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 pretty nasty sunburn… sigh. 😅
I chose Hanoi because I had never been to Vietnam before, and I was craving a new adventure filled with rich culture, delicious food, and breathtaking 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 Hanoi in the afternoon, while she arrived around midnight with Vietnam Airlines.
Thankfully, I had already booked and paid for my accommodation a month in advance, so all she had to do was cover the additional cost of upgrading our room.
✅ Flight To Hanoi
I booked my AirAsia ticket in December 2017 for RM345.90, but after adding extras like a meal 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 usually much cheaper than buying food on the flight.
One more thing before you fly to Hanoi: get travel insurance. You never know what might happen when you’re travelling in a foreign country, and having coverage gives you a little extra peace of mind throughout your trip. It’s one of those things you hope you’ll never need, but you’ll be glad you have it if something unexpected happens.
✅ Where to Stay In Hanoi?
If you’re visiting Hanoi, I’d recommend staying around the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem District. You’ll be close to plenty of restaurants, cafés, shops, and attractions, with lots of accommodation options to suit different budgets.
Here’s where I stayed:
- 4 nights: $44 (without breakfast)
- Room: Standard Twin Room
- Dorms: Available for backpackers
- Rooms: Compact but super affordable
- Location: Convenient for exploring the Old Quarter and getting around Hanoi
- Tour services: Excellent, especially for backpackers
- 1 night: $43 (Honeymoon Suite with balcony + breakfast)
- I wanted a little “treat yourself” moment, and honestly, it did not disappoint.
- The room was cozy and clean, and the staff were incredibly friendly.
- For the price, it felt absolutely worth it, especially with breakfast and a balcony included.
- Sadly, Finnegans Hotel is no longer in business as of 2025. It’s a shame because I genuinely enjoyed my stay here.
✅ Getting Around Hanoi
Getting around Hanoi is actually pretty easy, especially if you’re staying around the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem area. You can walk to many places, use ride-hailing apps when you need to go further, or try one of the city’s traditional transport options for a different experience.
Here’s what I found useful during my trip:
- From the Airport
If possible, I’d recommend booking your airport transfer in advance. Just don’t be too surprised if they don’t show up.
My friend and I both ended up taking taxis despite arranging transportation beforehand, and we weren’t the only ones. Other travellers we spoke to told us they had experienced the same thing.
If it happens to you, don’t panic. Just follow the “TAXI” signs at the arrival hall and look for an official taxi. During my trip, a fair price to the Old Quarter was around $13–$18. If someone quoted us anything much higher, we simply walked away and looked for another option.
- Within The City
Getting around Hanoi itself is pretty easy, and you have several options:
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- Grab and Be: Both ride-hailing apps are widely used and convenient for getting around the city.
- Grab Motorbike: Feeling adventurous? You can book a Grab motorbike, which is a quick and easy way to get around, especially when traffic is heavy.
- Becak/Bicycle Rickshaw: A fun way to see the city at a slower pace. During my trip, the standard price was around 150,000 dong per person, although good bargaining could bring it down to around 100,000 dong.
- Walking: My personal favourite way to explore Hanoi. The Old Quarter is very walkable, and wandering through its busy streets is part of the experience itself.
Here’s what I spent on transportation during my trip:
- $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)
The prices above are based on what I paid or encountered during my 2018 trip, so don’t use them as current fares. Check the latest rates when planning your trip.
✅ Tour Services in Hanoi
When visiting Hanoi, taking advantage of the local tour services is definitely worth considering, especially if you want to explore places outside the city. You don’t necessarily need to book your tours far in advance. There are plenty of tour agencies around Hanoi, and many hotels and hostels can also arrange trips for you.
I thought 6 days and 5 nights would be enough for Hanoi, but somehow, I still barely managed to fit everything I wanted to see!
Here’s how I spent my days:
- Day 2: Ha Long Bay Day Tour
Package Fee: $45
I took a day tour to Ha Long Bay, which is about 4 hours from Hanoi by road. The package included lunch, and for me, a day trip was enough to see the main highlights. Unless you really want to experience staying overnight on a cruise, you can skip the 2D1N option and save yourself some money. You can also choose to skip optional activities such as kayaking or the bamboo boat if they aren’t included in your package.
- Day 3–4: 2D1N Sapa Tour
Package Fee: $50
For my next trip, I joined a 2D1N Sapa tour. The package included lunch, dinner, and breakfast, and we stayed overnight in a homestay with local residents. It was a completely different experience from Hanoi and one of the highlights of my trip.
