![]() So you can imagine that transactions in Vietnam begin in the six figures, i.e. At the time of writing 100 USD equals 2,340,705 Vietnamese dong. Vietnam’s currency is called dong (VND for Vietnamese Dong)Īnd the exchange rate will leave you fumbling with the notes in confusion, at least in the beginning. Crossing the road in Hanoi will certainly give you an adrenaline rush! But after a few days of it, you’ll begin to enjoy the challenge and it turns into a bit of a fun game.Ĥ. Try and look the drivers in the eye as you cross, to ensure that they’ve seen you. Just remember that cars and trucks can’t stop as quickly or swerve around you as well as motorbikes, so give them some extra distance. Motorbikes in Hanoi come at you from all directions.īut people are very courteous and they will slow down to let you cross, but only if you make the first move. A few times I quite expected to be run over and I often let out a little shriek as I began to cross, particularly in the first few days! If you want to cross, you’ll just have to be assertive and walk out in front of the oncoming traffic it’s pretty scary at first. Crossing the road in Hanoi is terrifyingĭon’t expect people to stop and wait for you to cross the road. In fact, the traffic is so chaotic that you’ll often see low metal barriers placed across the footpaths to stop motorbikes from riding along them! We saw several episodes of footpath riding in places without those barriers. Their constant honking takes a while to get used to. You’re unlikely to have seen so many motorbikes on the road before. When you first arrive in Hanoi, you’ll be hit with your first bout of culture shock when you take your taxi from Hanoi airport to the city. ![]() Hanoi alone has over five million of them! That’s a lot of motorbikes, which means a lot of traffic. Hanoi (and Vietnam in general) is famous for its huge number of motorbikes. Bring exact change is USD as they’re strict about that. Take a print out of it and submit that along with two photos when you arrive at the airport in Vietnam to get your visa on arrival stamped (stamping fee of $25 for a single-entry visa). Then the visa on arrival approval letter, signed by Vietnam’s immigration department, is emailed to you. The agency will email the visa on arrival approval letter to you after you fill out an application form and pay a small fee to the agency for the convenience. If you simply don’t have the time or want to keep things convenient, you can also get your visa on arrival approval letter from an online visa agent. The fees are $20 for a 30-day Single Entry tourist visa, and $70 for a 90-day tourist visa, at the time of writing. Many nationalities need a visa in advance and tourist visas issued in advance allow you to stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 30 days. Most first-time visitors to Vietnam find it difficult to wrap their heads around the country’s often-changing visa regulations which vary according to your nationality, duration of stay and how you intend to arrive into the country (by air or land). ![]() So, if you are planning your first trip to Hanoi, here are 14 things you need to know before you go: Vietnam Travel Tips: Things To Know Before Visiting Hanoi 1. ![]() ![]() To truly appreciate Hanoi’s attractions, sights and culinary offerings, you will have to step outside your comfort zone with an open mind. But you do need to be prepared before visiting Hanoi because it’s nothing at all like home. While, its utter craziness makes it one of our favorite places in South-East Asia, there are interesting layers to the city (and some quiet spots) that you discover the longer you stay. It’s a chaotic city but one that you absolutely must explore while in Vietnam, especially if you’re interested in culture. Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital and its second largest city after Ho Chi Minh City. This post was written jointly along with Cindy of Free Two Roam. ![]()
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