Relocating to Vietnam? Find your guide here.

Why moving to Vietnam: Diverse culture and traditions. Affordable cost of living. Warm and tropical climate. Delicious Vietnamese cuisine. Friendly and welcoming locals. Thriving expat community. Exciting job opportunities. Rich historical landmarks. Stunning natural landscapes. Efficient healthcare system.

Moving to Vietnam checklist: Obtain a valid Vietnamese visa. Research housing options in advance. Understand local customs and etiquette. Arrange international health insurance. Learn basic Vietnamese phrases. Set up a local bank account. Familiarize with the local transportation. Research cost of living expenses. Prepare necessary vaccination records. Connect with expatriate communities.

What to know as new resident in Vietnam: Local customs and etiquette. Vietnamese language basics. Currency and payment methods. Public transportation options. Healthcare facilities and insurance. Housing and rental market. Work visa and permits. Internet connectivity and providers. Dining etiquette and local cuisine. Safety and emergency contacts.

Cost of living in Vietnam: Affordable housing options available. Low cost of transportation. Inexpensive local meals. Budget-friendly street food. Affordable public healthcare. Cost-effective personal services. Electricity and utilities vary seasonally. High-quality imported goods are pricier. Affordable internet and mobile plans. Cost-effective domestic travel.

Housing market and best cities to live in Vietnam: Housing market stability. Affordable property prices. Major cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City. Emerging cities: Da Nang, Nha Trang. Expats communities in Saigon. Hanoi's cultural attraction. Coastal living in Vung Tau. Investment opportunities. Infrastructure development plans. Rental market trends.

Employment opportunities in Vietnam: Rapidly growing economy. Demand for skilled workers. Dominant manufacturing sector. Emerging tech industry. Expanding service sector. English proficiency requirement. Competitive salaries in cities. Work permit regulations. Networking importance. Job portals and recruitment agencies.

Education system and best schools in Vietnam: Vietnam's education system is highly competitive. Primary education is mandatory and free. Schools teach in Vietnamese, except for international ones. High-quality public schools are selective. Curriculum emphasizes mathematics and science. National examinations determine high school placement. International schools offer globally recognized curricula. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have top-tier schools. Many schools require uniforms. Extracurricular activities are important but limited.

Weather and climate in Vietnam: Tropical monsoon climate. High humidity year-round. Two main seasons: wet and dry. Northern cold winters. Southern warm winters. Frequent typhoons May-December. Flood-prone areas. Spring blooming season. Diverse regional climates. Extreme temperature variations.

Cultural and recreational activities in Vietnam: Rich traditional festivals year-round. Vibrant street food culture. Traditional water puppet shows. Diverse architecture and ancient temples. Thriving contemporary art scene. Numerous world heritage sites. Lush national parks and reserves. Bustling night markets and shopping. Renowned coffee culture and cafes. Popular beaches and island retreats.

Transportation and commuting in Vietnam: Motorbikes are the primary mode of transport. Traffic congestion common in major cities. Public buses operated in urban areas. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have extensive routes. Rideshare apps like Grab are widely used. Affordable domestic flights for long-distance travel. Train services connect major cities. Roads vary from well-paved to rural paths. Wear helmets when riding motorcycles. Be cautious of traffic laws and local customs.

Healthcare facilities in Vietnam: Public and private healthcare options available. Quality of care varies significantly. Large hospitals in major urban centers. Limited English-speaking medical professionals. Expats often choose private clinics. Frequent need for advance payments. Health insurance highly recommended. Emergency services may lack advanced equipment. Availability of specialized treatments. Alternative and traditional medicine widely practiced.

Local laws and regulations in Vietnam: Expat work permit requirements. Foreign property ownership laws. Motorbike license regulations. Visa and residency permits. Business registration processes. Taxation rates and obligations. Contract law criteria. Import/export restrictions. Environmental compliance standards. Labor laws and rights.

