Hanoi Travel Forum

Hi All,
I’m going to Hanoi for the first time this Thursday (08th may 2008) and will stay at Phan Dinh Phung Street. Would like to know:
1. Where is the nearest place for shopping? (I.e. souvenir, silk, bed sheet, t-shirt, key-chain,)
2. What is the range price for bed sheet?
3. Which one is better? Buy in USD currency or Dong.

Thanks.
rina

You're staying not far from West lake and the Ho mausoleum.Probably 20 mins walk to the Old Town where the main markets are.

Hi..

Thanks for the prompt reply.
Really appreciate it.
Would like to ask another question
1. Due to last minute flight changes i will extend 1 more days stay at Hanoi. Is there any possibility that i can get a room without booking?
2. Is it dangerous for female tourist like me walk to the old town street especially at night?

I can’t wait to go to Hanoi this Thursday.

Thanks

Regards,
Rina

It shouldn't be a problem for the room, especially where you are already staying. Hanoi has a multitude of solutions for rooms, so unless there's a world cup football match in town you should be o.k.
For the safety aspect at night I personally never had a problem but I'm male. I can only say that in the 2 times I've been to Vietnam, I, nor my wife never felt unsafe or menaced in any way. That said, keep your wits about you at all times and try always to know where you are going and seem to have been there a long time.
Didn't answer the other questions last time. So silk sheet-bags were around $1 or $2 in 2005. T-shirts can be bought for $2 to $3 each. Sharpen up your bargaining skills but don't overdo it, meaning don't hassle for half hour, get it to around your price, then say ,"no, I don't want it anyway". Some things you'll be able to use USD or even Euros for but you'll always need some Dong somewhere.
Hope this helps

Hi.
Wow.You are such a nice person.
Thanks for the information.
You help me a lot.

Hopefully this is my last question.
Let say if I don’t have a time for shopping.
Is there any souvenir’s shop at Hanoi international airport?
How about the price? Much higher than other place or less or still the same.

Thanks
Rina ^_^

Hi,
I can't really answer that one as I only flew IN to Hanoi and out from HCMC. Sorry. In HCMC there is very little so if Hanoi is similar !!!

There are shops at Hanoi Airport, but they are expensive (compared to what you can pay in the city) as all airport shops are the world over.

When I was there, Hanoi Airport was rather different from most. In this I mean the check in for Domestic and International where together and the departure gates the same. Upstairs was a very spacious area but also very empty. This could have changed by now.

I would suggest shopping in town.

STEVE

Hi Pfsmalo & Steve.

Thanks you so much for the prompt reply.
I really, really appreciate it.
U guys are so nice. ^_^

Got to go now..
I’m leaving early tomorrow morning to Hanoi.

Thanks

Regards,
Rina