Digital Nomad Life in Vietnam

"If you like a bit of very social running/walking, you could join the Hash House Harries (motto: Drinkers with a running problem) in Saigon, Nha Trang, Hoi An or Hanoi. They are a fun exercise group and with the emphasis on 'fun'. Suitable for all ages and weights, male, female, locals and expats. Look them up on the internet," said one person in Vietnam.

"Expats in Vietnam often join social clubs or activities such as running, art, or language classes. Open Mic nights, trivia nights, live music events and craft beer festivals are other popular social activities. Expats are also known to congregate at bars, cafes and restaurants in cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Many expats living in Vietnam use online forums, meetup websites and apps to meet other foreigners, as well as attending networking events and conferences organized by expat organizations. Finally, many expats teach English in Vietnam; these people often meet other fellow teachers in their schools, or in pubs and restaurants near their place of work," said one expat who made the move to Vietnam.

"Life of Vietnam is very young, vibrant. You will not find any negativity in like though it is their but they don't share personal problem with others. They love their family. Women are very hard working and run their family very smartly. Vietnamese females love their children very much and by all cost and sacrifice they let their children a happy life and good human being. They love foreigners and expect them to love Vietnam. They are very patriotic and love their culture and country. You will find all 365 days their national flag almost all houses. Bike riding, electricity and food is always awesome and affordable," said one expat in Vietnam.

"Locals definitely around family, and expats with kids have plenty of opportunity to meet people through school events, same as anywhere else. As the capital, there are many NGOs here this also makes the expat experience very interesting, you meet many people doing interesting and worthwhile things," remarked one member in Hanoi.

"Life for expats and digital nomads in Vietnam is generally quite comfortable. Vietnam features a vibrant culture, an affordable cost of living, and modern amenities like reliable high-speed internet and quality healthcare. Expats and digital nomads in particular are well-supported by a growing tech and entrepreneurial community, making it easy to connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals. The country’s dramatic landscapes, street food, and friendly locals make it an attractive destination for long-term expats and digital nomads," explained one expat living in Vietnam.

"Pure business matter; we could lease an industrial land plot on good conditions; housing was more difficult because of regulations at that moment," remarked one member in Phan Thiet.

"Look for established apartments with garden, close to work and shops, accessible but quiet, on the same side of town as airport, with trees and parks," explained one expat living in Hanoi, Vietnam.

"Expats planning to retire in Vietnam should research their visa options, as different types of visas are available for expatriates depending on their particular situation. They should also consider learning some Vietnamese, as this will improve their ability to travel and interact with the local people. Expats should also familiarise themselves with the local customs in Vietnam, as this will help them to adapt and integrate better into the local culture. Furthermore, it is important to consider the cost of living in Vietnam, as this can vary greatly from city to city. Finally, it is recommended to get health insurance coverage in Vietnam, as this will help ensure that any medical bills incurred during their stay will be covered," explained one expat living in Vietnam.

"Be prepared for lots of noise and pollution. Most people find learning Vietnamese very difficult. But other than that, it is a very interesting place to live, also lots to see outside the city especially if you have a motorbike! Most Hanoians are very nice to foreigners," said one person in Hanoi.

"I love this place. The people are just wonderful, teh food is amazing, everything is super cheap, there is a dynamism about the place and it is great to be a part of a country that is growing rapidly," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Ho Chi Minh.

"It's very difficult to be a Western woman living in Vietnam. The Vietnamese culture is very male-oriented, so it took several months before I was able to make any friends - & then it was just one friend. I felt lonely most of the time," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Bien Hoa.

