Hanoi bus tours: 4 must-try options and essential tips

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Embarking on Hanoi tours by bus are a perfect way to explore the city (Source: Collected)

Hanoi stands out as a top destination of Vietnam travel, renowned for its wealth of historical, natural, and cultural attractions. An ideal way to explore this splendid city is to embark on a Hanoi bus tour. These bus tours provide a convenient and exciting way to discover the city’s iconic attractions at your own leisure.

1. Why is a Hanoi bus tour worth experiencing?

A Hanoi bus tour is an experience worth indulging in for several compelling reasons. It offers an efficient means of sightseeing, enabling visitors to explore a multitude of Hanoi’s key attractions in a relatively short period. This approach is particularly advantageous for those looking to maximize their time in the city. Additionally, these tours enrich the journey with valuable insights, as knowledgeable guides will share fascinating details about the city’s rich history, and culture.

Moreover, opting for a bus tour of Hanoi provides a stress-free way to absorb the city’s beauty, eliminating the challenges of navigating through traffic or figuring out public transportation routes. Lastly, the cost-effectiveness of bus tours is a notable advantage. Hanoi city tour buses often prove to be more economical compared to the expenses incurred with private transportation options.

The Hanoi city tour bus prices are quite reasonable (Source: Collected)

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2. How many types of Hanoi bus tours are there?

2.1. Hanoi hop-on hop-off tours

Hanoi hop-on hop-off is a Hanoi open top bus tour that uses double-decker buses and passes by many of Hanoi’s tourist attractions. It is a budget-friendly option that allows you to explore the capital at your own pace. The best part of this Hanoi bus tour is the flexibility, as you can get on and off the bus at any stop during the trip. Spend as much time as you like at each attraction, and when you are ready to move on, just hop on the next bus.

The route of this Hanoi bus tour includes several key attractions, including Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hanoi Flag Tower, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Cua Bac Church, Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, Vietnamese Women’s Museum, Hanoi Opera House, and Hanoi Post Office.

Tourists can easily check the Hanoi hop on hop off bus route online (Source: Collected)

There are three main tour options:

• Hanoi city tour one round trip: This is a quick, 60-minute tour that is perfect if you are short on time. Buses depart every 30 minutes between 8 am and 5 pm. A ticket costs about $7.
• 4-hour Hanoi hop-on hop-off tour: This Hanoi bus tour is great if you want more time to explore. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 9 am to 5 pm. A ticket costs about $13.
• Hanoi one day trip: For the ultimate flexibility, the 1-day tour lets you see the city at the most leisurely pace. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours from when you first hop on, giving you the chance to use it the next day if needed. Buses run every 30 minutes from 9 am to 5:30 pm, and a ticket costs about $20.

2.2. Hanoi City Tour 03

City Tour 03 is an exciting new addition to Hanoi’s tourist offerings. Recently launched in November 2023, this Hanoi bus tour features a small, open-top van that takes tourists on a journey through the heart of Hanoi Old Quarter and the picturesque West Lake. Passengers are equipped with a multilingual automatic interpretation system, offering translations in Vietnamese, English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. Additionally, the staff on the bus are trained in foreign languages, predominantly English, and are well-versed in the history and significance of the landscapes and attractions along the route. 

This Hanoi bus tour offers a unique perspective of the city (Source: Collected)

On weekdays, this Hanoi bus tour departs from Hoan Kiem Lake, makes its way around the city’s streets, then returns to the starting point. On weekends, it departs from Hanoi Opera House, covers the areas around Hanoi Old Quarter and West Lake, then loops back to the Opera House. The operating hours of City Tour 03 are from 9 am to 6:30 pm, departing every 30 minutes. There are various ticket types available: a one-trip ticket for 100,000 VND, a 4-hour ticket for 150,000 VND, and a day ticket for 250,000 VND. An added advantage is that children under 6 years old can join this Hanoi bus tour for free when accompanied by an adult.

2.3. Hanoi electric car tours

Hanoi electric bus tours are a popular and affordable way to explore the city, with a 40-minute tour costing only 35,000 VND per person. Each electric car has 8 seats and an open design for easy sightseeing. This Hanoi bus tour includes an audio commentary system, providing information about the attractions along the way. On this 7-kilometer journey, visitors will travel through 28 streets, experiencing many of Hanoi’s tourist sites.

With a Hanoi bus tour, you can explore the hidden corners of the city (Source: Collected)

2.4. Hanoi public bus tours

Taking a public bus tour in Hanoi is the most wallet-friendly way to see the city. It is perfect for anyone wanting to dive into Hanoi’s culture without spending much. You can either explore the inner city or go further to the suburbs with these buses. A bus tour in the inner city will take you to many popular spots right in the heart of Hanoi, as the bus stops are often right at the entrance of these attractions. Meanwhile, suburban bus routes make it easy to reach places uptown. With tickets costing just 7,000 – 9,000 VND per trip, the local bus is a super affordable way to hop around the city and sightsee.

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3. Useful notes for hassle-free Hanoi bus tours

• Try not to spend too much time at a single stop. If you linger too long at one place, you might not have enough time to visit other interesting attractions.
• In summer, it is a good idea to start your Hanoi bus tour early in the morning to avoid the midday sun.
• Bring a small backpack for essentials like phones, hats, and personal items. This makes it easier to move around and enjoy the sights.
• To make the most of your Hanoi bus tour ticket, it is important to plan your time wisely. Prioritize the places you want to visit and check their opening hours.

These Hanoi bus tours are perfect for those who want to delve deep into the city’s culture (Source: Collected)

*Note that the details in this guide are applicable at the time of writing and are for reference purposes only. Please contact the tour provider for the most up-to-date information.

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A Hanoi bus tour is an excellent choice for anyone looking to delve into the heart of Vietnam’s rich heritage and vibrant culture. As you wind through bustling streets and serene landscapes, these bus tours offer a unique perspective of the city. So, don’t miss the opportunity to experience Hanoi in this unique way.

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