Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
An Australian expat in Ho Chi Minh advises newcomers to bring plenty of clothes for very warm weather since clothing there runs very small. He also recommends looking at a lot of apartments before choosing and taking into consideration proximity to work, supermarkets, swimming pools, because traffic is a major issue.
Ho Chi Minh City
I wish I'd brought more clothes suitable for a VERY warm climate. The climate here is hotter than I anticipated (C32 degrees in the wet season and C37+ in the dry). I am an average size in Australia but all the clothes are too small for me here and I have them made. Everything else is pretty much available. I wish I'd left behind the two pairs of 500 thread-count sheets I filled a small suitcase with - and brought clothes instead!
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Find a couple of real estate agents in the area and look at a lot of apartments before choosing. Consider whether you need to be close to a supermarket. Consider whether you'd like to be near a swimming pool. Consider your transport options: taxis, rent a scooter or is there a bus route close by?
I have a 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom apartment; mostly 1 or 3 seemed available at the time and I occasionally have overseas friends to stay. The people who live in my apartment blocks include western expats but are mainly Korean expats or Vietnamese people.
Having spent the past 6 years doing a long commute to work I decided to live close to my job if it was feasible - and it was. I live in District 7 of HCMC on the 14th floor of a group of 25 storey apartment blocks. In the centre of the 4 blocks is a sort of village square with several swimming pools, a gym, small shops/cafes/ hairdressers, a large good supermarket and two tennis courts. More shopping centres are within 5 minute's taxi ride, and I can get into District 1 shopping in 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. I used a local real estate office to find my apartment, someone recommended by a work colleague.
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Rental costs are slightly lower than in my area of Australia and much lower than cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Depending on the size and standard of apartment in HCMC, median apartment costs would be 400-800 USD a month in my area. I think they are slightly higher in District 1.
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Expats, digital nomads & retirees talk about what it's like living in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Help others in Vietnam by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Vietnam.
Expats in Vietnam offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Vietnam.
Thinking of retiring in Vietnam? Here are 5 of the best places to retire in Vietnam.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what digital nomads & expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Vietnam.
Expats who have moved to Vietnam report a positive experience living in the Southeast Asian nation. They cite the culture, the food, the people as some of the things they love about Vietnam. The heat is a challenge for some!
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Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
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Expats, digital nomads & retirees talk about what it's like living in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City Index
An index of all of our site's Ho Chi Minh City information.
Vietnam Forum
Talk with other digital nomads and expats in Vietnam on our Vietnam forum - meet people, get advice and help others.
Contribute
Help others in Vietnam by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Vietnam.
Expats in Vietnam offer advice about healthcare, hospital visits, emergency rooms visits, finding a doctor and buying health insurance in Vietnam.
Thinking of retiring in Vietnam? Here are 5 of the best places to retire in Vietnam.
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what digital nomads & expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Vietnam.
Expats who have moved to Vietnam report a positive experience living in the Southeast Asian nation. They cite the culture, the food, the people as some of the things they love about Vietnam. The heat is a challenge for some!
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