I will be in Hanoi and I am wondering if a guide will be necessary? Can anyone give me some feedback on this and if you know of a good guide, I would appreciate the information.

Thanks.

You really don't need a guide in Hanoi. Decide on what you want to see and you can take taxis. Taxis are cheap. Just get a good guidebook.

Hanoi is a wonderful city, and so easy to walk around in! Just stay in a central position (in the old city), arm yourself with a good map (you can buy one from any stall, but the best place is from one of the "orphans" around the lake -- they will rob you blind, but the money just MIGHT be going to a genuine cause), and walk! No guide necessary, and a lot of people speak English, anyway.

Yes i think you dont need a guide in Ha Noi . You only need a good guide book . You can buy it in the bookstore .
Plus , if you have any problems about languages , u can ask some students on the street , some can speak english ... i think so 'cuz english is a popular language in viet nam and everyone is trying to study it . Oh well i'm a Highskool student in Viet Nam lol
Have fun in Ha Noi. I have not ever been there , i live in Sai Gon :/

Not sure how old or brave you are but I got a motobike guy to take me around. He bought the tickets (yea, he marks them up) and there is no helmet but an experience I will never forget dodging in and out of Ha Noi traffic. Got to see all the places and had transportation when I needed it. I paid the guy around $60 (inlcuded all tickets). Yes a taxi is cheaper but the fun of the motorbike was great.