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City life in Hanoi

As a foreign expat, you can expect a flexible lifestyle in Hanoi. You can either live simply like most locals or enjoy all the luxuries you can afford. Most residents travel with a motorbike, and most foreigners staying in the country long-term also find it as a convenient mode of transportation.
Most foreign assignees in Hanoi choose to rent furnished apartments in districts formerly held by the French or around the Westlake, the biggest lake in Hanoi. These neighborhoods have access to international schools, establishments and business areas.
The top companies, commercial developments and schools, as well as the telecom infrastructure, utilities and other basic services are well-established in Hanoi. It’s not uncommon to find colonial neighbourhoods with Western influence, evident from the likes of grand villas with French-inspired architecture, manicured gardens and palm trees adorning the streets. There are also plenty of serviced apartments, studio flats and other types of modern accommodations for expat workers, families, students or retirees.

Vietnamese culture is diverse

Vietnamese culture is diverse
Vietnam is a country in the Southeast Asia culture sphere and thus shares many similar traditions with other Asian countries, such as the traditional holidays (i.e. Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn). Vietnam was colonized for over a thousand years by China. Vietnamese values, norms, and moral compass have been affected by Chinese culture and values like Confucianism teachings. Influences from French culture started after colonization in the 19th century, reflected in the country’s architecture and foods. And from the 20th century, the 1990s, Vietnam has been exposed to Western, US in particular, culture through media. We can say Vietnam is deeply multifaceted.
Its culture reflects a mix of local traditions that have come to incorporate the advances of globalisation. These two aspects of modern-day Vietnam often coincide in curious ways. Vietnamese contemporary ideologies have also been significantly shaped by the foreign influences of both neighbouring and Western countries. Today, the Vietnamese spirit is independent, opportunistic and resilient.
Vietnam is not only a country with beautiful beaches and delicious foods but also a place to discover a rich and diversified culture. Vietnamese culture is a fusion of traditional and contemporary values. The harmony of many regions in one country and the closeness of one member to the other family members are what you may find interesting.

Air quality in Hanoi

One of the major concerns when moving to Hanoi is the city’s air quality. The air quality in Hanoi was reported to have improved in 2020 but was still a concern.
The report by the Swiss air quality technology and monitoring company said in 2020 the average pollution exposure in Vietnam fell by 18 percent from 2019 levels.
As the second most crowded city in Vietnam and with construction and development, life here is always in a busy state with nearly 5 million people, crowded streets and high-rise buildings. You can check the real time Air quality index (AQI) by following the links below:

• Hanoi Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)

• Hanoi Air Quality Index (AQI) and Vietnam Air Pollution | AirVisual (iqair.com) 

Climate

The best time of the year in Hanoi will be in spring and autumn, when the average temperatures are at a comfortable level (between 20°C / 68.0°F and 30°C / 86.0°F on average), which is during the months March, April, October and November. For most people from the West, other great months in Hanoi are January, February and December when the average temperatures are a little cooler but still between a pleasant 10°C / 50.0°F and 20°C / 68.0°F.
The warmest time of year in Hanoi is in July when it is 29.5°C / 85.1°F on average, but could get up to 32.9°C / 91.2°F maximum. On the other hand, the coldest time of year in Hanoi is in January when it is 16.5°C / 61.7°F on average but could get down to 13.7°C / 61.7°F minimum.
Heating systems are not popular in Hanoi. Instead, most buildings have air conditioners, which can be very useful in summer. In fall and spring, temperatures are moderate and the air is fresh.

Accomodation

Coming to Hanoi and looking for a place to live, expats can easily find ads online about a fine studio apartment with an indoor bathroom and kitchen, all cost covered with lowest $300/month in the center of Hanoi in which you can easily travel to work. Inviting as it is, some may take this as a great deal and rush to the location and place a deposit at once.
To raise the standard to the next level, living in a luxury 2-bedroom apartment in residential areas is not a bad choice. Although the price may be up to $700-1000, amenities, facilities and services in these places can be classified as high-class, which can be of great advantage for expats. Moreover, to make it more cost-effective, renters can totally share the apartment with colleagues or friends to reduce the cost.

Domestic Help

Domestic Help
A domestic helper in Vietnam is called “giup viec”, meaning “housework helper” (or nanny). Many families employ a nanny part-time or full-time to help with housework, childcare, shopping etc.
Many full-serviced apartments in Hanoi include cleaning and housework service. Serviced apartments are gradually emerging as the most trendy place to stay for both long term or short stay nowadays. It is suitable for corporate or leisure travelers, or even permanent expats. It provides all hotel-like services and utilities such as swimming pool, gym, laundry service, etc.
If you live in your own-rent apartment, you can consider renting a nanny service. This person can be found through personal recommendations or through companies. Most people find help through word of mouth, asking around friends or asking friends’ housekeepers. Whether you are looking for a nanny, maid, housekeeper or cook, it’s best to get references. Check with your employer for referrals, check on Facebook through the Facebook groups, The New Hanoian or look at a website like Maid in Vietnam. There are also apps to rent a helper by day or by hour. You can also find one who visits every day or stays in your house.
Between US$400-600 (paid in Vietnamese Dong) a month is about the going rate for a full-time housekeeper and US$300 a month for part-time. Whether your housekeeper is full-time or part-time, you might expect to pay a TET (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) bonus, a thirteenth month and a yearly increase of 5-10%. A fourteenth month is discretionary and normally only paid to long-serving employees. You are not usually required to take out health insurance for your housekeeper/helper, but if you decide to do so, it is best to pay this directly into a scheme to ensure that cover is taken out.
Working hours for full time are 8-9 hours a day (40-45 hours a week) including a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch/break. Your helper is entitled to 12 paid-for vacation days per year after completing 12 month of consecutive work in addition to the following official holidays:

