The 7 Best Places To Meet Expats In Hanoi

Once you’ve wandered around the Old Quarter and drank a few too many bia hoi at the corner of Bat Dan and Durong Thanh, you’ll soon settle into the expat way of life in Hanoi.

This list of the best places to meet expats in Hanoi focuses on Tay Ho (West Lake) area, as this is where you’ll find the largest expat community. From live comedy shows to a boozy philosophy night, there’s plenty of scope for meeting both foreigners and locals in this city.

Best Places To Meet Expats In Hanoi

1. Hanoi Rock City

There’s always something fun going on in HRC, a live music and cultural venue. With gigs ranging from every genre of music, from indie to heavy metal, dubsteb, electronic, swing jazz and more, you can listen to both Vietnamese and international artists. There’s also comedy shows, talk shows, exhibitions, movie nights and dance lesson nights. It’s a blast.

2. Dockers

Several pool tables, a foosball table, cheap beer and loud music (which ranges from rock to hip hop and everything in between) makes Dockers pub a popular hangout spot. There’s live music every Wednesday-Sunday night and a buzzing crowd of expats who will happily join you in a game of darts or pool.

3. Hanoi Massive – Facebook Group

Want to know where to find the best street food in your neighbourhood? What about keeping up with local news, events and anything from group fitness meetups to clubs? With a 129,000 strong community of both locals and expats, Hanoi Massive is a must-join Facebook group for anyone navigating Hanoi.

4. Kobala

Kobala is a fun rooftop bar with a cosy vibe that’s popular with expats in Hanoi. Spread across three floors, you can enjoy Vietnamese eats downstairs with cocktails and skyline views on the top floor. Kobala also shines a light on the rising talent in the city’s music scene so it’s a great place for seeing up-and-coming artists.

5. The Spot

The Spot is a little oasis in Tay Ho with an outdoor swimming pool, bar, sauna and yoga facilities. There’s always something fun happening at the weekends here, with workshops, art, food and pop-ups that support local creatives, entrepreneurs and vendors. From vintage clothing bazaars to 80’s pool parties, you’ll meet plenty of people here.

6. The Click

A co-working cafe that provides a casual working space by day and event venue by night, The Click is teaming with friendly expats. You can settle in to get some work done and chow down on smoothie bowls and salads. Then in the evenings, you can enjoy all sorts of events. They host weekly Wine Wednesdays, movie nights, stand up comedy and boozy ‘paint and pint’ nights.

7. Hanoi Philosophy Forum

Even if you don’t think philosophy is your thing, give this a try. Taking place on two separate nights a week, you can learn about philosophy in a fun and engaging way via lectures, art, music, performance, and games. There’s a chance to get really involved in lively discussions with new people while enjoying a beer or two. Previous topics include free will, polyamory, conspiracy theories and artificial intelligence.