Your stay — The First Pub & Hostel
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The Property — The First Pub & Hostel
The First Pub & Hostel is a budget-friendly hybrid in Hanoi's Old Quarter, combining a ground-floor pub with dorm and private rooms upstairs. It's aimed at backpackers and young travellers who want social energy without paying for a full-service hotel. Standing in the lobby, you get a mix of beer smells, check-in chatter and motorbike horns from the street outside. The USP is location: you're steps from Hoan Kiem Lake and the Weekend Night Market.
Chronicles of Hanoi
Hanoi was founded as the capital of Dai Viet in 1010 under Ly Thai To, who moved the court from Hoa Lu. Its architecture layers centuries: French colonial villas and boulevards from the 1880s-1940s sit alongside narrow 'tube houses' in the 36-street Old Quarter, each street historically named for its trade (e.g. Hang Bac for silver). The city's contemporary identity is a tense but vibrant blend of communist governance, rapid modernisation and a street-food culture that draws global visitors. After the 1954 Geneva Accords, Hanoi became the capital of North Vietnam, and since Đổi Mới (1986) it has transformed into a regional economic and cultural hub.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hanoi guide →Best months
October, November: cool, dry weather (20-28°C) and low humidity, plus fewer tourists than in peak winter. March, April: mild spring, before the summer heat and rain set in.
Peak / festival surge
December-January: peak tourist season because of cool, dry weather (15-22°C) and Christmas/New Year holidays. Hotel prices spike 20-30% in the Old Quarter. The Hanoi New Year countdown draws crowds to Hoan Kiem Lake.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: rain increases but hotel rates drop 15-25%, and you still get decent weather (May: 27-33°C; September: 25-31°C). Fewer queues at Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Temple of Literature.
Weather & packing
Hanoi has four distinct seasons, but summer (July) is hot and humid with sudden downpours. Pack a compact umbrella, quick-dry shirts and a light waterproof jacket for rain, plus a cap for sun.
Live City Briefing — Hanoi
- Hanoi's second metro line (Line 2A, Cat Linh-Ha Dong) is now fully operational, easing some Old Quarter traffic but construction continues on Line 3 (Nhon-Hanoi Station) with road closures near Kim Ma Street.
- The iconic Train Street (Le Duan section) has been closed to tourists since 2023 due to safety and local complaints; some tours now offer views from safer, official cafes elsewhere.
- A new pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake expanded in 2025, with streets closed Friday-Sunday evenings for markets, street performances and food stalls.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The First Pub & Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (away from Phố Chân Cầm). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level clatter but still within easy stair/lift access, and the rear orientation reduces traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors fronting the street will get the worst of the motorbike and early-market noise from Phố Chân Cầm, which is a narrow lane with frequent scooters and deliveries. Also avoid any room directly above the pub or bar area if the hostel has ground-floor common spaces.
Best views
Phố Chân Cầm is a short, busy street in Hoan Kiem district, so the best view is from a rear-facing room overlooking the inner courtyard or adjacent quieter alley—likely a rooftop or upper-floor window giving a glimpse of old Hanoi rooflines. No direct landmark view from this address.
Quietest floors
Upper floors (3rd to 5th) are quietest, as they distance you from both street and bar noise. The top floor (likely the 5th) should be calmest, but check lift access if you have heavy luggage.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise sources: motorbikes and delivery scooters on Phố Chân Cầm from 6am to 11pm; pub/bar crowd noise until late evening (especially on weekends); possible early-morning market activity (the street feeds into the old quarter's trade lanes).
Insider tips
1. The lift may be small and slow, so if you're on a tight schedule, request a room on floors 2–4 to avoid waiting. 2. Check if the hostel offers earplugs at reception—if not, bring your own, as the pub sound carries. 3. If you're arriving by car or taxi, note that Phố Chân Cầm is one-way and narrow; get dropped off on nearby Trần Hưng Đạo and walk the last 100m.
- 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 — The First Pub & Hostel
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed adequate for browsing and email; no login required.
No lift — all floors accessed by stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed; late check-out until 12:00 may incur half-day charge.
Free storage before check-in and after check-out on request.
No step-free access; multiple stairs at entrance and inside; not wheelchair-accessible.
