Asia - Hanoi 3 days?

I will fly from BKK to Hanoi on Feb 8, arrive 3 PM and leave on Feb 10 at 15:45. I wanted to whether anybody could recommend a private guide with car for 1 day? I contacted Ann Tours however, they were charging $75/person. Are the Vietnam Army Museum, Revolution Museum, and Ho Chi Minh Musuem worth visiting without a guide?

Thanks.

I recommend checking with this company for a day tour. They are extremely responsive. Friends have used them and regard them highly.
http://www.haivenu-vietnam.com/

On one of your three days, I encourage you to go to Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (http://www.vme.org.vn/aboutus_history.asp) on the outskirts of Hanoi. Yes, the name of the museum is very dry, but it fascinated me. There are a large number of hill tribes in Vietnam. This museum has a number of the structures that represent how the different tribes live. I found the diversity fascinating. It is on the outskirts of Hanoi. You don't need a guide, just a car and driver.

I also thought the Temple of Literature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Literature,_Hanoi) was fascinating. It is the oldest university in Vietnam, from 1070, and is dedicated to Conficius.

Certainly the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum along with Ho Chi Minh's house which is nearby would be top of my list.

If you get to Saigon one day, Ho Chi Minh's house in Hanoi makes an interesting contrast to the "Independence Palace" (aka "Reunification Palace") which was occupied by the South Vietnam president.

I would just join a city tour which you can book at one of the many agencies in the Old Quarter on your day of arrival. Not so much for the guide (I have never been impressed by Vietnamese guides) , but more for the transport which is more convenient than doing on your own even if there is always a shopping stop in the itinerary.

The water puppet show is also not to be missed. If staying in the Old Quarter, get a room with a balcony facing the street and watch the world go by, which honestly I found to be more interesting than any museum. The noise and the honkings are part of life in Hanoi, but check whether your hotel is near any of those state sponsored broadcast speakers which can be a bit annoying early in the morning ....

I also recommend the Museum of Ethnology, but museums are far from the most interesting thing in this town. Go walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter - a living/breathing experience that few other cities of the world can match. If you had asked a little earlier, I would have recommended that you book the free Hanoikids student tours - non-professional tours by students eager to improve their English.

I will fly from BKK to Hanoi on Feb 8, arrive 3 PM and leave on Feb 10 at 15:45. I wanted to whether anybody could recommend a private guide with car for 1 day?

Hi tony, you should try to get the earlier flight out of Bangkok. Getting through Hanoi Visa lines and then over to the Immigration can/will take you a hour, then there is a gruelling 90 minute trip into the city as the bridge is undergoing work on 2 lanes. You will not reach your hotel till dusk. On day 3, the reverse will occur, so that is days all but ruined. The museums you noted are all easily accessed, and without a guide are very interesting, but it is up to you. Vietnam is my youth, so I was interested to see different places, there but for the hand of fate, in my case a table tennis ball with a number on it, I could have been there. I don't find $75 expensive for a car driver and guide in Hanoi, I would reconsider, lash out and see the things you want to see.

IMO, the most important things for the visitor to do in Hanoi are:
1) Walk/explore the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Including the traditional Old House on Ma May street, if still open.
2) Water puppets show.
3) Temple of Literature. This is the nicest Confucian facility anywhere (and beats out any of those in China including Beijing and Qufu.)
4) Museum of Ethnology.

After that, it's more your personal interest. I'd put next:
5) Uncle Ho Mausoleum and House, especially if Ho is on display and especially to watch the emotions of the older Vietnamese in the crowd.
6) Walk or cyclo in the old European part of the city around the Sofitel and the Opera House.
7) What's left of the Hoa Lo prison--the old "Hanoi Hilton."

I wouldn't put the other museums up there as must-sees. I'm with mario on guides--not really impressed with Vietnamese guides in general, so if you need accompaniment, maybe paying little or nothing and use Hanoikids is just as good. Read your guidebook ahead for the tourist sights, and use the Hanoikids guide as an opportunity to find out about modern Vietnamese culture and life.

I got around Hanoi by taxis without problem (no I don't speak Vietnamese). And in the Old Quarter/Lake and European areas, on foot plus an occasional cyclo ride. Since your trip is so short, if you have the budget, a car/driver would be nice mainly so you don't waste precious minutes looking for or waiting for a taxi.

How do I cross the street in Hanoi?

Is it easy to hail a taxi to go to tourist attractions? Do taxi drivers speak english? Whats the cost?

Is it easy to hail a taxi to go to tourist attractions? Do taxi drivers speak english? Whats the cost?

Reason I suggested a group day tour is to avoid the hassle of dealing with taxi drivers. Do they speak Englsh ? It depends on the situation, most would understand basic English but may pretend not to understand when it suits them. Cost is fairly minimal, a few dollars should get you across town but be prepared to be ripped off; unless you are mentally prepared to be in a battle mode, I would avoid hailing a cab from the streets.

How do I cross the street in Hanoi?

Slowly and deliberately while watching the oncoming traffic. Bikes will flow around you, cars may not give way to you so better to wait until there's a gap in (car) traffic. Lights are mostly respected by day, but much less so at night.

Is it easy to hail a taxi to go to tourist attractions? Do taxi drivers speak english? Whats the cost?

Easy yes. English no, though most will figure out the name of main destinations. Cost varies - if you can find a taxi with a reputable company (I always look for Mai Linh first), they'll always use the meter which will make it cheap.

If you like good food then I recommend:

http://www.greentangerinehanoi.com

Fantastic!