av8rdave
8/17/2014 16:33 EST
I have visited VietNam several times since 1998, and love the country. It is very beautiful, the people are friendly, and it seems relatively inexpensive. Of course, you can run into troubles if you are not careful, just like anywhere else, but overall it seems great.
I am looking to retire early (mid-to-late 50s) without a pension, soc-sec, etc., just a meager portfolio. So I am very cost-conscious, and am trying to determine whether I could afford to live in NhaTrang, one of my favorite cities.
I would be interested in hearing from people who live in NhaTrang that can give me a realistic sense of the cost of living as well as info on the local English-speaking expat community. I am also interested in learning how to navigate the extended visa process. Not really interested in a border run every 3 months...
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ralphnhatrang
8/17/2014 17:45 EST
The cost of living in Nha Trang really depends on how frugally you wish to live. If you live in a hostel (nha tro) (70,000 dong/day), eat worker's food (35,000 dong/meal, drink cheap draft beer (7,000dong/litre), you can exist on $10 a day. But a more comfortable, low cost lifestyle with better food and lodgings would be more like $20 - $25 a day. It is possible to rent small, comfortable houses for $250 a month. Buy a bicycle and/or motorbike to reduce travel costs.
Vietnamese Immigration police change policy almost daily. If they say you have to do a visa run, then you must. At the moment it is possible to get three month, single entry visas through some visa services in Nha Trang. This could change tomorrow, who knows?
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ralphnhatrang
8/17/2014 17:51 EST
Several hundred expats live here, including from Autralia, USA, Britain, Canada, Russia, France, Scotland, New Zealand. Very few are women.
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av8rdave
8/17/2014 18:26 EST
Thanks for the info, Ralph. I've seen numerous replies from you on this website, and was wondering if I would hear from you.
Comfort-wise, I would be looking to rent a 1-bedroom apartment or house (or even a studio/efficiency equivalent). Nothing fancy, but I need a private bath and shower, so hostels are out. And air-conditioning is a must-have in the hot months. Internet access is highly desirable.
I've eaten at little street cafes and found the food to be quite good. Only concern is from a health perspective, gotta be sure it's fresh (locally grown) and clean.
If you need to do a visa run, then what? Fly to the Philippines and back? Or are there cheaper ways to accomplish this?
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ralphnhatrang
8/17/2014 21:16 EST
Dave,
I've lived in Nha Trang for thirteen years, less two years back in Oz for my Vietnamese wife and stepson to get them Oz citizenship. Couldn't get back to nha Trang quickly enough. We have our own house 9km west of NT and have a six year old daughter.
A place in town has serviced apartments from 360,000dong a night for a single room, queen sized bed, aircon,wifi, ensuite shower/toilet, full kitchen facilities. For me it's too small and I'd take the next priced room, about 500,000 dong, which is bigger, has a lounge suite, all the above, and a seperate laundry. See Comfy Condos on the internet. You can save a lot cooking your own food. In the long term, it is better to rent a small house or flat. A friend pays 5million dong a month for a two bedroom, 2 storey house. You may find it a bit difficult to find a flat with a bath.
Most of the blokes here do visa runs to Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville in Cambodia, if they have to. Presently het don't have to, as new visas are available in NT.
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swegolf
10/13/2016 20:58 EST
Hello Ralph,
I'm coming to Nha Trang early November but must travel to Philippines occasionally for appointments. What is the best visa? I'm from US.
Also looking for a golf partner. It's rabid I'm afraid.
Cheers Mate (6 years in Perth)
Swegolf
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doctorhands
10/13/2016 22:43 EST
Hi Swegolf,
Just wanted to fill you in on the latest visa news. The best visa to get, jf you're not marriefd to a VN girl or own a business, is a 1 year DN or business visa. Some immigration offices may require you to have a corporate sponsor but the better visa agents can take care of that for you.
I have a 3 month DN and do a 1-2 day border run about once every 9-12 months. I use a good agent.
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swegolf
10/13/2016 22:59 EST
Doctorhands,
Thanks for info. If your agent is in NT, the name or location would be helpful.
Cheers,
Swegolf
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richardmagic
10/15/2016 07:27 EST
Hi guys, I'm new here. I'm going to live in Saigon for a while, and then move to Nha Trang. I don't know it, but it looks beautiful. For visas, what's a DN?
Cheers
Richard
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ralphnhatrang
10/15/2016 10:59 EST
Swegolf,
The best visa depends on your circumstances, but most long-term, single expats in VN use multiple-entry business visas. Some of them are also dead keen golf players, but the green fees put them off.
Ralp
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swegolf
10/15/2016 14:29 EST
Ralph,
TY for info. Will attempt to get the bus visa but thought US citizens could get 1 year tourist?
Also read recently a 1 year membership at Diamond is $1600 USD.
That's better than what I was paying in Thailand and the courses there were poor condition.
Steven E
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doctorhands
10/15/2016 21:32 EST
Richard, A DN visa is the business visa. There are a couple of options available but I would get a 1 year, multiple entry. That way you don't have to do a border run every 9 months. You may have to get a corporate sponsor but a good visa agent should be able to help with that.
If you're coming to Saigon, try Chi at Chis Cafe. You can find her on facebook or google Chis Cafe. She has been doing it for years and is honest and reliable.
Rich
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