Living · Vietnam

Hanoi

Cost of living, housing, transport and neighborhoods in Hanoi.

Asia ·UTC+7
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Very LowCost
Caution: moderateSafety
ModerateEnglish
VND ₫Currency
8,500,000Population

Safety is a general editorial assessment, not an official rating — check the official travel advisories for Vietnam before travelling.

City Overview

Hanoi is Vietnam's capital, retaining rich historical character and French colonial architecture. Quieter and more traditional than HCMC, with a slower pace of life. A growing international community and Vietnam's political and academic center.

Cost of Living Snapshot

1BR Apartment ₫8M–18M/mo (Hoan Kiem/Tay Ho center); ₫4.5M–10M/mo (outer)
Dining Out ₫25,000–70,000 (local); ₫110,000–320,000 (western)
Monthly Transport Grab from ₫25,000; motorbikes dominate
Monthly Groceries ₫1.4M–4M/mo
USD Reference: Approx. USD 310–700/mo (1BR centre)· at 2026-10-09 FX rates
Full Cost of Living Report →

Source: Richbay editorial estimate — indicative, not guaranteed Estimate baseline: 2026-07-20 · Actual costs vary by location, timing, and personal lifestyle.

Getting Around

Motorbikes dominate; Grab provides car and motorbike hailing. Bus system is expanding; urban rail under construction. Tay Ho (West Lake) area is the main international hub.

Location & maps

Hanoi on external map services. We don't load a map until you ask for one.

Hanoi Vietnam

Housing & Neighborhoods

City Center Hoan Kiem (Old Quarter/Historic)
International Hub Tay Ho/West Lake (International hub)
Quiet & Residential Cau Giay/My Dinh (emerging)
Budget-Friendly Ha Dong (affordable)

Universities in Hanoi (1)

Why Live Here

  • Rich historical culture; UNESCO Old Quarter
  • One of the lowest costs of living globally
  • Four distinct seasons (unlike HCMC)
  • Concentration of Vietnam's top universities; strong academic atmosphere

Plan your move

Frequently asked questions

How are the cost figures estimated?

Cost figures are Richbay editorial estimates of typical rent, food and transport, normalised to USD — indicative, not guaranteed. Verify locally before relying on them.

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