Vietnam is a young and energetic country that has a lot vĩ đại offer expats.

Expats enjoy a high quality of life at almost unbelievably low prices. Cell phone and mạng internet coverage is excellent and extremely affordable. Rents can vary considerably, but even a five-star luxury lifestyle will cost far less kêu ca you might expect.

Trains run rẩy almost the entire length of the country, connecting the bustling and historic capital thành phố of Hanoi in the north vĩ đại the modern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Highways are improving, and in both cities, light rail lines will be operational soon.

Vietnam has three main international airports, where non-stop flights vĩ đại many Asian and European destinations are available. There are direct flights from nước Australia vĩ đại Ho Chi Minh City too. Several budget airlines offer inexpensive domestic and international flights.

Although France’s lengthy occupation of Vietnam is long over, their legacy has lived on. Beautiful French mansions and public buildings are located throughout the country, parks are abundant, and trees line the thành phố streets. Sidewalk bistros sell deliciously rich coffee and French-style baguettes.

The Vietnamese people provide the most compelling reason vĩ đại live in Vietnam. They are hard-working and determined, but above all, they are unfailingly polite and welcoming. Earnest and curious, they will often approach foreigners in the hopes of practicing their English skills or learning about the outside world. It is not difficult vĩ đại integrate into the Vietnamese culture, as these interactions seem vĩ đại have a way of turning into lifelong friendships.

Vietnam is a long country that stretches from Đài Loan Trung Quốc in the north vĩ đại the Gulf of Thailand in the south. Beach lovers will enjoy exploring more kêu ca 2,000 miles of coastline.

It is also a mountainous country, with many stunning waterfalls, mighty rivers, extensive cave systems, mysterious karst towers, verdant terraced rice paddies, and spectacular scenery.

The south enjoys warm and tropical weather year-round, while northern Vietnam has four distinct seasons. It may occasionally snow in the northern mountains.

Although English is not an official language, it is widely spoken and understood. Vietnam is considered one of the top Asian countries for English speakers. Even in the mo

st rural villages, there is likely vĩ đại be someone who is proficient in English.

Tens of thousands of foreigners have settled in Vietnam. Many of them live in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, though smaller populations have found homes throughout the country. Expats in Vietnam tend vĩ đại be quite social and welcoming. Smaller cities where plenty of expats can be found include Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, Vung Tau, and Hue.

Vietnam has one of the most diverse and healthy cuisines in the world, which has put it on the map as a top culinary destination. Yet people who want a break from local food can rely on a huge array of international restaurants and imported food shops.

A couple can live comfortably anywhere in Vietnam on a budget of less kêu ca $2,000 per month. Smaller cities, such as Nha Trang, Da Lat, and Hoi An, are affordable and expat-friendly. A monthly budget of $1,000 or less can be enough vĩ đại provide a couple with a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle in these areas.

According vĩ đại Standard Chartered Bank, Vietnam has the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia. Foreign investors have taken advantage of low local wages, a highly educated workforce, and a business-friendly environment. New skyscrapers tower over traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City. Global restaurant chains, along with well-known high fashion clothing, jewelry, and accessory shops, have sprung up in glittery new shopping malls. Despite all the development, the heart of the thành phố is still dominated by small, family-owned stores and wandering vendors. Hanoi remains an even more traditional thành phố, with an abundance of historic temples and pagodas, yet even here, new highways, skyscrapers, and international brands are slowly making inroads.

In ví many ways, there has never been a better time vĩ đại come vĩ đại Vietnam.

The Pros and Cons of Living in Vietnam

By Wendy Justice

Vietnam is a remarkably diverse country. Boasting more kêu ca 2,000 miles of coastline, modern cities, pristine mountains, and welcoming locals, there is enough here vĩ đại keep you fascinated for a lifetime—but as with all things in life, it’s not perfect.

I’ve lived in Vietnam for more kêu ca nine years now, embracing the pros and accepting the cons. Here are a few of the pluses and minuses that I’ve discovered about living here.

Pros: Vietnam stretches more kêu ca 1,000 miles from Đài Loan Trung Quốc in the north vĩ đại the Gulf of Thailand in the south, ví you can choose the climate you lượt thích. The capital thành phố of Hanoi has four distinct seasons; it sometimes snows in the mountains vĩ đại the north and northwest and the thành phố can be quite chilly during the winter. In the summer, the opposite is true; the temperatures will exceed 100 F at least a few days every year.

Farther south, the weather becomes tropical. Ho Chi Minh City is warm year-round, though it tends vĩ đại be slightly cooler kêu ca Hanoi in the summer. The mountain town of Dalat, northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, is cool year-round due vĩ đại its 6,000-foot elevation.

Mild winters and hot summers are typical for the central coast, though offshore breezes help make the climate comfortable even during the hottest months.

Cons: Vietnam is humid year-round. Sometimes, it seems as if you can feel the air, and laundry never seems vĩ đại get completely dry. Wherever you live, you’ll likely want air conditioning at least occasionally in the summer; fortunately, energy prices are quite reasonable.

