Hanoi Hotel : Hanoi Paradise Hotel is three-star hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Accommodation:

Q. What is the difference between Hanoi Paradise Hotel – Hanoi Paradise HangBac Hotel?

A. Both hotels are 3 stars standard hotel in hanoi vietnam, under the same management, and centrally located in the Old Quarter. Hanoi Paradise Hotel features an indoor swimming pool.

Q. Where are Hanoi Paradise Hotels located?

A. Both are centrally located in the heart of the historic Old Quarter of Hanoi. The Hanoi Paradise HangBac is especially good for shoppers – located at 62 Hang Bac Street (means Silver Street). A shopping street in the Old Quarter, it becomes the Silver Street after an intersection. It is 5 minutes walk to the Sword Lake.

Q. Do Hanoi Paradise Hotels have elevators?

A. Both hotels are equipped with a passenger elevator.

Q. How can I contact the hotel?

A. All inquiries and bookings can be made via Hanoi Paradise Hang Bac Hotel

Q. Can I make a hotel booking online?

A. Yes, via our official website at Hanoi Paradise HangBac Hotel

Q. Should I book the tours that I like in advance?

A. Yes, it is highly recommended, especially in the peak holiday season to secure the best places onboard, on the train, in the hotel and its affiliates.

Q. How can I secure my advance booking?

A. We require 30% of the total amount as deposit or 1 night’s rate at minimum. The balance will be settled upon your arrival. After receiving it, we process all the bookings and send you a final confirmation shortly after.

Q. How far from the airport to the hotel?

A. 40 km from Noibai Int’l Airport. We are in the very center of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Q. How much does it cost for the airport transfer service?

A. The hotel offers private airport pickup service. Please, see the Service page for quotation.

Q. Is there very much noise in the hotel?

A. All rooms have soundproof windows or double glazed doors creating a very quiet & relaxing stay for you.

Q. Is every room equipped with a private computer and free Internet access?

A. Yes, all rooms are fully equipped & furnished, including a flat monitor PC with free ADSL or Wifi Internet access.

Q. Can I leave the luggage at the hotel when I am travelling?

A. Yes, the hotel offers luggage storage service free of charge.

Q. Why should I choose this hotel?

A. Because of its perfect location, elegant boutique design, state-of-the-art facilities, and outstanding service by professional team of staff and management.

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Flights and Tours:

Q. How to buy air tickets to Vietnam?

A. There are many airlines which have direct flights to Vietnam such as: Vietnam Airlines, Air France, American Airlines, Thai Airways, Japanese Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines. Please contact the airlines to book the air tickets.

Q. How to book cheap air tickets to Vietnam?

A. There are many websites and airline agencies which provide air ticketing. Please review several airlines to find one that is suitable for you.

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Food and Drink:

Q. What do you serve if I am a vegetarian?

A. In this case, please advise us before so that we can order a vegetarian menu during your trip in Vietnam. Vietnam is famous for Vegetarian foods and tropical fruits. We will accommodate you no matter what you desire.

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General:

Q. Are there any restrictions on photography in Vietnam?

A. Yes. Photography in or near military installations, airports or similar locations is prohibited. Anyone caught doing so will have the film, and possibly the camera or camcorder confiscated and may be arrested.

Q. Can I buy antiques in Vietnam?

A. Yes. However, exporting an artifact with cultural significance requires an official license. Without a license, anything old is liable to be confiscated at the airport.

Q. How can I take large items home with me – furniture or paintings, for example?

A. We are also registered for export and import activities. We will give you an ‘at cost’ quotation, and arrange for the items to be properly crated and licensed for export.

Q. Are there Internet facilities in Vietnam?

A. Yes, there are plenty in cities and large towns, but not in rural areas. Most large hotels have Internet access, and Internet cafes are commonplace and cheap.

Q. The artist you took me to was wonderful. I want to give him a gift. Any ideas?

A. This is a common query. Rather than make general suggestions, we will try to suggest something that will be really appreciated, and purchase it on your behalf, if necessary.

Q. I am from the United States. Will I face any hostility because of the war?

A. You will be surprised by the warmth of your reception. We Vietnamese live in the present and the future – the war is history. We warmly welcome people from all countries and races.

Q. What is the attitude towards drugs in Vietnam?

A. The law is strict in Vietnam. The use of illegal narcotics is strictly forbidden, and dealers and persons caught trafficking, whether Vietnamese or foreigner, face execution. Don`t risk it under any circumstances!

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Money:

Q. Can I use a credit card to get cash in Vietnam?

A. Yes. You can withdraw cash at any ATM in big cities such as: Hanoi, Hochiminh city, Hue, Hoian, Halong, Haiphong, Danang, Nhatrang, Buon Ma Thuot , Vung tau, and Cantho with commission

Q. Can I pay by credit card in Vietnam?

A. Yes, you can pay by credit card with 3% commission for Visa and Master cards. You can pay at shops and hotels in big cities, commercial centres, and tourist sites.

Q. What about travellers’ cheques?

A. You can change into USD or Vietnamese dong with commission from 1%-3% at the banks in big cities. Travellers’ cheques can be used to pay for the room charge and other tourism services.

Q. Where can I change my currency for local currency?

A. You can change your currency for local currency at the airport, banks, and Jewelry shops. You should prepare some cash in USD and Euros (50- 100 domination) for better exchange rates.

Q. What if I have a lot of local currency left over when I leave?

A. You can change local currency to the currency you brought in only by showing the yellow customs slip that you were given on arrival. The amount must be less than the original.

