🇻🇳 Hà Nội, Vietnam
Red Building Apartment
📍 88, Phố Mai Hắc Đế, Hà Nội
Your stay — Red Building Apartment
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The Property — Red Building Apartment
The Red Building Apartment is a no-fuss, self-catering option in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The entrance is unremarkable – a narrow stairwell off a busy street – but the rooms are clean, functional, and offer decent value for budget-conscious travellers who want to be walking distance from Hoan Kiem Lake and the night market. It’s not a hotel with a lobby or concierge; you get keys, a basic studio, and the freedom to explore. Best for solo travellers or couples who prioritise location over amenities.
Chronicles of Hà Nội
Hanoi was founded as the capital of Đại Việt in 1010 under Emperor Lý Thái Tổ, who named it Thăng Long (Rising Dragon). The city’s urban fabric was shaped by a millennium of Chinese rule, followed by French colonial architecture that still defines tree-lined boulevards like Tràng Tiền. The Old Quarter’s 36 streets retain their medieval guild names – Hàng Bạc (Silver Street), Hàng Mã (Paper Street) – though now they bustle with motorbikes, street food stalls, and souvenir shops. Contemporary Hanoi is a tense mix of rapid modernisation and deep-rooted tradition, where ancient pagodas sit beside Soviet-style blocks and sleek new high-rises.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hà Nội guide →Best months
October and November for clear skies, low humidity, and average highs of 28°C; March and April for similar conditions before summer heat builds. April sees fewer tourists than October.
Peak / festival surge
Peak runs from October to December, driven by cool, dry weather and the Christmas/New Year holiday period. Hotel prices typically rise 30–50% above shoulder rates. The Hanoi International Film Festival (November) and the national holiday September 2nd also bring crowds.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer the best compromise: lower prices, fewer tourists, and still bearable temperatures, though you’ll risk sudden downpours. May is particularly good because the monsoon hasn’t fully settled.
Weather & packing
Hanoi in July is a steam bath: average highs of 33°C with 80% humidity, and a 50% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Pack only lightweight, quick-dry clothing, a reusable rain poncho, and sandals that won’t slip on wet pavement.
Live City Briefing — Hà Nội
- The Hanoi Metro’s Cat Linh–Ha Dong line opened in 2021 but is still not fully integrated with bus routes; expect frequent traffic jams in the Old Quarter as the city expands its network.
- The iconic Train Street has been largely closed to tourists since 2022 due to safety crackdowns, though some cafes still operate with strictly regulated access.
- Many Old Quarter streets are being pedestrianised (such as Hang Dao and surrounding streets) on weekend evenings, creating a busy but car-free zone for walkers.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Red Building Apartment, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the rear (away from Phố Mai Hắc Đế). These floors are high enough to clear street-level noise but still within the walk-up range if the lift is busy, and the rear aspect gets the quietest sound profile.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor facing the street — they are directly above the pavement and catch the full blast of motorbike traffic and pedestrian chatter from Phố Mai Hắc Đế. Also avoid rooms right next to the lift shaft on any floor; the old lift mechanism can be noisy at night.
Best views
For a view, ask for a front-facing room on floor 5 or above. You'll see the leafy tree canopy of Mai Hắc Đế and the chaotic but lively street scene — not scenic, but interesting. Rear views are just neighbouring buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 6 are the quietest — far enough from the street and the ground-floor entrance activity, but still under the roof (which can amplify rain noise on the top floor).
🔊 Noise notes
Phố Mai Hắc Đế is a busy secondary road in Hai Bà Trưng district, used as a rat-run by scooters avoiding main roads. Expect constant two-stroke engine noise from 6am until midnight. The building's thin single-glazed windows offer little sound insulation.
Insider tips
1. The building has no dedicated parking; use the public lot on Nguyễn Công Trứ, a 3-minute walk away — ask reception for a voucher to reduce the fee. 2. Request room 501 or 502 if available — they are end units with only one neighbour, and their bathroom windows open onto a quieter side alley.
- 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 Facilities — Red Building Apartment
Free WiFi in rooms and lobby, typical speed 20 Mbps down/10 Mbps up (sufficient for video calls and streaming); no login required – connect to network 'RedBuilding_AP' and accept terms page once per device.
One lift serving all 6 floors (ground + 5 residential floors); no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers. Offers free PressReader access via hotel iPads at the lobby kiosk (7:00–22:00). Building is a repurposed 1960s Soviet-era apartment block with original concrete facade.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00 (free). Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charges 300,000 VND until 18:00, after 18:00 full night fee.
Complimentary storage for same-day arrivals and departures; overnight storage by prior arrangement (no extra cost).
No step-free entry: a single step at main door (10 cm). No wheelchair ramps; lift is small (holds 2 people/1 wheelchair) but accessible. Ground-floor rooms available on request. No accessible bathroom features.
On-site parking: 50,000 VND per night for motorbikes (limited, first-come-first-served). No car parking on site. Nearest public car park: 'Bãi xe 70 Nguyễn Công Trứ' (12-minute walk, 20,000 VND/hour, 100,000 VND overnight). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (included in room rate for domestic guests; foreign guests may be charged 10% VAT and 5% service tax as standard practice).
