How do I call a taxi in Hanoi?

How to hail a taxi in Vietnam?

Okay, so, Vietnam taxis! Easy peasy, right?

Wave like you’re swatting a very persistent, invisible mosquito. Works every time. Or, you know, Grab it! (The app, not… well, never mind.)

Think of it as digital waving. Though, truth be told, I once tried to wave at my phone. Didn’t work. At all.

Anyway, these taxis are usually plastered with logos. Like they’re sponsored by…themselves? The meter should tick like a grumpy grandfather’s clock.

Oh, and confirm where you’re going. Unless you fancy a surprise tour of, say, a particularly scenic sewer. Not that I’ve ever…ahem.

Extra Nuggets of Wisdom (acquired, obviously, through much trial and error):

• Negotiate: Before you even think of getting in. Pretend you’re at a really enthusiastic market.
• Vinasun & Mai Linh are your friends. Reputable companies. Reliable, ish. Mostly.
• Language Barriers: Pointing. Miming. Drawing diagrams in the air. Embrace the chaos.
• Apps: Grab and Gojek are lifesavers. Unless your phone dies. Then, see “waving like mad” above.
• Watch out for scams! Some drivers are… creative with routes. (Not naming names. Probably.)
• Always have small change. Nobody likes breaking a VND 500,000 note for a VND 30,000 ride. Trust me on this one.
• Be patient. It’s Vietnam. Everything takes approximately 3x longer than you expect.
• Learn some basic Vietnamese phrases. “Bao nhiêu tiền?” (How much?) is always a winner. Even if you butcher it.
• Have the address of your destination written down. Or screenshot it. Prevent detours.
• Smile! Never underestimate the power of a friendly face. Except when negotiating. Then, adopt your most ruthless market-stall persona.
• Bring your sense of humor. You’ll need it. I swear this happened to me last year…

Is Uber available in Hanoi?

Okay, so Hanoi and Uber? Nope, gone.

I was actually there back in October 2017, walking around Hoan Kiem Lake, sweating my butt off. Needed a ride back to my hotel near the Old Quarter after a long day of dodging motorbikes and scarfing down pho. I definitely used Uber.

Then, BAM! Next time I visited, like, April 2018, a friend from Saigon was like, “Dude, forget Uber. It’s Grab all the way now!” What gives?

Turns out…

• Uber sold out to Grab. Officially done in Vietnam by early 2018.
• Happened all over Southeast Asia, not just Hanoi.
• So now, in 2024, it’s totallyGrab’s turf for ridesharing in Hanoi. Uber? Kaput!

I mean, seriously, Grab’s fine, but it’s annoying when a company just vanishes like that. And yeah, I do think Grab can be a bit pricier sometimes! Maybe it’s just me, though.

How easy is it to get a taxi at Hanoi Airport?

Easy peasy. Taxi rank’s right there. Pre-booked rides are smoother. Less hassle. My friend Linh swears by it. Saves the haggling too. Door-to-door is definitely the move. Why bother with anything else? Life’s too short.

• Official taxi rank: Just follow the signs. Always a queue, though. Patience is key. Sometimes, it moves fast. Other times… well, let’s just say it’s Hanoi.

• Pre-booked cars: Grab, Gojek, those apps work great. Set price. No surprises. One less thing to think about when you land. I always pre-book now. Landed last week, no wait. Straight to the car.

I prefer the calm. Peace of mind knowing someone’s waiting. It’s worth the small extra cost, which often isn’t even that much extra these days. Used to be a huge difference. Not so much anymore. Everything changes, doesn’t it? Like the weather.

• Other options: Airport bus is an adventure. Cheap but crowded. Minibusses too. Not my style. I like comfort.

Evenings are usually busier at the taxi rank. I learned that the hard way. Midnight arrival, massive line. Never again. Now I plan better. Sometimes the best route is the simplest one.

• Inside tip: SIM cards at the airport. Super helpful for Grab/Gojek. Data is cheap in Vietnam. Get one right there. Makes a big difference. I used to wander around looking for Wi-Fi. Now I just hotspot my phone. So much easier. Life’s little luxuries.

How much for a taxi from Hanoi Airport to city?

Thirty thousand dong, maybe more. It depends, you know? The airport taxis… they always seem to find a way.

The ride itself, a blur of chaotic streets. Sixty thousand I’d guess, tops. Doubt it was cheaper.

No meter, of course. Never is. That’s Hanoi for ya. Twenty-four dollars, burned a hole in my wallet.

That was last month, July 2024. I’m still pinching pennies.

• Price: 600,000 VND (around $24 USD) — A rip-off, frankly.
• Distance: Varies wildly. Traffic’s a nightmare.
• Negotiation: Useless. They know you’re desperate.
• My advice: Use Grab. It’s cheaper. Much better experience.

How do I go from Hanoi Airport to the city?

Okay, so Hanoi Airport to the city, right? Listen, I landed at Noi Bai International Airport last July, and lemme tell you, it was…an experience. Stepping out of the airport felt like walking into a sauna.

I was dragging my luggage, jet-lagged, and desperately needed some pho. The taxi touts? Intense! They were swarming.

I went with a taxi in the end. Eh, maybe wasn’t the cheapest but whatever. The driver, bless his heart, barely spoke English.

• He did manage to ask “Hotel?”
• I showed him my address on my phone. Boom.
• Off we went!

The ride? Manic. Scooters EVERYWHERE. I swear, they were playing chicken with our taxi. Held on for dear life. Lol.

Took maybe 40 minutes? Something like that? Reached my hotel in the Old Quarter. Glorious. Needed a beer, stat.

Honestly, taxis are convenient, 24/7. But…maybe pre-book a transfer if you’re easily stressed.

Also, apparently, there are:

• Shuttles: Haven’t tried them myself.
• Public buses: Cheap, I heard, but probably packed. Maybe next time.
• Private transfers: More expensive, but less hassle. Maybe consider this if you’re traveling with a group. It might cost you around $20-$30, depends on the company and car model.

Honestly, just brace yourself for the chaos, alright? Hanoi’s awesome, but its traffic? Yeah, it’s something else.

How do I get from Hanoi Airport into the city?

Hanoi… the airport. Always a blur, you know? That taxi ride… a hazy memory. Cheap, yeah, but… not comfortable. Cramped. Exhaust fumes.

The bus… a different kind of ordeal. Crowded. Hot. Slow. 2024, it felt even more chaotic.

Private transfer, huh? Luxury. That’s what I’ve heard. Never actually did that. Maybe someday. The thought’s… comforting, in a weird way.

Key Points:

• Taxis: Inexpensive, 24/7, but uncomfortable.
• Public Bus: Cheap, but crowded and slow. A real struggle during peak times.
• Private Transfer: Most convenient, but more expensive.

My sister took a private transfer last June, said it was worth it for the convenience. She hates crowds. I get that. Really, I do. The airport itself…just makes me tired. Always a rush, even at 3 AM.

It’s a tough choice, really. Depends what you value, I guess. Time? Money? Comfort? Ugh, these choices. They wear you down.