Q. What is the payment method for deposit?

A. You can pay by credit card or bank transfer or you can use the service of Western Union . Please read our terms and conditions for more details.

Q. What is the payment method for the balance?

A. After paying for deposit, you can settle the balance at our office in Hanoi or in Hochiminh city by cash or credit card. Cash (Euros or US dollars) is preferred. Or you can bank transfer the balance directly to our bank account before travelling to Vietnam.

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Health:

Q. What is the main difference in the climate of Vietnam and that of my country?

A. Vietnam is both hot and humid. Combined, they make visitors from temperate countries sweat profusely. Drinking plenty of water and good sun protection is essential.

Q. What can I do about jet lag?

A. Not much, really. A stop-over en-route, or a rest day on arrival helps. It’s important to try to sleep and wake according to local time, even on the airplane.

Q. What will happen if there is an emergency?

A. With us, your guide will always have a mobile phone and a means of summoning immediate assistance. You will also have direct telephone access to the Head office.

Q. How will medical emergencies be dealt with?

A. You will be immediately taken to the nearest international clinic or hospital for an immediate examination and appropriate treatment according to the terms of your insurance.

Q. What if I am hospitalized or become incapacitated?

A. If you have supplied us with the details of your insurance, we will contact the company on your behalf and assist in any way we can.

Q. What should we do about malaria?

A. Malaria is sometimes present in the mountainous areas. All the hotels in the area have mosquito nets. We often organize tours to the rural area but nobody has ever contracted malaria.

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY VISITORS TO HANOI

So far there have been many tourists which have been cheated so this is very good information for travelers to avoid troubles when you are traveling in Hanoi or in Vietnam. You should take a look and print it out to bring with you while traveling in Vietnam!

@ Problem 1

There is not enough information available to first time travelers to Ha Noi either on Vietnam Airlines or at Noi Bai airport. Thus, travelers are not aware of their options for getting to Hanoi from the airport, what such a trip should cost, and who are reliable drivers.

@ Solution 1

Brochures with this information in many languages can be printed and put in seat pockets of all Vietnam Airlines planes; these brochures should also be made readily available at the airport.

@ Problem 2

Frequently visitors have trouble finding legitimate transportation from Noi Bai International Airport to their hotel in Ha Noi. Sometimes they are driven by minibus drivers who promise to take them to a specific address in Ha Noi. However, instead of being delivered to the requested hotel they are delivered to a different hotel where the bus driver has friends. They are frequently then overcharged at this hotel.

@ Solution 2

Travelers to Vietnam should be warned in advance or at the airport not to depend on either the airport driver or hotel staff that he recommends. In addition it should be a requirement that the street signs be pointed out to the traveler by the bus driver so that the traveler knows whether s/he is being delivered to the correct hotel.

@ Problem 3

Another problem arising for travelers from Noi Bai is that the price quoted for transportation from the airport normally includes the road tax. However, upon arrival, travelers are charged for the road tax again.

@ Solution 3

Travelers should be made aware by information available at the airport of standard prices for transportation and the fact that these prices already include the road tax.

@ Problem 4

Travelers are frequently led to foreign currency exchange venues by airport bus drivers. At these exchanges they are given a poor exchange rate, e.g., 15,000 VD for $1 USD rather than the standard rate at http://www.vietcombank.com.vn/en/Exchange%20Rate.asp. In addition the driver receives a commission from the foreign exchange seller.

@ Solution 4

Travelers should be encouraged to exchange money at the airport or at foreign exchange sellers recommended by legitimate hotel owners.

@ Problem 5

Be aware of the denomination of Vietnam Dongs which consist of too many zero (0). Some unscrupulous drivers try to rip you off by adding one more zero to your fare OR cheat by saying that your VND500,000 note is only VND50,000 and thus overcharges you 10 times higher than actual cost.

@ Solution 5

Distinguish Vietnam Dong notes and the exchange rates. Be alert and stand firm if the driver asks for more notes. Call local reliable sources (hotel staff, policemen, local people) for assistance if you feel unsure of the situation.

@ Problem 6

The first person a visitor meets is frequently the boy selling postcards. These sellers frequently cheat the visitor either by overcharging for the cards or by asking for VD 5,000 but extracting VD 50,000 from the confused traveler.

@ Solution 6

Travelers should be encouraged to purchase cards, maps and other such items from bookshops rather than street vendors.

@ Problem 7

Even enterprising visitors who find a hotel on their own frequently find that a person claiming a commission has followed them to the hotel.

@Solution 7

The receptionist should ask travelers whether such a person helped them to obtain lodgings or not.

@ Problem 8

Travelers are frequently sold tickets by travel agencies for tours of local sites. They are frequently promised small group tours and good train seats. After paying, they find that either the tour does not exist at all or that there are very many people on the tour, that the quality is very bad and that they have paid for good train seats but received inferior ones.

@Solution 8

Once they are in a legitimate hotel, travelers should be able to rely on hotel staff to advise them on tour agencies that are reliable and honest. In addition, it may be better to charge for the tour after it has been taken in order to guarantee that the visitor is satisfied with its value.

@ Problem 9

Tourists are prey to pickpockets when they travel to the market.

@ Solution 9

Tourists should be advised to leave their valuables and extra money in the hotel safe.

@ Problem 10

There are imitation VND notes printed for ritual purposes like votive papers, but some taxi drivers will cheat you by giving these notes back as small change.

@ Solution 10

Tourists should be advised to check the notes carefully. The right notes should always have the imprinted words `Ngan hang nha nuoc Viet nam` (meaning `The State Bank of Vietnam`) & the picture of the later president Ho Chi Minh.