28/07/2026
From Vinhomes Smart City to Central Hanoi by Bus: A Detailed Guide for Expats
Looking at the map, Vinhomes Smart City might feel a bit far from central Hanoi and the Old Quarter. But guess what? You don’t have to hail a taxi for every single trip!
From Smart City, you can hop on a VinBus (the electric city bus) to get straight to Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, West Lake, and many other famous spots for an incredibly cheap price.
I’ve put together this guide so you can confidently explore Hanoi like a true local.
Note: The information in this post is updated as of August 2026. Routes, stops, and schedules can change, so always double-check the VinBus app before heading out!
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🚩 Why You Should Try VinBus
Taking the bus is perfect for those laid-back days when you aren't in a rush and want to experience the rhythm of Hanoi up close.
Top perks:
🔅 Super affordable: A fraction of the cost of a taxi or ride-hailing app.
🔅 Eco-friendly & quiet: 100% electric, meaning zero local emissions and a much smoother, quieter ride.
🔅 Comfortable: Fully air-conditioned with LED stop announcements and priority seating.
🔅 Smart tracking: You can track routes and arrival times live on the VinBus app.
🔅 Direct routes: No need to switch buses if you take Route E07 from Smart City to Hoan Kiem/Old Quarter.
Plus, the VinBus app and website have an English interface, making it super easy to find routes, check stops, and track your bus!
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The Two Golden Routes to Remember
🚩 1. Route E07: To Hoan Kiem Lake & The Old Quarter
This is your go-to route if you want to visit:
🔅 Hoan Kiem Lake & the Weekend Walking Street
🔅 Trang Tien Plaza & the Opera House
🔅 The Old Quarter (including Nguyen Huu Huan street)
🔅 Cua Nam area & Tong Duy Tan Food Street
Route Details: E07 connects Vinhomes Smart City – Cua Nam – Long Bien. It runs from roughly 05:00 to 21:30, and a one-way ticket costs just 10,000 VND.
When heading into the city, you can choose one of these convenient drop-off points:
🔅 Get off at Trang Tien Plaza: Perfect for walking to Hoan Kiem Lake, the Opera House, Trang Tien Ice Cream, and the weekend pedestrian zone.
🔅 Get off at Viet-Cuba Friendship Hospital: Great if you want to explore the southeast side of the Old Quarter, Ly Thai To Street, Hang Be, or grab coffee nearby.
🔅 Get off at Cua Nam – Tong Duy Tan Food Street: Ideal for visiting Train Street, getting late-night food on Tong Duy Tan, or hopping on a short connecting bus to Ba Dinh/Cua Bac Church.
Catching the E07 back to Smart City:
The return stop isn't always directly across the street from where you got off. In the Old Quarter, convenient pickup points heading back to Smart City include 54 Nguyen Huu Huan, 36 Ly Thai To, or the Hai Ba Trung street area near Trang Tien Plaza.
Always open your app, set your destination to "Vinhomes Smart City," and check the correct side of the road! The trip usually takes 50–70 minutes but can take longer during rush hour.
🚩 2. Route E05: To Cau Giay, Ba Dinh & West Lake (Ho Tay)
E05 is your best bet if you want to visit:
🔅 Landmark 72 & My Dinh Bus Station
🔅 Cau Giay area & Thu Le Park
🔅 Dao Tan, Lieu Giai, and Ba Dinh district
🔅 Thanh Nien Road, Truc Bach Lake & Tran Quoc Pagoda
Route Details: E05 operates from 05:00 to 21:30, and tickets are also 10,000 VND.
This is a beautiful route to take in the late afternoon. You can get off near Tran Quoc Pagoda, take a stroll along Thanh Nien road between West Lake and Truc Bach, and grab dinner in the Truc Bach area! (Note: E05 is not the fastest way to Hoan Kiem Lake, stick to E07 for that!)
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Step-by-Step Riding Guide
🚩 Step 1: Find your nearest stop
Download the "VinBus - Tìm buýt dễ dàng" app and select Hanoi. Enter your starting point (your building) and your destination (e.g., Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter, Tran Quoc Pagoda). The app will show you the walking route, bus number, direction, ETA, and where to get off.
🚩 Step 2: Use the internal bus if needed
Smart City has an internal bus called SMC1. It's currently FREE and runs from 05:00 to 22:10. You can take it to the main bus depot instead of walking from your apartment!
🚩 Step 3: Check the bus number and direction
Look at the LED sign on the front of the bus. Make sure it says E07 (for Old Quarter) or E05 (for West Lake). Don't just jump on any bus that says "Long Bien"! When the bus approaches, stand where the driver can see you and give a little wave.
🚩 Step 4: Prepare your payment
Tickets are 10,000 VND per person, per ride.
For expats new to Vietnam, the easiest way to pay is CASH. Have a 10,000 VND note ready (and maybe some small bills as a backup). While VinBus supports some cashless payments (QR codes, local NAPAS contactless cards), don't assume your international Visa/Mastercard will work right away.
🚩 Step 5: Track your journey
Once seated, keep your GPS on and track your dot on Google Maps or the VinBus app. Vietnamese street names can be hard to catch over the loudspeaker, so save the names of your stops in both languages (e.g., Hoan Kiem Lake / Hồ Hoàn Kiếm) and keep an eye on the map.
🚩 Step 6: Press the STOP button
When your stop is coming up, press the red STOP button on the handrails. Gather your belongings phone, wallet, passport before you stand up!
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Pro Tips from a Local
🔅 Avoid Rush Hour: Hanoi traffic gets heavy between 07:00–09:00 and 17:00–19:30. If you want a relaxed sightseeing day, head out after 9 AM and head back before 8 PM.
🔅 Check your last bus home: "Operating until 21:30" means the last bus leaves the main depot at that time, not that it arrives at your stop at 21:30. Before grabbing dinner or hitting a bar, check the app for the last E07/E05, save the stop location, and set an alarm for 30 minutes before it arrives.
🔅 Watch your belongings: Buses and tourist spots are generally safe, but pickpockets exist in crowded areas. Zip your bags, don't keep your phone in your back pocket, wear backpacks on your front in crowded markets, and leave your physical passport at home (carry a photo on your phone) unless absolutely necessary.
🔅 Have a backup plan: If you miss the last bus, simply book a Grab or Xanh SM car straight to your lobby. Prices vary based on time, traffic, and weather. Always check the license plate before getting in!
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Quick Info to Save in Your Phone
🔅 App: VinBus - Tìm buýt dễ dàng
🔅 Route to Old Quarter: E07
🔅 Route to West Lake: E05
🔅 Internal Smart City Route: SMC1
🔅 Bus Fare: 10,000 VND / ride
🔅 VinBus Hotline: 1900 866 663 (Support: 06:00–22:00 daily)
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Taking the bus from Vinhomes Smart City to the center doesn't just save you money. It’s a genuinely fun way to observe daily life in Hanoi. The first time might feel a bit intimidating, but after one or two trips, you'll be riding the E07 and E05 like a pro!
Save this post to your phone before you head out. If you ever need help finding a pickup point or figuring out where to get off, feel free to send me a message with your live location!
Have a fantastic time exploring Hanoi!
📷: Internet
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