Utilities setup and providers in Vietnam: Research national utility providers for services. Registration process requires identification documents. Utility connections may involve deposits. Common utilities: electricity, water, gas, internet. Most payments via bank or third-party apps. Regular meter readings ensure accurate billing. Electricity supplied by Vietnam Electricity (EVN). Consider eco-friendly, energy-saving options. Internet services offered by multiple providers. Customer service varies by region and provider.

Local government services and how to access them: Find local government office locations. Explore online portals for services. Understand public transportation resources. Access waste management schedules. Learn about utility service providers. Inquire about local health services. Discover community outreach programs. Check school district information. Get local library membership details. Attend town hall meetings regularly.

Banking and financial services in Vietnam: Popular banks: Vietcombank, BIDV, VietinBank. Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). ATMs widely available in cities. Credit cards: Accepted in major areas. Online banking: Growing in popularity. Bank hours: Typically 8am-5pm, weekdays. Money transfer: Western Union, MoneyGram. Microfinance services: Increasing access. Remittances: Important economic component. Regulations: Overseen by State Bank of Vietnam.

Social and community groups in Vietnam: Popularity of local community groups. Role of pagodas in social activities. Influential Vietnamese Women's Union. Active youth organizations and clubs. Cultural festivals and social events. Expatriate groups and meetups. Online forums for community engagement. Importance of family networks. Volunteer opportunities in NGOs. Language barrier in rural areas.

Safety and crime rates in Vietnam: Research local crime statistics by region. Petty theft is common in tourist areas. Violent crime rates are generally low. Avoid unlit and secluded areas at night. Be cautious with personal belongings in crowded places. Police presence is stronger in urban centers. Motorbike theft is a common issue. Use reputable transport services for safety. Scams targeting tourists occasionally occur. Emergency services have limited English-speaking staff.

Dining and food culture in Vietnam: Balance of flavors: sweet, sour, salty, spicy. Pho: iconic Vietnamese noodle soup. Street food: authentic and affordable. Fresh herbs: essential in every dish. Rice: staple in Vietnamese meals. Banh Mi: popular Vietnamese sandwich. Family-style dining: share dishes communally. Fish sauce: commonly used for seasoning. Coffee culture: strong, sweet condensed milk coffee. Vegetarian options: widely available and delicious.

Internet and telecommunications options in Vietnam: Major internet providers: Viettel, VNPT, FPT. Fiber-optic internet widely available in cities. Mobile data: 3G, 4G, 5G coverage expanding. SIM cards easily available for tourists. Internet speeds vary by region. VoIP services less restricted than before. International calling codes essential for dialing. Affordable internet packages for home use. Public Wi-Fi common in urban areas. Online payment systems widely used.

Emergency services and contact information in Vietnam: Police: Dial 113 for emergencies. Fire Department: Call 114 for assistance. Ambulance: Reach out at 115. Nationwide emergency hotline available. Most operators speak limited English. Know basic Vietnamese phrases for emergencies. Have local contact for translation help. Save embassy contact information. Note nearby hospitals and clinics. Regularly update emergency contacts.

Local media and news outlets in Vietnam: State-controlled media dominance. Multiple language newspapers available. Online news platforms popular. TV and radio widely accessed. Censorship affects content dissemination. Facebook as a news source. Influential Vietnamese bloggers. Regional news variations. Growing independent journalism presence. Government press conferences common.

Shopping and retail options in Vietnam: Variety of traditional markets. Modern shopping malls. Bargaining practices common. Local street vendors. Artisan crafts available. Duty-free shops at airports. Vietnamese fashion brands. Electronic and tech stores. Grocery chains and supermarkets. Online shopping platforms.

Insights from Vietnam residents and expatriate communities: Cultural respect and traditions. Vietnamese cuisine highlights. Public transport insights. Climate and seasonal changes. Healthcare and medical facilities. Language and communication tips. Cost of living variations. Housing and accommodation. Work and job opportunities. Safety and security measures.