Banks: 09:00 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 11:00 to 21:30, daily; some closed on Sundays
Museums: times vary
Business Offices: 08:30 to 17:50, Monday to Friday

Hanoi is not a dangerous city and most visitors enjoy holidays in the city free from any unfortunate incidents. A certain degree of petty crime is present and some basic steps should be taken to minimise the risk of being targeted by thieves. Wallets and purses are easy pickings in crowded places so keep them in hard to reach places and keep cash in a money belt if possible. Bags also are common targets, both for snatchers and thieves looking to help themselves to their contents in busy public places, so make sure you wear them securely about your person and keep them within visual range at all times.

Visitors should be wary of the possibility of being scammed during their stay. Taxi drivers (including motorcycle taxi drivers) are known for charging foreigners a higher rate so be sure to establish a price for your journey before you start or make sure that the meter is operational before you agree to go anywhere. Check your change when making any purchases and exercise caution and vigilance in any situation that involves parting with money.

Bear in mind that pedestrians have few rights in Hanoi and that crossing the road can be a hazardous experience. Exercise extreme caution, especially in busy areas such as around the Hoan Kiem Lake. Never presume that vehicles will stop or make any allowances for you, irrespective of whether you are already part way across the road.

Immunisations against hepatitis A and B and typhoid are recommended for all visitors, while anyone planning on close contact with animals should consider a course of rabies vaccinations. Those planning on venturing into rural areas should be vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis.

Tap water is not considered potable, however, bottled water is cheap and readily available. Use bottled water to brush teeth and avoid ice in drinks as its purity cannot be guaranteed. Standards of hygiene in eateries often fall below that deemed necessary in Western countries so visitors are advised to be choosey with regards to where they eat. While eating at market stalls and street-side food vendors is a good way of sampling authentic local food, it may also lead to gastric upset, so think twice if you have a delicate digestive system.

Visitors who take ill or have an accident that requires medical attention will get basic treatment but will find the standard of care in Hanoi’s government hospitals below that of Western medical centres. There are several private facilities aimed specifically at tourists and expats where a higher standard of treatment is available.

Vietnam International Hospital: +84 4 574 0740
Ambulance: 115

A distinct local dialect of Vietnamese is spoken by Hanoi locals, although the primary form of the language used by the media and government is understood by the majority of the city’s residents. English is normally spoken only by those working in the tourist industry and by some students.

The currency in Hanoi is the Vietnamese dong, which is issued in banknotes only. Denominations available include: 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 dong notes. US dollars are also widely accepted. Visitors may tender dollars as payment but receive change in dong. The import and export of local currency is strictly forbidden, but there are no restrictions on foreign currency.

Currency can be exchanged at the majority of the city’s banks and at official bureau de change counters located throughout the city. Some hotels also offer exchange services, but they generally provide less favourable rates. Best avoided are the local characters offering exchange services on the street, as their rates are generally the worst and their honesty is often questionable.

ATMs can be found in various locations, especially in the main tourist areas such as around Hoan Kiem Lake and in the Old Quarter. Machines accept most foreign cards, although it’s wise to bring a card endorsed or issued by a reputable credit firm such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Maestro, Cirrus or Diners Club. Withdrawal charges may be made by the user’s bank or card issuer.

Visitors are permitted to bring the following into the country without incurring duty payments: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; and 1.5 litres of alcoholic beverages or 3 litres of beer. Prohibited items include illegal drugs, fire arms and pornographic publications as well as certain food stuffs and organic products.

When visiting Hanoi, tourists need to be aware of the same cultural observances that are relevant anywhere in Vietnam, with many rules based on or stemming from religious values. Visitors should be aware of basic dos and don’ts before visiting in order not to offend locals.

Modest dress is required by members of both sexes, with legs and shoulders required to be covered when visiting temples and religious sites. Shoes should be removed before entering temples, residences and some business establishments. Physical contact between members of the opposite sex is frowned upon in public places, so visitors should limit exchanges of affection to private places.

The concept of ‘face’ is a significant facet of Vietnamese culture and can influence many aspects of day to day socialisations. From a visitor’s perspective, it’s important to avoid behaviour that is likely to cause others to lose ‘face’. This includes public criticism of locals, irrespective of whether they have erred or not. Losing one’s temper in public is considered unacceptable and in doing so you are deemed to have lost ‘face’ in the eyes of those around you.

As in much of Asia, the head and feet have special significance in Vietnamese culture. The head is considered spiritually important and hence it’s inappropriate to touch people on this part of their body. In contrast, the feet are considered lowly and dirty and should not be raised in public, brought into contact with other people or used to point to things.

Dining Etiquette
There are some rules pertaining to dining at the home of a local in Hanoi. On arrival at your host’s abode, be sure to remove your shoes and leave them outside the front door. On entering, wait to be shown to the dining area. It’s polite to bring a small gift for your host, which can be flowers, fruit or something from your own country, among other things.

In the dining room, wait for all guests to be seated. Once everyone has found their places, the eldest member of the party will indicate when it is time to eat. Food is generally placed buffet-style in the middle of the table and all guests are invited to help themselves. It’s polite to try a little of everything and to accept second helpings if your host offers them.

Chopsticks are normally laid upon the rest in between mouthfuls of food or when an individual is conversing. Sticks that are placed in the mouth are never used to pass food to other diners. Unlike some Asian cultures where it’s polite to leave some food on your plate at the end of the meal, in Vietnam it’s fine to eat everything.

Tourist visas are necessary for almost all visitors except those holding passports from selected Asean countries as well as citizens of Korea, Japan and Scandinavian countries. Tourist visas are valid for single entries only and for a period not exceeding 30 days. For more information on how to obtain a visa, contact the Vietnamese embassy in your home country.

A tourist information office is situated on Dinh Tien Hoang, north of Hoan Kiem Lake. The office provides a large selection of services for visitors including information on attractions, accommodation and transportation (phone: +84 4 926 3366). An alternative information office can be found at 80 Quan Su (phone: +84 4 942 4115).