Pros and Cons of Living in Vietnam

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.

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," said one expat in living in Cao Lanh, Vietnam.

"Vietnam is not easy, it's got a learning curve for expats. But very worthwhile. Get out of the big cities, see the beaches and the jungles. Eat everything, the food is the best I've ever had," wrote one expat in Ho Chi Minh City.

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

"I love this place. The people are just wonderful, teh food is amazing, everything is super cheap, there is a dynamism about the place and it is great to be a part of a country that is growing rapidly," said one expat in Ho Chi Minh.

"There's always something happening or something to see in Ho Chi Minh City that takes you by surprise. You don't know what you're going to see when you leave the apartment. A lot of entrepeneurs here, who have a positive attitude and we appreciate that alot, having moved from the doom and gloom and miserable attitude in Europe. Also we feel safe in the city and we're able to drive around independently on our scooter - something that can't be said of every city in south east asia," said a person living in Ho Chi Minh City.

What do expats find most challenging?

"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 one expat in Vietnam.

"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," explained one expat living in Ho Chi Minh City.

Pros and Cons of Living in Vietnam

What are the pros and cons of living in Vietnam?

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

What do expats find most challenging?

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