Travel tips · Hanoi · Vietnam
Hanoi travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quangnlnhe182394, CC0
Quick answer
Hanoi, founded as Thăng Long in 1010, combines a thousand years of Confucian and Buddhist tradition with French colonial architecture and its role as the capital of the Socialist Republic. Ho Chi Minh is revered, family and respect for elders matter greatly, and much of daily life happens on the street, from morning exercise around the lake to evening meals on the pavement.
Key facts
- Language
- Vietnamese
- Currency
- VND
- Plugs
- Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water. Ice in restaurants is…
- Emergency
- 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance
Things to know
- Cover shoulders and knees at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, pagodas and temples, and remove shoes where others do.
- At the mausoleum, stay silent, keep hands out of pockets and do not take photographs inside.
- Give and receive money, business cards and gifts with both hands.
- Do not stand chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice; it resembles incense sticks at a funeral.
- Bargain good-naturedly in markets, but not in shops with marked prices.
- Avoid raising your voice or showing anger in public; staying calm gets better results.
- Book Water puppet show ahead: Shows sell out in peak season; buy tickets at the box office or online a day in advance.
- Street food and bia hơi stalls give you excellent meals for a few dollars a day.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditionally expected, but it is appreciated. Upscale restaurants may add a service charge; tip guides and drivers on tours, and round up for good service elsewhere.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Xin chào | Hello |
| Cảm ơn | Thank you |
| Bao nhiêu tiền? | How much is it? |
| Không cay | Not spicy |
| Tính tiền | The bill, please |
| Ngon quá! | Delicious! |
| Một, hai, ba, dô! | One, two, three, cheers! |
What to wear
Light, loose clothing in summer and layers plus a light jacket from December to February, when Hanoi feels cold and damp. Keep a scarf or long trousers handy for temples and the mausoleum.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water. Ice in restaurants is usually factory-made.
- Emergency number
- 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance
- Phone and internet
- Local SIMs and eSIMs with generous data are inexpensive, and most cafés, hotels and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi.
- Time zone
- Asia/Ho Chi Minh
Traffic is the biggest hazard: cross slowly and steadily and watch for motorbikes on pavements. Bag and phone snatching by passing motorbikes happens, and overcharging by cyclo drivers and unofficial taxis is common. Air pollution is often high in winter, so check air-quality readings on still days.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Vietnam's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Hanoi?
Tipping is not traditionally expected, but it is appreciated. Upscale restaurants may add a service charge; tip guides and drivers on tours, and round up for good service elsewhere.
+Can you drink the tap water in Hanoi?
Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water. Ice in restaurants is usually factory-made.
+What plugs are used in Hanoi?
Type A, C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Hanoi?
Vietnamese.