HanoiTravel Tips

Typical weather seasons by month.

When the city is peak, balanced, or quieter.

Typical monthly AQI index trends.

What to know before drinking water, eating street food, or dining out.

• Drink sealed bottled water or filtered hotel water; avoid tap water for brushing teeth in older properties.
• Choose busy kitchens with fast turnover. Quiet display counters are a bad bet in Hanoi humidity.
• Ice is usually factory made in reputable cafes, but skip it at temporary street stalls.
• Reliable local orders include chicken phở, bún chả with chicken, vegetarian rice plates, egg coffee, and fresh fruit from clean vendors.

Common scams and safety precautions during your stay.

• Bag snatching is uncommon but real near traffic edges; carry bags away from the road.
• Use Grab or hotel booked cars. Ignore street drivers quoting soft prices without a confirmed route.
• Count change slowly. Small notes look similar after a long flight.
• Old Quarter shoe repairs, fruit baskets, and cyclo quotes can be inflated; agree the number before accepting anything.

Respectful behavior for temples, neighborhoods, and restaurants.

• Lower your voice indoors; Hanoi values restraint more than performance.
• Use both hands when giving cash, a card, or a small gift in formal settings.
• Do not block shopfronts for photos. Many old streets are working businesses, not sets.
• Dress neatly for formal venues and government buildings; linen works better than resort wear.

Plugs, voltage, and electrical charging standards.

Tipping customs for dining, taxis, and services.

• Tipping is appreciated, not demanded. Round up for casual meals and short rides.
• In polished restaurants, 5-10% is enough when service is strong and no service charge appears.
• Tip guides and private drivers directly in cash; do it discreetly.
• Small cafes do not expect tips, but leaving small change is accepted.

Essential local laws and regulations to respect.

• Carry a passport copy; leave the original in the hotel safe unless required for check in or official business.
• Cross streets at a steady pace. Sudden stops are more dangerous than slow confidence.
• Do not photograph security staff, checkpoints, or government compounds.
• Smoking rules vary by venue; ask before lighting up in courtyards or terraces.

Health advice for climate, insects, and well-being.

• Use high SPF sunscreen even in grey weather; haze does not mean low UV.
• In winter haze, sensitive travelers should carry a fitted mask and avoid peak traffic corridors at dawn.
• Bring mosquito repellent for lakeside evenings and garden restaurants after rain.
• Pharmacies are common, but specific prescriptions are easier to manage if packed from home.

Simple local phrases that help with greetings and polite conversation.

Useful phrases for shopping, bills, and price negotiations.

Phrases for dietary preferences, vegetarian choices, and water.

Polite ways to decline offers, transport, or street vendors.

Directions for finding toilets, basic shopping, and asking help.

Emergency calls, hospitals, and help phrases in the local language.