Cities

Hanoi

Hotel

Getting There

Around Town

Air

Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport got a spanking new terminal and concourse in 2001. It's is a hike from downtown, but a modern four-lane highway makes the trip reasonably short. We recommend taking a taxi for the 45-minute drive downtown. Ignore all the guys milling about offering to drive you into town and buy your ticket at the little booth in the domestic arrivals area where the US$14 price is clearly posted. If you're on your own and on a budget you can also buy a minibus fare there for US$4. Still, we think the extra 10 bucks is worth it since the bus drops you at the Vietnam Airlines office in Hanoi at 1A Quang Trung, where you'll immediately be accosted by aggressive cyclo and taxi drivers. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT hire a cyclo here – they have a scam going where they ignore where you ask them to go, instead taking you to some destination of their choosing. Hire a METERED taxi or walk a block or two away (they'll follow you that far!) and then hail a cyclo.

You can also take a minibus to the airport from the Vietnam Airlines office. Once again - beware! There are lots of characters hanging around trying to convince you that THEY are driving the minibus. (The real minibus guys wear badges and are not pushy.) Better yet just take a taxi from downtown to the airport for a flat US$15 by calling 873-3333 to schedule a pickup from your hotel. Departure tax is 20,000 VND (domestic) and US$10 (international).

Train

Those traveling by train will arrive at the Hanoi Train Station on Le Duan. From there it's a short taxi or cyclo ride to most everywhere in Hoan Kiem District. Beware! Train travel in Vietnam will try the patience of a saint; it won't save you much money, either. Unless you're a train buff with plenty of time to kill, skip the rails. (The exception is the train to Sapa.)

Bus

If you're traveling by bus, you'll be lucky to arrive at all. Even hard-core travelers who have done the bus scene in other developing countries should think twice before getting on a bus here. Enough said. There are several bus stations in Hanoi. Where you arrive will depend where you're coming from. Pay attention when you exit the bus. At Gia Lam station, for example, another bus takes passengers to downtown. Miss it, and you may have to wait a while