5 Best Places to Retire in Vietnam

By Betsy Burlingame

6 of 7 slides

5) Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Retirees interested in big city life will enjoy the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, which locals call Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam with a population of over 8 million. "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 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," advised one expat in Ho Chi Minh.

"The culture is vibrant, and new. The cost of living is cheap, even in HCMC which is the Viet equivalent to New York City. I actually stay in D7 which is close to Saigon South which is where most foreigners hide. Staying in Phu My Hung you could insulate yourself enough that you might forget you are in Vietnam all together. everyone speaks English there, and there are western restaurants everywhere," added another expat.