{"id":115307,"title":"Planning Your Trip to Hanoi: Budget, Transport, Visas & Practical Tips","modified":"2026-02-17T11:27:14+01:00","plain":"Hanoi rewards travellers who prepare before they land. The visa application runs through a single official site, tucked among a dozen slick impostors. The currency comes in denominations so large you\u2019ll feel like a millionaire for a moment. Traffic follows rules that make sense only after you\u2019ve learned how to cross it. And the weather swings from damp 10 \u00b0C winters to steamy 35 \u00b0C monsoon summers, so packing poorly can ruin an entire week.\n\n\n\nThis guide tackles the nuts and bolts of a Hanoi trip \u2013 visas, budgets, transport, money, scams, health and timing. After inspiration on what to see and do, our comprehensive Hanoi travel guide has you covered. Think of this article as the logistical companion.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVisa: the e-visa for French citizens\n\n\n\nFrance is eligible for Vietnam\u2019s e-visa system, open to all nationalities since late 2023. Apply online, receive the approval letter by email, and present it to immigration on arrival \u2013 no embassy visit, invitation letter or agency required.\n\n\n\nThe most-repeated advice on every travel forum: use only the official government site. The URL ends in .gov.vn, specifically evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. The first Google results for \u201cVietnam e-visa\u201d are third-party agencies with slick websites that charge \u20ac50\u201380 for a service that costs US$25 on the real site. The easiest way to spot the genuine page: it looks like it was built in 2003 \u2013 and that\u2019s a good sign.\n\n\n\nCosts and options\n\n\n\nA single-entry e-visa costs US$25 (about \u20ac23) and allows one entry for up to 90 days. A multiple-entry e-visa costs US$50 (about \u20ac46) and is essential if you plan a side trip to Laos or Cambodia before re-entering Vietnam. If the site asks for more than US$25, you\u2019re on a third-party site.\n\n\n\nTips to avoid refusals\n\n\n\nName order matters. Vietnam writes the family name first, then given and middle names. Enter your name exactly as it appears in the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of your French passport \u2013 those two lines in capitals and chevrons. Don\u2019t omit middle names, even if you never use them day to day; the e-visa must match your passport word for word.\n\n\n\nPhoto requirements: no glasses (even prescription), ears visible, no smile, eyes straight at the lens. A phone selfie against a white wall works fine. For the passport-page scan, don\u2019t crop too tightly \u2013 immigration wants to see every edge and corner.\n\n\n\nProcessing time is officially three working days, but Vietnamese weekends and public holidays don\u2019t count. Apply at least one to two weeks before departure. There\u2019s no status update between \u201cReceived\u201d and \u201cApproved\u201d; one day it just flips.\n\n\n\nPort of entry\n\n\n\nThe e-visa asks for a specific port of entry. Arriving at a different airport (say, requesting Ho Chi Minh City but landing in Hanoi) usually works, but it\u2019s technically a gamble. Switching from an airport to a land-border post is far riskier and can lead to refusal. Safest move: list the port you actually intend to use.\n\n\n\nVisa on arrival still exists as an expensive fallback (US$100+) if your e-visa hasn\u2019t arrived, but the online process is so straightforward there\u2019s no reason to rely on it.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDetailed budget: what Hanoi really costs\n\n\n\nHanoi is one of Southeast Asia\u2019s most affordable capitals. Your daily spend depends almost entirely on where you sleep and whether you stick to street food or splurge on air-conditioned restaurants.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBudget level\nDaily cost\nAccommodation\nFood\nTransport\n\n\n\n\nBackpacker\n\u20ac20\u201330\nDorm-hostel bed (\u20ac3\u20137\/night)\nStreet food only, bia hoi\nWalk, city bus\n\n\nMid-range\n\u20ac40\u201360\nPrivate hotel room (\u20ac18\u201337\/night)\nStreet food + restaurants\nGrab, some taxis\n\n\nComfort\n\u20ac70\u201390\nQuality hotel (\u20ac37\u201355\/night)\nSit-down restaurants, caf\u00e9s\nGrab everywhere, guided tours\n\n\nLuxury\n\u20ac100\u2013150+\nBoutique or 5-star hotel\nFine dining\nPrivate car, premium tours\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor most visitors, the sweet spot is mid-range. At \u20ac40\u201360 a day you can eat well, call a Grab when you\u2019re tired, see every museum and temple, and still have enough left for a cooking class or day trip. A lunch that would cost \u20ac15 in Paris goes for \u20ac1.50\u20132.50 at an Old Quarter street stall.