You can read more about my Sapa experience [here]
- Day 5: Exploring Hanoi On My Own
I didn’t book a tour on this day. Instead, I decided to explore Hanoi at my own pace. I simply Googled the tourist attractions I wanted to visit, used GPS to find my way around, and walked from one place to another.
💡 If you have more time, I strongly recommend:
- Tam Coc Day Tour: $40
- Ninh Binh Day Tour: $40
✅ What To Eat in Hanoi
Food is definitely one of the things I enjoyed about travelling, but finding suitable food in Hanoi required a little more planning, especially when looking for halal options.
For non-Muslim travellers, you’ll have plenty of choices around the city, from Vietnamese street food and local restaurants to cafés and international cuisine. If you’re looking for halal food, however, the options are more limited, so it’s worth doing a little research before heading out for the day.
Here are a few places to look into:
- Zaynab Restaurant: Located near Al-Noor Mosque, this is a convenient option if you’re looking for halal food around the mosque area.
- Namaste Restaurant: An Indian restaurant offering a range of Indian dishes, which can be a good alternative if you’re craving something familiar.
- D’Lions Restaurant: A Malaysian restaurant that can be a comforting option when you’re missing flavours from home.
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 honestly couldn’t believe it myself. Staying connected during the trip was surprisingly easy.
If you’re travelling with a group of friends, I’d suggest renting a portable WiFi device in Malaysia and sharing the connection between everyone. It can be a convenient option when several people need internet throughout the day.
If you’re travelling solo or with just one or two people, getting a Vietnamese SIM card may be more practical. During my trip, I got a SIM with unlimited data for 10 days, and I could simply use my phone’s portable hotspot whenever I needed to share the connection.
Just make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with Vietnamese networks before you travel. It’s also worth checking the latest SIM and data packages, as prices and plans can change over time.
✅ What to Pack?
Hanoi experiences four seasons, so always check the weather before you go. I visited in February, when the temperature was around 20–21°C. It was pleasant enough, but I still appreciated having some light layers with me.
If you’re planning to visit Sapa, make sure you bring a proper pair of hiking or trekking shoes. Seriously, don’t make the same mistake I did and show up in the wrong pair.
My feet were in so much pain by the end of the trek, and my toenails even turned purple. The trails in Sapa can be surprisingly challenging, and even the other travellers in my group agreed that the trek was tough. Good footwear really does make a difference.
As for the rest of your packing list, don’t forget sunblock, slippers, enough clothes, instant noodles, and your usual travel essentials. I’d also recommend bringing a small daypack for your daily tours and a light jacket if you’re travelling during the cooler months.
✅ Safety in Hanoi
Personally, I felt totally fine throughout my trip. As long as you stay aware, take care of yourself, and know which areas to visit (and which ones to avoid), you should be okay. Dangers can exist anywhere, after all.
I’d heard some scary stories about Vietnam before my trip, especially about taxi scams and other dodgy situations. Alhamdulillah, nothing bad happened to me. In fact, I experienced quite the opposite.
One taxi driver even took the time to teach me how to use Vietnamese dong properly. At a souvenir shop, the owner also helped me count my money and reminded me to be careful when handling the currency because I kept getting confused with the notes. Little moments like these made me realise that not every interaction is going to be a negative one.
One thing you do need to mentally prepare yourself for in Hanoi, though, is crossing the road.
Seriously.
The traffic can look absolutely chaotic, especially when you’re used to how things work in Malaysia. Traffic rules? Let’s just say they can feel very loose compared to what we’re used to.
When crossing, stay alert, watch the traffic around you, and keep a steady pace rather than suddenly stopping or changing direction. The scooters will often move around you, but don’t assume they will always see you or slow down. Take your time, use designated crossings when available, and follow the locals when you’re unsure.
It sounds terrifying at first, but after a while, you’ll get the hang of it!
✅ Final Thoughts
Hanoi had a way of charming me without even trying. Its food, its people, its chaotic roads, and its stunning landscapes all came together to create a trip I’ll always remember.
It wasn’t a perfect trip, and there were definitely a few unexpected moments along the way. Still, those little mishaps became part of the story, and honestly, that’s what makes travelling so memorable.
If you’re thinking about visiting Hanoi, go with an open heart, a curious mind, and a little patience. Take your time, try something new, get a little lost, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You never know which moments will end up becoming your favourite memories.
✨ Read more stories from my Vietnam trip: [here]
Love,
—Auri Duham 🌻
