Hanoi Travel Forum

Hi,
Forgot to mention that we are Australian citizens in our question eralier on. Sorry about that.

My family and I are going to Malaysia for holiday next week. We might then plan (impromptu!) to go to Hanoi for 5 days. Wondering if anyone can tell me if we can and able to apply entry/visitor visa on arrival at the Hanoi airport? If possible, what do we documents do we need beside the our passports?

Thanks in advance in anticipation of anyone help.
Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting

Hi,
My family and I are going to Malaysia for holiday. We might then plan (impromptu!) to go to Hanoi for 5 days. Wondering if anyone can tell me if we can and able to apply entry/visitor visa on arrival at the Hanoi airport? If possible, what do we documents do we need beside the our passports?

Thanks in advance in anticipation of anyone help.

Hi all

any one know of any good budget accomodation in Hanoi im staying over Xmas this year but want to book up early to be sure of good deals...

Also can anyone tell me how easy is internal travel in Vietnam ie, i want to get down to Ho Chi Minh city and tra nang etc etc are internal flights easy to book once you are there .. like thailand or is it best to book early?

Thanks

Cat x

Hi,

I'm french and my girlfriend and i are going to Hanoi from May to August. I was wondering if someone could help us finding an appartment/studio for a couple during that period ? Even if you have just an adress or a phone number... or a website with offers...

We tried to look on the net but it seems to be a bit expensive, what is the price we can expect for something for two persons near the center of Hanoi ?

Thank you for the help,
See you,

Kevin

Dear VT Friends,

I am quite new to Hanoi and have several questions.

1. Hanoi

- Where's the best restaurant where I can eat authentic Pho Ga?
- I need to buy crumpler bags, can you recommend a reliable store along Hoan Kiem?
-If you can share places of interests aside from those regular posted in the internet...

2. Siem Reap
I plan to visit Angkor Wat one of these days and I've been looking at Viet Air Hanoi-Siem but it does not register in the site.

- what is the most affordable way to go there given limited time (2days probably)
- Can you recommend affordable hostels in Siem Reap (clean and secure place)

I know I posted a lot but my thanks in advance to those who can offer advice. Many thanks and Cheers!

hi, any suggestion for the best time visit in Hanoi and Halong Bay?

I had booked a room at the Hanoi Guesthouse. However, they moved me to "Classic Hotel at 71 Hang Luc Street," supposedly 2 miles from the Hanoi Guest House. I tried to look it up on the net, but only found Classic 1 Hotel and Classic 2 Hotel of the Sunshine Hotel group with different addresses. If the Classic Hotel at 71 Hang Luc street is an all right hotel for $16/night, I'll keep the reservation. However, if it's not recommended, I'll take my chances and look for another hotel. Please advise. Thanks. -Hieu

I will be arriving by air to Ha Noi around 10 am Mar 25. Ha Noi Guesst House was recommended. What modes of transportation are available from the airport to the Guest House (and other hotels) and how much? I'm by myself with a carry-on bag. I would appreciate any other recommendations for a budget hotel/guest house ($10-20USD rate). Thanks. -Hieu

I'd like to post this topic and ask if anyone has had any experience with cooking classes in Hanoi?

Dear friends,

Can you please tell me if there are some low cost airlines between hong kong and Hanoi or Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh.

Thanx a lot!!!

Cheers,
Dusan

We will be arriving to Hanoi on Saturday on the overnight train from Nanning, China. Once there, how exactly would I get to Hanoi Guesthous? Is taxi the easiest way? How do I pronounce "Hanoi Guesthouse" in Vietnamese to the taxi driver? How much should I expect to pay from the train station to Hanoi Guesthouse? Is it easier/cheaper to take a bus? Thanks to all who can help.

I am seeking a reliable tour operator for my 10 days in Vietnam. I am budget traveler. Package tours are okay but I am fine with a more relaxed schedule.

