Lifestyle

Q: How bad is the air pollution?

A: Unfortunately, with the increase of motorbikes and industry, as well as the continued practice of burning fields and the air that comes down from China, air pollution has been getting worse in recent years. While many are hoping the Vietnamese government will take action, little has been done to date. As a result, there are quite a few days during the year during where you might prefer staying inside (most of us have air purifiers in our homes and UNIS has them in all classrooms). You can buy masks for pollution (both for daily wear and for exercise) if needed. 

Q: Are the mosquitos terrible?

A: While there are a good amount of mosquitos, many do not have mosquito problems in Hanoi. Mosquito nets are only necessary when you leave the windows open and even then, some people don't get bit. If you use the A/C like most of westerners, mosquitoes will usually not get into your home. Dengue has been on the rise in recent years. It isn't yet a significant problem, but it is useful to be aware of the presence of Dengue.

Q: Is the water safe to drink?

A: Drinking water from the tap is not safe. Vietnamese people always boil the water before drinking. Most of us buy individual water bottles, have a water cooler at home, or have a professional filtration system installed. Big water bottle delivery is easy, and perhaps around 5-7 dollars a month. Your housekeeper can and will handle all this. If you prefer to not use plastic bottles, there is a Japanese water filtration company that will install a filter for you at home that you can use for drinking. We will give you this information upon arrival. At school, we have plenty of water filters and filtered drinking fountains. 

Q: Should I get a housekeeper?

A: You will probably want one, and we will provide you with choices. For $200 - $500 USD per month, you can have a local woman come for a few days a week or every day to do the following: clean your kitchen, floors, and bathrooms, do your laundry and ironing, clean your room and make your bed, do your grocery shopping and other shopping, and cook whatever you tell her to (or let her choose). Having a housekeeper is a great luxury. She can also assist you with paying bills, running errands, anything you can think of.  Maids who speak good English often cost more. Ones that don't often have a friend you can text, when necessary, to translate for them, or you can use translation apps on your phone. When teachers leave, they leave us with references for their housekeepers. This keeps good, trustworthy housekeepers in the UNIS family!