Living in Hanoi
Vietnam SIM Card or eSIM for Tourists: Which Network, How Much, and Where to Buy
Getting mobile data in Vietnam in 2026: Viettel, Vinaphone or Mobifone, buying a SIM at the airport or in town, eSIM options, typical prices, and the passport registration step.
Renting a Room in Hanoi: What to Check Before You Pay the Deposit
Renting a room or small apartment in Hanoi in 2026: typical prices by district, electricity rules, deposits, rainy-season flooding and the questions that save headaches.
Is Hanoi Safe? Traffic, Theft, Scams and Walking at Night
An honest local view on safety in Hanoi: violent crime is rare, but traffic, phone snatching and small scams are real. What to watch for, at night and as a solo traveller.
How to Use Grab in Vietnam (and Be, Xanh SM): Bikes, Cars, Paying and Tips
A practical guide to ride-hailing in Vietnam in 2026: setting up Grab, Be and Xanh SM, bike vs car, paying by cash or card, pickup tips, rush-hour prices and food delivery.
Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Which One Should You Visit (or Live In)?
Hanoi or Saigon? A local comparison of weather, pace, food, cost, nightlife and day trips, so you can decide which city suits your trip or your move.
Common Scams in Hanoi (and How to Avoid Them Without Being Paranoid)
The tourist scams you are most likely to meet in Hanoi in 2026: fruit-pole photos, shoe shines, cyclo prices, fake taxis, banknote mix-ups and overpriced souvenirs, with simple ways to avoid each.
Hanoi Airport to the Old Quarter: Bus 86, Grab or Taxi (Prices and Times for 2026)
How to get from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi's Old Quarter in 2026: airport bus 86, cheaper city buses, Grab and taxis, with typical prices, travel times and tips.
Getting Around Hanoi in 2026: Motorbike, Ride-Hailing, Bus or Metro?
How people in Hanoi really commute in 2026: motorbikes, Grab and Be bikes, city buses at 8,000–20,000 VND, and the two metro lines, with honest trade-offs.