Hi all,

This has probably been done to death here, but I really need info on how to live long term in Vietnam, especially in Nha Trang.

I am 67 years old, I'm Dutch and retired now. Have been to Thailand many times and wanted to retire there, but a few things (like the air pollution, the really hot hot season, among other things) ultimately made me decide against that.

So now I'm looking at Nha Trang. I understand it has one of the best climates in Vietnam, it almost never gets really really hot, and the air pollution situation is a lot better than in most of Thailand. So I would like to know from people who live there what the climate and air pollution are really like.

Another - probably more important - question is about visa, staying long term. I understand that there are no long term visas, unless you have quite a bit of money. Which I don't. I get my state pension, plus a private pension on top of that, and that's it. In total I get about 1800 euro (almost 2100 USD) per month. Which should be enough to live on in Nha Trang.

So my question is: how do expats manage to live in Vietnam long term? Do you get a 90-day visa, then leave the country and get a new visa, and do that over and over again? If so, is that not a problem with Immigration? I know in Thailand you can not do that. Not anymore, at least. Would love to hear from you guys how that works.

What's the housing situation like in Nha Trang? I don't need a condo on the beach, not even close to the coast. I do need one bedroom, though. I'd be happy with a 1-bed condo or (small) house somewhere 5 to 15 kilometers from the coast. Any idea how much something like that would set me back, and how easy (or difficult) it is to find a place like that?

I have a drivers license, but I don't have a license to ride a motorbike. That was never a problem in Thailand, though, and I've gotten quite experienced riding around there on one of those small 125 or 150 cc semi automatic or automatic bikes. But I guess it would be better to get my license while I'm there, so my question is how difficult it is to get that in Vietnam.

Do you need a Vietnamese bank account when living there? If so, how easy/difficult is it to open a bank account there?

These are probably the most important things that I need to know, especially about the visa(s). If you can think of anything else that you think is important, I would greatly appreciate any advice or tips that you could give me.

Thanks!

Rudi

I have not lived in Vietnam, but this expat living there did a video about how to avoid 90 day visa runs.

Nha Trang -- do you speak Russian?

You didn't ask for this but if you're seeking a cooler climate in Asia, a real long term visa option especially for retirement (not working, not marrying, etc.), within your budget, and acceptable for most people air quality, you might have a look at Tagaytay Phillipines. Yes it's near a volcano so there'e that. You would probably rule out famously cooler weather Baguio City because of the air pollution and more remote location. Also Tagaytay is within striking distance of Manila which you might want for shopping, embassy, and specialized medical care,. etc.

if you live at the sea, like pattaya/hua hin/phuket/etc,

then there is never too hot or too cold, it will be precisely as living at the sea in vietnam.

Thailand cant be beat if staying at the sea, and as an extra there wont be air pollution either, not to mention age 50+ visa in Thailand cant be beat. -not a single visa run at 2k baht per year

As the OP has found that he is unable to move to Vietnam due to state pension policies, this topic is closed as requested.