Vietnam
What do expats find most challenging?
We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Vietnam. They wrote...
"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 a member in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
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"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 another expat who made the move to Vietnam.
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Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Vietnam?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Vietnam?
- Will I be able to find a job in Vietnam?
- What is life like in Vietnam?
- What do expats in Vietnam appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Vietnam?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Vietnam accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Vietnam like?
- What are healthcare services like in Vietnam?
- What are medical services in Vietnam like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Vietnam?
- What are emergency services like in Vietnam?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Vietnam?
- How are local medical facilities in Vietnam?
- As a foreigner living in Vietnam, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
What do expats find most challenging?
If you live in Vietnam, newcomers to Vietnam would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and serves as Co-President of Expat Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