\n\n\n\nWhat things cost: quick reference\n\n\n\nBowl of pho from a street vendor: 40 000\u201360 000 VND (\u20ac1.50\u20132.30). Bun cha lunch: 40 000\u201360 000 VND. Ca phe (Vietnamese coffee): 25 000\u201360 000 VND (\u20ac0.90\u20132.30). Bia hoi (fresh draft beer): 5 000\u201310 000 VND (\u20ac0.20\u20130.40). Bottled beer: 30 000\u201350 000 VND (\u20ac1\u20131.85). Cocktails in a Western-style bar: 150 000\u2013200 000 VND (\u20ac5.50\u20137.40).\n\n\n\nRestaurant meal for two: 150 000\u2013300 000 VND (\u20ac5.50\u201311). Museum entry: about 50 000 VND (\u20ac1.85). See our heritage guide for opening hours and detailed prices. One-hour foot massage: 150 000\u2013300 000 VND (\u20ac5.50\u201311).\n\n\n\nThe biggest budget trap is alcohol \u2013 especially Western-style cocktails. A bia hoi costs \u20ac0.20; a rooftop cocktail costs \u20ac6\u20138. Over two weeks that difference adds up fast.\n\n\n\nMoney-saving tip: don\u2019t book tours online from France via Viator or TripAdvisor. Reserve through your hotel or a local agency in the Old Quarter. The same one-day Ha Long Bay excursion that costs \u20ac80\u2013100 online is \u20ac30\u201350 on the ground.\n\n\n\nFor eating recommendations at any budget, our street food and restaurant guide to Hanoi lists everything from the \u20ac0.20 bia hoi corner to full-service restaurants.\n\n\n\nGetting there: flights and airport\n\n\n\nAs of early 2026 there are no regular non-stops between France and Hanoi. From Paris-CDG, the usual one-stop routes go via a Gulf hub: Qatar Airways through Doha, Emirates through Dubai, or Vietnam Airlines with a connection in Bangkok or Singapore. From Lyon or Marseille, connections often go through Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or Doha. Total travel time with one stop: 13\u201317 hours.\n\n\n\nReturn fares from Paris run \u20ac450\u2013850, depending on season and booking window. November-January and Tet (late January\/February) are priciest; May and June are cheapest. Compare on Google Flights, Liligo or Kayak and set price alerts.\n\n\n\nNoi Bai Airport to downtown\n\n\n\nNoi Bai International Airport lies about 25 km north of central Hanoi. Three ways into town:\n\n\n\nBus 86 is the cheapest. This orange, air-conditioned bus has luggage racks and Wi-Fi. Fare: 45 000 VND (about \u20ac1.65). It heads straight to the Old Quarter in 45\u201360 minutes, traffic permitting. Turn left as you exit international arrivals to find the stop. Buses run from early morning until late evening.\n\n\n\nGrab car costs 250 000\u2013350 000 VND (\u20ac9\u201313) to central Hanoi. Book only through the app. Note: Grab drivers can\u2019t access the arrivals pick-up lane; walk to the dedicated ride-hailing zone. Match the licence plate in the app before you hop in. Ignore anyone in the terminal claiming to be your Grab driver.\n\n\n\nA hotel transfer or Klook booking costs roughly the same as Grab (250 000\u2013350 000 VND) but a driver waits with a sign \u2013 bliss after a long flight.\n\n\n\nSkip unofficial taxis inside arrivals; they\u2019ll quote 500 000\u2013800 000 VND for a ride that should cost half that.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGetting around Hanoi\n\n\n\nOn foot\n\n\n\nThe Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and the French Quarter are all walkable, most sights within a 2\u20133 km radius. Sidewalks double as parking, kitchens and tiny stool terraces, so you\u2019ll often walk in the street. Wear shoes with decent grip.\n\n\n\nGrab: the must-have app\n\n\n\nDownload Grab before arrival. It\u2019s Southeast Asia\u2019s Uber and your most useful Hanoi app. Fares are fixed, so no rigged meters or haggling. GrabBike (motorbike taxi) is fastest for solo travellers; GrabCar suits groups or luggage days.\n\n\n\nLink your bank card before leaving home. Paying cash often leads to \u201cno change\u201d dramas. The chat auto-translate helps when drivers can\u2019t find you.