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Transport Guide for Hanoi Tours: Best Apps to Use
How to get around Hanoi Vietnam couldn’t be easier! Thanks to the intelligent development of Hanoi Public Transport, now you have cleaner, faster, and wallet-friendly ways to discover vibrant, diverse city areas. From the green bus 86 Hanoi linking Noi Bai International Airport to the downtown area, to the trustworthy Hanoi City Bus in orange, and the contemporary Hanoi metro line 2A of public transport, travelers are now able to get more choices of transportation. This guide uncovers the best apps, routes, and tricks for you to maneuver the Hanoi transport service, whether it’s stampeding through town to the West Lake, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, or just catching a ride to the other end of town during rush hours. A Writer’s Guide to Hanoi local Hanoi, so here it is, your Hanoi transport plan in your back pocket – let’s ride the city like a local!
Public Transport Options in Hanoi: What You Can Ride
Hanoi City Bus – The Backbone of Urban Transport
The famous Hanoi City Bus is the first choice of Hanoi citizens and tourists to travel within Hanoi, with over 100 bus routes reaching all streets, markets, schools, bus and train stations, and famous places of the capital.
Ticket Price: 7,000 – 9,000 VND per trip
Operating Hours: 4:30 AM – 10:30 PM (some routes extended till 11:30 PM weekends)
Main Operator: Transerco (Hanoi Transport Corporation) – The biggest state-owned urban transport company of Vietnam
How to Ride:
Payment: Cash ticket directly on the bus, or with the payment of a monthly e-pass via the app “The ve giao thong HN”
Find the best route and your real-time location with Tim Bus or Google Maps
Popular Routes:
Bus 09 & 14: Crossing Hoan Kiem Lake – Good transportation to the Old Quarter
Bus 33: From the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to the city areas
Bus 47A: Will bring you to Bat Trang Pottery Village – ideal for people who appreciate crafts
Hanoi City Bus (Sours: wikipedia)
Bus 86 Hanoi – Airport to Downtown in Style
If you’re flying into Noi Bai International Airport, the Bus 86 Hanoi is a necessity. An A/C orange express bus that directly connects the airport with Hanoi.
Ticket Price: 45,000 VND per trip (cash only, pay onboard)
Operating Hours: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM, every 25-30 minutes
Operator: Hanoi Transport and Services Corporation (TRANSERCO)
Route:
Noi Bai → Long Bien → Hanoi Railway Station
Stops include: Hoan Kiem Lake, Opera House, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Perks:
Features include WiFi, USB charging, and English announcement
Perfect for international travelers and first-timers
Clean, modern, luggage racks, and friendly staff
Pro Tip: No reservations are required, just look for Bus 86 at the stop outside the airport Terminal 1 or 2.
Bus 86 Hanoi (Sours: hanoilocaltour)
VinBus – The Eco-Friendly Electric Bus
Get a glimpse into the future of Hanoi’s transport with VinBus – a premium electric bus service brought to you by Vingroup, committed to supporting clean urban mobility.
Ticket Price: FREE on certain routes; others range from 7,000 – 9,000 VND
Operating Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:30 PM
How to Book: Simply find the buses on the VinID app, check the schedule, and book your route.
Popular Routes:
Vincom Royal City ↔ My Dinh Bus Station
Vinhome Ocean Park ↔ Ho Tay (West Lake)
Features:
100% electric, no emissions, whisper-quiet
Inboard aircon, screens, and disabled access
A large and comfortable sitting area and cameras for surveillance
VinBus (Sours: vingroup)
Hanoi Metro – Fast, Modern, and Expanding
The above-ground Hanoi metro is already in service and is expanding! During busy and rush hour, the metro saves you from heavy ground traffic, gliding over the madness in comfort.
Line in Operation: Line 2A (Cat Linh ↔ Yen Nghia)
Ticket Price:
Single Ride: 8,000 – 15,000 VND
Day Pass: 30,000 VND
Monthly Pass: 200,000 – 300,000 VND
Operator: Hanoi Metro Company
Where to Buy Tickets: Ticket vending machines in metro stations or via smart card app (coming soon)
Stops near landmarks:
Cat Linh Station – Opposite to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
La Thanh Station – Shopping & local eateries
Yen Nghia Station – Western entrance into the city
Metro Tip: The metro is easily transferable to buses and VinBus. Coordinate your journey on Google Maps or with the Tim Bus app to ensure seamless transfers.
