Is it safe to visit Hanoi right now?

Where should I avoid in Hanoi?

Okay, Hanoi, eh? I wouldn't say there are places you absolutely have to avoid, not like that time in Bangkok, ugh. Still, some spots felt a little...off.

Back in July 2024, I was wandering around near Hoan Kiem Lake, you know, the super touristy area. It was late, maybe 11 PM.

It wasn't scary scary, just a bit…intense. Too many insistent cyclo drivers, aggressively offering rides. "You want ride? Cheap! Only for you!" No, thank you.

• Felt pressured.
• Overpriced stuff everywhere.
• Got hassled to buy postcards I definitely didn't want.

Then there was this one alleyway, near Hang Gai Street. Seemed harmless enough during the day.

At night, though? Suddenly it was darker, emptier, and a little…sketchier. Some dudes playing cards looked up. Just a vibe, y'know? Like, "don't linger here, lady." Creepy.

• Avoid dimly lit, less populated alleyways at night. Common sense, right?
• Stick to well-lit, busy streets, especially if you're alone.
• Trust your gut. If a place feels wrong, it probably is.

Honestly, the worst thing you'll probably encounter is just getting ripped off. Haggle, haggle, haggle! It's part of the experience, I guess. I once paid way too much for some banh mi right outside my hotel, the Hanoi La Castela Hotel, just because I was lazy, lol. Live and learn.

And the traffic! Omg. Walking across the street feels like a death wish. Look both ways...a million times.

Motorbikes! A constant stream of them.

Yeah, central Hanoi is pretty safe overall. Just be smart, aware, and don’t be an idiot like I was with that sandwich. You'll be fine! What’s the worst that can happen, really?

What part of Hanoi to avoid?

So, like, where NOT to go in Hanoi? Ugh, that's kinda tricky, ya know?

• I'd say the super-outskirts. Think, like, way, way out there.

• Areas far from the center districts are kinda a pain.

• Yeah, they aren't, like, unsafe unsafe, but it's less convienent.

Communication can be a hassle in those areas. Plus, like, its really hard to even find a decent hotel, the really good ones are usually closer to the core. My trip there in '23 was way easier to plan because of that.

• Think about accessibility too. Transport links might, yeah, might be more, um, scarce.

• Language barriers are a big deal, too. Not everyone out there speaks English well, or at all.

And look, you are going to want convenience on a trip. Don't skimp on the location. Also I like to stay close to the water puppet theater just because they were some neat shows!