City Name: Hanoi
Where is it located?: Hanoi is in northern Vietnam on the Red river.
Why do people go there?: Hanoi has a good mixture of both French and Asian influences to make it worth a peak. The impressive Halong Bay isn’t too far from here.
How do travelers get there?: Hanoi gets a majority of it travelers from buses that are coming from throughout the country.
Currency: Dong
City Code: 4
Population: 6.2 million
Languages: Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese, Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham, mountain groups
Neighborhoods: Ba Dinh, Hoam Kiem
Attractions: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Fine Arts Museum, Halong Bay
Accommodations: Hanoi Hostels
Tourist Office: Vietnam Tourism Office
Off-the-beaten-path: Cuc Phuong National Park
Health Issues: Dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis
When to go: You can usually visit Vietnam year round, although expect an occasional shower, then hot sun, then a shower again. Generally speaking, if one part of the country is cold and wet, the other is hot and humid.
Common Phrases: Hello – Xin chao – seen chow; thank you – Cam on – Gahm un; Sorry – Xin loi – seen loy; Yes – Vang – vung; No – Khong – Khom; I – Toi – doy; You – Anh / Chi – Ang (male) / chi (female); You’re welcome – Khong co’ chi (khom go jee)
City Specific Events: Tet: January/February
How to get around?: Taxis and minibuses will get you around the city quickly. You can rent bicycle and travel around the city.
Good to know: Hanoi houses many of the famous dishes of Vietnam.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airport to fly into Hanoi is the Noi Bai International Airport.
Need more information?: Check out the Hanoi travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