"We used to have a selection of dried herbs/spices/oils/vinegars etc for cooking at home, but very little of that exists here. We don't have time to go shopping for fresh herbs and fresh meat/fish every day like the locals do, so we eat out every night instead. It's cheaper but we miss cooking sometimes. Nothing seems to work in a logical way here. It's as if each organisation is developing in different directions and so unexpected things happen a lot. Vietnamese people can come across as very rude -but only if they don't speak english. They are embarassed to show themselves up. Otherwise, the locals who can speak english are very welcoming and will want you to stay in their country forever," explained one person living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

"My biggest challenge was getting a visa every time. I've been here for 9 years now. I originally came here on a business visa that the Vietnamese Embassy issued. At that time I didn't know that, technically, I was supposed to apply for a work permit after getting a job. Since I was "retired", living off of savings and eventually Social Security, I didn't work. So I had to borrow $15,000 to invest in a company and get an investors visa. The length of stay for business visas keep changing. Sometimes it's a year, with a "renewal" every three months and then a border run to get a new one, and sometimes it's only 30 days. I wish they would implement a retirement visa for those of us who just want to retire and enjoy life," said one expat in Ho Chi Minh City.

"Expats in Vietnam find the language barrier to be one of the most challenging aspects of navigating the local culture, as many locals only speak Vietnamese or limited English. Additionally, the cultural norms in Vietnam can be quite different from those in their home countries, which can cause confusion and frustration among expats. Vietnam's system of etiquette and propriety can also be confusing and hard to understand, with some topics being considered taboo even among close friends. Many expats are also unfamiliar with the local food, and while most can find family-style restaurants to provide familiar international food, trying local dishes can be difficult if one doesn't know what dishes contain," remarked one member in Vietnam.

"If you plan to stay in Vietnam for a while, you will need to apply for a residence permit or a visa that allows you to reside in the country. The Vietnam visa application process is quite straightforward and usually takes only a few days to be approved. Once you have your visa, you will need to apply for a residence permit, which is a process that involves submitting relevant documents such as copies of your passport, accommodation address in Vietnam, proof of employment, bank statements, and other documentation required by the Immigration Department," explained one expat living in Vietnam.

"Married a Vietnamese woman. Got a 5 year visa and then a 3 year ID Card. Very easy process," said one person in Ho Chi Minh.

"I probably did, but you get away with a lot in Vietnam. They just figure you're weird because you're a foreigner. For example, Vietnamese women don't drink or smoke unless they're prostitutes. But I could do both without consequence because I'm a foreigner," remarked one member in Bien Hoa.

"It is important to respect the local culture and traditions of Vietnam, so visitors should strive to be mindful of different customs. For instance, it is considered inappropriate to show public displays of affection, as well as dress too provocatively. Gesturing with your fingers is also seen as impolite and it is important to avoid discussing sensitive topics such as Vietnam's political regime and past wars. Additionally, it is best to take off your shoes before entering someone's home, and always accept an offer of food or drinks when offered, as it seen as disrespectful to turn it down," explained one expat living in Vietnam.

"I don't have experience with a hospital stay, so I cannot give an opinion on that topic," explained one person living in Da Nang, Vietnam.

"If you have a serious issue, travel to Bangkok or, Singapore for medical care. In Da Nang, there is a woman at the Pasteur Clinic who can treat women's issues but, I would go to BKK for more urgent/serious issues," wrote one digital nomad living in Da Nang, Vietnam.

"Healthcare services in Vietnam are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is available to all citizens. The quality of public healthcare varies depending on the region, but generally it is considered to be of a good standard. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system, however, they may be required to pay a fee. Expats in Vietnam often use the public healthcare system, as it is generally more affordable than private healthcare. However, some expats opt to use private healthcare due to the higher quality of care and services offered," said one foreigner in Vietnam.

" If you want to be happy in Vietnam them live your life, be friendly, learn language, food and culture. That's it," explained one expat living in Vietnam.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the low cost of living in Vietnam, as well as the friendly locals and the delicious food. They also enjoy the country's stunning natural beauty, from the lush green rice paddies to the majestic mountains. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads find the language barrier and the lack of reliable internet access to be challenging. Additionally, the traffic and pollution in some of the larger cities can be overwhelming," said one digital nomad in Vietnam.