What is the best city to live in Vietnam?
Best Cities To Live In Vietnam. 1 Hanoi. Hanoi is located in the North of Vietnam and is the capital of the country. You are really able to experience the Vietnamese culture throughout ... 2 Da Nang. 3 Ho Chi Minh.
What is it like to be an expat in Vietnam?
Southeast Asia is an attractive place to move for many expats because of the beaches, low cost of living, and the adventure that awaits. Thailand and Bali seem to be the hotspots for expats and travelers alike, but Vietnam is often overlooked as a destination. But what is life like for expats in Vietnam? Vietnam has everything an expat could want.
Do you need to speak Vietnamese to live in Ho Chi Minh city?
While there are literally thousands of expats living in Ho Chi Minh City who can’t speak a lick of Vietnamese, it will certainly enrich your experience if you at least try. Granted you definitely don’t need to know the language, most people working in the establishments that you’ll be frequenting have a solid grasp of the English language.
What is it like to live in Vietnam?
Vietnam has a lot to offer outdoors – beaches, mountains, temples, pagodas – you will want to make the most of the outdoors while you are here. There are pros and cons of living in Vietnam, but the more you know, the more prepared you will be! Vietnam is NOISY – between construction, and karaoke, it’s rare to find a quiet place
Where do expats live in Vietnam?
Ho Chi Minh City Despite being overwhelmed by traffic jams, Ho Chi Minh City is actually the best place to live in Vietnam for those visiting there for working, as it presents a lot of work opportunities, in teaching, technology, manufacturing, tourism, etc.
Where is the best place to live in Vietnam?
Da Nang. Da Nang is Vietnam's third largest city and is home to a population of over 1.3 million. It has recently been voted as the most livable city in Vietnam, and it's shockingly clean and organized. The best part is that it has all three features people often look for: mountains, beaches, and urbanization.
Is Vietnam expat friendly?
Vietnam as an Expat Destination Vietnam has become increasingly popular as an expat destination in recent years and it is now recognized as a safe place for foreigners to live and work. Expats are attracted by the nice weather, low cost of living, lively culture and the steady improvements in Vietnam's infrastructure.
Is there an expat community in Vietnam?
Over 80% of expats in Vietnam are happy with their financial situation, which is good news for any new expats making the move to Vietnam. InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world.
Is it cheaper to live in Thailand or Vietnam?
Overall. Overall, the cost of living in Vietnam is lower than Thailand, even in a major city such as Ho Chi Minh City. As an expat, you can expect to pay about 20 to 30% less than you would in Thailand, although not everything will be more affordable.
What should I avoid in Vietnam?
11 Things To Avoid In Vietnam For A Responsible VacationGetting Food Poisoning.Tap Water.Getting Caught Short.Taking photos without permission.Getting Scammed.Taxi Scams.Crime.Trying To See Everything.More items...•
What are the cons of living in Vietnam?
Living in a major city such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City comes with heavy air pollution. Air pollution has major health implications and is a push factor for many, especially children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
How much do I need to retire in Vietnam?
If you plan to fund your retirement on only Social Security or a small pension, your monthly budget will go far here. Many expats live comfortably in Vietnam on less than $1200 per month. Regardless if your tastes are modest or luxury, your living costs are less than what you would spend in a MCOL city in the US.
How much is average rent in Vietnam?
Cost of Living in VietnamExpenseU.S. $Apartment rental (one bedroom)$400 to $900Electricity$60 to $80Water$2Cell phone with unlimited data$38 more rows
Is moving to Vietnam a good idea?
It's one of the safer countries in the world, with lower crime rates than France or Greece (and significantly lower than the US). And while Vietnam is not entirely without its challenges, it's generally pretty easy to navigate day to day aspects of life like finding a place to live, shopping, and getting around.
What is the cheapest city to live in in Vietnam?
1. Tra Vinh. Out of 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam, Tra Vinh is the least expensive place to live, with a rate of 87.6% compared to Hanoi.
How much do expats make in Vietnam?
A 2018 HSBC survey found that, taking all professional fields into consideration, the average annual expat income in Vietnam is $90,000 US. Coupled with the cost of living, Vietnam ranks first in the world for increased savings and expendable income.
How much does a house cost in Vietnam?
The average home in Vietnam costs approximately $4,500. Monthly rent varies, but the average cost is about $650, and this price often includes utilities.
Is it expensive to live in Vietnam?
Vietnam is an inexpensive country to live in. Most items cost less than half of what you would pay in the West, and anywhere from 5% to 25% less than what they would cost in many other Southeast Asian countries. Vietnam's most expensive city is Ho Chi Minh City, followed by Hanoi.
Can foreigner buy house in Vietnam?
Foreigners are permitted to purchase a property just by having a travel tourist visa. Foreigners are permitted to purchase a limitless number of real estate units in the country. But, foreigners can't buy over 250 houses in a single ward.
Is Vietnam safe to retire?
With its diverse culture and landscape, warm climate, delicious cuisine, and inexpensive living cost, Vietnam has remained one of the top countries for foreigners to retire, hoping to enjoy their golden years as much as they can.
What is life like for expats in Vietnam?
It offers beautiful beaches, mountains, a great expat community, amazing local people, delicious food, and an affordable cost of living. There is so much to do throughout the country, you definitely won’t get bored, and you probably won’t have time to experience it all!
