Sheila’s Fast and Easy Hanoi, Vietnam

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Hanoi is an exciting city with an abundance of sights, excellent restaurants, and hotels that range from Backpacker Hostels to 5*****. Hanoi is also incredibly noisy and chaotic with motor scooters and cycles by the gazillion weaving in and out of traffic. Basic Lesson one – not everybody is going to stop when the light is red or speeding around corners. Keep eyes peeled, look oncoming traffic directly in the eye and cross.

Before visiting anything, head for the excellent Tourist Information Center, 7 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, in the heart of the Old Quarter. You’ll need a backpack to carry away brochures and there is also a booking center for Vietnam packages/tours.

Transportation in Hanoi: Public taxis, minibus, cyclos (look like rickshaws around $1 U.S. for a point-to-point trip), motorbike taxis (“xe om”) considered dangerous by the Vietnam Tourist Authority, and public buses. TIP: Always grab a hotel business card to find the way back or show cheap taxis where you are staying.

Hotels/Guesthouses: We just stayed at the Hoa Binh Hotel*** built in 1926. Located in the old French Quarter and a short three-block walk to West Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake). Pleasant employees, old, adequate, clean rooms. Check out the Hanoi Backpackers’ Hostel near St. Josephs Cathedral and Hanoi Elegance Hotel in the heart of the Old Quarter. Both looked nice and clean.

Restaurants: Countless little street stalls, good value restaurants, local specialities (including dog and cat), western, Asian, cafes and upscale places. Ate at Wild Rice (French Quarter) and Mediterraneo in the St. Joseph’s Cathedral area, both excellent.

Sheila’s Hanoi Short List of What to See (in no particular order): Hoa Lo Prison (later known to American prisoners of war as the “Hanoi Hilton”), one-hour Water Puppet Show, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (no shorts or sleeveless shirts to enter), French Quarter, walk around Hoan Kiem Lake (known as West Lake), the restaurant/boutique area around St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the famous Old Quarter.

- The Old Quarter streets were named for the trades. Hang Gai, Hang Quat, Hang Bac (originally Silver Street) selling everything. Souvenirs, Ancestor Worship objects (they burn fake money for dead ancestors to use), snake wine, shoes, clothes, backpacks, silk, down small, narrow and unbelievably congested streets.

- West Lake is where active Hanoi gathers in the early morning to exercise. Tai Chi, group classes, Yoga, walking, running, Vietnamese with friends, grandfathers watching grandchildren, senior citizens, engrossing and enjoy some good laughs.

Basic Information?

- Visas are required for all visitors to Vietnam. Contact the Vietnam Embassy for information. It is also possible to obtain some visas at the airport upon arrival. Double-check this. We could not and had to apply for visas back home;

- Use ATM’s to exchange money throughout Vietnam;

- Drink bottled water only , don’t eat raw foods, “cook, peel or forget it; and

- Exercise caution in the crowded streets. Wear a money belt and leave flashy jewelry at home.

Now, wasn’t that easy?