Job Discussion Forums

[mjed9]

What is Hanoi like?

In terms of pollution, population and climate

Thanks
J

[Micro67]

[mjed9]

So what's Saigon like? Apart from being hot ?

What I really want to know is how much green is there in Hanoi / Vietnam? as in green open spaces and fresh air?

[gjan45]

I have always prefer North to South although I know it's a lot colder there but I have heard from several ppl that Hanoi is a beautiful city, clean and a lot more quiet than Saigon. Whether is true or not I don't know, I guess I will find out when I go there in August.

[hanisay]

Hanoi is smaller, cold and drizzly in winter, and at least to me, not as friendly as Saigon. But has more green...

Saigon has some parks with trees, but also lots of pavement in the parks. Chaotic, vibrant, and friendly people though!

[everywhereandnowhere]

Hanoi is an intensely crowded, hot, dirty and polluted city. If you like lots of noise and people, then it's the place for you. Beware of motorbikes that drive way too fast recklessly, lack of fresh air, green space and friendly people. It's a tough city to live in, but some people thrive on that. There is a bit of crime, especially against foreigners, so watch your wallet/purse. Make sure you learn the language, a little bit goes a long way....

[shanewarne]

Also Pho Bo/Ga tastes different in Hanoi.

[snollygoster]

Now into my second long term stint in Hanoi. Last one was about 4 years ago.
This time round the changes in only 4-5 years are very noticeable.
The beautiful gentle city filled with reserved generous older people that I remember has disappeared, and been replaced with rude, agressive disrespectful maniac driving punks with lots of tatoos.

The city itself is still beautiful, despite a massive increase in car numbers for which Hanoi streets were never designed, but its "soul", at least for me, has been sold off to the dollar loving "in" crowd who sit around in Bir hoi displaying their tatoos, swearing loudly, drinking to excess and generally being abusive to anyone and everyone.

Once attractive lakes now stink from the masses of putrifying rubbish the locals unthinkingly throw in them. Strangely, the same people who throw their rubbish in the lakes are the ones who complain the loudest about the stink that they themselves helped create. The water in some has becomes green and stale, and some smell of oil.

Unbearably hot and dusty in the short summer, and in the winter the very foggy and constant rain makes the cold air very difficult to deal with.

There are some oases of calm, but overall, a disappointing return to what I had expected to be still a liveable city with enough charm to counter its negative weather. A beautiful city ruined by the thoughtless actions of the "new breed". Maybe its time to go home.