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Hi! I will be working in Dong Da when I come to Hanoi in September. I was wondering if this a good area to live in or if I should live in another area and bike to work? Any recommendations?
answered about 16 months ago by alpha
Dong Da isn't the worst area by any means, nor the best by some standards. It all depends on what you are looking for in your "area". Dong Da is safely out of most of the more touristy areas, so if you want to see a typically Hanoian urban area, its likely to fit the bill. Outside of your immediate neighborhood, it might not be the best walking region, and the traffic will be intense around rush hour. But, on the whole, there are some good spots in Dong Da. And, in many ways, this is an area that lacks a defining characteristic or dominating feature that many of the other districts have. It's very much Hanoi, and yet, nothing that overwhelms you as quintessentially Hanoian.
(yes...that is me using many words to say very little) What exactly are you looking for in a "good area"?
answered about 16 months ago by kristen
Hmmm, I would say an area that is close to some good restaurants, bars and a gym or yoga studio. I don't like really "touristy" places...from the sounds of it, Dong Da isn't great for walking? I like walking! hehe.
answered about 16 months ago by grubby
alpha is correct that most of Dong Da is not particularly walkable, but part of it is very close to the two best places for walking in all of Hanoi - Lenin Park and the old French district. Dong Da is big, but if you're in the Eastern edge of it I'd highly recommend it (I live there).
Yeah, Dong Da is big and borders five other districts. The parts that I'd be most inclined to live in if walking access to the things you mentioned are important are either near grubby's neighborhood (eastern side) or farther north (near the Temple of Literature). From there you'd have access to all the bars and restaurants of the Old Quarter and French Quarter, as well as some nice walking spaces immediately to the north around Ba Dinh square. However, that might put you so far from your actual work place in Dong Da that you'd realistically want to get a motorbike anyway. Do you know what part of Dong Da you'll be working in?
Thanks for the advice! The Old/French Quarter sounds really interesting. I will be working in the Ton Duc Thang street area...Is that motorbike distance?
Ton Duc Thang is directly next to the Temple of Literature to the west. It's a reasonable area to live in and spend a few weeks/months walking around or taking xe oms while you get a feel for the city layout. You can walk into the Old Quarter from there. If you're like most, you'll do this for a spell and then end up getting a bike and never walking anywhere. You can also consider living in parts of Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, or Hai Ba Trung districts and still be relatively close to the area you'll be working in. You'll be working in a very central location.
answered about 16 months ago by hanoiRob
Ngo Thong Phong is an alley of Ton Duc Thang and has (or used to have) a few nice quiet places in the end neighborhood that were up for rent.
answered about 15 months ago by kengel
About Yoga: I am only aware of one place, which is Zenith Yoga. This one is on the West Lake (Xuan Dieu Street) and therefore might be a bit far from you (well, it's actually a bit far from everybody, except from those living at the Lake, actually :-).
answered about 15 months ago by dangchi
The best palce that all my foreign friends like is near in West Lake. I am sure that you can have chance to enjoy fresh air after a hard working day. That sounds great.
answered about 14 months ago by brand_trust
I do not know whether you have found a suitable house to live or not. I am a professional realtor, surely I can help you. Currently I have some available houses for rent. So If not please feel free to call me. Best regards Mr.Viet (0989256051) mail: myedu2007@yahoo.com
