based on 10 experiences from female travelers
Hina
Japan
I felt the mixture of Asian and European style in their architecture and food. Also, the Hanoi old quarter is full of beautiful trees which made me so happy and relaxed! Everything is cheap there so you don’t need to care too much about your budget while staying there!
Posted: September 21, 2024Hanoi is chaotic and bustling, especially in the old quarter. Don't let this deter you, as the Old Quarter is really the only place you should be staying in on your trip to Hanoi. There is coffee shops and food there, the best.
Posted: August 16, 2024Experienced: July, 2024Maxine
Australia
I totally recommend visiting Hanoi. The old town was very nice to walk around in and the history at the old jail was very interesting. I only had one comment by someone about my appearance and then someone crack onto me after a tour. You could avoid the tour and just catch the local buses. Super cheap! From Hanoi you can visit SAPA or Cat Ba Island with a local bus or ferry. There is also the waterpuppet show that is a must visit in the area. I would go back to Hanoi.
Posted: July 10, 2024Experienced: August, 2023The best city ever! I just love how it was both kinda choatic and very authentic. Just walking around the city was an adventure, crossing the streets from all the motorbikes, and walking by the lake, and riding grab motorbikes. I had the best absolute time there. I felt extremely safe as well.
Posted: June 28, 2024Experienced: December, 2023Alika
Russia
I'm a budget traveler, so hanoi and vietnam in general feel really cheap after Thailand. I've stayed in hanoi for 1 week, hostel cost me around 900k vnd for the whole period. Food prices are different from place to place but in general you can find something to eat starting from 45k vnd (for example pho and other types of soup usually cost around this price). For side dishe + rice or stir fried noodles with vegetables you'll pay 60-80k, also, you can find cafes serving buffet the cost of it starting at 60k vnd. Also, I'm vegan, so can speak only for vegan food. Hanoi felt quite save. There wasn't many people staring at you, and non who would approach and disturb me, except of few hostes who asked to come to their cafes. Even at the night time it wasn't a problem to walk home enjoying the weather 🙌🏻 For the transportation hanoi has quite good public transportation system and google maps will easily accommodate you with it showing needed route and bus numbers, ticket costs 7-8k. Also, you can use grab app to get a car or a bike as a taxi, bikes are quite cheaper than cars, but still x3 and more times more expensive than buses. Bike taxi for a 20-25min route cost me around 20-30k. And for sure try to explore hanoi by walk! Hanoi is super cozy city and lovely architecture. Every corner is so picturesque and vibrant, you don't wanna miss it, trust me!
Posted: June 23, 2024Experienced: April, 2024Hanoi was the first ever country I visited and I traveled solo. With this considered, I took all efforts in researching not only its accessibility (as a Philippine resident) but also its overall safety as a first time international traveler. I was told people there weren't as friendly than those in southern Vietnam but most locals I met are extremely nice if not a bit reserved. I felt safe even walking alone in their street market at night, but I only stuck to the walking street and avoided dark & quiet alleys. There are, however, a lot of scams especially around Hoan Kiem Lake so be extra careful and vigilant. I booked my tours via Klook and paid them in advance so I won't have to carry as much cash.
Posted: March 6, 2024Maria
Romania
Hanoi is such a vibrant city! People here are friendly but also pretty chill compared to other places. Traffic is also not that crazy. The food is amazing and the city comes alive at night during weekends - especially in the old quarter area when they close some streets for vehicles. I strongly recommend checking out the French quarter as well and going further South to experience some local things. I went to Complex 1 for a watercolor workshop and open mic night where Vietnamese locals came together to sing. It was a truly amazing experience!
Posted: August 28, 2023Hanoi is amazing. Allow yourself to get lost in the chaos and smells. Get to know as many locals as possible. Sit on small plastic stools and eat bun cha. Gain a higher perspective on popular intersections and watch as scooters pass by each other but never touch.
Posted: November 3, 2022Ninh Binh is wonderful. The Women's Museum was amazing, but very emotional. I love Mrs. Huong's cafe located nearby - it's like being in Paris. I highly recommend the coconut milk coffee. Lo Hoa prison is also very interesting. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn to practice Tai Chi, and in the evening to the dance groups. Book food tours and hikes, as well as cooking courses in advance, because they fill up quickly. There are amazing places to eat here. Try Banh Mi. I recommend checking out Lonely Planet or Trip Advisor guides to get the most current information.
Posted: August 21, 2022Based on 8 local experiences
Based on 8 local experiences
Gianne
Hanoi is a relaxing and safe city, it’s very secure and there is always ways people open to help, is very rare when people get robbed, and the few case that have gone down while I been here is when someone gets drunk and the pass out in a taxi and they get dropped off anywhere, or the case of being overcharged when going out if you double check the bills
Posted: February 12, 2025Hanh
Locals are either intrigued by or indifferent to foreigners. You might get some catcalling, especially around pubs and bars, but it's unlikely to get physical. In most situations common sense can keep you safe.
Posted: February 9, 2025Nguyen
My philosophy in life is the famous quotation of Einstein "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid". And I'm also a buddisht following the spirit of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh (who is also vietnamese person) with his philosophy "mindfulnesses" and "to understand is to love".
Aynur
Hi my name is Aynur and I am from Azerbaijan, Baku but currently leaving in Dubai🙃
Nguyen
Hanoi
3 days
My philosophy in life is the famous quotation of Einstein "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid". And I'm also a buddisht following the spirit of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh (who is also vietnamese person) with his philosophy "mindfulnesses" and "to understand is to love".
Linh
Hanoi
3 days
I'm a free spirit and adventurous, curious, and open-minded. Always ready to explore things! I update a list of 100 things I have to do before I die and I'm super determined to check the boxes in that list. What brings me happiness is the ability to be present and stay conscious in anything I do. I am most present when I solo travel or do things outside my daily routine. My goal in life is to be the happiest that I can with the least that I have. This doesn't mean I don't have ambition for a high-quality life, It means that I appreciate what I have now and still look forward to opportunities life brings me
Elise
I'm a student in the last year of my bachelor in physics. I like to travel and discover new people :)