City guide article

Train

The main Hanoi train station ticket office is at the western end of Pho Tran Hung Dao; trains from here go to destinations south. The ticket office is open from 7.30am-12.30pm & 1.30-7.30pm. Foreigners can buy tickets for southbound trains at counter 2, where the staff speaks English. It’s often best to buy tickets at least one day before departure to ensure a seat or sleeper. To the right of the main entrance of the train station is a separate ticket office for northbound trains to Lao Cai (for Sapa) and China. Tickets for China must be bought at a separate, specified counter. Check with Vietnam Rail (Duong Sat Viet Nam; www.vr.com.vn ) for current timetables.

City guideTransportation

Overview

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Transportation

Buses

Transportation

Taxi

Taxis are plentiful and usually have trip meters, although it is also common to agree on the price before taking a taxi to any location. Taxis are often expensive so negotiation is advised, and it is also important to be very clear as to your destination as drivers will attempt to take you to other locations from where they may receive commission. Once in Hanoi there is an abundance of taxis; and tourists also sometimes tour the city on ‘cyclos’ which are modified cycle rickshaws, especially in the Old Quarter. Tourists should be wary, negotiate a price and be clear as to their destination before getting in as a driver may demand an exorbitant amount for traveling a few hundred yards or take the passenger to an entirely different location from the one specified. Hanoi's traffic is chaotic, with seemingly perpetual traffic jams, and a large number of motorcyclists and pedestrians. As such, driving yourself is not recommended.

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Transportation

Car for Hire

To hire a car with a driver, contact a hotel, traveler’s café or travel agency. Tourists are better of hiring a car directly from the hotel that they are staying at or one based on the hotel’s recommendation. In parts of the northwest in the wet season some roads may only be suitable for a 4WD so visitors should keep this in mind when hiring a vehicle. If you plan to tour the north by bike, there are several good firms that can arrange guides and rentals and help with itinerary planning. One of the best recommended is ‘Cuong’s Motorbike Adventure’ which rents out bikes for US$5 a day, including a full range of spares and a repair manual. Visitors are also advised to refer to the Minsk Club website (www.minskclubvietnam.com) if they are interested in renting a bike.

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Transportation

From the Airport

There are two main highways linking the airport and city. The route to the city via Thăng Long Bridge is more direct than Highway 1, which runs along the outskirts of the city. Taxis to downtown Hanoi can be hired at Noi Bai. The driver may try to take you to a hotel of his choice to collect a commission, but if you are specific about your destination, they usually give in. Taxis from the city centre to Noi Bai Airport charge a fixed rate of US$10 to US$12 depending on the size of the taxi. If the hotel reservation is already made, the hotel can be asked to dispatch a driver. Generally the nicer hotels will do this and put the fare on the room bill. Public buses can also be used although they take much longer, about an hour, to reach the city centre.

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