hanoi backpacking

Airport to City

Make sure you ask for the meter to be used. Otherwise, you will be ripped off. A trip from the airport to Hanoi city centre should cost about 150,000 to 200,000 Dong.

Be wary of taxi drivers who will take you to places other than your destination. I was looking to go to Hanoi Backpackers and the taxi driver took me to some other place first. He claimed it was Hanoi Backpackers but it wasn’t. The good thing about Hanoi backpackers is that it is down a small laneway where taxis cannot drive down so you’ll know you are there if you have to walk down a laneway.

Where to Stay?

I strongly recommend Hanoi Backpackers. I’ve only stayed there for two nights but it is one of the best hostels I’ve stayed in. Great communal vibe even though I already had friends here before I came. The place is spotless. The dorms and bathroom are ultra clean. The cleanest I have ever seen in a hostel.
The location of the hostel is great being 3 minutes from the main lake. You can’t go wrong here.

Getting around

Walk, bike or taxi. Pretty easy. If there is a group of you, of course take a taxi. It’s also great to hire a bike and just ride around. Good thing about staying at Hanoi Backpackers is that things are all close to you so it’s easy to walk around to places.

Beer hoi

Ask the guys at the hostel about Beer Hoi. It’s some small intersection where everyone just sits on the sidewalk on mini plastic chairs drinking the local brew. Great fun to start the night. 

Jafatravel visited Hanoi in July 2007.

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© Jafa Travel Pty Ltd 2008