Hanoi Metro (Sours: wikipedia)
Hop-on Hop-off Bus – Ideal for First-Time Visitors
The perfect sightseeing in Hanoi Vietnam is the Hop-on Hop-off Bus. This double-decker sightseeing bus stops at 20-plus landmarks, allowing tourists to hop on and off.
Ticket Price:
4-hour pass: ~199,000 VND
24-hour pass: ~399,000 VND
48-hour pass: ~599,000 VND
Booking: With brochures and tickets on sale at main tourist info centers or online through local tour websites
Tour Highlights:
Thang Long Citadel, Temple of Literature, Hanoi Opera House, Hanoi Post Office, West Lake
Hop-on Hop-off Bus (Sours: hopoff)
Minibuses & Interprovincial Coaches
Going beyond Hanoi transport? Other than that, minibuses and long-haul coaches are the best options for local trips.
Main Terminals:
My Dinh Bus Station – Western and northwestern Vietnam (Sapa, Dien Bien, Ba Vi)
Gia Lam Bus Station – The eastward destinations (Ha Long Bay, Lang Son)
Giap Bat Bus Station – Southern and northern phone numbers
Yen Nghia Bus Station – The gate to the western provinces
Ticket Price: 50,000 – 300,000 VND (price ranges depend on the distance & seat class)
How to Book:
Directly at stations
Through tour agencies
Online via VeXeRe or 12go. asia
Brands to Know:
Kumho Viet Thanh, Hoang Long, Mai Linh Express
Minibuses (Sours: klook)
Best Apps to Use for Hanoi Public Transport
Tim Bus App – Real-Time Route Finder for Locals and Tourists
Tim Bus is Hanoi’s first official bus app and the must-have app for using the 100+ available bus lines in the nation’s capital.
How to Use Tim Bus App:
Download the App:
Search “Tim Bus” in Google Play or App Store
Install and open the app
Search for a Route:
Tap the search bar
Type in your point of departure and your destination
The app recommends the optimal bus line, estimated Time, and transfer (if possible)
Track Buses in Real Time:
Tap on a suggested route
Track buses and see expected arrival times at your closest bus stop
Save Routes or Stops:
Favorites list for use in daily commuting
Brilliant for common routes such as the Hanoi City Bus #33 towards Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or #47 for Bat Trang
Tim Bus App (Sours: appstore)
VinID App – Book, Track & Ride Electric VinBus
If you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly, smooth, and silent ride, VinBus is your green ticket. And with the VinID App, booking is a piece of cake.
How to Use VinID App for VinBus:
Download the VinID App from the App Store or Google Play
Create an Account:
Register with your phone number from Vietnam
Confirm with the code you receive (OTP)
Open “VinBus” Section:
Click on the "VinBus" icon from the home page.
It makes it easy to search for VinBus bus stops around, allowing you to use GPS or manually input your location
Track Buses Live:
Real Time Map for VinBus
View ETA, line name, and next stop
Buy E-Ticket:
Choose Your Route → Click On “Buy Ticket”
Payment with in-app VinID Wallet (direct top-up through banking app)
VinID App (Sours: baotintuc)
Google Maps – Your Go-To Global Navigation App
As for getting around Hanoi as a tourist or expat, Google Maps is still the simplest and most recognizable solution, particularly for mixing walking, metro, and bus service.
How to Use Google Maps for Hanoi Public Transport:
Open Google Maps on your phone
Enter Destination:
Enter a destination, such as West Lake or the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Tap “Directions.”
Choose the Public Transit Icon (Bus)
View Suggested Routes:
Google will provide routes with the Bus 86 Hanoi, Hanoi City Bus, or Line 2A metro
Each result is accompanied by: Estimated Time of Travel, walking directions to nearby bus stops, and transfers
Follow the Blue Line:
Tap a trail to follow your trip in real-time
You’ll know where to get on, where to get off, and walk!
Google Maps (Sours: appstore)
The ve giao thong HN – Manage Monthly Passes Without a Card
Commuters rejoice! The ve giao thongHN App (Hanoi Transport Card app) gives you the convenience of having your virtual monthly bus pass with you, perfect for frequent Hanoi City Bus network users.
How to Use The ve giao thong HN App:
Download the App:
Search for “The ve giao thong HN” on the Android or iOS stores
Register Your Account:
If you’re new to Airbnb, sign up with your phone number
You put in your details: your name, ID, your photo, your rider category (student, worker).”
Choose Pass Type:
Choose a certain bus route or an M-Line ticket
Choose the duration of validity: 1 month, 3 months, and so on.
