Travel tales and tips for getting around in Hanoi, Vietnam by asiahotels.com

Traveller's Tales: Getting around in Hanoi, Vietnam

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D Mason	01 August 2005
Stayed at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Highlights of the trip, for me, were: the Water Puppet Theatre - just incredible; the Museum of the Revolution (a couple of minutes from the hotel) and the Museum of Ethnology. I was very touched by the people who I found very warm and helpful. I learnt to speak a few words of Vietnamese - the most important being 'thank you'. As in most countries people really appreciate it when you try to speak some of the language. And for visitors from wealthy countries don't moan if you (and it's very occasional - much worse in most western countries) get overcharged by the odd taxi driver. It will probably cost you a dollar. The average weekly wage is not high so tip generously.
A Randall	01 June 2005
Stayed at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi can be quite confusing, I found it hard to get my bearings thus would recommend at least a City Tour to familarise yourself once you arrive. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Friday-my cyclo driver was unaware of this-also negotiate the price for the cyclo drivers before you depart-it might end up cheaper just taking a taxi-and you won't get wet. I found the Old Quarter to be very busy and confusing to negotiate-I ended up booking a day tour with Sinh Tours-13 US for the day-Hanoi doesnt seem to be set up for Western tourists-there were few signs in English-and restaurants were hard to find-ended up eating in the hotel mostly. I travelled by myself-and found it a bit of a culture shock to be honest-if I went again, i would go in winter to avoid the oppressive heat-and consider a tour-i have travelled to Thailand/Laos/Cambodia-this was the least tourist friendly place that I have visited.
D Rea	06 May 2005
Stayed at De Syloia Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
We stayed at the DeSyloia upon arriving in Hanoi, between trips to Halong Bay and Sa Pa, and prior to our departure from the country. Both Halong Bay and Sa Pa are highly recommended, though we caution travelers that the many tour operators based in Hanoi don't always deliver on their promised services. For example, the tour operator we chose, Sinh Travel, neglected to inform us that our Halong Bay tour would entail switching boats -- at 5 am! Also beware of 'helpers' at the Hanoi train station who will try to rip you off blind. Otherwise, our stay in Vietnam was most pleasant and the food was generally lovely -- we recommend the Nam Phuong Restaurant (close to the DeSyloia) in particular.
T Crozier	08 January 2005
Stayed at De Syloia Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi in January is cool and dry and we could get around during the day quite comfortably in light jackets and jeans. While we were there the air quality was quite poor with a smoggy haze blanketing the city and reducing visibility. However it didn't dampen our enthusiasm for exploring the lake area, the Old Quarter and French Quarter. The Water Puppet Theatre originates in Hanoi and is well worth a visit as is Uncle Ho's body lying in state. Halong Bay is a 'must do' trip from Hanoi and the best tip is to stay overnight on a Sampan to enjoy the full experience of this magnificent bay.
G Barenberg	04 January 2005
Stayed at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi was much colder than we expected (we went at the end of December to the beginning of January). We were wearing layers and plenty of sweaters the whole time. Crossing the streets were nearly impossible due to the speeding motorbikes. I found it much easier to get around Ho Chi Minh City than Hanoi.
L Ng	10 December 2004
Stayed at Guoman Hanoi Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Water Puppet show was very enjoyable, highly recommended for anyone. Bobby Chinn Restaurant is a great restaurant with nice and friendly atmosphere. Handspan Adventure Travel offers great package tours to different places in Vietnam. Very good service and great price.
P Haines	06 December 2004
Stayed at Green Park Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi is a marvellous city if you like stimulation for the senses mixed with a relaxed athmosphere. Recommend some of the restaurants and bars near the art shopping of the old quarter by St Joseph's Cathedral. Explore and enjoy!
K Ranade	20 August 2004
Stayed at Lucky Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hanoi is an extremely walkable city, assuming you have the time and are up to the task of crossing the sometimes intimidating streets. I would reccomend avoiding motos and cyclos if you can. Also, a day trip to Halong Bay can be fun, but the area is extremely commercialized and totally packed with people. The scenery is still gorgeous, but there is a lot of garbage in the water. I'd reccomend going, but don't expect a pristine and secluded getaway.
P Banyard	05 August 2004
Stayed at Lucky Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
Handspan gave us two very good tours and seemed professional and helpful and reliable. You get what they say you are going to get - and a little bit more. We also booked a tour with Love Planet to Sapa. The travel (train and bus) was not as described but the guide in Sapa was excellent. For restaurants, museums and the like - the Lonely Planet Guide was excellent.
T Lambert	25 July 2004
Stayed at Lucky Hotel - Hanoi, Vietnam.
The hotel staff recommended both the Army Museum and Ethnology Museums which were both excellent. We walked all around the old town and the French part of town easily. Good sidewalks and not crowded at all. Circumnavigating the traffic gets a bit hairy but as long as you walk through the traffic in a predictable manner, i.e. no jerky stops and starts or running then the traffic just "flows" around you. Take tea tree oil or nit/head lice spray as we encountered a large number of shops where shopkeepers were searching each others heads for the critters. One of our children brought back nits in her hair which we have been trying to eradicate for the last month!!!

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