• New Year Day / 1 January (1 day)
• Lunar New Year (4 days)
• Reunification Day / 30 April (1 day)
• International Labour Day / 1 May (1 day)
• National Day / 2 September (1 day).

Some housekeepers require contracts, others do not. If you need to provide a contract, ask around for advice.

Telephone/ Internet/ and Utilities

Water usage is metered, and monthly bills will be delivered to your home.
Different rates apply to your electricity consumption, the more you use electricity the more you are charged per unit! Your monthly electricity bill can range anywhere from US$100 to US$500 depending on the size of your home and how often you use air conditioning. Electricity can also be paid in special shops, online at  EVNHanoi Website  or in your Vietnamese online banking app. Don’t forget to pay the bill, the electricity company is very strict in turning the electricity off if you don’t make your due dates.
Telephone/internet, Garbage collection and TV/cable bills are also usually delivered to your home.
Internet access is readily available and generally reliable. You can ask your landlord and/or letting agent for help. If you are in a house, the bill will be brought to you, and you pay directly.
Serviced apartment buildings provide internet services and usually bill you directly. Costs range from $20-$40 a month, depending on the package you require (speed).
Many cafes across Hanoi offer free Wi Fi to patrons, so this is a good back-up option while your home connection is set up.

Banking

How to open a bank account
Here is list of top banks in Vietnam
Most banks have offices around Hanoi, serving in office hours (8.00-5.00). Local bank staff can speak English well and can offer support to set up your new account. If you prefer to maintain an account with one of the many international banks, there are some you can choose, such as Shinhan, Standard Chartered, HSBC, ANZ, etc.
The bank infrastructure in Vietnam is relatively modern and straightforward to use. ATMs are readily available in most cities and internet banking comes as standard with both Vietnamese and English interfaces. In rural areas and smaller towns, ATMs are more difficult to find, so expats are advised to carry enough cash with them when travelling to locations away from the big cities. Vietnam is still very much a cash-based economy, so it is best to carry cash in the majority of situations.
All banks in Vietnam offer a wide range of banking packages, so it is worth researching which packages best suit an individual’s needs. Most banks have English speaking service personnel, or English brochures, website outlining the services they offer their customers.
To open a bank account in Vietnam, expats will need to prepare a passport and a copy of their employment contract, as well as an initial deposit, which varies from bank to bank.

Money and Finance

Vietnam is an inexpensive country to live in. Most items cost less than half of what you would pay in the West, and anywhere from 5% to 25% less than what they would cost in many other Southeast Asian countries.
The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). It is available in the following denominations:
Notes: VND 1,000, VND 2,000, VND 5,000, VND 10,000, VND 20,000, VND 50,000, VND 100,000, VND 200,000, VND 500,000.
US Dollars (USD) are not usually used in transactions, but many prices are quoted in dollars.

How to get around?

There are plenty of options. It’s possible to walk and this can be enjoyable especially when the weather is cooler and after the morning and evening rush hours. Pavements are often used for commerce and/or as motorbike and car parks, which means you can be forced to walk into the road and this can be an inconvenience!
Many people take taxis and there are well over a hundred taxi companies operating in Hanoi. Taxi Group (red and blue cars),  Mai Linh (green cars),  ABC taxi (pink livery) and  Thanh Cong  are among the most reliable. Shops and restaurants will often call a taxi for you if you ask. Except for when it is raining, it is almost always possible to hail one in the street. Taxis are convenient when you need to go to an unknown place for the first time. Make sure to write down the complete address of your destination and your taxi will be able to find his (or her) way around. Make sure the driver puts on the meter.
You can try Grab (and other similar apps) that provide bike and taxi service. You will need to download the application on your mobile.
You can also take a motorbike taxi or “Xe Om”. Make sure you agree on the price in advance, and that you wear a helmet (the xe om driver should have an additional one for his customers). Individual motorbike taxis have become less popular, because of the rise of apps such as Grab, Be and GoViet (which are technology-based motorbike taxis). All prices are listed in the app, so there is no worry about prices.
Some people take local buses. They are cheap and the routes can be convenient, but they tend to be crowded at peak hours. Phone applications such as Google Maps can provide reliable bus itineraries.
There are many bicycle shops selling adult and children’s bicycles. Bicycles can also be rented from shops that can be easily found around West Lake. Many people enjoy a cycle round West Lake at the weekend at quiet times.
Similarly, you can buy or rent a motorbike, and this remains one of the most popular ways to get around, Vietnamese-style. You will not need a license for a motorbike 49cc or under, and you don’t have to wear a helmet either. You should also make sure your health insurance covers you in an accident.
Traffic conditions can make cycling and biking somewhat challenging. You will need to keep alert on Hanoi roads, wear clothing that ensures you are visible, and wear a helmet and other protective gear.

