Job Discussion Forums

[WH Prof]

Hi All,

I'm contemplating a move to Hanoi next year some time. Can one live fairly comfortably on $1,000 a month, or not really? One of my Vietnamese students told me that furnished two-bedroom apartments go for about $400-500, and the cost of other things seems comparatively inexpensive as well. I wonder, also, if the assistance of a Vietnamese friend may help get one a better deal.

Any thoughts from the "troops on the ground" would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[WH Prof]

No takers?

Just a quick number, if I may impose, for a comfortable standard of living: $1,000, $1,200, $1,500?

Thanks.

[legaleagle]

I think you will be more in the $1500+ range. My villa in Tay Ho cost $1200/month and that was a better deal than many of my colleagues had. Guesthouses are probably pretty reasonable ($300?) but any apartment or house will start costing you probably at least $700. Look on Craigslist.com Vietnam or the New Hanoian.

Also note that there are "seasons" for renting. In August, when the diplomats and UNIS etc teachers return, there is stiff competition for nice digs. In March, for example, you have zillions of choices and no competition.

Then you will either need to rent a motorbike or use a xe om. Probably around $100/month for either of those.

Other real costs come on nice food. As a diplomatic city, you can get the best of the best in Hanoi. Imported tenderloin, olives, ham, etc at Veggy's grocery store. Loads of nice restaurants (Mediterraneo comes to mind, over by the big Cathedral). So you can drop as much as you want eating.

Drinking remains cheap in VN. Heinekens in the tourist areas are cheap. They love Bia Hoi up in VN also, so if you wish to hang with locals, very cheaply, by the litre, that is doable.

Note also that I found the non-educated Hanoians (there are plenty) to be vile. They won't like your white face, should you have one. And you won't like their missing and/or yellow teeth either, after a couple of run ins.

The educated are a delight. Very bright but forceful, so get used to that.

Thai Nguyen Oolong green tea is the best I've had, used to get it by the kilo direct from the fields from my secretary who knew someone.

Weather is nasty - scorching and cold with only a couple of months in between.

Enjoy VN!

[WH Prof]

Thanks very much, legaleagle, for the informed and informative reply.

[shrimp_whiskers]

i found a great two bedroom house in the Ba Dinh area of Hanoi for $600. it's big and clean and meets all the balcony and veranda needs i was hoping for when i began looking. i also found the place within 2 days! i was happy not to have to stay in hotels for long.

go see Madame Dong by St. Joseph's cathedral (next to Sunflower Hotel). she is very helpful and found exactly what i wanted in no time at all!

good luck!