Hanoi, Vietnam Report of what it's like to live there - 06/05/25
Personal Experiences from Hanoi, Vietnam
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
This was our fourth expatriate experience after Mexico City, Brasilia, and Buenos Aires.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
My home country is the United States. The trip to Hanoi is at least 24 hours. It is not easy to get to Hanoi, there are more flights in/out of Saigon.
3. What years did you live here?
Summer 2022 - 2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic post.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We lived in a 4 story house that is part of the embassy housing pool. Houses are typically multi-story but can be narrow. The houses AFAIK have ample space and are generally located either in Tay Ho or Ciputra neighborhoods. The commute to work is can be 25 - 45 minutes.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Locally produced goods are very affordable. Many imported food items are available but will cost a bit more than in the U.S.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Olive oil, wine.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Grab is the goto food delivery and transportation service. Food delivery is quite popular here.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We had no issues with insects or rats. There are plenty of rats but they we never saw evidence of them in our house.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Our embassy provides mail service.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
We paid ~250 USD a month for a housekeeper 4hrs/day, 3 days/week. Many people have full-time nannies/housekeepers. Finding help is fairly easy.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Hanoi is probably the safest city we have lived in terms of crime. Traffic is horrible and walking is is a challenge due to lack of sidewalks and traffic. Bike riding is also a challenge due to the traffic. Exercising outdoors can be done but during the winter months (a full six months) the air quality is quite bad.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are gyms here and there. I never used them but heard they charge higher fees for expats.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are available and I have not heard of any issues using them.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Vietnamese is hard to learn so most people do not use it at all, even those who have studied the language. I am sure you can find a local tutor if you so desire.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Getting around on foot is tough without a disability. The sidewalks are mostly unusable because they are full of motorbikes that are parked also cars sometimes. There is also construction going on somewhere in the city constantly.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Taxis and Grab (similar to Uber/Lyft) are both easy to use and affordable.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Most people do not have a car and if they do it is only used for weekend excursions outside of Hanoi. Driving is crazy and parking is mostly not available. Many people buy/rent motorbikes, however.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Internet is good and inexpensive. I do not know about installation as our house came with it already setup.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
We use prepaid local service with Viettel. The cost is quite reasonable compared to the U.S.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
No different from anywhere else.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
None that I am aware of.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
The air quality from October to May can be horrible. Some days Hanoi has the worst air in the world. Medical care is decent for run of the mill issues. For anything more serious people generally travel to Bangkok or Singapore.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
From October - May the air quality in Hanoi can be as bad as anywhere in the world. The winter in Hanoi can be terribly depressing. I'm not sure I would have come here if I had known this. You will want good quality masks to use when spending time outdoors. We have air purifiers in our home - 5 of them. We also run de-humidifiers 24x7 because the air purifiers do not work well in high humidity. This makes for a noisy environment at home which can also wear on you.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Bring high quality masks to wear outdoors. You may also want to bring air quality monitors to check the air in your home.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Everyone feels the "winter blues" due to the blanket of pollution that settles on the city for 6 months during winter. The only respite is to travel outside of Hanoi/Vietnam when possible.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Summer: hot and humid
Winter: Cool (low 40s F)
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
UNIS (United Nations International School) is one of the bright spots for us in Hanoi. The school is wonderful and the education top-notch. The other school I am aware of people attending here is Concordia. It is a bit further out but also a very good option I am told.
2. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
The schools offer extra curricular activities including sports teams: soccer, basketball, swimming, etc.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There is a large expat community. Morale is okay.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Nothing out of the ordinary: restaurants, bars, home events, etc.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It's fine for anyone that doesn't mind the pollution.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
I have found the Vietnamese people to be very warm and generous. I am not aware of any prejudices but this is only my own experience. The language barrier is a problem.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not that I am aware of.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The highlights have been trips in the region both within (Da Nang, Qui Nhon, Phu Quoc, etc) and outside of Vietnam (Singapore, Japan, Taipei, Cambodia, Bangkok, etc.)
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Most of the places to visit in Vietnam are fairly well known. One place we enjoyed that is lesser known is Qui Nhon.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
For some, maybe. Not for us.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Cost of living is low.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I had know how bad the pollution was. The air quality is the worst I have ever experienced. The overall pollution, not just the air, is also bad.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
I would not move here and am quite happy to be leaving.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
car.
4. But don't forget your:
respirators.
