Hanoi What to Pack

Miscellaneous: Bring US dollars and plastic. Major hotels, banks (see ANZ near Hoan Kiem Lake), jewelry and gold shops all change money.

Freelance money changers descend on tourists all around the center of Hanoi...beware of them.

Current exchange rate is around 15,700 dong to the dollar, and informal exchange rates in restaurants, etc is about 15,000 per dollar.

Bring ATM cards for th best exchange rate. There are over 3000 ATMs everywhere in Hanoi. 3 years ago there was only 1!

Credit cards mainly at major hotels and restaurants.

Luggage and bags: It's really not easy if you're sharing train compartment with strangers who don't speak your language, also to entrust your excessive baggage to hotel when you're away for Ha Long trip.

My Solution is my Pacsafe 85L that cost me almost 1/3 of my new Karrimor backpack. But ultimately it eases my mind while I’m traveling across Vietnam.

Tagline extracted from pacsafe.com:
Land, sea or air, you're wired for travel. No more sleepless train or bus rides, Pacsafe guards your gear for times when you just have to . . . go. The Backpacker series has been specially designed for easy harness access when you are on the move, or complete protection for safe air travel.

Photo Equipment: I thought these aged switches and sockets are kind of nice.

For those travelers who’re bringing digital cameras, make sure your charger is of the right fix or you may want to buy a world traveler socket converter.

Luggage and bags: Camping sort of bags. Anything that'll fit a tube of mosqitoe/leech repelant. Nah, not in Hanoi. This isn't Sapa, or Cuc Phuong. It's HANOI. It's practically the city of Vietnam, (and Ho Chi Minh, but anyway) so it's gonna be a busy day! Bring normal bags like you're going on a normal trip.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Clothes depends on weather. Shoes, sandals are always a plus. And umbrellas are essential, rainy or hot.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: It's not like you'll nead a bandaid after scraping your knee from crossing the road! If you have the skills to cross you'll have no problem.

Photo Equipment: Uh..... film? Cameras? Duh........! But batteries aren't like looking for needles in haystacks. Vietnamese love tourists.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Looking for beaches? Head to Ha Long, even better: Hoi An or Da Nang.

Miscellaneous: I would have a picture of a bag but for some reason that ain't workin' out!

Miscellaneous: Want to know more about weather in Hanoi? Check out weatherbase.com for good info.

Hanoi is generally humid year-round. The best time to visit is October-March, when generally there is less rain and the temperatures are cool.

I think October and November are ideal: it's Fall in Hanoi, very comfortable.

Luggage and bags: The bags and suitcase can leave it in hotel but bring small bags with u with when u r planning go see islands.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Summer clothes are the best ,sandal ,short,T-shirt ,swimming suit ...if u want to take the boat trip go see all the caves around .

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Sea sickness pills are required 4 whom is not comfortable in sea .I had vomit alot because not use to with the waves.U can buy in Pharmacy around town but why lost time 4 looking when we have short time to enjoy ?

Photo Equipment: Cover camera avoid the humid ,it may ruin your camera b/c humid is really high in here.If u r planning to buy Film ,look 4 expired date b/c I lost money 4 film that not working (no pictures after develope ),what is great ! VN stores they don't care and don't take back after u buy ,sorry not like US or Europe .