Capital city, Vietnam
Hanoi
Vietnam's old, characterful capital: Old Quarter street food, lakes, cafés and cheap living with four real seasons. Winters are grey and cool, traffic is intense and the air is poor.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$963–1,540Comfortable, one person · ₫25M–40MDetails
- Value for money68/100Better value than 67% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–Apr, Oct–NovWarmest: Jun, 32°CDetails
- Air quality47.9 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2016) · Severely pollutedDetails
- Internet301 MbpsFixed broadband, Vietnam medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDo not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$27–69Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundGrabVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in malls, hotels and chain cafés; cash or bank QR for street food, markets and Old Quarter shops.Details
Where to stay in Hanoi
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old Quarter | Short stays: food, hostels, nightlife, loud and crowded |
| Hoan Kiem and French Quarter | Walkable, quieter, hotels, the lake and museums |
| Tay Ho (West Lake) | Expats and nomads: cafés, coworking, lake views |
| Ba Dinh | Calm, leafy streets near the Citadel and embassies |
| Cau Giay | Cheaper long stays, malls and young professionals |
Apps that work in Hanoi
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| GrabFood | Same app as rides; English interface |
| ShopeeFood | Cheaper, many promos; mostly Vietnamese |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Zalo
- VeXeRe: Booking buses and sleeper coaches
- Taxis: Taxis like Mai Linh and Vinasun are fine if the meter runs. Avoid unmarked airport cars; agree on prices for xe om and cyclos first.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Vietnam.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in malls, hotels and chain cafés; cash or bank QR for street food, markets and Old Quarter shops. Keep small notes.
- Currency: Dong (VND). US$1 ≈ ₫25,953.96 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Foreign-card fees run roughly 20,000–110,000 VND per withdrawal and limits are low (often 2–5 million VND); compare banks.
- Tipping: Not expected; locals don't tip. Round up for drivers, and tip guides and spa staff for good service.
- Paying by phone: Apple and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; VietQR needs a Vietnamese bank account or a linked regional banking app.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities need an e-visa: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, US$25/US$50, applied for online.
- Look-alike agency sites charge several times the official fee; use only the government .gov.vn e-visa portal.
- Airlines may refuse boarding without an onward ticket dated within your visa or visa-free period.
Emergency numbers
Police 113 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 114
Plugs
Type A, C · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Viettel, Vinaphone and MobiFone airport kiosks sell tourist SIMs with big data allowances; passport required. City shops are cheaper. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Vietnam
Going to Hanoi solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Hanoi meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.