Stopover in Hanoi for a couple of days.

slinga

Any 'do not miss' stuff.

Good places to eat??

Doing a street food tour.

PompeyPete

There's loads to do in Hanoi, but what to do in such a short time depends on what 'floats your boat'.

richardw

3 nights, 2 full days would be better.
Any plans to visit Halong Bay?
What time of year are you planning to visit?

PompeyPete

Halong Bay involves as as good as half a day on the road each way, with not very inspiring scenery along the way. It's an easy option, but not the best use of time.

Hanoi is a fascinating city that tests all the senses head on.

richardw

PompeyPete wrote: »

Halong Bay involves as as good as half a day on the road each way, with not very inspiring scenery along the way...

Yes, have done the trip.
I was wondering if the OP has Halong Bay on their list separately from Hanoi. I agree, it's not an easy side trip from Hanoi.

slinga

Off on Saturday.
Not interested in the war.
But everything else.

One thing though, when we were in HCMC this time last year they didn't have any fast tracking for Business Class at the airport.
Is that the same in Hanoi??

Doshwaster

PompeyPete wrote: »

Halong Bay involves as as good as half a day on the road each way, with not very inspiring scenery along the way. It's an easy option, but not the best use of time.

Hanoi is a fascinating city that tests all the senses head on.

Yup. Halong Bay is great but it's about a 4-5 hour drive along very bumpy roads each way. It's only worth doing as an overnighter.

I like Hanoi but the traffic (just about the worst I've seen in SE Asia) and layout means that its a hard city to get to grips with. I guarantee that any will get lost in the Old Town as it's a maze of streets but once you get your bearings (always try to work out where you are relative to the lake) then it's a fun city just to wander around, grab a tiny stool at a street cafe and just people watch.

Crossing the road in Hanoi is the closest you'll ever get to a near-death experience. You just need to step out and keep walking. Never stop because they won't.

If you need a taxi I would always arrange one through your hotel as any you pick up on the street will likely be a rip-off

dj1471

I like Hanoi a lot. Go for a walk around the lake (don't miss the temple), sit on beer corner to enjoy some beer hoi and people-watching, check out the night street market, go to the police museum to get a bit of history while trying not to laugh at the propaganda and total indoctrination of your guide.

I recommend buying a local SIM with data so you can use Google Maps to avoid getting lost (cheap; go to the big Viettel store by the north-east corner of the lake) and so you can use Uber rather than taxis (expect to be ripped-off every time, reclaim through the app).

In terms of food it sounds like you'll get to try plenty, but don't miss banh my, frog and egg coffee.

slinga

So it seems there is nothing in particular just a walk around and see what you see and beware of the traffic.

That's OK with us.

Frog and egg coffee looks a must.

PompeyPete

Getting around the Old Quarter is confusing, but there's ways to make it easy. I used the excellent detailed pull-out map in the latest version of Lonely Planet, plus a compass. Definitely need to have your wits about you.

All the streets are well signposted.

In our 8 days in Hanoi we rarely followed any direct routes, getting off the beaten path, finding alternative routes, or simply getting lost is where you'll find the hidden gems...eg. a complete street taken over by c-ock-fighting rings, full of enthusiastic gamblers.

Careful with Bia Hoi. It should be poured fresh straight from a keg, but one or two sellers will try and pour from a plastic bottle, which means it ain't fresh. A glass of Bia Hoi typically costs 5,000 dong [less than 20p].

PompeyPete

slinga wrote: »

One thing though, when we were in HCMC this time last year they didn't have any fast tracking for Business Class at the airport.
Is that the same in Hanoi??

Dunno. Hanoi International Terminal is excellent. From hitting the tarmac it took 35 minutes to clear the Airport. If you are getting a 15 day visa exemption make sure you have proof on onward international travel handy at Immigration.

Need some dong? Kiosks are on the right immediately after Clearing Customs.

The road into Hanoi is v.good, and takes about 35 minutes to the northern edge of the Old Quarter.