Hanoi driver wanted
 

Are there any suggestions for a driver in and around Hanoi?? 3 adults, 1 child

Bob, are you using Tonkin for reservations? If so, or even if not, your best bet may be to ask if they can provide a driver, sans guide...

Yup, that is what I would do as well.

Bob - we found that we mostly walked in Hanoi. When we required a car we simply hired a taxi. The hotel staff in Vietnam were quite helpful and I am sure they could offer car services. Will you be spending a day with the Hanoi kids? The day we spent with them, we rode taxis together. It's a great way to explore Hanoi and have some local interaction with college students. Isn't this your second trip to Vietnam? If I recall, you had poor weather and couldn't get to hoi an or hue because of foggy or conditions??? I hope you have an opportunity to see them this time. Enjoy your trip.

Taxis were very easy to come by in Hanoi (unlike here in Saigon!!). Like dgunbug, we mostly walked and when we did we were constantly hooted by taxis offering rides. When we did want one we rarely had to wait more than a couple of minutes.

Taxis. But do keep an eye in the route. And the meter, I had one guy with a speeded-up meter.

Also be careful of scams. We had one taxi driver run after us to say we gave him wrong amount of money. My husband was very careful and knew exactly how much he had paid. The taxi driver did not argue too much as he knew he was wrong, but had we been gullible, we would have turned over more money to him needlessly.

this will be our 3rd visit to Hanoi. we have "done" most of the touristic stuff but might just want to do some odd stuff. peter and linda will be with us so they will have some 'wants to see'.

remember I am no longer a 'walker' as it relates to tourism, unfortunately.

we had a couple of taxi issues last time in Hanoi so I am a bit leery.

I have not contacted Tonkin this time as I thought I could do it on my own, but I may.

june you are right, we had to skip Hue as the weather would not allow us to fly.

this trip will only be stops in Hanoi and hoi an I think.
we are going to try the new JW Marriott in Hanoi which looks fab, although it is not downtown.

toying with the hyatt/intercontential/Pullman at danang beach and the anantara at hoi an or a combo of the two for our hoi an stay.

trip will be at end of Nov, '15.

have not planned on using Hanoi kids, although we had a good experience with the danang kids last time.

Bob, we used Hanoi kids and we loved them.... I would spring for the extra $$$$ and get Tonkin to organise....

Bob, when we were in Hanoi many years ago we asked our hotel to arrange a driver for us for an out of town trip we took. That worked well.

Bob, do a day with HanoiKids - Peter and Linda will appreciate it and the kids will do all the work - all by taxi. You can organize it directly. Check the price of the Sofitel Metropole with Tonkin. It has a great location and is one of the best hotels we have stayed in, ever (club floor, though). Alternatively there is a boutique chain with a much more convenient location in Central Hanoi that would be far better for you than the JW. It has been mentioned several times on this forum and ranks highly on TA.

The chain is Hanoi Elegance, and if you are looking for Alam Shanti prices, that is the place to stay. The JW is not in central Hanoi, so I do not think you should stay there.

I've gotta agree with Craig. If walking is an issue, why be so far from the action. The elegance hotel chain was superb, imo.

Ditto Craig ref the Sofitel, one of my favourites too!

I suspect all of you know much more about Vietnam than I do, but we stayed at the Serene Hotel a few days ago. Old quarter. Close to lake, night market. Nice, not snazzy, very friendly. Street too narrow for cars, however.

but Marriott is free---points---and we will be upgraded to club..

I do understand the distance concerns, and I did think about that. last time we stayed in a great 3* in old town and loved the experience.

will re-evaluate.

NO DRIVERS??

What's the point of going all the way to Vietnam to stay on the outskirts of town In a western style chain hotel. The elegant hotels are so reasonably priced and nice that you can stay in one in the heart of the downtown and save your points for another time. That way you can step out your hotel door and soak up the atmosphere even if you don't walk far. You still have the option of hiring a taxi from there.

june, this is true, but we like what we receive as perks at marriotts. it's a big deal--$$.

I did look today at elegences and they are decent but last time we did the 3* places in the old town.

we will travel into town as need be, eat some good local foods, see some sights our friends have not seen and relax.

our days of tearing around, seeing and experiencing every last thing on offer have ended. now we look for relaxed experiences, good and reliable foods, entertainment, swims, sun and relaxation.

I leave the tearing around to you and shelley.

I should add that this is only one part of our usual 6-7 week fall asia trip.

Enjoy your trip. Where will these travels take you? I'd love to get back to Vietnam, but there seems to be too many places in this world to explore.