Hanoi
Getting There/Around

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Getting There:

By Air:

The Noi Bai International Airport ( VVNB/HAN ) ( +84 4 827 1513 ), is located in the Soc Son District about 25 miles north of Hanoi. The Airport's four terminals serve international and domestic airlines including:

Air Asia ( +603 8660 4343/ http://www.airasia.com )
Air France ( http://www.airfrance.com )
China Airlines ( http://www.china-airlines.com )
KLM Royal Dutch ( http://www.klm.com )
Korean Airlines ( http://www.koreanair.com )
Lufthansa Airlines ( http://www.lufthansa.com )
Qantas ( http://www.qantas.com.au )
Scandinavian Air ( http://www.scandinavian.net )
Singapore Airlines ( http://www.singaporeair.com )
Thai Airways ( http://www.thaiairways.com )
Vietnam Airlines ( http://www.vietnamairlines.com.vn )

Taxis are easy to find outside the airport's terminals. Depending on traffic, the trip to downtown Hanoi takes about 45 minutes.

Vietnam Airlines also offers a cheap and convenient minibus to get you into town from the Airport.

By Train:

Hanoi Railway Station is located on the western tip of Hoan Kiem district at 120 Le Duan ( +84 4942 3949 ) and is a stop along the Reunification Railroad. Trains run on a daily basis throughout Vietnam along with service between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

By Bus:

Buses are always packed, but offer a cheap way of getting into the city. Hanoi has three main bus stations. Long-distance buses from the south arrive at Giap Bat Station, buses from the northeast stop at Gia Lam Station and those from the northwest go to Kim Ma station. These stations are located a little ways from the city centre, and it's recommended to grab a taxi or cyclo to get downtown.

By Car:

Drivers must obtain a Vietnamese driver's license to drive in the country, as International licenses are not valid. Highway 1 runs along the outskirts of the city.

Getting Around:

As far as public transportation, Hanoi only has buses, which are often crowded and hard to understand for non-Vietnamese speakers.

Metered taxis can be hailed off the street and at hotels. Major cab companies include:
Vina Taxi ( +84 4 81 1111 )
52 Taxi ( +84 4 852 5252 )

Motorcycle taxis are a fun and cheap way to get around Hanoi. Motorbikes are also available to rent hourly or daily.

Another enjoyable way to get around is with cyclos, which are two-seated carts run by a foot-pedal bike rider behind the cart. These are also available to rent hourly or daily at a reasonable price.

Car and bike rentals are also popular ways of getting around and can be arranged at various hotels, travelers' cafes and tour agencies.