Hanoi will always be special in my heart because it is the first destination I went to when I tried solo traveling. After I quit my job as a Software Engineer, I immediately booked a flight to Hanoi to volunteer as an English Teacher. It was a very nice experience and hopefully, I can volunteer in Hanoi again, or maybe in other parts of Vietnam.

So why travel to Hanoi?

If you do not know this, the food in Vietnam is delicious. Almost (if not all) of their food has vegetables and herbs which makes the flavor very interesting and healthy. Pho and Bánh mì are the most popular but there are a lot more you should try.

When I was in Hanoi, my stomach was adjusting to their type of food because back then, I rarely eat vegetables. I always eat meat and most of them are deep-fried. Hahaha. But thankfully, Vietnam made my stomach and appetite culturally appreciative. HAHA. I even ate a Rat in Thai Binh!

Aside from food, the Vietnamese are very friendly and nice. My students made my trip so memorable. And as I always tell you in this blog, it is the people that make the trip wonderful.

If you are in Hanoi too, you can visit Ha Long Bay. It takes only a three-hour bus/van ride to get there.

Here are some tips and a list of cheap tours that you should try when you visit Hanoi.

Pre-travel Guide

Flights

Book your flight at least a month before your departure date to get reasonable rates. Google Flight is an easy tool to check cheap flights.

But you can also check it here:

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Visa Requirements

For Filipinos, we are eligible to travel to Vietnam for visa-free access for 21 days.

If you will stay more than 21 days, you need to apply for a visa.

Steps on applying for Visa on Arrival:

  • Apply for the Vietnam visa application form online and make an online payment for the approval fee. (This is the cheapest I found for applying for a Visa on Arrival, but feel free to do your research online)
  • Check your email to get a Vietnam visa approval letter. You can choose your processing time.
  • Get your Vietnam visa stamped at the Vietnam arrival airport.
    • Submit original Passport
    • 2 passport-sized Photos
    • Printed Vietnam visa approval letter
    • Pay the stamping fee ($25 for a Vietnam single entry visa, $50 for a 1-month multiple entry visa, and 3-month multiple entry visa) directly to the Vietnam Immigration Officers.

Accommodations

Reserve your accommodation ahead of time. You can book on Booking.com without reservation fees.



Booking.com

Transport:

Once you arrive at the airport, you can book a grab or Uber to your accommodation.

If you want to book a private transfer in advance you can BOOK HERE

Feel free to search for more options below:

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Tours in Hanoi, Vietnam

5 Affordable Tours in Hanoi

Hanoi Day Tour

  • Discover Hanoi on an immersive one-day adventure to its best attractions
  • Pay a visit to the late Mr. Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
  • See the city’s stunning pagodas: Tran Quoc Pagoda and One Pillar Pagoda
  • Explore amazing natural scenery along the Hoan Kiem Lake, visit the Temple of Literature and Bat Trang ceramic village or Museum of Ethnology
  • Have the option to see the unique water puppet show or take a city cyclo ride at the end of the tour

➡️ BOOK HERE

Hanoi City Day Tour with Water Puppet Show

  • Enjoy a comprehensive day tour that takes you around popular sites in Vietnam’s capital
  • Visit famous pagodas, and the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the final resting place of Vietnam’s revolutionary leader
  • Immerse yourself in Vietnam culture as you explore the Hanoi Old Quarter
  • Catch a traditional Water Puppet Show and witness the mastery of the puppeteers

➡️ BOOK HERE

Old Quarter Food Tour

  • What’s your favorite Vietnamese dish? Find out on a fun food tour in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
  • Try a myriad of local delicacies, from the French-influenced Vietnamese banh mi and Bun Cha noodles to sweet milk desserts and fruity drinks
  • Be led to one of the few egg coffee shops to sample this truly unique drink
  • Learn about the history and landmarks of Hanoi’s Old Quarter from your English-speaking guide

➡️ BOOK HERE

Hanoi Home Cooking Class

  • Discover the best of Vietnamese cuisine and learn how to recreate some of its culinary bests
  • See a different side of Hanoi on the 5-hour cooking class and a food market shopping spree
  • Unveil the best-kept secrets of Vietnam’s culinary traditions and bring some of the recipes home
  • Be guided by an experienced chef and enjoy direct hotel pick-up

➡️ BOOK HERE

Hanoi Evening Street Eats

  • Discover the backstreets and local markets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi
  • Visit Hanoi’s best street food spots guided by your resident foodie and Hanoi expert
  • Say cheers with one of Hanoi’s local brews
  • Try some of the best savory dishes and finish the night with a local dessert

➡️ BOOK HERE

Pin for later!

5 Affordable Tours in Hanoi that You Should Try 1

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post do contain affiliate links that I earn a small commission for, but they come at NO extra cost to you! Any purchases you make through my links help keep the site running (and help me feed to survive). Still and the same, as I’ve mentioned above, I only recommend brands that I personally use or believe in. Thanks in advance for your support!

Originally published on November 20, 2019