Things to know for tourists coming to Hanoi

Using the ATM card

There are reputable banks by most of the streets in Hanoi such as HSBC, ANZ, Vietcombank, Vietinbank, Techcombank, Agribank.

Usually, at ATM, there are signs to instruct users which types of ATM cards can withdraw money; so look carefully before putting them into the machine.

Users should withdraw money from ATMs in front of the bank which is safer and incase you have any problem with your card, bank employees can resolve it. Each withdrawal with master card, visa & foreign cards are charged 2% of the total cash to be withdrawn.

Bargaining

Except for large shopping centers, generally many goods shop owners in Vietnam & Asian countries usually overcharge sales so tourists need to know how to bargain to buy at the most appropriate price. Depending on the choice and timing of tourists during the day, you should start shopping after 10am because usually 8 – 9 am is opening time. Customers inexperienced in bargaining may be in trouble because according to the customs of the Vietnamese people in general and traders in particular, the person who makes the first deal will probably bring a good or bad luck to them that day. That is why sometimes sellers want to sell cheaper for visitors to get a good luck that day.

Thời gian mua hàng nên dừng lại ở 10 am – 1pm. Sau đó là giờ ăn trưa và nghỉ trưa nên ít người bán hàng. Sau 3pm – 8pm cũng là thời điểm tốt. Tuy nhiên với những thời điểm nhạy cảm như sáng sớm hoặc giờ các shop đóng cửa hoặc giờ nghỉ trưa, nếu khách hàng may mắn thì sẽ mua được giá tốt.

Thường thì ở khu phố cổ việc buôn bán diễn ra khá tấp nập và đều đặn nên thái độ của người bán hàng khôn khéo và lịch sự hơn nhiều so với khu bán buôn.

Ở khu bán buôn như chợ Đồng Xuân nếu du khách mua nhiều thì cũng có giảm giá, nhưng du khách mua ít thì giá bán như khu bán lẻ

Hanoi Cuisine

In fact, if visiting Hanoi for a few days, travelers should choose clean and popular restaurants. After staying for a while, they can have meals at sidewalk kiosks to ensure food hygiene and safety. Here are some well-known addresses:

• Old Hanoi – 4 Ton That Thiep Street
• Bobby Chinn – 77 Xuan Dieu Street
• In addition to the food, you can have buffet in restaurants such as:
• Sen Tay Ho (612 – 614 Lac Long Quan Street)
• Sen Ha Thanh 177 Bui Thi Xuan Street
• Quan An Ngon 18 Phan Boi Chau Street
• Quan An Ngon 26 Tran Hung Dao Street

Sidewalk kiosks

• Steamed glutinous rice – 35B Nguyen Huu Huan Street
• Cafe and eggs in 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street
• Shellfish and country gifts by Dinh Liet Street
• Tea 22 Ba Trieu Street
• Lemon tea Dao Duy Tu Street
• Old Coner 15 Luong Ngoc Quyen Street
• Herbal Tea
• Beef dipped in  vinegar – 12 Hang Chinh Street
• Sam Cay Si fish rice vermicelli at Trung Yen Ngo, Dinh Liet
• La Vong Fried fish – 14 Cha Ca Street

Moreover, most sidewalk kiosks in Hanoi are very tasty and the price is reasonable. If travelers want to have meals, they should choose Hanoi Old Quarter, as this is a busy commercial shopping center and the investment for cuisine here is pretty good. This place has many traditional family recipes and the food is delicious.