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Hello,

Although I am here for less than a week these here you are my advices.
- Weather: Hot and very humid. You will have to get used to the rain if you don't come from the North of France, we are on moussons season.
The pollution makes the atmosphere even heavier.

- Transport. Although there is public transport, and it's cheap, to have a motorbike is the most practical thing. There are new ones from 200 USD, and even less if it's a second hand one. It is also possible to rent them.
Because of the traffic it's better if you have some experience driving one. Driving here is like cycling in the middle of the peloton of the tour de France.

- Lodgement: Most of the foreigners live in districts 2, 7, 1 and Binh Thanh. One appartment with two rooms, internet and charges between 500-1000 USD per month. Above all take care of the age of the building. There are appartment refurbished that could seem OK, but there are bad isolated, don't have A/C in all the rooms, etc.

- Food: Quite cheap. From 1 eur for a basic meal in a traditional VN restaurant, to 10 eur for restaurants frequented by foreigners.

-Trips: Many possibilites inside and outside the country.

I know two people that will leave their appartment at the end of September. If you are interested maybe I could help you.

These are my advices. Don't forget to say hello when you arrive!!

Hi Jamelgo!

Thanks for your answer! Tu parles francais aussi?
I have seen that you live at Ho Chi Minh City... I'm going to Hanoi... For wich city you offered your help?
I'm coming from the north of France, near the Belgium border... So I'm used to the rain! But It is also why I have moved in the South and then to India!
In any case, it will be a pleasure to stay in touch with you.

Hi,just happen to drop by,you should really visit the Old Quarter areas,a lot of foreigners living there and you may get familiar with the places
Je ne peus par parler francais (forgive my french,long time never touched it )

Thanks Dreadfury!

This quarter seems to be near my work place.
Don't worry for your french, It's much better than my vietnamese!

hi again, my other advices would be:
. try vietnamese food
. get a local friend (practical,work related preferable)
the rest i'll leave it to you to find out
ps. a little off-topic,but we have just opened a new supermarket,restaurant and spa at 37 Tran Quoc Toan,namely DAISO JAPAN (not far from old quarter). Welcome all to come and take a look. (pls dont hate me,admin )

Yes, i can be your friend too. I am an indian. I also arrived at HANOI recently. Already spent around 20 days. But searching for a company..local people doen't understand me sometimes what i am saying,,,,because they cant understand english..but its a fun sometimes ..because they are very helpfull.
When you will come here you will not gonna face any problem..except language problem. ok see u then.

hi,
living in Hanoi, you should spend weekend afternoon at some cafe near West lake, like in Ilu building, 8th floor where you can see sunset from 2 lake in front, or  noon time at Hanoi city view cafe', on HoanKiem lake. This is the way how you get some feeling of hanoi.
Having some Chacalavong - fish grilled, is also nice.
Taxi, 043.8215215 is 1 of the cheapest taxi in Hanoi.

Thanks for suggesting Sonia. Can we meet at the cafe? Actually i have no company here.. may be we can enjoy coffee together. Tell me when you are free.

HI KAPILINBLUE, no worry about your language, I'm teaching Vietnamese for foreigners in Hanoi for free, so if you get trouble with communicating, let's join class, happen on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning/ afternoon. then we can enjoy some coffee.

Hi Annso,

There's a lot to learn about VN, but its easy to pick up once you're here. The best way to know in advance is through other people's experiences. On my blog, The West Lake Review , I have a "sites" list of lots of blogs from expats living both in Hanoi and Saigon. Also, check out "The New Hanoian" for events, classifieds, places to eat etc.

westlakereview.blogspot.com/
newhanoian.xemzi.com/

Hope to see you around!
Zac

@Sonia, But i dont have your contact ... how can i join the class. where is it?

my contact is greencanaltour@yahoo.com
or mobi: 01266200333
Wellcome,