How to Make the Most of Your Company Housing Allowance
Many expat packages include a housing allowance with a monthly cap. The budget determines which complexes and apartment types are realistic options.
Before you start looking, check your company's housing policy — the monthly limit, whether the company covers the security deposit, and how agency fees are handled. Knowing this upfront makes the search much more focused.
Security deposits in Hanoi are typically two months' rent, so the upfront cost is significant. Confirm whether your company covers that. Using a Korean real estate agency makes it easier to find units within your allowance and to get a contract in the right format for company reimbursement.
Expat Housing Checklist
Here's what to look out for when choosing a home in Hanoi as an expat.
Distance to your children's school. Hanoi has a Korea International School (KIS) and several international schools. It's best to decide on a school first, then narrow down complexes by proximity. Check whether the school runs a bus service too.
Commute to the office. Korean company offices are mostly in Mỹ Đình and Cầu Giấy, so living in Mỹ Đình generally makes for an easy commute. Check the location of your office before you commit to a neighborhood.
Winter heating. Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi has four seasons. December through February can be quite cold. When viewing apartments, check whether the air conditioning unit handles heating properly. This is something expats coming from Ho Chi Minh City often overlook.
Lease term and early termination. Most expat assignments run 2–3 years, so a longer lease usually makes sense. If there's any chance of early repatriation, make sure an early termination clause is written into the contract. For more on contracts, see: → What to Watch Out for in a Vietnam Rental Contract
Visa and Residency Registration
Expats typically receive a Work Permit and Temporary Residence Card (TRC) through their company. These allow long-term stays without repeated visa renewals. Your company's HR or an administrative service provider usually handles the process — just confirm the steps before you arrive.
Once you sign a lease, you'll also need to register your residence with the local authorities (police registration). This is normally handled by the landlord or the real estate agency. A Korean real estate agency will typically take care of this as part of their service.
Should You Use a Korean Real Estate Agency?
For expats, working with a Korean real estate agency is generally the easier route. You can consult in Korean, find units matched to your company's housing budget, get a contract formatted for company submission, and have residency registration handled for you. If issues come up after you move in, you have someone to mediate in Korean. There are several Korean real estate agencies in the Mỹ Đình area.
BE-JIB's Korean-speaking team personally verifies and lists Hanoi properties. We can recommend 2–3 bedroom units suited to expat families, matched to your school, office location, and housing budget — and we'll prepare a contract ready for company submission. If you see something interesting in the listings above, or want to share your conditions (housing budget, children's school, office location), reach out and we'll put together a shortlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most Korean expats in Hanoi live?
Mỹ Đình, by a wide margin. Korean infrastructure is concentrated there, and Korean company offices are nearby, so the commute is easy. Within Mỹ Đình, complexes like Sky Lake with strong Korean expat communities are particularly popular.
Is expat life in Hanoi very different from Ho Chi Minh City?
The atmosphere and weather are the biggest differences. Hanoi is quieter and cooler, with a genuinely cold winter. The neighborhood choice is actually simpler — Korean expats are mostly in Mỹ Đình, whereas in Ho Chi Minh City they're split between District 7 and District 2.
How cold does winter actually get?
December through February can be quite chilly and damp — there are days when you'll want a padded jacket. If you're coming from Ho Chi Minh City, make sure to check whether the apartment has proper heating. Confirm that the air conditioning unit works in heating mode.
How much is a typical company housing allowance?
It varies by company, seniority, and whether you're bringing family. Check your company's policy first and search within that budget. Share your allowance with us and we'll recommend suitable options.
Can I get a contract ready for company submission?
Yes. Through a Korean real estate agency, you can get a bilingual contract in both English and Korean. If you need specific documentation for your company, let us know in advance.
How do I decide on a school?
Hanoi has a Korea International School (KIS) and several international schools. The recommended approach is to decide on a school first, then narrow down your housing search to nearby complexes.
Want to Explore Hanoi Neighborhoods in More Detail?
If you'd like a broader look at which Hanoi neighborhood suits expat life, check out the full Hanoi guide. → Hanoi Monthly Rental & Apartment Complete Guide
To start your expat housing search now, browse the listings above or share your conditions (housing budget, children's school, office location, move-in date) with the BE-JIB team and we'll find the right options for you.
This guide reflects conditions as of Q1 2026. Prices and policies can change — we update it regularly.
