What do expats find most challenging?

We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Ho Chi Minh City. They wrote...

"Expats in Ho Chi Minh City often find the language barrier to be one of the most challenging aspects of the local culture. Additionally, the city's traffic can be overwhelming for those who are not used to it. Additionally, the city's hot and humid climate can be difficult to adjust to. Furthermore, the local customs and etiquette can be confusing for those who are not familiar with them. Finally, the cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City can be higher than in other parts of Vietnam," said another expat in Ho Chi Minh City, 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," wrote a member who made the move to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

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What do expats find most challenging?

If you live in Ho Chi Minh City, newcomers to Ho Chi Minh City would love to hear your answer to this question.