.90, but with added extras like meals and seat selection, the total came to RM384.90. I always prefer choosing my seat because, let’s be honest, getting stuck in the middle seat next to someone with zero personal space awareness is NOT fun.

Pro tip: If you get hungry easily (like me), pre-book your meal! It’s much cheaper than buying it on the flight.

⭐ Also, before flying to Hanoi, make sure to get travel insurance. You never know what might happen when you’re in a foreign country. That little extra step gives you peace of mind throughout your trip.

✅ Where to Stay In Hanoi?

If you’re visiting Hanoi, stay in the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem District—it’s central, lively, and has plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options. Here’s where I stayed:

🏨 Box Hotel Hanoi

4 nights: $44 (without breakfast)
Super affordable compact rooms
I stayed in the Standard Twin Room (dorms available for backpackers)
Great location with amazing tour services (highly recommend booking your tours here even if you’re not staying at the hotel! The packages they provide are tailored for backpackers and offer fantastic experiences.

🏨 Finnegans Hotel

1 night: $43 (Honeymoon Suite + balcony + breakfast!)
Wanted a little “treat yourself” moment, and it did not disappoint
Cozy, clean, friendly staff—absolutely worth it
Sadly, no longer in business (as of 2025 😢)

✅ Getting Around Hanoi

🚗 From the Airport

Book an airport transfer in advance if possible, but don’t be surprised if they don’t show up. My friend and I both ended up taking taxis despite arranging transport beforehand. Other travelers told us the same happened to them.

If it happens to you, don’t panic—just follow the “TAXI” sign at the arrival hall. A fair price to the Old Quarter is $13–$18. Anything higher? Walk away.

🚗 Within the City

Grab and Be (Vietnamese ride-hailing app) are widely used.
Grab Motorbikes: If you’re feeling adventurous! Widely available.
Beca (bicycle rickshaws): The standard price is 150,000 dong per person, but if you’re good at bargaining, you can get it for 100,000 dong.
Walking: My personal favourite way to explore. Hanoi is totally walkable!

In Hanoi, it’s actually easy to find transportation options. You can even rent a motorbike or bicycle if you prefer. If you want to stay active like me, walking is a great option.

Here’s what I spent:

$18 (Airport → Box Hotel)
$13 (Finnegans Hotel → Airport)
$7 (Taxi because we got lost in the Old Quarter 😂)
$5.49 (Beca from Ho Lo Prison → Al-Noor Mosque)

✅ Tour Services in Hanoi

When visiting Hanoi, it’s a must to take advantage of tour services. You don’t need to book tours in advance. There are tons of agencies everywhere, and most hotels can arrange trips for you. I thought 6 days and 5 nights were enough—but I barely fit everything I wanted to see!

On Day 2, I took a Ha Long Bay day tour (about 4 hours from Hanoi). The package included lunch.
A day trip is honestly enough unless you really want to experience the overnight cruise. If you want to save some money, you can skip activities like kayaking or the bamboo boat

On Day 3-4, I joined the 2D1N Sapa Tour. The package provided lunch, dinner, and breakfast, and we stayed overnight in a homestay with locals. You can read details of the tour [here]

On Day 5, I didn’t book a tour. Instead, I explored the city on my own. I googled the tourist attractions in Hanoi and navigated using GPS while walking.

My tour services cost:

Ha Long Bay (Day Tour): $45
Sapa (2D1N): $50

If you have more time, I strongly recommend:

Tam Coc Day Tour: $40
Ninh Binh Day Tour: $40

✅ What To Eat in Hanoi

Finding food in Hanoi is easy for non-Muslim travelers, but if you’re looking for halal options, check out:

Zaynab Restaurant (near Al-Noor Mosque)
Namaste Restaurant (Indian cuisine)
D’lions Restaurant (Malaysian food)

Pro tip: Bring some food from Malaysia, such as instant noodles like Maggi if you’re worried about food options!

✅ Internet Connection

Vietnam has insanely fast internet! I couldn’t believe it myself.

If you’re travelling with a group of friends, I suggest renting a portable WiFi in Malaysia. However, if you’re solo or in a small group, just buy a Vietnamese SIM card (unlimited data for 10 days!). Then, you can share the internet using the portable hotspot feature on your phone.

✅ What to Pack?

Hanoi has four seasons, so always check the weather before you go! I visited in February, and the temperature was around 20–21°C—pleasant, but I still needed light layers.

If you’re planning to visit Sapa, make sure to bring proper hiking shoes. Don’t make the same mistake I did by wearing the wrong pair. My feet were in so much pain, and my toenails even turned purple. The trails in Sapa can be quite challenging, and even the other travelers in my group said it was tough.

Don’t forget to pack sunblock, slippers, enough clothes, instant noodles, and your usual travel essentials.

✅ Safety in Hanoi ⚠️

Personally, I felt totally fine the entire time. As long as you stay aware, take care of yourself, and know which areas to visit (and which to avoid), you’ll be okay. Dangers can exist anywhere, after all.

I’d heard some scary stories about Vietnam—like taxi scams and dodgy situations—but Alhamdulillah, nothing bad happened to me. In fact, I experienced the opposite! A taxi driver even took the time to teach me how to use Vietnamese dong properly. And at a souvenir shop, the owner helped me count my money and reminded me to be careful when handling money, because I kept messing up the currency.

One thing you do need to mentally prepare for in Hanoi: crossing the road. Seriously. Traffic laws? Let’s just say… they exist, but they’re very loose compared to what we’re used to in Malaysia. You just have to walk boldly, maintain your pace, and trust the scooters to go around you. It sounds scary, but you’ll get used to it!

✅ Final Thoughts

Hanoi had a way of charming me without even trying—its food, its people, its chaotic roads, and its stunning natural landscapes all blended together into a trip I’ll always remember. If you’re thinking of visiting Vietnam, I can promise you this: go with an open heart and a curious mind, and the country will welcome you with experiences you’ll carry long after you’ve returned home.

✨ More stories from my Vietnam trip [here]

—Auri Duham🌸