Whether it’s your job, remote work, or extended leisure trip that’s sending you to Vietnam’s capital for a multi-month stay, serviced apartments in Hanoi are the way to go. Kiss goodbye to the struggle of jumping from hotel to hotel, and secure your temporary homestead with one of these accommodations to create a more manageable, money-saving, and hassle-free lifestyle.

Serviced apartments make the most sense for anyone who has plans to stay in the city for at least six months or longer, although some complexes offer deals for less time than that.

What is a Serviced Apartment?

A serviced apartment is a fully-furnished unit that allows the tenants to live freely without worrying about figuring out how to have a functional daily routine. These apartments provide everything that you need to cook, clean, sleep, and relax as you would in your current home. Especially if you are moving to Hanoi for an undetermined amount of time, these amenities are great and take away the stress of needing to figure out furniture or having to eat out for every meal.

Many serviced apartments have features that are very similar to a hotel. General housekeeping, laundry, and turn-down services are just a few examples of what you might find at a higher-end property. Obviously, the new and more luxury apartments will cost more than an older building with fewer renter facilities. However, it’s good to know that there are options for people in every budget range.

Serviced apartments are in every part of the city. Depending on how important the location is will determine where you want to look. Many city dwellers enjoy walking to work or the market, and this is a great way to learn the layout, especially if you aren’t too familiar with Hanoi and its public transportation. Driving and traffic can also slow down your commute if you have one.

Types of Serviced Apartment

There are a few kinds of serviced apartments, so finding the right one to suit you is essential.

Large Apartments for Families

Even if you have a family, staying at a serviced apartment in Hanoi is possible. Specific complexes or units have multiple rooms. Although it might be easier to find a one-bedroom place, a larger home is attainable with some future planning.

Shared Rooms

Travelers going solo to Hanoi might want to consider staying in a “shared room” at a serviced apartment, which basically means that you’ll have a random roommate. It could be helpful to have someone staying with you if you’re comfortable with it, especially in another country.

Hometels

A “hometel” is a newer type of serviced apartment in Vietnam, and Hanoi has a few. As stated in the name, these accommodations are a mix of a hotel and a home and provide many extra amenities that other complexes might not, such as a pool, gym, security, or housekeeping. These are on the more expensive side, but tenants also get a lot of value for their money.

Where to Find Housing

The most popular way to look for a serviced apartment is online, thanks to the social media outlets with advertising and special groups for home hunters. It’s also not too challenging to find options on a Google search, but several specific sites are terrific for browsing. Here are a few examples:

Other websites that offer serviced apartment bookings are traditional travel companies like Orbitz, Travelocity, Booking.com, and Kayak. There might be additional fees when using a third party like one of these sites to secure a rental, but you would also be able to see reviews of the properties. It might be a good idea to use these sites to gather information before contacting the owners directly.

If you already know what part of Hanoi you want to reside in, try walking down the streets and look for “for rent” signs posted. A local resident may be able to point you in the right direction, too. Here are a few words to keep an eye out for when searching:

  • Chung cư (Apartment/studio)
  • Chung cư mini (Small studio)
  • Phòng trọ (room to rent)
  • Thuê (rent)

What About Long-term Rentals?

Using a long-term rental property through a company like VRBO or Airbnb could be an option, but if you’re planning to be in Hanoi for more than just a couple of weeks, it pays to look elsewhere. Most of these rentals prefer to charge a nightly rate.

Many vacation rental owners also like to take advantage of tourist seasons and charge more per night when possible, but it doesn’t hurt to ask if you find a particular place that you want. Depending on the duration of your time in the city, the owner might be able to cut you a deal as it also provides the guaranteed income for that property.

However, if you are hoping to stay somewhere with hotel-like amenities, an upscale serviced apartment is the way to go. Additionally, if you are on a tighter budget and know for a fact that you will be in town for a while, a lease might also be the most cost-effective route. Remember that signing a lease in Vietnam is no different from anywhere else and comes with limitations for last-minute departures or a change of heart.

Popular Serviced Apartment Companies in Hanoi

Many complexes in Hanoi that are strictly serviced apartments make for fun living communities. Several expats and expat families stay at similar properties, so it could be nice to have a “neighborhood” of people in town for similar reasons. These are excellent places to meet other people or even Vietnamese residents from other cities.

Here are a few serviced apartment companies in Hanoi:

Finding a serviced apartment in Hanoi should be relatively easy with all the resources that we have on the internet. If you find a place that you really like, don’t forget to contact the management to ask any questions you might have before committing.