This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
The capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi, is a vibrant, overwhelming melting-pot of a city. Though at times it can be claustrophobic and wild, this beautiful city has pockets of calm amidst the chaos. The city is divided into several quarters, at the heart of which is Han Kiem Lake, where many hours can be spent relaxing. The roads are an ever-moving organism - thousands of motorbikes dart around one another, ignoring traffic signals, dodging pedestrians, and endlessly beeping their horns. Crossing the road takes a deep breath and a confident walk; just go for it or you'll still be waiting for a break in the traffic hours later.
Most of the hostels in Hanoi are situated in the Old Quarter, where many westerners and locals have opened independent resting places, cafes, bars, and travel agencies. It's easy to book trips to the nearby Hai Long Bay or Sa Pa from any number of these. While the city is always very busy there are many thousands of rooms so booking your Hanoi hostel in advance is not a necessity.
Hanoi is a historic city with many excellent museums, as well as the must-visit Water Puppets Theatre. You'll never be short of things to do here and may enjoy it so much that you'll find it difficult to leave.