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required via credit card or bank transfer at booking; a 500,000 VND cash or card hold for incidentals taken at check-in, refunded on departure if no charges.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Đền Hai Bà Trưng (624 m · ~8 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Chùa Tràng An (780 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bảo tàng Địa chất Việt Nam — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
VIB — 183 m · ~2 min walk
Nhà thuốc Hà Thu — 207 m · ~3 min walk
Circle K — 121 m · ~2 min walk
Sai Gon — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Vietnamese Dong, VND
Jewelry and gold shops on Hà Nội's old quarter, or banks with good rates; avoid airport and tourist exchange bureaux—they give noticeably worse rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in mid-range hotels, supermarkets, and larger restaurants; cash is king at street stalls, markets, and small eateries.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% in nicer restaurants, and give small bills (20,000-50,000 VND) to hotel cleaners and porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Iced black coffee (cà phê đen đá) from a sidewalk stall or local café – about 15,000-25,000 VND.
A bowl of phở or bún chả at a street-side spot – around 40,000-60,000 VND.
Rice dishes (com bình dân) with meat and veg – 35,000-50,000 VND for a main.
Phố Mai Hắc Đế has several street-food stalls; Hàng Bè and Đường Thành nearby for wide cheap-eat choices.
WinMart, Co.op Food, and local minimarts (like 7-Eleven or GS25) are common around here; VinMart is also reliable.
Chợ Đồng Xuân market and Hàng Ngang/Hàng Đào street for affordable high-street and market shopping.
A single bus ride is 7,000 VND; the 86 bus from Noi Bai Airport costs 35,000 VND. For local trips, a xe ôm ride costs about 10,000-15,000 VND per km.
Eat at street stalls rather than sit-down restaurants; book accommodation with free breakfast; use local buses or GrabBike instead of taxis for short distances.
Emergency Contacts
Hà NộiWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Hà Nội, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Red Building Apartment
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · VIB — 183 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Nhà thuốc Hà Thu — 207 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) → Thanh Cong Hotel, Ba Dinh District
💡 Use Mai Linh or Vinasun cabs from the official rank. Avoid touts inside the terminal—they'll quote double. Meter starts at airport, confirm it's running.
Noi Bai Airport (Terminal 1 or 2) → Hanoi Railway Station (near Thanh Cong)
💡 Get off at the final stop (Hanoi Railway Station), then grab a Grab bike or walk 15 mins east to Thanh Cong. Bus has luggage racks but can fill up—board early.
Thanh Cong Hotel → Temple of Literature / West Lake
💡 Use Grab app for fixed pricing—no haggling. Set pickup as 'Thanh Cong Hotel' not the street corner. Pay cash or card; card sometimes fails, so carry small notes.
Thanh Cong Hotel (Nguyen Chi Thanh St) → Hoan Kiem Lake / Old Quarter
💡 Flag it on Nguyen Chi Thanh opposite the hotel. Pay the conductor—coins only. It's crowded but fast if you avoid 7-9am peak.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Red Building Apartment?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the rear (away from Phố Mai Hắc Đế). These floors are high enough to clear street-level noise but still within the walk-up range if the lift is busy, and the rear aspect gets the quietest sound profile.
Which rooms should I avoid at Red Building Apartment?
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor facing the street — they are directly above the pavement and catch the full blast of motorbike traffic and pedestrian chatter from Phố Mai Hắc Đế. Also avoid rooms right next to the lift shaft on any floor; the old lift mechanism can be noisy at night.
Is Red Building Apartment noisy?
Phố Mai Hắc Đế is a busy secondary road in Hai Bà Trưng district, used as a rat-run by scooters avoiding main roads. Expect constant two-stroke engine noise from 6am until midnight. The building's thin single-glazed windows offer little sound insulation.
Which rooms have the best views at Red Building Apartment?
For a view, ask for a front-facing room on floor 5 or above. You'll see the leafy tree canopy of Mai Hắc Đế and the chaotic but lively street scene — not scenic, but interesting. Rear views are just neighbouring buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Red Building Apartment?
1. The building has no dedicated parking; use the public lot on Nguyễn Công Trứ, a 3-minute walk away — ask reception for a voucher to reduce the fee. 2. Request room 501 or 502 if available — they are end units with only one neighbour, and their bathroom windows open onto a quieter side alley.
What time is check-in at Red Building Apartment?
Check-in at Red Building Apartment is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Red Building Apartment have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in rooms and lobby, typical speed 20 Mbps down/10 Mbps up (sufficient for video calls and streaming); no login required – connect to network 'RedBuilding_AP' and accept terms page once per device.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Red Building Apartment?
None (included in room rate for domestic guests; foreign guests may be charged 10% VAT and 5% service tax as standard practice).
Where can I eat cheaply near Red Building Apartment?
A bowl of phở or bún chả at a street-side spot – around 40,000-60,000 VND.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Red Building Apartment?
A single bus ride is 7,000 VND; the 86 bus from Noi Bai Airport costs 35,000 VND. For local trips, a xe ôm ride costs about 10,000-15,000 VND per km.
When is the best time to visit Hà Nội?
October and November for clear skies, low humidity, and average highs of 28°C; March and April for similar conditions before summer heat builds. April sees fewer tourists than October.
Top Attractions in Hà Nội
💡 Ignore the men offering to take your photo with the 'turtle' — it's a stuffed specimen and costs extra. Walk anti-clockwise for the most peaceful views.
💡 Visit around 6pm on a weekday — the doors open for evening prayer and you can see the lit interior without a service. Avoid Sunday morning unless you want to attend mass.
💡 Visit on weekday mornings only — it's closed afternoons and Mondays. Bring ID and leave bags at the free luggage counter outside. Combine with the One Pillar Pagoda next door (also free).
💡 Go on weekdays before 10am to avoid school groups. The back garden near the Khue Van pavilion is usually empty for photos.
💡 Buy the English audio guide (50,000 VND) — worth it for the stories behind each house. Visit the outdoor area first before the heat builds. Free lockers at the entrance.