In the bustling city of Hanoi, making new friends involves a blend of digital savvy and traditional charm. This guide offers insights into using popular networking apps and engaging in community activities to weave into the local social fabric. From professional networking events to casual hangouts, and understanding the cultural dos and don'ts, we cover the essential avenues for forming meaningful connections. This guide explores the best ways to expand your social and professional circles in Vietnam's vibrant capital.
How to make new friends in Hanoi
It's rare to meet someone without a smartphone nowadays - and living in Vietnam is no different. Networking apps are extremely popular in Hanoi and are your gateway into local society.
The Internet connects everyone and also can be held in the palm of your hand. We encourage you to look through these recommended apps and websites to help meet people and find Hanoi's social pulse.
Social media
The importance of Facebook
The social calendar of Vietnam is on Facebook. You'll discover second-hand items to buy, nearby events, apartments, and find new restaurants to try! The most heavily used of these groups is Hanoi Massive and Where In Hanoi. While the “massive” community has been around a lot longer than Where In Hanoi, both will provide answers and up-to-date information on anything you are looking for.
Zalo
When you have a Vietnamese phone number and an Internet connection, download this app to connect with friends and local shops. It is primarily used by local citizens and is an excellent way of making new friends with features like Zalo Connect and Recommended accounts.
Offline ways to meet people in Hanoi
You'll find language exchanges as a popular meeting place. They will be scheduled in coffee shops or restaurants and encourage you to learn Vietnamese while making new friends. You can also look up sports teams to join or join environmental initiatives like Keep Vietnam Clean. When you start researching your passions, you'll instantly be connected with new people who have a shared interest. We know it can be uncomfortable and maybe a little scary, but put yourself out there, and we think you'll be thrilled with the results!
Professional networking in Hanoi
There are various professional networking events in Hanoi on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, giving you ample opportunity to expand your circle of business associates and clientele. The work culture in Hanoi differs somewhat from that in the Western world.
Good to know:
If you have signed a contract for a new business, it is going to be sealed with a meal or an evening at the karaoke bars. The deal is not finalized until you have “broken bread” together.
Professional organizations
Listed below are several methods you can employ to gently introduce yourself and your enterprise to Hanoi's growing business sphere.
Hanoi Startup Founder 101
Predominantly focusing on the tech industry, Hanoi Startup Founder 101 is designed to plug budding tech entrepreneurs into the local sockets. Aiming to help Hanoi's startup ecosystem develop exponentially, this group is perfect for tech enthusiasts to meet and collaborate, thus developing tomorrow's most innovative endeavors. These events are free and are held a few times a year.
Vietnam Business Generation
Another excellent page to look at is Vietnam Business Generation, whose primary purpose is to connect like-minded entrepreneurs in Vietnam.
Vietnam Chapter: Toastmasters International
Develop your confidence and speaking abilities by joining the local chapter of Toastmasters International. This group meets bi-monthly and ventures from all walks of life and career paths.
While you are working hard to network, don't forget to keep your LinkedIn up to date, especially with your location. You'll be surprised how many recruiters instantly message you with this location change or what new accounts the algorithm will suggest.
Female entrepreneurial groups in Hanoi
Rest assured that gender is quickly becoming a hot topic in Vietnam, along with equality and inclusion. Currently, there are no focused female entrepreneur groups in Hanoi, but you can use resources like the Hanoi chapter of the international group Girl Gone International or take a look at Women Helping Women Entrepreneurs. As we said previously, even just one message on LinkedIn or the invitation for a follow-up coffee after a promising networking conversation are the small steps you need to take to succeed in growing your professional network in Hanoi.
Hanoi's networking etiquette
Whenever you venture to a new country and culture, it's great to do some background research on etiquette. Vietnamese are very welcoming and forgiving, but you don't want to embarrass yourself or potentially alienate new friends by accident. After reading our tips, you'll be networking like a local and a pro at small talk!
Hanoi leans more traditional, meaning these few considerations will make a big difference, especially at work or when you are out and about at nighttime. It is expected in new social settings that you will be asked by multiple people your age if you're married, and if you are working. Try to remember these questions serve several purposes: age is used to figure out how the other person should greet you, your marital status will give a clue to the social availability you have, and as Hanoi is actually quite small within networking circles, people want to know who you know or if they have met you before. These questions don't just happen at networking events, and you'll often get a chatty Grab driver who wants to practice their English with these phrases.
Important:
In Hanoi, never touch anyone on the head or higher than the shoulders. The head is regarded as the most sacred part of the body in Buddhist culture, so this kind of action will instantly be seen as rude.
Acceptable topics in Hanoi and those to avoid
No one expects you to recount the Vietnam War or understand the long history of colonization, but there is one person you should recognize and will see all over town. Former president Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known as 'Uncle Ho,' was especially loved and respected by the people of Hanoi and the northern territories. It is common to see photos of the president around town, and any disrespect towards one is not tolerated.
Currently, Vietnam is a Socialist Republic with a one-party system led by the Communist Party. For many reasons, Vietnamese citizens will not feel comfortable explaining their government to you or discussing this in public.
Do's and don'ts for foreigners in Vietnam
Below is a quick but comprehensive list of do's and don'ts to keep you in everyone's relatively good books.
Do's
Wear conservative clothing at all times, especially if you are visiting temples and pagodas. On the street, shorts and T-shirts are fine, but avoid anything too revealing.
Take off your shoes before walking into someone's home.
Bring a small gift with you if you're invited to someone's home. Fruit and cakes for women and children and liquor for men are commonalities.
Greet people like you would at home; a formal handshake is normal here.
Barter at markets for a better deal, but be reasonable, and don't raise your voice.
Don't
Show off a large amount of jewelry or symbols of wealth in public. Remember that Vietnam is still quite a developing country.
Take photographs of anything related to the military or government unless you are at a museum or somewhere where permission has been granted. This can be interpreted as a breach of national security and may lead to questioning by authorities.
Kiss in public or show any intense kind of affection. Holding hands is fine, and the younger generation is becoming more tolerant of open displays of affection.
Take too much offense if someone laughs at you. In the local culture, this is simply a means of dealing with embarrassing or awkward situations.
The drinking culture in Hanoi
Alcohol is incredibly cheap in Hanoi, and locals like to party as much as anyone else. It is likely that if you visit a Bia Hoi, which is like an outdoor British pub with one kind of local craft beer on tap. You will be invited to raise a glass with drinking buddies and say the local toast of “mot hai ba yo,” which means “1,2,3, go!” Be careful if someone clinks your glass and says “cham fohn cham” or “chum for chum,” which means you need to down your entire glass. Failure to do so will be regarded as very rude and a sign that you are weak compared to your competitor. However, it is also used for good fun to get everyone going through the beer quicker!
As mentioned above, drinking is also used as a means of finalizing a business agreement. You might not necessarily end up at a karaoke bar, which, while incredibly popular in Hanoi, is not meant for new business versus long-term contracts. Local people are very lighthearted, and a trip to a local bia hoi is a great way to blow off some steam and settle into your new home.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
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