How many good options are there for finding an apartment in Vietnam?
There are two good options for finding an apartment in Vietnam.
What should I know before moving to Vietnam?
Things To Know Before Moving To Vietnam 1 Tap water is not safe to drink 2 Vietnam is NOISY – between construction, and karaoke, it’s rare to find a quiet place 3 The currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND) $1 USD = 23,000 VND 4 Vietnamese is a difficult language to learn, but if you work hard you can learn it 5 Vietnamese people are very welcoming and friendly. You may have people come up to you – some will want to practice their English, and some are just saying hi (even if they don’t speak the same language)
How many seasons does Vietnam have?
In the North, Vietnam has four seasons – winter, spring, fall, and summer. The winter in the North gets cold, so be sure to pack extra layers if you plan to visit from December – March.
What is the largest city in Vietnam?
Ho Chi Minh , also called Saigon, is located in the South of the country and is the largest city in Vietnam. The city is divided into 12 districts, each with its own residential areas, restaurants, and entertainment.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
The best time to visit Vietnam is during the spring months, March, or April. You will still get beautiful sunny weather but won’t be in the heat of the summer. Vietnam has a lot to offer outdoors – beaches, mountains, temples, pagodas – you will want to make the most of the outdoors while you are here.
Where is Hanoi located?
Hanoi is located in the North of Vietnam and is the capital of the country. You are really able to experience the Vietnamese culture throughout the city. Hanoi is the second-largest city in Vietnam, so the crowds and busy roads can be a shock to some people at first. It’s a lively city with always something to do.
How do I find expat jobs in Vietnam?
One of the most popular jobs for expats in Vietnam is language teaching. Many English language schools provide on-the-job training and qualified teachers can make substantial salaries.
How do I open a bank account as an expat in Vietnam?
Before you apply for a credit card or bank account in Vietnam, you will first need proof that you have the right to settle in Vietnam for longer than 12 months. This means you will probably need at least a temporary residency card and proof of employment, such as a contract of employment. You may also need proof of an address in Vietnam.
Can expats buy land in Vietnam?
While actual land ownership is not possible at this time for non-Viet namese, exp ats living in Vietnam can gain a 50-year lease for land and then build a house upon that land.
Where do expats live in Vietnam?
District 7 (D7) is another popular area for expats to live. The area around Crescent Park seems to be far less chaotic than the rest of Vietnam. Motorbikes aren’t as prevalent and actually stop for pedestrians crossing the street. And expats love the access to green space as well as the conveniently located Crescent Mall and French Vietnamese hospital.
What is the law in Vietnam for expats?
The Vietnamese law that will likely affect expats the most is the compulsory helmet law. All drivers and passengers over the age of 6 must wear a helmet on a motorbike. Why kids are exempt from the law is beyond us.
How to find an apartment in Ho Chi Minh City?
There are quite a few Facebook groups dedicated to finding apartments and real estate in Saigon. All you need to do is post in each of these groups stating your desired living space (ex ample “ 2-bedroom furnished apartment with pool and gym in District 2 “) and your monthly budget. You’ll almost certainly be bombarded by rental agents offering to show you dozens of apartments.
What is District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City?
District 1 (D1) is the downtown area – it’s where many of Ho Chi Minh City’s major tourist attractions are located including Ben Thanh Market, the Reunification Palace, Historic Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Bitexco Financial Tower. District 1 is home to most foreign consulates and corporate headquarters for foreign companies. If you plan on working in finance, real estate, or for a foreign business, there is a high likelihood that your office will be in this district.
What is Lazada in Vietnam?
Lazada is Vietnam’s frustrating and bizarre online shopping platform. The shipping dates are poorly estimated and the photos are often not at all accurate.
What district is Thao Dien in?
District 2 (specifically the Thao Dien neighborhood) is where most expats living in Saigon tend to end up, especially families. Thao Dien is known for having great international schools. It also has a ton of restaurants, cute cafes, boutique shops, bars, and nightclubs.
Can I teach English in Ho Chi Minh City?
Many expats that move to Ho Chi Minh City end up teaching English. So many people that we’ve met have either moved here specifically to teach English in Vietnam or have simply ended up teaching English after not having any luck with finding other job opportunities. You’ll have more luck getting a job teaching English in HCMC if you have completed your TEFL certification.
What is the cost of living in Vietnam?
We currently pay $600/month for 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms approx. 1185 sf.
What is the best thing about expat life?
The best thing about expat life is we don’t get bored. I have difficulty finding “worst” things. I couldn’t think of going back to a boring life in the western world.
How have you supported yourself financially throughout your time in Vietnam?
I’m a veteran travel writer with more than 1000 published articles in 200+ regional, national, and international magazines, newspapers, trade journals, custom publications, specialty magazines, in-flights, on-boards, and online travel magazines.
What are the negatives about life in Vietnam?
We can’t think of any real negatives. There are a few items from home that we can’t get here, but we’re managing to live them without undue stress.
Do you feel like you fit in culturally as expats in Vietnam?
With a distinct foreign culture like Vietnam’s, we’ll never fit in culturally.
How long have Roy and Linda been in Vietnam?
Roy and Linda have been expats in Vietnam for 5 years. But now, everything is changing.
Where is Da Nang located?
Da Nang is centrally located so we can easily take trips around Vietnam at will to places like Nha Trang, Saigon, Hue.
