Whether you are about to settle down or pay a visit to a whole new country, choosing a place to live is of great importance. Here in Vietnam, you can choose from apartment for rent in Hoan Kiem, West Lake area, or Ba Dinh District. Speaking from my own experience, home life has a huge effect on our dealing with cultural shock and the way we adapt to an unfamiliar living environment. Let us here be open and honest, finding a right home is a tremendous job concerning tons of factors: budget, location, property, security, transport and on top of that are our personal preferences.
To make the task less head aching and help you narrow the search down, here are 5 locations with varying characteristics that may please you when living in Hanoi. Coming all the way down to this list, you will find some “hidden gem” places revealed – the ones that are yet to be shared anywhere among online expat community.
If the Old Quarter is a favorite tourist destination for foreign visitors to Hanoi, West Lake is the “home” that foreign residents choose for themselves when blending in with the lifestyle of the capital.
Specifically, the reasons that make West Lake an attractive choice for foreigners include:
Fresh and quiet living environment:
West Lake is famous for its cool green space, less dust, fresh air, bringing a feeling of relaxation and closeness to nature, especially compared to crowded city center areas.
Developed infrastructure:
This area has full facilities such as international schools, hospitals, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, meeting the living, studying and working needs of foreigners.
Convenient transportation:
Short distance of only 10-15 minutes drive to Hoan Kiem area; low population density and extremely large natural space on the lake surface. These are extremely valuable factors for them, who are fed up with the stuffy, oppressive urban life of only concrete and vehicles.
Diverse entertainment and cultural activities:
Around West Lake, there are many tourist attractions such as ancient temples and pagodas, parks, amusement parks, Lotte mall Westlake; European-style restaurants, late-night bars, convenience stores with imported goods, etc., a rich culinary area, meeting the entertainment and cultural exploration needs of foreigners.
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Foreign community:
West Lake attracts a large number of foreigners to live and work, creating a multicultural community, helping foreigners easily integrate and find connections.
High real estate value:
With outstanding advantages, real estate in the West Lake area is always highly appreciated, attracting the attention of investors and home buyers.
There are good reasons why many foreigners call this area home even though it is so crowded that sidewalk turns into markets for commercial purpose and facing jammed traffic has become a norm. Old Quarters (Pho Co) is the entertainment center with frequent cultural and national events to enjoy like water puppet show, independence celebration, arts and flowers exhibition.
There are abundant choices for you to dine ranging from cheap street food to luxurious dishes at fancy Western and Asian style restaurants. Other facet of the Old Quarter that makes it attractive place, especially for outgoing, gregarious visitors to live is its lively nightlife. The streets are bustling with talks, cheers and music and do not sleep till 4:00 am, some bars even open all night long to serve the energetic explorers.
A modern house for rent in the Old Quarters costs somewhere around 300$/month, the price varies largely depending on the accommodation. For a mecca with fine dining and high quality of life, Pho Co is indeed a great place to settle down.
Cultural space in Hanoi Old Quarter
The AQ not only has tube-shaped houses but also has cultural life and space. This place is lively with magnificence, elegance, family religious ceremonies, diverse folk festivals.
In fact, at present, the managers want to keep the status quo, mobilize socialization of the renovation of old houses. The people side is a little different. Many houses over a hundred years old are too old and seriously degraded. From a family of three generations, after 60-70 years, it became 15-20 households crowded, divided the tube house into many segments, enlarged all types, sealed the skylines, had no light and air, difficult living conditions, polluted environment. Young people want to sell, share, live separately in high-rise apartments in new urban areas. Old people are determined to keep the land of their ancestors, a place to keep family memories.
Over time, the furniture turns “gone”, fortunately left the altar, the genealogy book, the ordained plate, the piece, the medal, the medal … Must look directly at that reality. , thoroughly understand the feelings, emotions and needs of the insiders, from which to research and step by step propose ways to solve new problems, hoping to keep the lost and lost ones.
