Moving to Hanoi
The capital runs on a different clock to the south.
Hanoi has four actual seasons, which sounds minor until you've spent a July in Saigon. Summers are hot and humid, but winters genuinely get cold enough for a jacket — something that surprises a lot of people who assume all of Vietnam feels the same.
It's also the political and administrative centre of the country, which shows up in small ways: more formality in official interactions, an Old Quarter that still runs on centuries-old street layouts, and a pace that's noticeably less frantic than Ho Chi Minh City, even in the busiest parts of town.
Neighbourhoods
The Old Quarter is the postcard version of Hanoi — narrow streets, street food stalls, and constant activity — but it's not where most long-term foreign residents actually live, mainly because of noise and space. Tay Ho (West Lake) is the more common choice: calmer, closer to several international schools, and home to a large share of the city's expat community. Ba Dinh, near the lake and government district, is another option with a quieter, more residential feel.
Housing and renting
The rental process mirrors the rest of the country — passport and visa/work permit required, residence registration with local police after signing, leases usually around a year. Tay Ho apartments range from older local buildings to newer serviced options aimed specifically at foreign renters, which cost more but come with less hassle around maintenance and furnishing.
Cost of living
Hanoi generally runs a little cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for comparable housing, though the gap has been narrowing as more foreign-oriented apartments come onto the market in Tay Ho specifically. Street food and local restaurants are cheap almost everywhere; the cost jumps are in the same places as HCMC — imported goods, international schools, private healthcare.
See the cost of living in Vietnam guide for sourced figures and city comparisons.
Transport
Grab, Xanh SM and Be cover most daily transport needs, same as the rest of the country. Hanoi also has a growing metro system, still limited in coverage but expanding, which is more than most Vietnamese cities currently offer.
Healthcare
Private healthcare options exist and are improving, though the concentration of top-tier private hospitals used to treating foreign patients is somewhat lighter than in Ho Chi Minh City. Many residents still carry international insurance that covers medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore for anything serious, as a practical backstop rather than a sign the local care is inadequate for everyday needs.
Schools and family
Hanoi has a real, if smaller, selection of international schools compared to HCMC, concentrated mostly around Tay Ho and the Ciputra area. British and international curricula are the most common options here.
Getting set up
Banking, SIM cards and utilities follow the same process as the rest of the country, and tend to be straightforward once your visa or TRC is in place. Tay Ho in particular has enough of an established expat presence that landlords and local service providers are used to dealing with foreign tenants.
Help with your move to Hanoi
Related guides
Hanoi FAQs
- Is Hanoi colder than the rest of Vietnam?
- Yes, noticeably. Hanoi has a real winter — cool enough for a jacket — unlike Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang, which stay warm year-round. It also gets hot and humid in summer.
- Where do most foreigners live in Hanoi?
- Tay Ho (West Lake) is the most common area for long-term foreign residents, partly because of proximity to international schools and a wider choice of serviced apartments.
- Is Hanoi cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City?
- Generally a little, especially for housing, though the gap has narrowed as more foreign-oriented apartments have opened in Tay Ho. Day-to-day costs are similar across both cities.