All About Hanoi - Vietnam - Info & Preparation

There are lots of expectation and preparation you should do before you go to Hanoi, Vietnam.
It is the most adventures trip I had so far, will let you know why in my trip story. Here is some information you should know when you decide want to visit Hanoi.

As overview, it is different from visit other provinces in Vietnam when you come across Hanoi. Because this place is very different compared to its history 2 years ago, therefore some information you had in some other website will be no longer useable. Why? purely due to Ha Long Bay is about 3Hrs land transport distance from Hanoi, lots of people visiting this place. It had created opportunities for Hanoi's Vietnamese people to maximize a penny or two from your pocket.

Well first is currency.
Hanoi use local Vietnam currency Dong (VND) and USD.

Rate as of Aug 2012 Based on Kuala Lumpur exchange rate.
RM 160 = 1,000,000 VND
USD$ 100 = 2,080,000 VND
 RM 190 = 1,000,000 VND (Thanks to Chok Yew, my friend in East Msia info)
however if you are paying in USD, local people will only provide you USD$ 100 = 2,000,000 VND, it is not much, around RM 6.50.

BUT only hotels, tour agencies, shops with more advance places accept USD. Yet remember when you pay in USD, your change for the balance will be in VND.


2.
Power Supply plug

Local plug is 2 pin, if you are from others country which using other than 2 pin plug, please ensure you will bring along universal plug or you may get a converter from Dong Xuan market, it cost me $5000 dong. 

3.
Language Barier
Do remember that you will be having cultural shocks as local language is Vietnamese, therefore you may want to do some homework for basic words as your guidance in order to allow you to survive during your trip. It is fun though, especially when you met someone spoke the same language, you will said, Oh my! finally I got a mates! Thats what I felt after 4 days suffering with foreign alien on earth....

4.
Cab
Please take note that there is different cab company which may cost you bloody cuts throat! a trip of which less than 10 KM from Fine Art Museum to Old Quarters cost 30,000 Dong had become 190,000 Dong. Bear in mind, only meters cab with company MaLinh (green), CP (White blue), Hanoi. Other taxi would cost you a pain, remember always make sure the price or ensure you get on to the right type of taxi.

Good Luck!
Ask if you want to know anything!