Getting around Hanoi in local transports
1. WALKING AROUND
Walking around Hanoi is one of the wonderful experiences. This is an essential element of becoming familiar with a new culture. If you want to go around Hoan Kiem lake, you should go on foot.
2. MOTOBIKE TAXI
A ride round Hanoi on a motorbike taxi can be a hair-raising experience, but it is also one way to cut down journey times in the traffic jam. You need to agree on a fare before setting out or you’ll get fleeced at your destination; 35,000-50,000D should get you most places in city.
Don’t forget to put on a helmet, which is now compulsory for passengers as well as riders.
3. CYCLO
Taking a ride in a cyclo is an easy way to experience an ancient Vietnamese form of transport.
Cyclo is also perfect for sightseeing and taking photographs, but is not so great when a truck comes hurtling towards you.
The cyclo riders are aware of their cultural cachet, so expect to pay more than for a taxi or motorbike taxi. It’s best to negotiate a daily fare–somewhere around 220,000VND (US$10) is reasonable.
4. BUS
Though Hanoi has a fairly extensive bus system, it is tricky for foreign tourists to use, as no route maps are printed in English. One route that is not so difficult to use is between the airport and downtown, serviced by buses 7 and 17, with a fare of 9,000VND. Fares within the city centre are 7,000VND.
A ride round Hanoi on a motorbike taxi can be a hair-raising experience, but it is also one way to cut down journey times in the traffic jam. You need to agree on a fare before setting out or you’ll get fleeced at your destination; 35,000-50,000D should get you most places in city.
Don’t forget to put on a helmet, which is now compulsory for passengers as well as riders.
3. CYCLO
Taking a ride in a cyclo is an easy way to experience an ancient Vietnamese form of transport.
Cyclo is also perfect for sightseeing and taking photographs, but is not so great when a truck comes hurtling towards you.
The cyclo riders are aware of their cultural cachet, so expect to pay more than for a taxi or motorbike taxi. It’s best to negotiate a daily fare–somewhere around 220,000VND (US$10) is reasonable.
4. BUS
Though Hanoi has a fairly extensive bus system, it is tricky for foreign tourists to use, as no route maps are printed in English. One route that is not so difficult to use is between the airport and downtown, serviced by buses 7 and 17, with a fare of 9,000VND. Fares within the city centre are 7,000VND.