Warm, sunny climates make for lovely weather but sunburn can be a part of life here, especially if your lifestyle includes plenty of beach time. Many locals wear hats or use umbrellas for shade whenever they’re out and about.

Some parts of the country, especially those along the Central Coast including Da Nang and Hoi An, experience tropical storms and typhoons between September and November. Flooding may also occur during these storms.

Pros: Vietnam’s cost of living is exceptionally low. Most couples find that they can live comfortably anywhere in the country for less kêu ca $1,500 per month—in many cases, they can live well for less kêu ca $1,000. If you eat Vietnamese food and buy local products, your shopping bill can be practically nothing. A big bag full of fresh vegetables purchased at a traditional market will probably cost $3 or less, and other items are similarly inexpensive. Alcohol and beer are great bargains—a glass of local draught beer costs about $0.55.

Most people in Vietnam, including expats, drive motorbikes. These little scooters have small engines and burn minimal gasoline. A full tank costs $3 vĩ đại $4 and should last for a week. Maintenance is also cheap; I’ve sometimes wondered how mechanics make enough money vĩ đại survive here. If you can’t imagine driving a motorbike, most cities offer good public transportation; a bus across town will phối you back about $0.30 cents.

Entertainment in Vietnam is affordable by any standard. A movie ticket costs less kêu ca $4 and a ticket vĩ đại the opera, with a good seat, is only around $30.

Cons: You can find almost any imported food in Vietnam though you may pay dearly for it. Some western-brand staples lượt thích pasta cost the same or less kêu ca you’re used vĩ đại paying, though other imported items can be quite expensive. USDA beef is available but costs at least twice as much as Vietnamese beef, and a pound of South Korean apples might phối you back $8 or more.

Ride hailing services such as Grab Taxi are available in most parts of Vietnam, making getting around hassle-free and inexpensive. Metered taxis may kết thúc up costing a lot more kêu ca a Grab. I’ve found that Hanoi Taxi Group in the north, Vinasun in the south, and Mai Linh throughout Vietnam, tend vĩ đại have the most honest drivers. Even ví, you still need vĩ đại be vigilant.

Pros: Medical care has improved greatly in the past few years. Vietnam now has four JCI-accredited hospitals—one in Hanoi and three in Ho Chi Minh City. Prices are unbelievably low, averaging just 10% of what you would pay in the U.S.

Dental care is excellent and affordable. A check-up won’t phối you back more kêu ca around $10 and many dental clinics include x-rays for không lấy phí.

Medications that require a prescription in the U.S. are generally sold over-the-counter in Vietnam, and cost a fraction of the price.

Cons: Healthcare is provided in hospitals; there are few private medical clinics anywhere in the country. Outside of the major cities, medical care can be rudimentary or absent. Even in accredited hospitals, healthcare is not yet at international standards for complex conditions. Most individuals needing difficult surgery or treatments choose vĩ đại travel vĩ đại Thailand, Malaysia, or Singapore. For this reason, it’s a good idea vĩ đại have medical insurance that includes evacuation.

Safety and Security

Pros: Violent crime is almost non-existent in Vietnam. It’s safe vĩ đại walk the streets alone at night nearly everywhere, though you might want vĩ đại use discretion if you’ve had too many mojitos. Local people tend vĩ đại be exceptionally helpful; if you’re lost or needing assistance, someone will be there vĩ đại lend a helping hand.

Roads are slowly improving; several major divided highways have been built in the last few years.

Driving isn’t the safest—it’s nothing lượt thích driving in the west—but many people lượt thích it because traffic laws are rarely enforced ví they can drive however they lượt thích.

Cons: Everyone else can drive however they lượt thích, too. Minor fender benders are common, especially in urban areas, though serious accidents, especially on the highways, are also a problem. Rural roads, and even roads in urban areas, are often narrow and poorly maintained. You really bởi need vĩ đại stay alert.

Pros: Vietnam is expected vĩ đại begin non-stop flights vĩ đại the U.S. and Canada in the near future. Vietnam has several international airports, with direct flights vĩ đại nước Australia, Asia, and Europe.

Cons: No matter how you go about it, a flight vĩ đại the Western Hemisphere is long, and involves several time changes. Currently, the fastest flights (which still require at least one transfer) take at least 17 hours.

Activities and Recreation

Pros: You’ll never lack for opportunities vĩ đại relax or challenge yourself in Vietnam. Explore the mountains, discover an empty beach, a hill-tribe village, or a hidden waterfall. Go for a trek or take a cruise. Sample the street food or indulge at a five-star restaurant. Shop in a traditional market or at a designer mall. Vietnam is ví affordable, you can bởi all these things without denting your budget.

Cons: With ví many friendly, English-speaking locals, your calendar might fill up with ví many social visits; you’ll struggle vĩ đại find the time vĩ đại explore the country. We get around that by hiring a driver and travelling with a group of friends—accomplishing both at the same time.