Living in Hanoi, the thing I actually struggle with the most is “getting around every day.”
I still had a vivid memory of Hanoi’s traffic conditions from my visit 13 years ago as part of the “Entetsu Group Vietnam Training and Inspection Tour,” so I wasn’t caught off guard by the reality—I didn’t think, “This can’t possibly be what I expected…” However, actually walking around every day as a “resident” takes far more energy than I imagined.
I have to be careful not to get into a traffic accident or trip over something at my feet—since I’m constantly walking with my alertness level maxed out, it feels like I’m experiencing three or four times the mental fatigue I would in Japan every single day (laughs).
To give you a sense of the reality, I’d like to share my daily morning commute route. Please try to imagine yourself walking through the streets of Hanoi right alongside me!
My Hanoi Commute Roadmap
<Home>—15-minute walk—<Cau Giay Station>—5 minutes on Hanoi Metro Line 3—<National University Station>—15-minute walk—<☆Entetsu Vietnam>
Leaving Home: The Cobblestone Streets of Kim Ma Street
Kim Ma Street right outside my house. I have to watch my step so I don’t trip on the uneven cobblestones, while also keeping an eye out for motorcycles darting out of side streets and shop signs hanging low overhead. *The blue sign marks a bus stop.
Challenge #1: Crossing the “Intersection in Front of V Tower”
It really feels like “crossing a river.” It’s a large intersection with no traffic lights, and cars and motorcycles surge toward you relentlessly. Some days, just waiting for the right moment means standing there motionless for 7 to 8 minutes… *On this particular day, the crosswalk was blocked by parked cars and couldn’t be used.
A Moment of Relaxation: Hanoi Metro Line 3
It’s only a two-stop ride, but the air conditioning is cranked up during this season, making it the ultimate spot to unwind. In Japan, getting a seat during rush hour is a pipe dream, but on the Hanoi Metro, you can travel in comfort while seated.
Challenge #2: Navigating the “City T-Junction”
I get off the metro and make my way through the narrow alleyways. Naturally, there are no traffic lights here either. I focus all my attention on checking for safety in every direction—left, right, and straight ahead.
Challenge #3: Crossing “Zuitan Street” Right Before the Office
Just a little further to the office! But the final obstacle standing in my way is a four-lane road with no traffic lights. Buses and cars zoom past nonstop. If you get distracted by the motorcycles, you’ll find yourself battling the fear of a car closing in from behind… The golden rule in Hanoi is: “Don’t stop halfway—keep a steady pace and cross all the way to the other side.”
In Closing
Everyone, were you able to picture what the commute is like in Hanoi?
I’m deliberately avoiding saying “I’ve gotten used to it” here. “Getting used to it” breeds complacency, which can lead to accidents. You have to stay alert and adapt flexibly to Hanoi’s ever-changing traffic conditions. This might be an important mindset that applies not only to commuting but also to business management.
Today, too, I’m heading to the office with safety as my top priority!