\n\n\n\nCity buses\n\n\n\nHanoi\u2019s bus network is cheap (7 000\u20139 000 VND \u2248 \u20ac0.30) and extensive. Bus 86 (airport) and Bus 14 (Temple of Literature to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum) are the most tourist-friendly routes. Signs are mostly in Vietnamese, but Google Maps handles the system fairly well.\n\n\n\nMotorbike rental: the legal reality\n\n\n\nScooters rent for 150 000\u2013200 000 VND\/day (\u20ac5.50\u20137.40). Legally you need an International Driving Permit with motorcycle endorsement and a French licence that includes category A. With only category B you\u2019re uninsured; any accident claim will be denied.\n\n\n\nTraffic is intense. If you\u2019ve never driven in dense Asian traffic, this isn\u2019t the place to learn. Save the scooter for the Ha Giang loop or the Ninh Binh countryside \u2013 with the right licence.\n\n\n\nCyclos\n\n\n\nThree-wheeled cycle rickshaws are classic Hanoi, but there\u2019s a common scam: you agree on 50 000 VND for a lap, then the driver claims it\u2019s 50 000 per person or per kilometre. Book cyclos through your hotel or a reputable operator, not with touts on the street.\n\n\n\nCrossing the street: the skill you\u2019ll master on day one\n\n\n\nTraffic won\u2019t stop for pedestrians. Few lights exist, and bikes ignore many of them. The first time you face a six-lane river of scooters you\u2019ll wonder how anyone survives. Here\u2019s how.\n\n\n\nWalk at a slow, steady pace \u2013 don\u2019t stop, run or step back. Be predictable. Bikes flow around you like water round a rock because drivers constantly calculate your path. If you hesitate, their math fails.\n\n\n\nRaise a hand slightly for visibility. Make eye contact with oncoming riders. Let buses and cars pass; motorbikes will weave around you.\n\n\n\nFirst-timer tip: wait for a local to step off the kerb and shadow them, staying on the traffic side. By day three you\u2019ll cross without thinking.\n\n\n\nMoney: ATMs, cash and hidden fees\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCash is king\n\n\n\nThe Vietnamese dong (VND) is the only practical currency. Street vendors, markets and most local eateries take cash only; USD or euros won\u2019t fly.\n\n\n\nLarge hotels, upscale restaurants and Grab accept cards, but small places often add a 3 % surcharge.\n\n\n\nWhich ATMs to use\n\n\n\nVPBank and ACB are the favourites for foreign cards. VPBank often charges little or nothing; ACB lets you pull up to 5 000 000 VND (\u2248 \u20ac185). TPBank was free, but late-2025 reports mention new fees.\n\n\n\nAvoid Agribank, Vietinbank and Euronet: low limits, high fees.\n\n\n\nGolden ATM rule: when offered conversion to your home currency, always tap \u201cNo.\u201d That\u2019s Dynamic Currency Conversion, and it costs 3\u20135 %. Let your French bank handle the rate.\n\n\n\nCurrency exchange\n\n\n\nThe best rates are at gold and jewellery shops, especially on Ha Trung Street in the Old Quarter. Quoc Trinh Gold Shop is forum-famous. Bring crisp \u20ac50 or \u20ac100 notes; smaller or creased bills get worse rates.\n\n\n\nBank counters give official rates but need your passport and perfect bills. Airport booths are worst; if you land late, change just \u20ac20\u201330 for the bus and exchange the rest in town.\n\n\n\nTipping\n\n\n\nTipping isn\u2019t customary. Rounding up is nice but never required. The only times a tip is expected: tour guides (50 000\u2013100 000 VND) and hotel porters (20 000\u201350 000 VND).\n\n\n\nPractical cash tips\n\n\n\nUse a fee-free card (Boursorama Ultim, Fortuneo Fosfo, Revolut).\n\n\n\nIf you hold a Visa Premier or Mastercard Gold, check the included travel insurance \u2013 usually valid for trips under 90 days if the airfare was paid with the card.\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t carry weeks of cash at once. ATMs are everywhere. Keep an emergency stash deep in your luggage.\n\n\n\nHealth and safety\n\n\n\nTravel insurance\n\n\n\nThe EHIC covers only the EU\/EEA, so it\u2019s useless in Vietnam. Buy travel insurance that includes medical evacuation; a medevac home can top \u20ac50 000.\n\n\n\nChapka Cap Aventure, ACS Globe Traveller and AXA Assistance are popular with French travellers.\n\n\n\nIf you plan to ride a motorbike, confirm that two-wheeler accidents are covered. Bank-card insurance is a handy extra but rarely enough on its own.\n\n\n\nVaccinations\n\n\n\nNo jabs are legally required, but the Pasteur Institute recommends being up to date for hepatitis A & B, typhoid and tetanus. For rural trips (Ha Giang, Sapa), consider Japanese encephalitis and rabies. See your GP or a travel-clinic six weeks before departure.