Along with the reconstruction of the houses, it is advisable to bring cultural space, traditional soul into it, from the layout, furniture to the elegant and civilized lifestyle of the Hanoi people. It is possible to re-create the custom of the three classes of Ke Cho people. In the family of craftsmen, the facade is both a workshop and a place to display and introduce products. Business families, the outside is a shop with suitable items such as silk, ao dai, antiques, puppets, souvenirs …
It is also possible to alternate a few shops selling Hanoi gifts such as rice cakes, lotus jam, oolong … In vineyard families, the layout in the old Hanoi style with antique furniture is mahogany, Tea cabinets, couches, letter books, sentences …, there is a shrine room, a lounge room, a “sky well” space for relaxation …
In addition to the daily activities of different types of family cultural spaces, it is necessary to periodically organize festivals, folk games and games, creating a vibrant atmosphere. It is possible to restore the “Spring Ox” ceremony at Bach Ma temple on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, hold a procession of procession to bring the master of the Vietnamese colonial government Phung Thien Nguyen Trung Ngan from Huong Tuong temple (Ma May street) to Thanh shrine. Hoang Long Do at Bach Ma temple (Hang Buom street), Ca tru festival, literary singing at Golden Bell Theater, introduction of Trieu Khuc dancing, flag dancing, tiger fighting, Giong’s singing, snake dance Le Mat … It is also possible to organize dragon dance, lion dance, four spirit dance competitions at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Ly Thai To flower garden, contest of rice blowing, horse cooking contest, and market nights. books, calendar markets, New Year market, postcard market, stamps, music discs …
Central location and convenient transportation:
Ba Dinh is located in the center of Hanoi, the national administrative centers. The public transportation system and major roads, the elevated high-speed railway line conveniently connect to neighboring areas.
Many high-class amenities:
Ba Dinh District has many commercial centers: Vincom Metropolis; Vincom Nguyen Chi Thanh, LOTTE Lieu Giai, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Chinese restaurants, …, Starbucks, Phuc Long coffee shops, …, CGV, LOTTE cinemas, and high-class entertainment services, meeting the diverse needs of foreigners and especially for Japanese people.
Dense foreign community:
Ba Dinh has many areas with a large foreign community, especially on routes such as Linh Lang, Dao Tan, Giang Vo, Kim Ma, Ngoc Khanh, Lieu Giai, Truc Bach, etc. This creates a close-knit living environment, making it easy to integrate and connect with people of the same nationality or interests.
Green spaces and historical sites:
Ba Dinh has many parks, lakes such as Thu Le Park, Truc Bach Lake, and historical sites such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, and Thang Long Imperial Citadel, providing a fresh living space and opportunities to learn about Vietnamese culture and history.
Good security and civilized living environment:
Ba Dinh is considered one of the areas with good security and a civilized living environment, creating a sense of security for people, especially foreigners living here.
Urban areas converge many factors in a private space for residents such as green living environment, modern amenities, guaranteed security, civilized foreign community and prime location.
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Green and clean living environment:
The above urban areas are often planned with many green spaces, parks, and regulating lakes, creating a fresh and natural living environment, very suitable for the needs of foreigners.
Modern and synchronous amenities:
a system of commercial centers, international schools Hanoi Academy, SIS, UNIS, VINSCHOOL…, Vinmec hospital,.., entertainment areas, swimming pools, gyms, fully meeting the living and entertainment needs of residents.
Guaranteed security:
Vinhomes urban areas are protected 24/7 with a modern security system, ensuring absolute safety for residents, especially foreigners.
Civilized community:
Urban areas attract a community of successful people, intellectuals, and senior officials of suburban companies, creating a civilized, polite, and friendly living environment, helping foreigners to easily integrate.
Prime location:
Projects are often located in convenient traffic locations, easily connecting to central areas and other public utilities, helping foreigners easily move and live in industrial parks such as Bac Ninh, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong,
Outstanding projects:
CIPUTRA: famous for its green – clean – beautiful environment, moderate and fresh climate. Always the TOP 1 choice of foreigners when coming to Hanoi.
Vinhomes Ocean Park: Famous for its saltwater lake and sea amenities, bringing a unique and interesting living space. Vinhomes Smart City: Known as an “international city” with a multinational community, providing a dynamic and modern living environment.
Prestigious brand:
Vinhomes is a real estate brand belonging to Vingroup, a large and prestigious corporation in Vietnam, ensuring the quality and service of the project.
Ciputra is a long-standing brand.
The diversity regarding best place in Hanoi for expat will provides the foreigners with more options when buying real properties. Hopefully this article will help you choose the best type of apartments that fits your wants and needs. If you want to rent an accomodation in hanoi, Alpha Housing is always here at your service.
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