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Landing in Hanoi is a sensory overload for first-time visitors to Vietnam. The enormous city is loud, crowded and overwhelming.

Hanoi is a great city to experience the culture and urban lifestyle of Vietnam. After adjusting to the bustling city and conquering the daunting task of crossing the street, Hanoi reveals itself to be more than another big city. It is one of the world’s most interesting travel destinations.

There is a lot for first-time visitors to consider before landing in Hanoi. Travelers should prepare accordingly, and knowing what to expect is the first step to fun, smart travel in the second-largest city of Vietnam.

There are fewer reasons to worry when traveling as part of a tour group, but it is always best to have an idea of what really awaits you on the ground. After all, many books paint a lovely picture, but it isn’t all unicorns and pixie dust.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is no exception. This buzzing city takes some figuring out. Here are a few tips to help for a smooth adjustment:

Landing in Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport

Landing at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport is a little intimidating. Despite being a massive city, the airport is not very large. Even though the airport pales in comparison to the likes of airports in Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi International is airport chaos. The few signs in English are not helpful, and there is little in the way of anyone directing the crowds of confused foreigners.

Here are some valuable tips for getting out of Noi Bai as quickly as possible:

Have proper visa paperwork printed out and completed. There are a few forms to fill out upon arrival. Do this as quickly as possible.
Lines appear as disorganized crowds near a counter with immigration officials. It does not matter which line you choose. GET IN ANY LINE. Unless an official employee specifically directs you elsewhere, hopping in ANY LINE can save over an hour of waiting.
If a visa is required, payment must be cash in US Dollars.
After paying the visa entrance fee and receiving the approved paperwork, hop in an immigration entry line and continue waiting.

Navigating through the debacle that is immigration at Hanoi International Airport is a tedious, frustrating and haphazard affair. Using these tips can save time and headaches.

After passing through immigration, there is an area with currency exchange, ATMs, a few shops and sim cards stands. Personally, I suggest getting a sim card. It takes a few minutes for 4G access, a working local number and plenty of data for about $10 USD. (This makes you wonder why cell phone service is so expensive in the United States.)

Finally, into the open area of the airport, visitors are met with a sea of drivers waiting for travelers. Do not hop into a random taxi in a Vietnamese airport. One of the most common scams in Vietnam starts with unassuming travelers hopping into taxis. An innocent ride from the airport to the hotel will wind through a city, make unplanned stops and stop at another hotel. The final cost is often several times larger than the original, agreed-upon sum. This scam has a few variations, but they all go back to untrustworthy taxis and tourists getting ripped off.

Avoiding the airport taxi scam in Vietnam is easy. It’s as simple as arranging airport transportation before landing. A driver reserved through a hotel or hostel may cost slightly more than the going rate for an honest taxi, but the assurance of not being scammed is worth a few extra bucks.

Get Your Bearings

Hanoi is overwhelming, and it’s important for first-time visitors to try to get their bearings and familiarize themselves with the area as quickly as possible. Quickly establishing a certain level of comfort will help combat any anxiety over navigating and exploring the area in the coming days. It’s best to hit the ground running in Hanoi.

After settling in at the hotel/hostel, familiarize yourself with the immediate surrounding area. This is true of arriving in any new place, but the Old Quarter of Hanoi is a chaotic Vietnamese labyrinth. It is easy to be confused and get lost (not the good kind of getting lost). Find a nearby mini-mart and pick up a few essentials. Then, locate the nearest ATM. These simple steps help to ease the mind and senses.

There are a lot of free walking tours of Hanoi. Find one of these groups and join to quickly get your bearings, learn about the area and locate the highlights of a visit to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Crossing the Street in Hanoi

Crossing the street is intimidating in Hanoi. It’s such a challenge that, yes, it requires a specific section for tips. In the words of a Vietnamese friend of mine before I landed in Hanoi: “Crossing the street in Hanoi, you risk your life.”

He was laughing as he said this, but motorbikes will appear out of nowhere and crossing even a small street in Hanoi is no comedic affair. It requires intent, focus and nerves.

Hanoi traffic never stops, and the few pedestrian crossing signs are largely ignored by motorists. Tourists just landing in Hanoi are easy to spot, often frozen on street corners waiting for an opportunity or an opening – an opening that probably will not come until nightfall – to cross the street.

If the traffic never stops, how do you cross the road?

First, envision a path across the street. Then, wait for the moment to start walking. When that moment comes, start heading to the opposite side of the street. Walk deliberately. It is very important to make eye contact with approaching motorists. The motorbikes are not going to stop, but they will slow down and weave around pedestrians.

