The Ultimate Hanoi (Vietnam) Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Hanoi, Vietnam? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

The capital of Vietnam, with a metropolitan population of ~8.33 million.
A charming city that is over 1000 years old, Hanoi was the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954, and the capital of North Vietnam during the war (1954 to 1976).
Nicknames: The Paris of the Orient, The Green City.

Currency: Dong (VND).
Spoken languages: Vietnamese. English is also widely spoken.
Best time to visit: from September to November.
Arriving via airport: taxis into the city charge 350,000 VND and up, but scams are rampant. Buses (6000 – 7000 VND) and shuttles (40,000 VND) are also available, though each has its pitfalls. Due to the aggressive cheating of foreigners in Hanoi, it’s highly suggested to book your room ahead, at least for a night, and have them send a taxi.
If hailing your own taxi, look for Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis (the reputable ones in Vietnam).

Best Hanoi hostel for solo travelers: Hanoi Buffalo Hostel. Very clean, with friendly staff, an on-site swimming pool, and daily breakfast included. Lots of events for residents (including walking tours). Located right in the Old Quarter, steps from great food and nightlife. Book ahead, as this one fills up fast – especially during high season.
The historic Hanoi Old Quarter is where most new arrivals dig their feet in – with its Old Asian charm, diverse food scene, well-worn travel infrastructure, and bustling nightlife, it’s easy to see why.
For a more luxury experience, base yourself in West Lake.

Taxis are widely available, but extreme vigilance is required. Scams include meters set to speed up, driving in circles to rack up minutes, driving off with bags or change, and worse. Flat rates can be a good way to go if you know the general price.
Vinasun and Mai Linh are the reliable taxi companies that generally don’t rip people off. Their phone numbers for bookings are, respectively: 38.27.27.27 and 38.36.36.36.
Pedicabs are a good bargain for shorter distances. Always agree on a price first.
10-minute distances run about 15,000 – 20,000 VND on a motorbike taxi.
Buses (5,000 VND) are a great hassle-free option, but will take time to figure out.

No official drinking age, and last call is typically at midnight (enforcement is hit or miss).
Modest venues serving bia hoi, unfathomably cheap local beer, are all the rave in the early evening hours and can be found all throughout the Old Quarter. Popular with locals and visitors alike.
Venues to suit all tastes can be found throughout the Old Quarter, from ultra-classy to ultra-backpacker.
Great places to start your night: Of note are Binh Minh Jazz Club, Hanoi Rock City (live music), Polite & Co (cocktails), and Standing Bar (on the lake).
Some of the best beer in town: Turtle Lake Brewing Company (out of the way, best to go with a friend and enjoy the sunset views).

Go to the Ho Chi Mihn Museum for extravagant, yet interesting, treatment of a modest leader’s life and beliefs.
Don’t miss a tour of the former “Hanoi Hilton,” where American POWs were imprisoned. The museum drastically sugarcoats treatment of US prisoners, instead focusing on abuses of Vietnamese prisoners during French colonialism (though it’s not too hard to fill in the blanks).
Pop into Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, just off Hoan Kiem Lake, for a look at entertainment from another era that still holds magic for the modern audience. No trip to Hanoi is complete without this experience!
Other great museums: Vietnamese Women’s Museum and Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

Hoan Kiem Lake is a perfect place to take a nice stroll and soak up the beauty of Hanoi and it’s unique mixture of East and West.
Fashionable West Lake has a sizable 17-kilometer shoreline, and is another great area to explore on foot.

Avoid discussing politics with locals unless they bring these topics up themselves, and even then, be cautious. Vietnam is still under Communist rule – while a vast discontent is brewing, avoid making citizens that live with this reality uncomfortable.
Looking for a great cafe? Pop into one of the Oriberry Coffee locations around the city.
Not sure where to begin with all the food options? Why not sign up for a food tour. “Hanoi Street Food Tour” is a good one (link) to sample a bit of everything for $20.
Craving Western-style breakfast? Check out Lifted Coffee & Brunch.
The traffic in Vietnam is some of the most dangerous in the world, and Hanoi is no exception. Be careful when crossing the street – and make sure you move predictably so traffic can move around you.
Dangerous areas: scamming in this city tends to be very aggressive and in-your-face, and in some cases can turn violent. Stand up for yourself, but know when to remove yourself from volatile situations. As in any major city, exercise caution when walking alone at night.

Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days