Dein Aufenthalt — May Hostel
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Das Eigentum — May Hostel
May Hostel sits in a narrow alley off Hang Vai, its lobby a bright, bare-bones space with tiled floors, a few wooden stools and a chalkboard scrawled with bus times and pho recommendations. The vibe is no-nonsense backpacker functional: clean dorms and private rooms, a free beer between 6 and 7pm, and a staff who know every cyclo driver in the Old Quarter. It suits solo travellers and young groups who want a bed, a cheap beer and a good tip on where to eat, not a place to linger.
Chroniken von Hanoi
Hanoi was founded as Thang Long (Ascending Dragon) in 1010 by Emperor Ly Thai To, who moved the capital here from Hoa Lu. The city's architecture is a layered history: French colonial villas, brutalist Soviet blocks and narrow tube houses from the 15th century all sit side by side. After US bombs flattened parts of the city in 1972, reconstruction favoured concrete practicality over ornament. Today Hanoi remains a city of motorbikes, street-side ca phe sua da and an intensely local, low-rise character that resists the skyscraper gleam of Ho Chi Minh City.
Beste Zeit zu besuchen
Vollständiger Hanoi-Guide →Die besten Monate
March-April and October-November: dry, mild (20-28°C), low humidity, clear skies. These months give the best balance of comfortable walking weather and lower tourist numbers than winter.
Peak / Festival Surge
November-December: peak dry season, cool and sunny, plus the Christmas and New Year period. Hotel prices can jump 30-50% from October. Events like the Hanoi International Film Festival (November 2026) also drive demand.
Budget Schulter Saison
May and September: prices drop 20-30% as the heat builds (May) or the rains begin to ease (September). Fewer crowds at Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature, but expect afternoon downpours.
Wetter & Verpackung
Hanoi’s climate quirk is the sudden, drenching afternoon shower even in the dry season — the city has a short intense wet season from May to September. Pack a compact waterproof jacket and quick-dry trousers; leave the umbrella, as the locals sell them on every corner for 20,000 dong.
Live City Briefing veröffentlicht — Hanoi
- From June 2026, the new Hanoi Metro Line 3 (Nhon-Hanoi Station) should be fully operational, connecting the Old Quarter to the western suburbs in under 20 minutes — a real relief from the motorbike gridlock around the city centre.
- Seasonal note: July 2026 is the middle of the wet season — expect heavy rain most afternoons, occasional flooding in low-lying streets like Hang Buom and Hang Giay, and a spike in dengue mosquito activity. Bring repellent.
- The pedestrianised zone around Hoan Kiem Lake has been extended on weekends (Friday 7pm to Sunday midnight) to include Hang Dao and parts of the French Quarter, making it easier to walk but harder to find a taxi.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to May Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3-5, ideally facing the rear courtyard away from the street. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-floor noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 (street-level and immediate above) as they pick up traffic and pavement noise from Hanoi's constant motorbike flow. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft — the lift can be creaky and well-used.
Best views
Rooms facing the rear offer views of neighbouring rooftops and possibly a sliver of garden — not glamorous but quiet. Front-facing rooms look onto the busy Hanoi street, interesting but loud.
Quietest floors
Floors 3-5 are the quietest — set back from street activity and above the lobby hubbub. Floor 6 might be quieter still if available, though it depends on roof insulation.
🔊 Noise notes
The hostel sits on a main road in Hanoi's Old Quarter, so motorbike traffic is constant from 6am to late evening. Street-food stalls and bars nearby add late-night chatter. The lift is central and clunky; avoid rooms right by it.
Insider tips
1) Check in early (before 2pm) to bag a rear-facing room — they're fewer but quieter. 2) Bring earplugs for the front-facing rooms; the glass is thin and street noise penetrates even on higher floors.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Einrichtungen — May Hostel
Free WiFi in all rooms and common areas; typical speed 10-15 Mbps download; no login or password needed, just connect to 'May Hostel' network
No lift; all rooms accessed via stairs (3 floors), no alternative route
No newspapers digital or physical; building is a converted shophouse with narrow stairs, original tiled floors on lower levels
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 07:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 free, after that 100,000 VND per hour until 14:00 then charged full night
Free storage at reception for day of arrival or departure
No step-free access; entrance has two steps, all rooms via stairs only; no wheelchair accessible rooms or bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Trần Nhật Duật (24/7, about 50,000 VND per night); no EV charging on-site or nearby
Gebühren, Steuern & Einlagen
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via booking platform usually required; a cash deposit of 200,000 VND per person collected at check-in for incidentals, returned at checkout if no damage
Faith & Diät in der Nähe
- Buddhist temple: Chùa Lý Triều Quốc Sư (499 m · ~6 min walk)
Lokaler Lebensstil & Erholung
Nhà 48 phố Hàng Ngang — 987 m · ~12 min walk
5 Minuten Radius Essentials
Nearest — 88 m · ~1 min walk
Shop & Go — 325 m · ~4 min walk
Geld & Währung
Get a travel card →Vietnamese Dong, VND
Exchange at gold shops or banks in the Old Quarter for the best rates; avoid airport and hotel exchange desks which give poor rates. USD is widely accepted but not at favourable rates.
