Cool! This is a city that I am sure gets less coverage in the western world than most, due to The Vietnam War. I was intrigued by your report.
Can you (if you have time) give us some idea of the cost of living there? TIA...
Also, do you have a feel for how they feel about white people walking around..?
White people haha. Expats i think you mean *wink wink . I have only been here a few days trying to find an apartment. I have never been treated with anything other than respect and unless you are near a tourist trap, no one is really trying to rip you off. If you get a taxi app it makes things a lot easier because you don't need to speak anything. I recommend GRAB App
Cost of living: That is a difficult question because everyone is different. I am finding many many many options while having a budget of less than $600 a month for a serviced apartment.
As far as food and drinks are concerned. Hanoi is exceptionally affordable, even by south-east Asian standards (certainly cheaper than Thailand)