Luxury Travel Guide: Hanoi

Accommodation

$110-300 per night

Five-star hotels, restored French colonial properties, luxury boutique hotels with rooftop pools

Food & Dining

$70-180 per day

Fine dining restaurants, upscale Vietnamese cuisine, rooftop dining, chef-led culinary experiences

Transportation

$35-120 per day

Private car and driver, premium ride services, luxury van for day trips, vintage car tours

Activities

$80-350 per day

Private guided tours, exclusive cultural experiences, luxury cruises, spa treatments, helicopter tours

Eat where locals eat - street food and small restaurants are 70-80% cheaper than tourist spots

Use Grab app for transport instead of street taxis - saves 40-60% and prevents scams

Book Ha Long Bay tours from Hanoi agencies rather than last-minute - saves 30-50%

Visit during shoulder months (March-April, October-November) for 25-40% lower accommodation

Buy snacks and water at local shops, not tourist areas - prices can be 200-300% higher in the city

Learn to say basic greetings in Vietnamese - often results in better prices and friendlier service

Take local buses instead of tourist shuttles when possible - saves 70-80%

Accepting rides from drivers at train station or airport - typically 200-400% overpriced

Dining only on Ta Hien beer street or other tourist strips - usually 150-250% markup

Booking tours through intermediaries - adds 30-50% commission compared to direct booking

Exchanging currency at airport or train station - lose 8-12% compared to downtown banks