Getting to know about some popular means of transportation in Hanoi helps you avoid inconvenience and many scams.
1. Getting Hanoi from Noi Bai airport
From Noi Bai airport to Hanoi Old Quarter, there are taxis that run at fixed rates waiting outside of the arrival hall. It costs between 315,000 - 345,000 VND depending on the type of taxi you get (or $16-18). Three official taxi brands for airport routes are: Noi Bai Taxi, Viet Thanh Taxi, and Dai Nam Taxi, you can also take a look at our Guide to taking taxi at Noi Bai airport here.
In any case, do not go by the meter because the rate will be much higher than the fixed rate. You also need not pay any toll fees.
2. Taxi
Taxi is very convenient and popular in Hanoi. The price hovers 14000/km for a 4-seat.
If you want to go by taxi, you should ask for suggestion of the hotel first, it can help you avoid scams. Or you shake hand to stop a taxi and show the driver where you want to get. Don’t forget to check the meter before the drive starts. If you find the fare suspiciously higher than the amount you expect it to be, you should check the meter again and call the police or the taxi PBX for help.
3. Renting a motorbike
Roads in Hanoi are quite interlacing, small, and full of corners, and you may face traffic jams during peak hours. So riding a motorbike is very convenient. You should hire a motorbike to always take the initiative, especially when you tend to visit places away from the Old Quarter.
Motorbikes can be rented at almost every hotel and in some shops in the Old Quarter, especially in Hang Bac street. The price for rent is from 5$ per day. You even don’t have to book in advance. Motorbikes can also be bought in Hanoi.
4. Take a motorbike taxi
The Xe Om - motorbike taxi with his motorcycle on the pavement
It is fun to take a motorbike taxi, usually called Xe Om which means hugging motorbike - a really convenient way to getting around the city. They can be catch everywhere in the streets, esspecially at the crossroad. A man sitting on his motorbike with a ambiguity look at the flow of people. You can go and stop anywhere you want, the price is much cheaper than taxi, about 6000d/km, of course you have to try your best to bargant. If the driver can not speak English, show him where you want to get on the map and use your fingers to negotiate for good price.
You choose the driver with good motorbike like SYM, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and both have to wear the helmets or you will be stopped by the police.
5. Cyclo
Cyclo is the unique mean of transportations in Hanoi. The cyclos are crowded parking around Hoan Kiem lake and along the streets in Old Quarter like red waist ants. When taking a cyclo make sure you agree on a price BEFORE you get on and write it down. If your putting two people in one cyclo make sure you get the price for both people. And the most important thing you need to remember is try your best to bargain.
Source: worldtraveldairy.net