\n\n\n\nWater and food safety\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t drink tap water. Use bottled water (5 000\u201310 000 VND) for drinking and brushing teeth. Ice in caf\u00e9s is industrially filtered and generally safe, but skip it for the first few days if you\u2019re cautious.\n\n\n\nStreet food is safe if you eat where locals queue. High-heat dishes cooked to order (pho, bun cha, stir-fries) are safest. An empty restaurant with a five-language menu is a red flag.\n\n\n\nAir pollution\n\n\n\nHanoi\u2019s air quality tanks from November to March. If you\u2019re sensitive, pack N95\/KN95 masks. Check the AQI each morning on IQAir; above 150, stay indoors more.\n\n\n\nPharmacies\n\n\n\nPharmacies sell most meds over the counter. Bring your prescriptions and enough personal medication for the trip. Prices are low for basics like paracetamol or stomach remedies.\n\n\n\nGeneral safety\n\n\n\nHanoi is very safe. Violent crime against tourists is almost unheard of; traffic is the real hazard.\n\n\n\nPick-pocketing and phone snatches happen. Keep valuables in a zipped front pocket or cross-body bag in crowded lanes.\n\n\n\nEmergency numbers: Police 113, Ambulance 115, Fire 114. French Embassy: +84 24 3944 5700.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nScams to avoid\n\n\n\nHanoi\u2019s scams are well documented and mostly annoying, not dangerous. Know the patterns and you\u2019ll be fine.\n\n\n\nShoe-shine scam: men clean your shoes unasked, then demand 200 000\u2013500 000 VND. Prevention: wear sandals or firmly wave them off.\n\n\n\nFruit-basket scam: women perch baskets on your shoulder \u201cfor a photo,\u201d then demand payment. Prevention: never accept items from strangers.\n\n\n\nCyclo overcharge: agree on a price, then the driver claims it\u2019s per person or per kilometre. Prevention: book through your hotel.\n\n\n\nBar scam via dating app: a \u201cmatch\u201d steers you to a bar with inflated prices, then disappears. Prevention: pick the venue yourself.\n\n\n\nTrain Street touts: aggressive hawkers steer you toward their caf\u00e9. Walk past and choose a spot on your own.\n\n\n\nMenus without prices: food arrives, then an inflated bill. Always check a priced menu before ordering.\n\n\n\nRule of thumb: if you\u2019re offered something you didn\u2019t ask for, decline politely but firmly \u2013 \u201ckh\u00f4ng, c\u1ea3m \u01a1n.\u201d\n\n\n\nSIM card and connectivity\n\n\n\nGood news for Free Mobile\u2019s \u20ac19.99 plan: Vietnam is in the 110 included roaming zones, with 25 GB data\/month at no extra cost. Other carriers: buy a local SIM or eSIM \u2013 it\u2019s far cheaper than standard roaming.\n\n\n\nViettel has the widest coverage, especially outside Hanoi; Vinaphone is solid in the city.\n\n\n\nPickup a SIM in arrivals for 200 000\u2013300 000 VND (\u20ac7\u201311, 30 days of data). Pricier than town but you\u2019re online instantly for Grab and Maps. In the city, visit an official Viettel shop with your passport.\n\n\n\nAvoid street-vendor SIMs; they may be deactivated without notice.\n\n\n\nTourist SIMs cost US$5\u201310 for 30 days. Beware \u201cunlimited\u201d plans with hidden daily caps (4 GB then throttled). An eSIM from Airalo or MobiMatter activates on landing and skips queues.\n\n\n\nWi-Fi is ubiquitous in hotels and caf\u00e9s. Still, download an offline Hanoi map in Google Maps as backup.\n\n\n\nPacking: Hanoi isn\u2019t always hot\n\n\n\nHanoi has four true seasons and winter gets genuinely cold.\n\n\n\nNovember\u2013February: pack layers\n\n\n\nTemperatures dip to 10\u201315 \u00b0C with damp air and little heating indoors, so it feels colder than the numbers.\n\n\n\nBring a light down jacket or warm fleece, long-sleeve layers and trousers \u2013 think mild Paris winter, not tropical getaway.\n\n\n\nYear-round essentials\n\n\n\nSturdy walking shoes with grip, a compact umbrella or light rain jacket.\n\n\n\nSandals or flip-flops for heat and temple visits (you\u2019ll remove shoes often).\n\n\n\nModest clothing for temples: shoulders and knees covered. Sunscreen (cheaper at home), mosquito repellent, and a passport photocopy stored separately from the original.\n\n\n\nElectrical outlets\n\n\n\nVietnam uses a mix of plug types A, C and G. Most European two-pin (type C) work fine, but bring a universal adapter just in case \u2013 some older hotels have only US-style sockets.