Cards accepted in most hotels, mid-range restaurants, and supermarkets, but street stalls and local eateries are cash-only. Contactless is rare.
Not expected or mandatory. Small change left at restaurants (5-10% if very pleased) is appreciated; taxi drivers and hotel staff do not need tips, though a few thousand dong for bellhops is fine.
Essen, Einkaufen und Reisen auf einem Budget
Cheap car hire →Iced black coffee (ca phe den da) or iced milk coffee (ca phe sua da) at a street-side stall: 15,000–25,000 VND.
Bun cha or pho from a local shop: 30,000–50,000 VND.
Com binh dan (rice with meat/veg and soup) at a local canteen: 35,000–50,000 VND for a main.
Old Quarter streets (especially Hang Buom, Ta Hien, and around Hoan Kiem Lake) are packed with vendors selling pho, bun cha, banh mi, and fresh spring rolls.
Supermarkets like VinMart, Co.op Food, and Circle K (convenience store) are common in Hanoi.
Hang Da Market, Dong Xuan Market, and various street stalls in the Old Quarter sell cheap clothing; also check racks along Cau Go Street.
The cheapest way around is by rented bicycle (about 20,000 VND/day) or by xe om (motorbike taxi) for short hops – negotiate the fare first. From the airport, take the local bus (Nos. 86 or 07) for 35,000 VND, or the shuttle bus from Noi Bai for 40,000 VND.
1. Always eat where locals queue – it's cheap and safe. 2. Bargain at markets but do it politely and with a smile. 3. Avoid paying for water at restaurants – free iced tea is common.
Emergency Contacts
HanoiIn Hanoi, Vietnam, dial 113 for police, 114 for fire department, and 115 for ambulance services. For tourist assistance, contact the Hanoi Police Tourist Support Unit at +84-24-3825-7890. English-speaking operators may not always be available; consider having hotel staff assist with calls.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Hanoi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at May Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 88 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Umher zu kommen
Long Bien Station → Tho Xuong Station (near hotel)
💡 Scenic ride along Red River. Best for local experience. Hotel is walkable from tram stop.
Noi Bai International Airport → Hanoi City Center
💡 Budget option but limited luggage space. Walk 10 mins to hotel from city center bus station.
Noi Bai International Airport → Lucien Hanoi Lakeside Hotel & Rooftop
💡 Book via Grab app for fixed prices and safety features. Avoid unlicensed taxis at airport.
Noi Bai International Airport → Hanoi Central District
💡 Currently under development. Check status before arrival. Will be fastest option when operational.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What are the best rooms at May Hostel?
Request a room on floors 3-5, ideally facing the rear courtyard away from the street. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-floor noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at May Hostel?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 (street-level and immediate above) as they pick up traffic and pavement noise from Hanoi's constant motorbike flow. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft — the lift can be creaky and well-used.
Is May Hostel noisy?
The hostel sits on a main road in Hanoi's Old Quarter, so motorbike traffic is constant from 6am to late evening. Street-food stalls and bars nearby add late-night chatter. The lift is central and clunky; avoid rooms right by it.
Which rooms have the best views at May Hostel?
Rooms facing the rear offer views of neighbouring rooftops and possibly a sliver of garden — not glamorous but quiet. Front-facing rooms look onto the busy Hanoi street, interesting but loud.
What are insider tips for staying at May Hostel?
1) Check in early (before 2pm) to bag a rear-facing room — they're fewer but quieter. 2) Bring earplugs for the front-facing rooms; the glass is thin and street noise penetrates even on higher floors.
What time is check-in at May Hostel?
Check-in at May Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does May Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in all rooms and common areas; typical speed 10-15 Mbps download; no login or password needed, just connect to 'May Hostel' network
Is there a city or tourist tax at May Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near May Hostel?
Bun cha or pho from a local shop: 30,000–50,000 VND.
What is the cheapest way to get around from May Hostel?
The cheapest way around is by rented bicycle (about 20,000 VND/day) or by xe om (motorbike taxi) for short hops – negotiate the fare first. From the airport, take the local bus (Nos. 86 or 07) for 35,000 VND, or the shuttle bus from Noi Bai for 40,000 VND.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
March-April and October-November: dry, mild (20-28°C), low humidity, clear skies. These months give the best balance of comfortable walking weather and lower tourist numbers than winter.
Top-Attraktionen in Hanoi
💡 Start at Hang Bac (Silver Street) around 9am – the silver workshops are fascinating. Avoid motorbikes by sticking to the narrowest alleys. Street food here costs 20-40,000 VND a dish.
💡 Walk the lake at 6am to see locals doing tai chi and badminton. Sunset is crowded with photographers but worth it for the light on Turtle Tower.
💡 Book the 5:15pm show to avoid tourist crowds. Sit in row C or D – row A gets wet from splashes. Arrive 20 minutes early to see the puppets being prepared backstage (ask nicely).
💡 Go early on a weekday to avoid tour groups. The back garden has a banyan tree and koi pond that most people miss.
💡 The outdoor section is the highlight – allow 2 hours. Go on a Saturday when ethnic minority guides sometimes give free tours. Taxi from the centre costs 50,000 VND.