Pay via QR or Linked Bank
Pay via built-in mobile banking
And: You’re up and running the moment after you make your payment.
Show QR at Boarding
Just open your app and present the QR code to the bus staff, no card necessary!
The ve giao thong HN (Sours: thevegiaothonghanoi)
How to Ride Like a Local: Tips for First-Time Users
Arrive Early and Know Your Stop
It’s all about timing with public transportation in Hanoi. The buses are frequent, but we like to leave 5-10 minutes early just in case, especially at rush hour (6:30-8:00 AM & 5:00-7:00 PM). Let us tell you, buses don’t wait, especially when traffic is light!
Some bus routes don’t stop for long, so have those elbows up and be ready to get on. Travel apps such as Tim Bus and Google Maps will help you find your stop and give you real-time updates on the day. If you are on the public transport Hanoi Metro stations are well-signed and have countdowns for platform screens to assist you, min sure you get on at the right time.
Bring Small Cash – Always!
The majority of Hanoi’s public transport is in the form of tickets for cash issued by attendants on Hanoi City Bus. The standard journey costs a mere 7,000-9,000 VND, so have small notes at the ready (less than 50,000 VND). If the currency you purchase is a higher denomination than the one you pay in, there could be an issue completing the transaction.
Even for the premium Bus 86 Hanoi, which costs 45,000 VND, the fare is still paid on board, so make sure you’ve got your wallet money in change.
Enter and Exit with Confidence
In Hanoi Vietnam, you’ll find that buses board at the front and alight at the rear unless it’s rush hour, and either door is fine for entering and exiting. Be quick but careful.
As you approach your destination, make your way to the exit and press the red stop button if required. In Hanoi Public Transport, stops may not be announced in English, especially on older routes, so it’s a good idea to refer to a phone app or ask a fellow passenger.
On public transport Hanoi Metro, however, stations are spelled out in English and Vietnamese, and information is broadcast regularly. Just don’t forget to stand on the right of the escalators – Londoners can sometimes be seen scurrying up the left.
Stay Safe, Stay Smart
As in any large city, it’s wise to keep an eye on your things, especially on crowded buses during rush hour. Here’s what locals do:
Wear your backpack in front
No phone by wide open windows
Store things such as passports and wallets in zipped internal pockets
And, don’t worry, the Vietnamese are known as amiable. If you’re not sure where to alight, have your destination written down and ask to borrow a student’s or younger passenger’s pen, then scratch off and tell a student or younger passenger. Most are happy to help, and a lot of them know some English!
Pros and Cons of Using Hanoi Public Transport
Pros
Cons
Budget-friendly: With fares from just 7,000-9,000 VND, Hanoi transport service is ideal for travelers and locals alike
Crowded during peak hours: Especially from 6:30-8:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM, buses can be packed
Eco-conscious: Options like VinBus and the public transport Hanoi Metro produce zero emissions
Not all stations are pedestrian-friendly: Some bus stops are hard to access or have no sidewalks
Great for short and long stays: Whether you’re riding the Bus 86 Hanoi from Noi Bai International Airport or commuting with a monthly pass on the Hanoi City Bus, the system suits all needs
Limited English signage: At smaller bus stations, it can be tricky to navigate without a translation app
Tech-supported: Modern apps like Tim Bus, Google Maps, and VinID integrate seamlessly with the Hanoi transport plan
Rush boarding and short stops: Buses may not wait long at stations be quick to get on and off
Connects key landmarks: Including West Lake, Thang Long, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and major train stations
Inconsistent air-conditioning: Some older Hanoi City Bus vehicles may get hot in summer
Conclusion
Hanoi Public Transport – Learn how in no time with just your phone and a little local know-how! With bus services such as Hanoi City Bus, Bus 86 Hanoi (linking to the airport), and nifty applications like Tim Bus and VinID, traveling in Hanoi Vietnam is now more convenient, environmentally-friendly, and fun. Whether you’re traveling to iconic landmarks or joining dozens of Hanoi Tours from the Hanoi tour operator scene, the contemporary Hanoi transport service has you covered. So avoid the hassle, travel like a local and discover the capital’s charm one bus stop at a Time!
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To discover the most iconic of treasures in the Northern part of Vietnam. Travelers get ahead with the discovery of Hanoi. Then, to explore stunning beauty of Sapa where we are attracted by imposing sceneries such as rows of mountains, hills, lush valleys, rice terraces, waterfalls, and ethnic minority community. Afterward, visitors following up to Ha Long Bay & Ninh Binh (Tam Coc).
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