Hanoi Expats Chat
An English-speaking Telegram chat for people living in or moving to Hanoi.
English only · Free · ModeratedOpen since Oct 2026
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Who it's for
Made for digital nomads, English teachers and students in Hanoi. Also known as Ha Noi.
Common questions in this chat
Can I visit Hanoi without a visa and for how long?
Citizens of about two dozen countries (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the Nordics for any purpose until 14 Mar 2028, plus more European countries for tourism until 14 Aug 2028) get 45 days visa-free per entry. Everyone else needs an e-visa. Noi Bai airport is an e-visa entry point; confirm on evisa.gov.vn. Source: ey.com/en_vn (People Advisory Services alert, Aug 2025) and vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-visa-policy-2025-reforms.html. Checked: 2026-10.
How much is rent in Tay Ho, Hanoi?
As of Oct 2026, guides put one-bedrooms at about USD 700-1,300 in Tay Ho and USD 650-1,200 in Ba Dinh, though individual listings can be lower (a furnished 50 m2 unit at about USD 550 in Tay Ho). Tay Ho is the most popular expat district. Asking prices differ from final deals, so compare several listings. Source: vietnamliving.vn/cost-of-renting-an-apartment-in-hanoi-2026-guide/. Checked: 2026-10.
Can foreigners open a bank account in Hanoi?
Often yes, but it depends on the bank and branch. Typically you need a passport valid for 6+ months, a visa or residence card with several months left (some branches ask for a work permit or 12 months), and proof of your Hanoi address. Tourist or visa-exempt stamps are often refused. Call the branch first. Source: leaseinvietnam.com/bank-account-guide-foreigners-vietnam-2026/. Checked: 2026-10.
How much does the Vietnam e-visa cost and how long is it valid?
On the official portal evisa.gov.vn the fee is USD 25 for a single-entry e-visa and USD 50 for multiple entry, valid up to 90 days. Apply a few working days before flying and choose Noi Bai (Hanoi) as the entry port. Agencies add service fees, so compare with the official price. Print the approval or save the PDF. Source: evisa.gov.vn (fees also confirmed by kkday.com/en/blog/90072/vietnam-visa). Checked: 2026-10.
Where do I extend a visa in Hanoi?
The Hanoi Immigration Department is at 44-46 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh (as listed by several guides; confirm hours before going). E-visas and visa-exempt entries generally cannot be extended; embassy-issued tourist and business visas can be, often via a sponsor or agency, with a fee and a processing wait of several working days. Source: vietnamtourism.com/en/extending-a-vietnam-visa-costs-process-and-visa-runs. Checked: 2026-10.
Chat rules
- No spam. No ads, promo or referral links without a moderator's OK.
- Nothing illegal or dangerous: no escorts, drugs, scams, fake documents.
- No forwards from channels while you're new — write your own words.
- Respect each other. No insults, discrimination or harassment.
- English only so everyone can follow.
- Stay on topic: life in Hanoi — housing, visas, work, health, events, tips.
- Report, don't argue: reply to the message with /report and moderators will look.