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Trần Nhật Duật parking lot (approx. 500m away, ~50,000 VND/night). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; no incidental hold mentioned for this category.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Chùa Lý Triều Quốc Sư (499 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Nhà 48 phố Hàng Ngang — 987 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 88 m · ~1 min walk
Shop & Go — 325 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Vietnamese Dong, VND
Jewelry shops and goldsmiths on Phố Chân Cầm itself often give the best rates for cash; avoid airport and tourist-area exchange booths.
Card acceptance is common in mid-range shops and restaurants, but street vendors, small cafes and taxis still prefer cash; contactless payments are not widespread.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 10,000–20,000 VND is appreciated in sit-down restaurants; taxi drivers don't expect a tip; hotel staff may appreciate 20,000–50,000 VND for extra service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A drip-filter (cà phê phin) iced black or with condensed milk costs around 15,000–25,000 VND at street-side stalls.
A bowl of phở or bún chả from a market stall or small eatery is about 30,000–50,000 VND.
A simple rice dish (cơm bình dân) with meat and vegetables runs 35,000–50,000 VND for a main.
Cheap eats cluster around Đồng Xuân Market and the lanes off Hàng Đường, a 10-minute walk north; also look for rows of plastic stools on side streets near your area.
WinMart and Bach Hoa Xanh are the common budget supermarkets within a short walk or cycle; local chợ (market) is cheaper for fresh produce.
Chợ Đồng Xuân (the old quarter market) has basic clothing and souvenirs at bargain prices; for cheap high-street brands, head to Aeon Mall or Vincom Center (a short bus ride away).
Bus number 86 from Noi Bai Airport to the old quarter costs 35,000 VND; within the area, a motorbike taxi (xe ôm) is 15,000–30,000 VND for short trips or hire a bicycle for 30,000–50,000 VND/day.
Eat where locals queue for lunch on plastic stools – the same dish costs half the price of tourist-oriented restaurants. Always agree the fare before getting on a xe ôm or taxi (use the 'taxi meter' or Grab app for a fair price). Buy bottled water at local tạp hóa (small grocery shops) for 5,000–7,000 VND instead of 10,000–15,000 VND at convenience stores.
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 The First Pub & 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 →Getting Around
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The First Pub & Hostel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building (away from Phố Chân Cầm). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level clatter but still within easy stair/lift access, and the rear orientation reduces traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at The First Pub & Hostel?
Rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors fronting the street will get the worst of the motorbike and early-market noise from Phố Chân Cầm, which is a narrow lane with frequent scooters and deliveries. Also avoid any room directly above the pub or bar area if the hostel has ground-floor common spaces.
Is The First Pub & Hostel noisy?
Main noise sources: motorbikes and delivery scooters on Phố Chân Cầm from 6am to 11pm; pub/bar crowd noise until late evening (especially on weekends); possible early-morning market activity (the street feeds into the old quarter's trade lanes).
Which rooms have the best views at The First Pub & Hostel?
Phố Chân Cầm is a short, busy street in Hoan Kiem district, so the best view is from a rear-facing room overlooking the inner courtyard or adjacent quieter alley—likely a rooftop or upper-floor window giving a glimpse of old Hanoi rooflines. No direct landmark view from this address.
What are insider tips for staying at The First Pub & Hostel?
1. The lift may be small and slow, so if you're on a tight schedule, request a room on floors 2–4 to avoid waiting. 2. Check if the hostel offers earplugs at reception—if not, bring your own, as the pub sound carries. 3. If you're arriving by car or taxi, note that Phố Chân Cầm is one-way and narrow; get dropped off on nearby Trần Hưng Đạo and walk the last 100m.
What time is check-in at The First Pub & Hostel?
Check-in at The First Pub & Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The First Pub & Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed adequate for browsing and email; no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The First Pub & Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The First Pub & Hostel?
A bowl of phở or bún chả from a market stall or small eatery is about 30,000–50,000 VND.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The First Pub & Hostel?
Bus number 86 from Noi Bai Airport to the old quarter costs 35,000 VND; within the area, a motorbike taxi (xe ôm) is 15,000–30,000 VND for short trips or hire a bicycle for 30,000–50,000 VND/day.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
October, November: cool, dry weather (20-28°C) and low humidity, plus fewer tourists than in peak winter. March, April: mild spring, before the summer heat and rain set in.
Top Attractions 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.