Below
is a basic checklist of what you need to do before leaving your home country.
If you are just starting your preparations, use this list as a guideline; if
you have finished packing, please double-check to ensure you haven't left
anything out!
Pre-Departure
Checklist
- Check
the cost of living in Hanoi, Vietnam.
See
the summary of estimated expenses below.
- Check
the required documents to apply for a Vietnamese Visa.
Ensure
your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date.
- Apply
for a Visa at
the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate in your country, or apply for an E-visa
(if eligible). If HLU is sponsoring your visit, await the Pre-Approval
Entry Letter to get your visa upon arrival.
- Contact
the International Cooperation Department (ICD) at HLU to confirm whether you
need to arrange your own accommodation in Hanoi.
- Confirm
your lodgings.
See
the "Finding Accommodation" section.
- Purchase
international travel and health insurance for the duration of your
stay.
- Prepare
a credit/debit card (Visa/Mastercard) and some cash. You will need this for
initial expenses or to buy a local SIM card at the airport.
- Book
your flight
to Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).
- Check
transportation options
from the airport to Hanoi Law University (87 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Dong
Da District, Hanoi).
- Inform
your designated contact officer at HLU of your exact arrival time for check-in guidance
or hotel booking assistance.
(Please
note: Support procedures may differ between academic delegations and exchange
students. Please contact your designated officer at the ICD for specific
instructions.)
Packing
Your Luggage
Required
Items:
- Flight
ticket
- Passport
(valid for at least 6 months)
- Cash
(A small amount of USD/EUR to exchange at the airport, or VND)
- ID
Photographs (4x6 cm and 3x4 cm) for various university registrations and
certificates
- Printed
Visa or Pre-Approval Entry Letter
Recommended
Items:
- Personal
medication (prescription drugs, standard cold medicine, antacids)
- Business
attire (Western-style suits or formal wear) for working sessions,
international seminars, or Moot Court competitions at the university.
- Plug
adapters (Vietnam uses 220V electricity; standard outlets fit 2-pin round
or flat plugs).
- Small
souvenirs or traditional items from your home country for cultural
exchange.
Customs
Regulations for Entering Vietnam
Your
belongings will be examined at customs and may be subject to duty depending on
their quantity or content. Please adhere strictly to Vietnamese law.
Prohibited
Items:
- Illegal
Drugs & Narcotics:
(Warning: Drug-related crimes are strictly penalized in Vietnam,
carrying severe sentences up to life imprisonment or the death penalty.)
- Firearms,
ammunition, and explosives.
- Politically
sensitive materials, anti-state literature, or pornography.
Restricted
Items (Must Declare):
- Foreign
Currency: If
you are carrying over $5,000 USD (or equivalent foreign currency)
or over 15,000,000 VND in cash, you MUST declare it at customs.
- Live
animals, plants, or unquarantined meat products.
- Pharmaceutical
products in unusually large quantities.
Estimated
Cost of Living (in Hanoi)
(All
figures below are estimated monthly averages, listed in Vietnamese Dong - VND.)
1.
Housing Expenses:
- HLU
Dormitory (Shared room): Free
- Private
Apartment / Mini-flat (1 bedroom): 4,500,000 – 8,000,000 VND / month (depending
on proximity to the campus, e.g., Chua Lang or Nguyen Chi Thanh area)
- Short-term
Hotel Stay:
600,000 – 1,000,000 VND / night
2.
Living Expenses (Estimated: 5,000,000 - 8,000,000 VND / month):
- Electricity
/ Water / Internet:
600,000 - 1,200,000 VND / month (if renting privately)
- Mobile
Data (4G/5G):
100,000 - 200,000 VND / month
- Food
& Groceries:
3,000,000 - 5,000,000 VND / month
- Transportation
(Bus, Ride-hailing) & Miscellaneous: 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 VND / month
Finding
Accommodation
1.
For International Students
- HLU
Dormitories:
The university provides dormitory housing adjacent to the campus. To
secure a spot, exchange students must register through the Student Affairs
Office or the ICD prior to arrival.
- Private
Apartments:
If dormitories are full, there are numerous affordable serviced apartments
and private rentals within walking distance of the university,
particularly around Lang Thuong Ward (Chua Lang Street) or Thanh Cong
Ward.
2.
For Faculty, Researchers, and International Guests Housing for visiting scholars,
guest lecturers, and academic delegations is typically arranged separately:
- Hotels
/ Serviced Apartments:
HLU frequently assists in booking high-quality accommodations on Nguyen
Chi Thanh Street, Huynh Thuc Khang Street, or in the Vinhomes Metropolis
(Lieu Giai) area—all just a 5 to 10-minute commute from the university.
- Please
confirm with your specific contact officer at the International
Cooperation Department to ensure your accommodation aligns with your
working schedule and partnership program.
Arrival
Guide: Getting to the University
Noi
Bai International Airport (HAN) is located approximately 28km from Hanoi Law
University. Depending on traffic, the journey takes about 40 to 50 minutes.
- Taxi
/ Ride-Hailing Apps (Grab, Be, Xanh SM): This is the most convenient option. Reputable
taxi brands (Mai Linh, Taxi Group, G7) are available at the arrival
terminal. Alternatively, use the airport's free Wi-Fi to book a ride via
an app. The fare is typically between 250,000 VND and 350,000 VND.
- Airport
Bus: You can
take high-quality express buses (Route 86 or 68) to the city center
(ticket price: 35,000 - 50,000 VND), and then take a short taxi ride to
the university or your hotel.
Assistance
Upon Arrival: The
International Cooperation Department at HLU is dedicated to supporting our
international partners and students. For specific academic delegations or
established institutional partners, the university may arrange dedicated
airport pick-up services according to the agreed working schedule. Please keep
in touch with your assigned contact officer via email for confirmation.