We plan to visit Vietnam in May and will fly into Hanoi, continue to HCMC before heading home. We would appreciate any suggestions on the Hanoi leg as follows:

Day 1. Arrive Hanoi past noon, check into hotel with plenty of time to explore.
Day 2. Hanoi - full day.
Day 3. Hanoi - full day. Overnight train to Sapa (2D/3N).
Day 4. Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 5. Sapa.
Day 6. Hanoi - full day. Arrive around 6am.
Day 7. Halong Bay (2D/1N tour). Overnight in Halong Bay.
Day 8. Hanoi. Arrive back late afternoon.
Day 9. Morning flight to HCMC.

We have probably 3.5 days in Hanoi. Is the plan do-able? What will the 'must-see' that I'll be missing......with such short time in Hanoi.

Hi guys, I wasnt sure if I can apply visa on arrival for vietnam? Any indonesian experienced it before or shall I apply in advance?

I plan to travel cheap to vietnam- Hanoi, Lao Chai, Halong Bay probably 20th Feb for about a week. Any advise in-term of budget? Plan to spend around USD600 or less.

Thanks in advance.

Emie

Hello there,

I'll be traveling around Vietnam for 9 days this February and after that want to enter China overland via Nanning. Need information on the ff:

Can I get a Chinese visa from Hanoi? Can I go through a travel agency to get one or do I have to go to the Chinese Embassy?
How long does it take?
How much does it cost in US dollars?

Many many thanks!

angie villanueva

Hi,

I am travelling to Vietnam on Feb 13th and about a week or so later will go to Hanoi. I am planning to keep a couple of days for Hanoi and then go on to visit Dong Van Highlands in the Ha Giang Province. Its about 350 km from Hanoi. Problem is, that's all I know about it, apart from the fact that its an astounding and spectacular place filled with streams and mountains. So here are my questions:

Has anyone been to this placE?

How do you get there?

Stay options

How many days do I need to see the place properly?

Please give me all the info possible! Don't want to miss out on this fabulous place!

Thanks!

Hi there,

Can anyone kindly let me know if ATM machines are easily available in HANOI and SAPA?
If not, I was wondering which money exchangers were recommendable?

Do most hotels have this facility?

Thanks
Glen

Dear friends...

I need your help, pls kindly advise.
This is my first time to go to Hanoi, I'll be in Hanoi on Feb.20.
I'll be spend 1 day in hanoi & 2 days in halong bay, after that moving to hochimin & spend 2 days there, and also i have plan to go to siamreap.

1. if i want to go from hanoi to hochimin by train, how long it will take?
how about the price? which one is better : train or airplane? is it only vietnam air that operate in there?
2. from hochimin to siampreap, i'll prefer go by airplane. Is it any airplane beside vietnam air that operate directly?
3. my second option is hanoi-luangprabang-siampreap, i prefer by airplane, is it only vietnam & lao air that operate to that route?
4. kindly advise backpack guesthouse/hostel around hanoi,halongbay,hochimin & siamreap.....

sorry for asking too much guys....^_^

looking forwards for your advise.

-atta-

Hi fellow VT's.
My wife & I are staying at the Gia Thinh Hotel 15 - 17 Feb & 19 - 21 Feb. If anyone would like to catch up for a drink or meal please drop me an email at johngor195@hotmail.com.
If anyone has stayed at the Gia Thinh can you recommend any particular rooms.

What happens in Hanoi during Tet? Will it be difficult to get a room?

thanks

Hi all,

After checking with a few tour agencies, I have decided to proceed with my Hanoi-Sapa-Halong Bay trip fm 24 to 31st Jan'08! Hooray! :)

I have shortlised a couple travel agents and will have to cfm asap.

Appreciate if you can give me some feedbacks based on your real-life experience using Ocean Tours. I tried searching more info fm this forum but was unable to find anything...

http://www.oceantours.com.vn/Tours/TourDetail.aspx?TourId=46&CategoryId=50

Many thanks!

Hello VT members,

Could anyone pls advice if Hanoi, Sapa & Halong Bay is closed for Lunar New Year holidays/celebrations fm 24th to 31st Jan'09? I heard most shops and restaurants are mainly closed during this festive period.

I am planning for my trip during this period and hate to go there to find everything is shut down...

Thanks for your advice!

Cheers!

Do we still need to pay the tax of USD14 when departing from the Hanoi airport?

