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...
"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 in Vietnam.
"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," said a member in Bien Hoa, Vietnam.
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Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before retiring in Vietnam?
- How do I meet people in Vietnam?
- What is life like in Vietnam?
- 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?
- Is the cost of living in Vietnam high?
- What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Vietnam?
- What are healthcare services like in Vietnam?
- Is the cost of living in Vietnam high?
- What type of recreational facilities are in Vietnam?
- What is the weather like in Vietnam?
- Are there good restaurants in Vietnam?
- Where will I buy groceries and do other shopping in Vietnam?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Vietnam?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Vietnam?
- What do I need to know when buying property in Vietnam?
- Are foreigners allowed to own property in Vietnam?
- What appliances are typically included in a rental?
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.