How to get aroundHealth and Medical Care

In general, primary health care in Hanoi is of a satisfactory standard for expatriates with health insurance.  

Most international health insurance companies offer insurance policies that cover Vietnam. Please talk to your company about the insurance information on the extent of your cover and costs e.g. not all policies cover dental treatment. It is vital that you are covered for evacuation in the event of a serious accident or illness.  

Here are some of the medical providers:  

Family Medical Practice (FMP) at 297 I Kim Ma offers an international standard of medical care with expatriate and Vietnamese doctors and specialists. FMP operates in English, Vietnamese, Korean, French and Japanese offering 24 hour service including emergency ambulances, house visits and medical evacuation. There is a 24-hour Pharmacy. 

Please note that while FMP can offer X-Rays, bone setting and plaster casts need to be done elsewhere e.g. at the French Hospital. 

E: hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com 

W: vietnammedicalpractice.com 

T:+84 4 3843 0748 

Raffles Medical Hanoi at 51 Xuan Dieu in Tay Ho (behind Fraser Suites/Syrena Centre). The clinic is staffed with local and foreign physicians, as well as professionals who can provide multilingual support to foreigners, expatriates and local residents. This includes a dedicated Japanese service and language support for Korean, French and Mandarin speakers. 

Business hours: Monday – Sunday, 8am-8pm. 

Telephone: +84 4 3934 0666 

Email: request@internationalsos.com 

Website: rafflesmedical.vn 

L’Hôpital Francais de Hanoi (aka “The French Hospital”) at 1 Phuong Mai , Dong Da, Hanoi. The hospital has a 24 hour accident and emergency and ambulance service. 

Telephone (24 hours): +84 (0) 4 3577 1100 

Emergency Line: +84 (0) 4 35 74 11 11. 

Email: contact@hfh.com.vn 

Website: http://en.hfh.com.vn/

The hospital also has a Health Care Centre H Clinic Trung Hoa situated in the 24T1 Building in Trung Hoa in the west of the city. For further information: 

or email: hclinic@hfh.com.vn 

Vinmec International Hospital. Hotline on 04 3974 3558 or for emergencies 04 3974 4333. Vinmec International Hospital at 458 Minh Khai Street, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi. 

The American Chiropractic Clinic  

Physio Active 

Food and dining

A wide variety of tasty fruit and vegetables is readily available (with seasonal fluctuations). Very good bread, pastries and cakes are available from French-style bakeries and from the bakeries of higher class hotels. There are plenty of places to buy good quality imported wine and spirits. A variety of imported cheese and salami/chorizo is available from gourmet supermarkets and delicatessens in the Tay Ho area, and high-class hotels, although prices are expensive. Japanese and Korean food and other goods can be bought in supermarkets around Tay Ho, Lotte Tower, or in shops in the Cau Giay and My Dinh areas.
The cost for home-cooked food is approximately 10.000.000 – 20.000 VND per month (~500 – 1000 USD). The amount depends on how expensive your tastes are.
The cost for dining is as below:

Laundry

Most full-service departments include laundry service in the building. You can also use laundry service at 50.000 VND (~2 USD), mostly in the expat living areas.

Social life

How much you spend depends on your interests and how much socializing you do.
Common expenditures:

Working

With an ever-expanding economy, the range of jobs available for expats moving to Vietnam is also growing. The majority of expat jobs are in Ho Chi Minh city and Hanoi, but some can be found in smaller towns.
Most expats working in Vietnam are in the IT, construction, education, and tourism sectors. There is also a large English teaching community and many NGOs operating out of Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi.
Employment opportunities can be found online through company websites, job portals and recruitment agencies. Expats typically move to Vietnam with a job already in hand. Any expat wishing to work in Vietnam must have a valid work permit.
Learning to speak basic Vietnamese will stand expats in good stead with colleagues and associates as well as enhance a person’s ability to make the most of their spare time when exploring Vietnam and interacting with the local people

Work culture in Vietnam

Expats working in Vietnam will find that the work environment is similar to Asian countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan. The Vietnamese have a healthy work ethic and are generally hardworking and industrious.
Offices are a formal environment and workers are expected to dress and behave appropriately. Networking is incredibly important in Vietnam and expats will soon find that a broad social group is important when it comes to securing a position or moving up the ladder.
Communal lunches are an important part of working in Vietnam, as is socializing with colleagues after work. These social occasions also provide good opportunities for expats to network and interact with their Vietnamese counterparts.
Companies in Vietnam have a very hierarchical structure and expats are expected to show the necessary respect towards their seniors in the workplace. Punctuality is valued and lateness is seldom tolerated. Expats are therefore advised to arrive early for meetings.