How is the weather in Hanoi now? Is it very cold? Will a caridigan be warm enough?

My wife & I, from Perth, Australia, are booking a 3 Day/ 2 Night trip to Halong Bay in Feb 09. We are considering the Bai Tu Long Junk, sleeping on board night one & the Holiday View Hotel night two.


Can any fellow travellers comment on the Bai long Junk and/or the Hotel??


If anyone is staying on Ba Cat Island on the evening of 18th Feb 09 and would like to catch up for a drink, please email me at johngor195@hotmail.com




We will also be in Hanoi on the 15,16 & 20th of Feb 09 if anyone wants to catch up for a drink. Pls email if interested

What is the daily schedule for water puppet theater and how difficult is it to obtain tickets? Should I reserve tickets in advance of my trip in Hanoi Dec 26?

Hello All,

Immeasurable thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

I am currently in Siem Reap and will be flying into Hanoi tomorrow night, where I'll be for 5 nights (inclusive of some sort of Halong Bay trip - prob 3 day/2 night deal). I then plan to move on to south-western China, Kunming specifically. I post soliciting advice for this leg of my journey, as the sources I've consultated to date seem a bit, well, dated.

Seat61.com mentions that, as of May 2002, the direct train from Hanoi to Kunming has been suspended due to flooding on the Chinese portion of the line, but that repairs were/are slated for 'the near future'. Has anyone traveled overland between Hanoi and Kunming recently (or not recently)? The method suggested on Seat61 is overnight train to Lao Cai, taxi across border to Hekou, then overnight bus to Kunming. I'd prefer not to burn two days in transit, if at all possible. Along these lines, anyone know of cheap flights between Hanoi and Kunming; Vayama and a few other flight search engines pull up minimum fares of US$340!!! which is a bit too steep for my budget.

Any help will be cherished!

Cheers,
Shawn

Hey there all. New to the forum but certainly not new to travel! I will be in Hanoi from mid-end March 2009 and was wondering if there may be other travelers there at the time? I am a 29 year old male from Sydney Australia and visited Hanoi in March this year. Absolutely fell in love with Vietnam and the ancient charm of Hanoi. Loved the lifestyle of the Vietnamese. Also visited Halong Bay. This time I am planning on doing some more exploring of Hanoi, cheap shopping and wonderful food and visiting Sapa. I am staying at the Stars Hotel once again in Bat Su. Found the staff friendly and the service good. Balcony views in a clean setting were also appreciated. All my flights are booked. I am going Sydney-Macau (1 evening Macau) then Macau-Ho Chi Minh (2 evenings) then Ho Chi Minh on to Hanoi for most of the following weeks. Just wondering if anyone else is going at that time and whether they would be interested in communicating. Safe travels all!

Hi a hotel in the old quarter is offering me USD 25 for a taxi from Hanoi airport to the hotel. Any idea whether this rate is too costly? or there can be much cheaper alternative?

Hello all,

My wife and I will be in Hanoi in late Feb.2009 and wanted to know what else to do? Planning on going to Sapa and Halong Bay but what else? Must see spots, must eat food, must drink drinks? Will be our first time in Vietnam!

Eventually going on to HCMC. On going to HCMC, should we:
1) Fly from Hanoi to Hue, then overland from Hue to Nha Trang or Da Lat, then
fly to HCMC?
2) Fly from Hanoi to Hue, then overland from Hue to HCMC?
3) Overland from Hanoi to HCMC? Open bus ticket, train, or both?

We will be backpacking so thinking of reserving at Thu Guang Guesthouse, Backpackers Hostel, Hanoi Guesthouse, or Bodega Hotel for only one night. I say reserve for one night because of China visa purposes. Don't have a round trip ticket, just one way from LAX-PEK then travelling onward so from my understanding I need to show Chinese hotel reservations (which I have) and reservations in my next country to show Chinese embassy that I am not trying to stay illegally? Is this correct? Is it better for Chinese embassy to see more than one night reservation in Vietnam?
Once in Hanoi I would like to walk around the Old Quarter and find a place for a few more days, unless my previous 4 mentioned places are recommended, or any other good, cheap recommendations?

All help is much appreciated, thanks VTers!