Family saves over $600 monthly thanks to Hanoi metro

The 32-year-old, his wife and their two children aged two and five used to live in a 60-square-meter apartment in Thanh Xuan District paying a rent of VND7.5 million a month. Their total monthly expenses came to VND26 million.

Though his workplace was only four kilometers from home, his daily commute took over an hour due to the constant traffic jams.

This meant he or his wife could not pick up their children from schools in time, requiring them to hire a helper to do so and care for the kids until 8 p.m.

Their evenings were chaotic: While his wife cooked dinner, Duc bathed the children. The couple often relied on YouTube to entertain their kids so that they could complete the household chores. Once the children went to bed at 10 p.m., they would complete the leftover work and cleaning.

A turning point came in July 2024 when their landlord raised the rent to VND10 million. Around the same time, their youngest child was hospitalized, and their combined income could no longer cover the rising expenses.

They decided to move to Duc’s hometown in Ha Dong District near suburban Chuong My to cut costs.

"I planned for our kids to attend a local preschool, while my wife and I could commute to work by the metro, saving a lot of money," Duc explains.

Pham Duc boards the Cat Linh–Ha Dong metro line to return home in Ha Dong District, Hanoi, on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo courtesy of Duc

The family opted for a fully furnished, three-story house in Ha Dong, measuring 35 square meters, with a monthly rent of VND2.5 million. Their children’s school fees dropped from VND8 million to VND4 million.

Additionally, now, instead of being stuck in traffic, Duc rides his motorbike to Yen Nghia Station in Ha Dong District and takes the elevated train. Within 20 minutes, he arrives at La Thanh Station in Dong Da District, just a five-minute walk from his office.

"Unlike buses or motorbikes, the train eliminates traffic jams, bad weather, and red lights—so, most importantly, I’m never late for work," Duc says.

Since the move, the family’s monthly expenses have fallen to VND10 million, thanks to reduced school fees for their children and savings on fuel costs. The extra funds are now contributing to their house-buying savings.

The main adjustment has been adapting to the slower pace and fewer amenities of the suburbs. In Thanh Xuan, supermarkets and restaurants were steps away, and food delivery was highly convenient, the couple says. At their new home, they now need to stock up on supplies and take their children to shopping malls on weekends for leisure activities.

"Fortunately, both our workplaces and home are along the elevated railway route, which made the decision to leave the city center much easier," Duc says.

Six months after relocating, Duc shared his story online and received many requests for advice. Most inquiries were about finding affordable housing, adjusting to a simpler lifestyle, or managing finances.

However, some pointed out that this lifestyle isn’t feasible for everyone, as their homes or workplaces aren’t near metro lines. For many, buses are not a practical alternative either due to prolonged travel times caused by traffic jams, making it difficult to arrive at work or school on time.

Traffic congestion stretching about 3 km seen on Hanoi’s Nguyen Trai Street on the morning of Jan. 14, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Viet An

According to Dr. Bui Thi An, director of the Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Community Development, utilizing the elevated railway to ease commuting and improve quality of life is a smart move, especially as Hanoi faces worsening traffic congestion.

By the end of 2024, Hanoi had more than 9.2 million registered personal vehicles (excluding those owned by central government agencies) and about 1.2 million vehicles from other provinces and cities. Yet, the city’s road area allocated for traffic is only 12–13% of its total land, far below the standard 20–26%.

Hanoi has resolved congestion at 13 of 33 traffic hotspots during peak hours, but 16 new problem areas have emerged, bringing the total to 36. Experts see public transportation as a key solution to reducing traffic and private vehicle use.

"However, public transport in the capital is not yet sufficient to meet demand," Dr. An says.

Hanoi currently has only two metro lines: Cat Linh–Ha Dong and Nhon–Cau Giay, which primarily serve the areas along their routes. Meanwhile, people needed on public transport are spread across the city, making it challenging to access conveniently.

As for buses, despite a dense network in both urban and suburban areas, they remain unpopular due to prolonged travel times caused by traffic jams, Dr. An explains.

"If these issues are resolved, more people will switch from personal vehicles to public transportation, helping to ease congestion," she adds.

The concept of "commuting to the city for work in the morning and returning to the suburbs in the evening" could also become increasingly popular, allowing people to cut living costs without changing jobs.

For Duc and his wife, their "8 a.m. in the inner city, 6 p.m. in the suburbs" routine has proven to be the right choice. It reduces stress, saves money, and improves their quality of life. The couple plans to stay in the suburbs long-term.

"Where we live doesn’t matter, as long as it’s convenient for work and helps cut living expenses during these inflationary times," Duc says.