Whatever you do, don’t freeze. And don’t run. Keep moving, even if it’s slow.

Crossing the street in Hanoi is something that takes a few tries to really learn. It is frightening at first, but after a few instances of real-life Frogger, you’ll get the hang of it.

If confronting the mad traffic in Hanoi still triggers anxiety, there is an easy alternative that occasionally helps. Find a local that is about to cross the street. Stick near the local and follow along until you reach the other side.

There is a simple rule of utmost importance when it comes to Hanoi traffic: Be careful; pay attention to all vehicles; be patient.

For more on travel in Vietnam check out these tips and guides:

Complete Vietnam Travel Itinerary & Guide

Traveling Vietnam During Tet

Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City: Same Same but Different

Beer in Southeast Asia

Choosing a Southeast Asian Travel Destination

Walk & Wander in Hanoi

Walking is essential to healthy, happy travel. In Vietnam, especially Hanoi, there are additional benefits to wandering on foot.

It is difficult to ride anywhere in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Almost all transportation is via one of the millions – literally, there are millions – of motorbikes in the city. By walking, travelers avoid risks of taxi scams. Intoxicated tourists are an easy target for taxi thefts in Vietnam. Partying travelers should try to go on foot without straying far from the hotel. It is also safer to walk than ride. Thousands of people die on motorbikes in Vietnam each year, and tourists in Hanoi will quickly see why.

The neverending benefit of wandering afoot is the fact that walking travelers will see more and learn more. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is so densely full of shops, markets and people that it takes days to explore. Doing so on foot is the only way to thoroughly wander and find all the hidden nooks, crannies and alleys.

Street Food in Hanoi

Hanoi, especially in the Old Quarter, is one of the best street food cities in the world. First-time visitors can expect a sensory overload and street food around every corner.

For more specifics on diving into the street food scene in Vietnam’s capital, check out Old Quarter Hanoi: It’s not all Pho & Games.

Food in Hanoi is, generally, very cheap. It’s not uncommon for tourists to incur price surcharges (more on scams below), but usually it is an insignificant amount for food. Ask about price before ordering – it’s perfectly acceptable and not considered rude – and if the price seems too high, move along. Don’t get suckered into paying too much for simple street eats.

Don’t be afraid to have a closer look at the many fresh, unusual eats. Those who follow curious stomachs are likely to find more authentic, local experiences. What appears to be nothing more than a hole in the wall or simple food cart may wind up serving one of the best meals in the world. As always, consider food safety when delving into street eats.

Scams in Hanoi

There are tourist scams everywhere in Vietnam. The most common is the “tourist tax”, where locals will simply charge tourists a premium. This one is largely unavoidable, and it’s usually pretty small. The average Vietnamese worker makes about $200 a month, so it’s hard to argue against their attempts at making extra money. Additionally, there’s no reason to get mad about a tourist tax and swear against Vietnam when you already know it’s going to happen.

The worst scams in Vietnam are airport taxi scams, as mentioned above. These often cause oblivious travelers the most money. The safest bet is to walk or arrange taxis beforehand.

Perhaps the most common scams in Vietnam involve fruit. These are common in Hanoi, especially in the parks. Women carrying fruit wearing the typical Asian conical hat will place their haul on tourists, then tell them to take a fun picture holding the fruit. After taking the photo, money is demanded. Another fruit scam involves fruit sellers quoting one price to tourists, then another. Often they give incorrect change and raise the initial price. The scam is meant to be quick and confuse tourists.

Buy fruit in Vietnam from markets. The sellers at street markets aren’t looking to scam every passing tourist.

Too many travelers gripe about scams in Vietnam, but there’s no reason to complain. Tourist scams in Vietnam are not a secret, and most travel guides for Vietnam and Hanoi mention the scams. Those who travel to Vietnam and still fall victim to these simple scams are either oblivious or did not do any research.

Travel scams are an annoying part of travel anywhere. The problem is especially prevalent in Vietnam and, more so, within Hanoi. With a little research and preparation, however, first-time visitors to Hanoi can explore, have fun and avoid these misfortunes.

Hanoi is a fascinating city. And there is no better place for wandering in Vietnam than Old Quarter Hanoi. The city is budget-friendly, has great food and is chaotic enough to entertain any traveler.

That same chaos makes Hanoi overwhelming for first-time visitors. Knowing what to expect will help travelers avoid mistakes and maximize fun in Vietnam’s capital from the moment the plane touches down.