There's actually a couple of restaurants near the check-in desks and post security that aren't too bad for food. My Vietnamese wife who is quite fussy didn't mind the food there.
Aircon in the terminal is quite good.
Also wear easy tomrrmove shoes for security at all airports in VN.

Noted, thanks again, Firemansam.

You can use Grab or taxi (Vinasun or Mai Linh taxi) at the airport. The other option is asking your Hilton hotel for a private transfer.

Is Grab available at Hanoi airport?

Absolutely

Hi, everyone.

I was wondering about minimum transfer times at SGN. I need to fly PQC-SGN on VN to catch SGN-DOH on QR. The QR flight departs at 19:55.

I have several options for PQC-SGN, but wondering if arriving at SGN at 16:30, which would give me 3h25m transfer time, is sufficient. In any other case, I had assumed 3hr+ is sufficient, but I have read a lot about arrival delays and long security lines at SGN. Does anyone in Vietnam (or a frequent visitor to SGN) have thoughts? There is another PQC-SGN flight that arrives in SGN at 1:55, which would give me 6hr transfer time. That seems a bit extreme, but perhaps not? I will not be checking any bags.

Take the 6 hour transfer, all you need is an afternoon storm delay or normal delay and you're in trouble.
On same tickets a 3 hour connection is fine, but it's too risky on separate tickets.
Without checked baggage take a taxi into the city and go visit somewhere or go to a nice hotel and sit in a bar and relax.

FWIW, totally agree with Firemansam, take the earlier flight and (hopefully!) remove the chance of massive stress about missing your next flight.

Pickup passenger in NoiBai Airport
 

Grab is not allowed inside the NoiBai (Hanoi) airport to pick up passengers. If you want, you can call grab and go outside the airport

Is this a new policy?
When we were there 18 months ago pickup was right outside the domestic terminal.

Hanoi Hotels
 

Any recommendations for hotels in Hanoi (old Quarter)?
Looking for a nice charming hotel.

I spent one night at the Silk Path Boutique Hotel before moving to the Metropole after my travel companion arrived. The room was comfortable and had a view of Hoan Kiem Lake; however, it kind of got noisy Saturday morning when all cultural programs commenced down the block.

Another option is use “Filters” on Booking com site to pick one that suits your interests.

There's plenty. You probably need to stipulate a rough budget / star level / other requirements or preferences in order to get useful recommendations.

Yes, I’m asking because looking at booking.com the sheer number of hotels in Hanoi is overwhelming and I’m not necessarily looking for a chain hotel.

Basically, I would love to stay in Metropole, but I find it a tad too expensive for my budget in Asia. So, something like that but more budget friendly (under $200 a night). Thanks!