Ultimate Hanoi Free and Easy Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors to Vietnam

⚠️ Pre-trip Tips: Opt for a loose-leaf visa (it’s faster than an e-visa for entry), get a Vietnamese SIM card, download Grab (a ride-hailing app to avoid taxi scams), carry a reasonable amount of RMB cash, and don’t exchange VND in advance in China!

⚠️ Noi Bai International Airport Entry Process: As soon as you land, grab your luggage and head straight off the plane. You’ll pass an ATM on your way into the arrival hall; ignore it! (Don’t worry if you don’t have VND; there are more ATMs after you collect your luggage). With your passport and loose-leaf visa in hand, make a beeline for the All Passengers queue (expect long lines, especially during peak times).

If you have an e-visa, you’ll need to queue up to get a loose-leaf visa and pay an additional fee, then re-queue for entry—this is less efficient, so we strongly recommend using a loose-leaf visa. Note that Vietnamese customs will stamp your loose-leaf visa, not your passport. Keep it safe and undamaged to avoid any issues when leaving the country.

Some travelers report being asked for bribes at customs, but I didn’t encounter this, and it’s best not to encourage such practices.

⚠️ Currency Exchange: Besides ATMs, many travel agencies in the city offer currency exchange services. During my stay, the exchange rate was around 1:3500, with a 10 RMB fee for ATM withdrawals. I also exchanged some RMB for VND at a travel agency, which offered a slightly lower rate of 1:3400. Don’t stress if you haven’t exchanged VND in advance; having some RMB on hand is a good backup.

⚠️ Getting Around and Spending: I stayed in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, close to popular spots like Hoan Kiem Lake and St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The attractions in Hanoi are relatively concentrated, and you can cover most of them on foot in a day if you’re up for it. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, a Grab motorcycle ride costs about 4-5 RMB and is a fun experience.

There’s also a sightseeing bus around Hoan Kiem Lake that connects all the major sites, but I found walking to be more enjoyable. Be aware that prices for food and drinks may be higher than expected, and watch out for small shops and vendors trying to shortchange you. Tipping is not mandatory.

Each traveler’s preferences for attractions vary, but here are some highlights from my Hanoi trip:

P1: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
P2: Flag Tower
P3: Lenin Statue
P4/P5: Tran Quoc Pagoda
P6: Temple of the Jade Mountain
P7: A Street Ancestral Hall
P8: Prime Minister’s Office
P9-P12: St. Joseph’s Cathedral
P13-P15: Train Street
P16-P18: Long Bien Bridge