Anywhere around Hoan Kiem will be great for nightlife. But if you're going to work at the airport, maybe you want to live around Ciputra, which is about half the distance to the airport compared to Hoan Kiem. The Old Quarter can be around 50 mins to an hr to the airport, imagine going there every day. To me a one hour ride in VN is like a 3 hr bumpy ride in the US.

Hmmm, after reading a little bit on Ciputra, i don't think that it is me. I want to come to Vietnam for a change, not stay in a rich westerners village. I understand that could be a problem with a 50min to an hour trip to the airport everyday. If thats what it takes to live where we think we want to live then i suppose i will have to deal with the travelling. Is there any areas on the border of the Hoan Kiem district that would cut off some time to the airport that would be worth considering? That way i suppose we could have he best of both worlds maybe???

The Truch Bach Lake area would cut your commute down to about 35 minutes. I travel a lot for work and I live on right on Truch Bach Lake so I'm pretty familiar with the travel time.

Thanks wesmo...

just had a look at google earth to get my bearings and Truc Bach Lake area looks like the goods...still close to the action but cut out the crap getting to and from work. I can handle 35mins...

Just looking around there also, what is the west lake area like? Should i try and find somewhere on the eastern side being closer to Truc Bach? I suppose once i get over there i will find my feet but it is all a bit daunting at the moment if you get my drift...dont want to get into a long term lease and find out its in the wrong area...as for lease, is there usually contracts for how long or can you pretty much come and go?

Are you going to be supplied with a company car (and then driving yourself), or are you going to have a car with a driver? Whether or not you need a place to park a car can alter which areas are within practical consideration.

My job includes transport and from what I can gather, that is someone picking me up and taking me home for work each day. So, i will most likely just end up getting a motorbike for myself to get around and that on days off and for the girly, so i will not need a car parking space as such, just somewhere for the bike.

That increases your options. I'd agree with some of the other posters in that the Truc Bach area may be the best compromise. It's not far from the dike road (Nghi Tam/Au Co/An Duong Vuong...it changes names a few times), which heads straight to the highway that will take you to the airport. It has a few bars and restaurants and is in close proximity to areas with many more. There several buildings offering serviced apartments on the lake front, and many other residences just to the east of the lake.

Good luck.

Cheers alpha...yeah i think the truc bach area might be the go for an unseen start to Hanoi anyways.

Thanks heaps to all that responded...you have been a great help and i am definitely a fan of the website...its got everything!!

cheers

chris