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Pros and Cons of Living in Vietnam | Expat Exchange
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Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Pros and Cons of Living in Vietnam

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Jan 09, 2024

Summary: The pros of living in Vietnam include its diverse culture, delicious cuisine, and affordable cost of living. Additionally, the country is home to many beautiful landscapes and beaches, making it a great place to explore and relax. On the other hand, the cons of living in Vietnam include the language barrier, as English is not widely spoken, and the lack of infrastructure in some areas. Additionally, the country is prone to natural disasters such as typhoons and floods, which can cause disruption and damage.

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What are the pros and cons of living in Vietnam?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Vietnam responded:

"The air and surface waters are badly polluted and traffic rules are regularly not obeyed and weakly enforced. We have a very nice home with many friends. Our cost of living is low and our budget allows for travel. But for the first time in my life I cannot go home to America because of the risk of COVID-19. As an American, I should be able to be vaccinated. Since consular staff had that made available, it would not be difficult to extend that to expats. We have no advocate for this in the US government or in any of the NGOs like Democrats Abroad or this exchange," remarked one expat in Cao Lanh.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the low cost of living in Vietnam, as well as the friendly locals and the delicious food. They also enjoy the country's stunning natural beauty, from the lush green rice paddies to the majestic mountains. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads find the language barrier and the lack of reliable internet access to be challenging. Additionally, the traffic and pollution in some of the larger cities can be overwhelming," explained one expat living in Vietnam.

" If you want to be happy in Vietnam them live your life, be friendly, learn language, food and culture. That's it," said one expat in living in Vietnam.

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What do expats in Vietnam appreciate most about the local culture?

"Expats in Vietnam often appreciate the hospitality and warmth of the local people, as well as the cultural diversity that exists in this diverse country. The national cuisine and traditional dishes, such as Pho and Banh Mi, are also frequently enjoyed by expats living in Vietnam. The affordability of living in Vietnam is also appreciated by many expats, as well as the vibrant city life and the prevalence of outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking and exploring the rural landscape. The sheer natural beauty of the country, from its mountain and coastal regions to its cultural heritage, is also celebrated by expats in Vietnam," replied an expat in Vietnam.

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What do expats find most challenging?

"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 one person in Ho Chi Minh City.

"We used to have a selection of dried herbs/spices/oils/vinegars etc for cooking at home, but very little of that exists here. We don't have time to go shopping for fresh herbs and fresh meat/fish every day like the locals do, so we eat out every night instead. It's cheaper but we miss cooking sometimes. Nothing seems to work in a logical way here. It's as if each organisation is developing in different directions and so unexpected things happen a lot. Vietnamese people can come across as very rude -but only if they don't speak english. They are embarassed to show themselves up. Otherwise, the locals who can speak english are very welcoming and will want you to stay in their country forever," remarked one expat in Ho Chi Minh City.

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About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat 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.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
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