"Hanoi Inside Info" Hanoi by pez

Hanoi Travel Guide: 2,675 reviews and 5,718 photos

Hanoi is not Saigon

I really enjoy it here. This really is one of the most beautiful cities I've visited in Asia.

The people here are more reserved. You'll see a lot of men wearing green pith helmets made of compressed paper. The women in Hanoi are quite stunning, though don't wear ao dai (traditional outfits) as much as they do in Saigon.

In general things are less accessible to the tourist in Hanoi than Saigon, but that is changing.

Trees are everywhere. Lakes, too. Traffic is more chaotic, though at about 10PM the streets are almost abandoned. Hanoi is early to bed, early to rise: at 5AM walk around Hoan Kiem lake and you'll see thousands of people exercising.

Looking deeper

Utility hole cover reading "Ha Noi 1911"

I do my best to explore what this city has to offer. If you need any advice, or any topics covered that you don't see here, please feel free to e-mail me here at VT.

Everybody who has visited me understands now why I live here.

And every last vistor wants to return.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful, good food, sometimes great weather, very Vietnam
Cons:Somewhat backwards, often too humid, sometimes polluted
In a nutshell:A real adventure.

Intro Updated Jan 9, 2004
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Reviews (40)

Mid-october 2003 sighting near Ngoc Son - Hanoi

Cu Rua -- Great-Grandfather Turtle of... Off The Beaten Path (3)

Hoan Kiem Lake means "Lake of the Restored Sword" --in the 15th century, legend has it that a young fisherman named Le... more travel advice

Great, Cheap Local Food Restaurants (18)

Delicious, cheap local food. Safe, too. Packed at luch with locals, but popular with expats and some tourists. If you... more travel advice

Watch the traffic Restaurants (18)

Bamboo and wood tranquil interior on a busy street corner, serves good coffee, sandwiches, and other western... more travel advice

Get taken for a ride Transportation (3)

It is reportedly possible to go to and from Hanoi's Noi Bai airport using buses 7 or 17. Also, you can take number 9,... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (2)
See All Xe Om Rip-off
What to Pack (3)
See All Weather
Nightlife (3)
See All Relax

Favorites (3)
See All Relaxing in a cafe
Things to Do (3)
See All Go for the turtles
Shopping (2)
See All Couture, Maison, Resort

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (22)

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Cute_Hanoian Feb 26, 2009 at 9:20 AM

Thanks alot,PEz!For sharing your knowledge about bar in Hanoi!I used to think it is not vn'cultures,and don't acccept it!But now,gradually we embace it!But still don't like much!Hope that meet u in one of reccomended places!;-)
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King_Golo Apr 2, 2006 at 8:25 AM

the buses are nice??? i had to take a bus sometimes to get to the national university and there were literally 200 people crammed in there... not really, what i'd call "nice" ;-) your cyclo tip is great, that's one of the most awful tourist traps
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Harald&Wendy.au Feb 1, 2006 at 11:58 PM

Your tip re taking a cyclo is very interesting, although I would maybe agree that all the aparent agro would make it more pleasant to walk!
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sailor_p Oct 23, 2005 at 8:52 PM

Wow - thanks for the great pics and advice. I would be visiting Hanoi next month!
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ozfin Jan 20, 2005 at 4:07 PM

G'day mate Great stuff , thanks, arriving 31 Jan 05 for month or so.. maybe see you at a bar !
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bpacker Jan 19, 2005 at 12:46 AM

Pez, I believe I've seen this chap on a 3 wheeler xe om! Thanks for your advice, Pez, I didn't know he was a cheat till I read your tip.
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kezzabelle2004 Dec 15, 2004 at 2:38 PM

have just come back from Hanoi and I saw the tortoise myself and got some pictures. The locals did not think it was very well and thats why it was spending so much time grabbing air from the surface. It surprised me how big it was.
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NeildoCavaco Nov 29, 2004 at 4:16 AM

Always great to hear from someone who lives in the actual place. Thanks mate.
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florry Jun 23, 2004 at 4:29 AM

very nice pages...greetings from ireland..:}
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Aliceinhn Dec 27, 2003 at 6:19 PM

Hey, I'm living in Hanoi but it's so nice to see your page about my HN. Thanks a lot.