Grab or a metered airport taxi takes about 40–60 minutes depending on traffic. The cheaper option is the airport express bus 86 to the Old Quarter and train station. Avoid drivers who approach you inside the terminal.

It opens only in the morning and closes on some weekdays and for several weeks each year for maintenance, so check the schedule before you go. Dress modestly (no shorts or sleeveless tops), stay silent, keep hands out of pockets and don't take photos inside.

The Old Quarter is the easiest base for a first visit: you can walk to Hoan Kiem Lake, the night market and street food.

• Old Quarter: lively, lots of small mid-range hotels, noisy on weekend nights.
• Around Hoan Kiem Lake and St Joseph's Cathedral: quieter than the Old Quarter, still walkable to the centre.
• West Lake (Tay Ho): airy, many cafés and Western restaurants, good for longer stays; you need a ride into the centre.
• Ba Dinh: near the Mausoleum and Temple of Literature, quiet, fewer places to eat at night.

Note: the walking streets around Hoan Kiem Lake close to traffic Friday to Sunday evenings, so taxis may not reach your hotel door.

The "Train Street" area remains bustling with tourists—especially in the evenings, with plenty of dining and entertainment—but you should keep the following points in mind to ensure a safe visit:

• Since early 2026 Hanoi has cut passenger trains and stopped freight trains through the area, so trains are fewer and harder to predict.
• Don't pay anyone who invites you into a café to "watch the train"; those cafés operate illegally.
• A legal alternative: Hoa Xa café inside Long Bien Station, overlooking the tracks.

Note: never stand on the rails or take photos close to a moving train.

Most of Hanoi's best photo spots are free and close to the Old Quarter.

• Hoan Kiem Lake and The Huc Bridge: best at 5:30–7:00 am, when locals are out exercising.
• St Joseph's Cathedral: architecture shots and cafés facing the church.
• Long Bien Bridge: at sunset, looking over the Red River banks.
• Phan Dinh Phung and Hoang Dieu streets: tree-lined, French villas, best in autumn.
• Temple of Literature: ao dai and old architecture; low entry fee.

Note: for a professional photo session, you can book a local photographer through MeTravel.

Three days is enough to see central Hanoi plus one day trip.

• Day 1: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple; street food and the night market in the evening (Friday–Sunday).
• Day 2: the Mausoleum (morning), One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature; afternoon coffee at West Lake and sunset over the lake.
• Day 3: a day trip to Ninh Binh (Trang An, Hang Mua) or Ha Long Bay.

Note: the Mausoleum opens only in the morning and closes on some days; check the schedule first.

Hanoi celebrates Christmas and New Year in lively style, even though only 1 January is an official holiday.

• Christmas Eve: St Joseph's Cathedral (Nha Chung Street) and Cua Bac Church are beautifully decorated; very crowded from 8 pm.
• Hoan Kiem Lake walking streets: the New Year's Eve countdown atmosphere on 31 December.
• Big malls (Lotte, Vincom, Aeon): Christmas trees and decorations, great for photos.
• December weather: cool, about 15–20°C, sometimes below 12°C; bring a jacket.

Note: Hoan Kiem and the cathedral area are packed, so hold your phone tightly; many streets close to traffic, so walk or get Grab to pick you up a few streets away.

Sleeper or limousine buses run directly from Hanoi in about 5–6 hours by expressway. The alternative is the overnight train to Lao Cai, then about an hour by road up to Sa Pa. Compare operators on the Sa Pa page.

The terraces are green in summer and turn golden around September before the harvest. Spring (March to May) is mild and clear. Winter is cold, sometimes near freezing, with fog. Bring layers any time of year, as mountain weather changes fast.

It depends on your passport. Some nationalities can enter visa-free for a set number of days; everyone else can apply online for an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days. The list of visa-free countries changes, so check the official e-visa portal before you book. Apply only on the official government site: look-alike agency sites charge extra fees.
Official e-visa portal: https://evisa.gov.vn

Your passport (valid for at least 6 months from entry, with blank pages), your printed or on-phone e-visa if you need one, and your onward or return ticket in case the officer asks. Keep your hotel address handy too.
Official e-visa portal: https://evisa.gov.vn

Both. Hotels, malls, chain cafés and many restaurants take cards, but street food, markets, small shops and local buses are cash only. ATMs are everywhere in cities; each withdrawal usually carries a fee from the local bank, so take out larger amounts less often.

Prices have many zeros, and some notes look alike: the 20,000 and 500,000 notes are both blue. Count the zeros before handing money over, keep large and small notes in separate pockets, and read the amount aloud when paying.

Tipping is not expected but appreciated, for example for a tour guide, driver or spa staff. Bargaining is normal at markets and souvenir stalls, not in supermarkets, restaurants or shops with printed prices. Stay friendly and walk away politely if the price doesn't suit you.

Buy a tourist SIM at the airport arrivals hall from Viettel, Vinaphone or Mobifone, or install an eSIM before you fly. Bring your passport: SIM cards must be registered to your ID. Data is cheap and 4G coverage is good, including most tourist areas in the mountains.

Ride-hailing apps are the easiest: Grab for cars and motorbike taxis, and Xanh SM for electric taxis. The price is fixed in the app, so there is no haggling. If you take a street taxi, choose a well-known company and make sure the meter is on.

Legally you need a Vietnamese licence or an International Driving Permit that Vietnam recognises; many permits are not accepted. Without a valid licence your travel insurance may not cover an accident. Traffic is dense, so if you are not an experienced rider, a motorbike taxi or a driver is safer.