\n\n\n\nBest time to visit Hanoi\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAutumn (October\u2013November): prime window\n\n\n\nExpect 20\u201328 \u00b0C, low humidity and clear skies \u2013 perfect for lakeside strolls. It\u2019s popular, so book hotels early.\n\n\n\nSpring (March\u2013April): runner-up\n\n\n\nAfter winter\u2019s chill, temperatures climb to 18\u201325 \u00b0C with only light drizzles. Flowers bloom round Hoan Kiem and the Botanical Garden; crowds are thinner than in peak autumn.\n\n\n\nSummer (May\u2013September): hot and humid\n\n\n\nExpect 30\u201335 \u00b0C + humidity. Monsoon downpours strike mid-afternoon for an hour or two. Hotels discount heavily and rain rarely ruins a whole day if you plan indoor afternoons.\n\n\n\nWinter (December\u2013February): cold and grey\n\n\n\nTemperatures hover at 10\u201315 \u00b0C with lingering drizzle. Lack of heating makes it feel colder.\n\n\n\nPack for a chilly Paris autumn, not a tropical break.\n\n\n\nTet (Vietnamese New Year, late Jan\/Feb) brings festivities but many businesses close for several days.\n\n\n\nUseful Vietnamese phrases\n\n\n\nEnglish fades outside hotels and tourist eateries, so a few Vietnamese words go a long way. The language is tonal but any attempt earns smiles.\n\n\n\nXin ch\u00e0o (sin chow): hello. C\u1ea3m \u01a1n (kahm un): thank you. Kh\u00f4ng (kohm): no. Bao nhi\u00eau? (bao nyew): how much? M\u1ed9t, hai, ba (moht, hi, bah): one, two, three.\n\n\n\nNgon qu\u00e1 (ngon kwa): delicious. Xin l\u1ed7i (sin loy): sorry\/excuse me. T\u00ednh ti\u1ec1n (ting tien): the bill, please.\n\n\n\nFor numbers, remember the zeros: \u201c50\u201d on a calculator means 50 000 VND (\u2248 \u20ac1.85).\n\n\n\nCultural etiquette\n\n\n\nTemples and pagodas\n\n\n\nRemove shoes before entering temple buildings; cover shoulders and knees. Our Hanoi heritage guide lists dress codes for each site. Speak softly.\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t point feet at altars or Buddha statues. Ask before photographing worshippers. The same rules apply everywhere, from the Temple of Literature to Tran Quoc Pagoda.\n\n\n\nPhotography\n\n\n\nMost locals don\u2019t mind photos, but ask with a smile. Never shoot military sites. Inside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, follow strict rules: no shorts, no hats, no photos.\n\n\n\nHorns and traffic noise\n\n\n\nHonking isn\u2019t anger; it\u2019s signalling position \u2013 a quick beep means \u201cI\u2019m passing.\u201d Once you know that, the constant noise fades into the background.\n\n\n\nTable manners\n\n\n\nTiny plastic stools on the pavement are normal dining chairs here. Bring pocket tissues; stalls may not supply napkins. Slurping noodles is fine, even encouraged. Leaving a little food shows you\u2019re satisfied. Chopsticks rule, but asking for a fork is perfectly acceptable.\n\n\n\nChoosing your base neighbourhood\n\n\n\nWhere you stay shapes your experience. The Old Quarter is walkable but noisy; the French Quarter is calmer with wider streets; Tay Ho (West Lake) is expat-friendly and quieter but a Grab ride from the sights. For full details see our where to stay in Hanoi guide.\n\n\n\nApps to download before you go\n\n\n\nGrab for transport (also handy for tours and activities); Google Maps with offline Hanoi;\n\n\n\nXE Currency for instant VND\/EUR conversions. Airalo or MobiMatter for an eSIM.\n\n\n\nIQAir for pollution alerts. Google Translate\u2019s camera mode for signs and menus.\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re continuing through Southeast Asia\n\n\n\nMany travellers pair Hanoi with other regional hubs. If Bangkok is next, our practical guide to planning a trip to Bangkok covers the different logistics. For beaches, see our guides to Phuket and Bali.\n\n\n\nBack to our comprehensive Hanoi travel guide for everything to see, eat and experience in the city.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115307","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115307"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115307\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":115474,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/115307\/revisions\/115474"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/115309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=115307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=115307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}