I arrived in Hanoi in January 2019 with two suitcases, a vague plan to ‘try living in Asia for a few months,’ and absolutely no idea what I was doing. Three years later I’m still here, running a small remote business, and wondering how I ever thought I’d leave after three months.
The Motorbike Question
Everyone asks: should I get a motorbike? In Hanoi, yes — eventually. But don’t buy one week one. Rent first ($60–80/month for a reliable semi-auto), get used to the traffic flow, and then decide. The traffic looks terrifying but it moves in predictable patterns. The key insight: it flows like water. Don’t stop, don’t brake suddenly, and merge gradually. Within two weeks it clicks.
Finding an Apartment
Skip the Western-facing expat Facebook groups for your first apartment. Go to Batdongsan.com.vn, use Google Translate, and contact landlords directly. You’ll pay half what’s listed in English-language groups for the same quality. Tay Ho (West Lake) is the expat heartland — beautiful but expensive. Tay Ho Road for views and cafés. Ba Dinh is quieter and more Vietnamese. Old Quarter is great for your first month, exhausting after that.
Healthcare is Better Than You Think
Vinmec and FV Hospital offer Western-standard care at a fraction of home prices. Get travel insurance that covers Vietnam — the big expat hospitals accept international plans directly. Local pharmacies (nhà thuốc) are excellent for minor issues; pharmacists are knowledgeable and speak basic English in the cities.