Exploring the buzzing capital of Vietnam on the back of a motorcycle is an unforgettable experience. I can’t express how grateful I am for the locals who let me experience the real Hanoi. This was definitely not my last trip here!
If you are in a rush you can read the summary with costs, hostels and a 4 day Hanoi itinerary at the end of the post.
Getting your Vietnam Invitation Letter and Visa
It’s my turn in the check in queue for Vietnam Airlines. I take out the visa invitation letter for which I paid $6 online a few weeks ago. I used Vietnam Visa Pro site it’s perfectly safe although it looks ugly and dodgy! The girl on the other side of the check in counter smiles “Thank you sir, here is your boarding pass, I gave you an exit row seat 😉 “. What a great start, I did not even have to ask for it!
The Flight from Bangkok to Vietnam is less than 2 hours and I use it to nap after an exciting First Class flight from Cairo. In the arrivals hall of Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi it’s time to take out the visa letter again and hand it over with my passport to the officials. A group of people swarms around the desk, when an artificial voice, just like Stephen Hawking ‘s computer, starts reading the names of individuals who can collect their visa. The visa costs $25. Nice to have another cool sticker in my passport!
Plastic tables and tiny chairs, awesome food
Hanoi city is a 35 min ride away from the airport. The taxi driver drops me off at Hanoi Old Quarter Hostel. It’ late, I am tired and my growling stomach is the first priority. The hostel staff points out some good local places on a map and moments later I sit down on a small plastic chair, in front of me a steaming pho (noodle soup), spring rolls and a Hanoi beer. The smile on my face is big, yesterday morning I saw the pyramids in Egypt then I flew a First class deal to Bangkok and now I am indulging in this amazing Vietnamese food. This is why I do it, this makes me happy!
A hostel with a 5 star rating
Happily fed I fall asleep, well after removing all the flowers on the nicely decorated bed 😀 Checkout the views I had in the morning after opening the balcony door, yeah I had a balcony, in a hostel!
Downstairs an a la carte breakfast is waiting for me. A variety of Western and Vietnamese dishes is served with a big smile. The rest of the day there is free coffee, cookies and fruits.
Do you know that feeling when you just arrive in a place but already feel at home? Well I ask if I can stay here the next few days as well. Unfortunately the hostel is full but there is a sister hostel close by. I: “What’s the easiest way to walk there?” Hostel staff: “Oh don’t worry we’ll take you there on the motorcycle 🙂 ”
This is the kind of hospitality that makes a huge difference. Something fancy hotels, the ones that even charge you for wifi, can learn a lot from.
What to do in Hanoi for 4 days?
I arrived totally unprepared but the Hostel staff recommended me some nice tours. Btw I paid for my stay and all the tours at Hanoi Old Quarter Hostel no bloggers discount but I am more than happy to recommend people who go above and beyond to make your stay enjoyable.
- Day 1 – Trip to Ninh Bình
- Day 2 – Ha Long Bay Cruise
- Day 3 – Ha long Bay Cruise
- Day 4 – Explore Hanoi with locals
Day 1 – Ninh Bình, rowing with your feet, cycling and 2 Pagodas
Did you ever see someone rowing a boat with their feet? In Ninh Binh you can check that off your list!
After chilling on the boat you can jump on bicycle and speed through the rice fields. And if this is your first time in Asia you will probably like the Pagodas.
Day 2 + Day 3 – Ha Long Bay Cruise
Even though it’s commercial you can’t miss chilling in this epic scenery. Ha long means descending dragon. The story goes that during a war dragons came down to help the locals spitting fire and pearls. Over the years those emeralds transformed in the islands you will see on your cruise 😉
Jenny is our guide on the Swan Cruises and keeps us entertained on the 4 hour bus drive to the bay. A small vessels takes us to our boat and after lunch we kayak to a private beach to enjoy the sunset. Jaw dropping view, check!
Back on the boat we learn how to make spring rolls, not a great success for me but the 2 Belgian girls I met on the boat prepared something that actually looked like a spring roll. Before we enjoy dinner we get a plate decoration demonstration. So if you ever wondered how you can peal a tomato and turn into a funky rose? You will learn it here.
Oh I didn’t show you my room yet, yes this is on the boat, I am having a good time here 😀
The whole trip is about relaxing and day dreaming in the peaceful surroundings. And off course Jenny and the friendly boat crew made sure everyone had a great time.
Day 4 – Exploring Hanoi
Today I am lucky again. Thuy is a very kind local and she wants to show me Hanoi together with her friend Trang. They introduce me to steak on a sizzling plate (Bo Ne Trung), a local tea house, a few more temples and a lake where we can chill while listening to some street musicians. The coolest thing is that they take me on their motorcycle, the only way to experience the real Hanoi! It can’t get any better than this, well except for the pollution then 😉
But wait there is more. Our next stop is Bun Cha Huong Lien. This name might not ring a bell but Antony Bourdain had a date with Obama here. Well if Bourdain was here it means they serve amazing food. And oh this is a feast you cannot miss for just a few dollars.
I really enjoy the conversations with my new local friends. These experiences are worth so much more than any tourist tour! As the sun disappears we enjoy a tea on the balcony of Cong Cafe before the time has come to say good bye. Moments like these are precious, unique and the main reason why I travel. Trying to understand a little bit more about this world while I meet wonderful people. Cảm ơn nhiều lắm Thuy and Trang!
My 4 day trip in Vietnam was amazing but way too short! I will be back to explore more of this wonderful country with super friendly people 🙂
How to get a Vietnam Invitation Letter and Visa
- Check if you need a visa, I needed one 🙂
- Before you go! Get your invitation letter online Vietnam Visa Pro site – $6 (site looks dodgy but it worked perfectly for me)
- Exchange your invitation letter for a Visa in the airport – $25
Where to stay in Hanoi?
They get 5 stars on Tripadvisor and they deserve it! Amazing staff, perfect locations, very nice breakfast, free snacks and drinks during the day and good tour recommendations.
Around $34 per night.
What to do in and around Hanoi?
- Tours outside Hanoi
- Day trip to Ninh Bình – $45
- 2 Day Swan cruises Ha Long Bay Cruise – $185
- In Hanoi
- Hoan Kiem Lake also known as Sword Lake
- Ngoc Son temple at Sword Lake
- Roam around in the old quarter
- Street food and nightlife in Mã Mây
- St Joseph Cathedral
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum + Museum
What to eat and drink in Hanoi?
If you need any help with finding following places, just ask in the hostel, they will be more than happy to help you!
Also check this easy guide with the Vietnamese name of each dish, gotta try them all!
- Delicious steak on sizzling plate at Bít Tết at 20A Hoè Nhai
- Try the restaurant where Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain ate: Bun Cha Huong Lien at 24 Le Van Huu
- You will find loads of food options at Mã Mây street.
- Enjoy tea or coffee on the first floor of Cộng Cafe at 46 Tràng Tiền
Any questions or more tips? Leave them in the comments below 🙂
When was this written? The visa on arrival cost was doubled to $50 USD a couple of years ago 😉
@Paul for US citizens it’s 50 USD or even more now. I went last month, I should have added I hold a European passport 🙂