A few useful tips for moving to Vietnam

[ASEAN NOW News]

Vietnam only opened up to the outside world in the mid-1990s. Since then, the country has gone through a tidal wave of change.

 

The economy has skyrocketed, high rises have shot up and westerners have arrived. More and more settle into Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi every day and for good reason. It is a fast paced, frenetic experience, totally unlike anything else.

 

For those Expats thinking making the journey, here are a few tips from the Culture Trip to make it even easier.

 

It is hot

 

 

Firstly be prepared to sweat.

 

Most of Vietnam is hot all year round and much of that is brutally hot.

 

Even during the rainy season, the heat can seem overwhelming. Taking humidity into account, you should be prepared for temperatures between 90-100 Fahrenheit.

 

So, unless you plan to live in the extreme north, expect oppressive, sticky heat.

 

Do not pack too much

 

Everything in Vietnam is unbelievably cheap and you can find pretty much anything you would ever want or need in the country’s bustling cities.

 

There is no need to over-pack or over-shop before arriving. Instead, pack what you need and then find anything else in the country.

 

You will save money and, on account of the heat, most likely have a better understanding of what to wear.

 

Embrace street food

 

One of the great joys of Vietnamese culture is the street food

 

There is something undeniably blissful about eating a bowl of pho while sitting on a tiny plastic stool as motorbikes scream by and fifty cent beers clink off the asphalt below.

 

The food is delicious and shockingly cheap—you could eat for a week for less than $20.

 

There is perhaps only one other experience that will make you feel more in tune with Vietnamese culture.

 

Get some wheels

 

 

The motorbike is ubiquitous in Vietnam.

 

It is as ingrained in the culture as wine in France or football in England.

 

To truly feel at home, you need to embrace it.

 

This will undoubtedly seem daunting and horrifying at first and there is no question that there is a certain level of danger involved.

 

However, you will quickly find it to be liberating and exhilarating—you will feel a higher level of involvement with your surroundings.

 

Expat districts are easier, Vietnamese districts are more fun

 

In HCMC, most expats live in the Thao Dien neighborhood of District 2.

 

There are western malls, stores, restaurants, and gyms.

 

For many these amenities provide the comforts of home.

 

These districts are all over Vietnam; they are a selling point for many expats. If comfort is what you are looking for, then find a place to live in one of these districts.

 

Packed streets of Ho Chi Minh | Sam Roth

 

However, if it is fun and authenticity, you are after, look elsewhere.

 

Take a risk and move into a wholly Vietnamese neighborhood. It will be more difficult, but it certainly will not be boring.

 

Things do not always work

 

And that is OK. Many westerners arrive in Vietnam expecting the same level of service or reliability they are used to back home.

 

This is a mistake.

 

Vietnam is changing more than most places in the world right now and with those changes come difficulties.

 

You will have some sort of insect infestation, you will not always have working Wi-Fi, you will certainly lose power and air conditioning when it is 105 degrees.

 

 The more prepared you are for these types of occurrences, the easier it will be.

 

Cockroaches do not bite

 

They will be in the bathroom when you wake up at night.

 

They will scamper across the floor. There is no reason to panic, cockroaches are harmless, and they will be your roommates.

 

Buses have the right of way

 

A packed bus | © LigerCommon/Flickr

 

There are motorbikes everywhere, yet it’s the buses that are the real danger.

 

From Highway 1 to back alleys, there always seems to be a bus careening out of some corner.

 

Be aware because they do not slow down. Buses rely far more on their horns than their brakes.

 

A general rule of thumb is the bigger the vehicle the farther away you ride.

 

There are always jobs for Westerners

 

 

One of the remarkable things about Vietnam has been its economic growth.

 

With this has come jobs of all varieties.

 

Now with the affects due to the Covid pandemic, with many leaving to head back home, companies and education establishments are therefore keen to hire new staff.

 

It is not difficult therefore to get a job as a westerner.

 

Join local Facebook groups, expand your expat community, meet everyone you can, and you will find work.

 

Some schools will be hiring

 

English is big business in Vietnam. It is becoming increasingly important to know the language and in turn the government and individuals are pouring money into schools, tutors, and language centers.

 

It can be difficult to find an expat who is not teaching in some aspect.

 

This of course means that there are more than enough jobs to go around.

 

Vietnamese kids playing after school | © Jean-Etienne Minh-Duy Poirrier

 

One thing everyone will agree is Vietnam is an incredibly beautiful country and there are many places to visit from beaches to mountains.

 

Maybe if you have a few of your own tips, why not let everyone know by posting your comment here.

 

Enjoy.

 

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[BritManToo]

What VISA are all these foreigners getting?

[steven100]

Vietnam is my choice of places to live.   Can an expat get a one-year visa ?   

[KhunLA]

Some generic tips for all of SEA.  Nan & Cambo would be good options if not in Thailand.  Like the better infrastructure (or so I read) in Thailand.

 

Ignorant about Nam visa, plus I'm rooted here in Thailand.

 

Good stuff though, THANKS, as you never know ... ????