There will always be something someone is not happy about somewhere. Thankfully, the entry restrictions for Vietnam have been loosened since COVID and are pretty back to normal. Vietnam is diverse with different cuisines. I can assure you that you will never feel bored in Vietnam! Living in Vietnam, Vietnam - International Living Countries Last updated on August 22nd, 2022Youve probably heard hundreds of times why you should visit Vietnam. Why Not Vietnam? The travel time sometimes lasts for several exhausting hours. In A Better Life for Half the Price, author Tim Leffel notes that Vietnam is "one of the best values in the world for travelers, especially when it comes to lodging and food," making it a great value for residents, too. Lastly, another pro of living in Vietnam is the local vibe. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from. These are just a few possible reasons and are definitely not all encompassing. I dont want to paint a rosy picture of Vietnam without pointing out some potential challenges you could have. If youre thinking of moving to Vietnam, theres a good chance youre planning work there too. Ask the taxi driver how much you need to pay before starting the trip. Why do Vietnamese want to live in America? - Vietnam Talking Points Sure, the language is challenging, and there are significant social issues, but there's just so much to appreciate about this country. Learn more about Vietnam : https://movetoasia.com/en/vietnam/I've been an expat living in Vietnam for more than 5 years. Watch all the points, some you may agree with, some you may not, some you may think is downright outrageous. Hi, I am a French entrepreneur and investor living in Vietnam. Therefore, make sure to surf around a bit more after reading this so you can collect different preferences about Vietnam. My 5-year review living in Vietnam: pros and cons - MOVETOASIA Air pollution. They all even refused to get a tip or anything for their help. Updated travel guide to Melbourne, Australia. 10 Reasons You Should Move to Vietnam ASAP - Happily Ever Travels But I when I first arrived, I was surprised to find it was much faster than I had expected, and it has gotten even faster since then! City streets were actually clean. Below, you will also find a video explaining the downside, cons and what I dont like here in Vietnam. I, as a local, still suffered from this similar situation. Required fields are marked *. However, according to a couple of surveys that I conducted a couple of years ago, both my foreign and local friends admitted that Vietnamese coffee is the best. Thank you for sharing frankly about our country of Vietnam. Read My Story Page Here and Take Care! So, no need to worry about that. You will be offered food by your neighbours and they will probably ask you if you need help with anything. To give you some context, whether it be a city apartment with a rooftop terrace overlookinga stunning view or an inner-city 2 bedroom unit. That includes an apartment (all bills included) gym membership, groceries, transportation, and even luxuries on the weekend like an occasional visit to the spa, take-out food, drinking, and so on. The money that people make in most developed countries is more than enough to have a decent life in Vietnam. There are not many road markers in Ho Chi Minh city, so crossing the road is quite scary. 9 Reasons Why You'll Want to Move to Vietnam - Road is Calling We felt desolate not having any friends, even though wehad each other as a company. We have a few visa agent we always recommend to our readers. Some countries dont even need a visa to enter, while others simply need to apply for one online. You can complain about it with the airport service, but they will pay back a meager rate per kilogram. February 18, 2021 For the past decades, Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City has become one of the most popular place for foreigners to live in Asia. It sounds like a wonderful place. Ps: Instagram wants me to pay, Rumour has it that if you close your eyes and say, Nicaragua has more than 20 & this one of the, Here is a list of the best instagrammable cafes in Hanoi. The internet in Vietnam is really fast and very affordable. Some foreigners do not want to return to Vietnam because they have had a bad experience. If you are looking for more articles about Vietnam, you can find them below: Anya is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a citizen of the world. After you visit all these muse-see cafes and all the other cool things Hanoi has to offer. Potentially we could start learning Vietnamese right from the first days. And, it wasnt really about the trash on the streets. Being alone for some time turns into loneliness, and then loneliness starts to affect our emotional and physical wellbeing. Hopefully you can understand the tour guide. This number doesnt include injured people. Its still not fully ready and is expected to replace half personal vehicles in the next 5 years. But I did have teaching experience, I had taught in Bangkok and China before I landed teaching gigs in Vietnam. However, if they want to cheat, they have a super skill of cheating for money from a little kid to an elderly person, no matter how careful you are you will get cheated if you stay there long enough. At the moment, there is a very specific list of people with special skills who can enter. Reasons Not To Go To Vietnam - Ramblingj The ten bad things about Vietnam that I listed below may sound cynical, but dont let them stop you from visiting or returning to my country. For the most part, Vietnamese dont speak any English. Thats why most people would only the trash somewhere randomly that may seem like a garbage trunk (For example random plastic bags on the pavement, the sewage, ). Lets get right to those reasons. Everything from the geographical traits such as the atmosphere, the climate, to the lifestyle, the people have made it a special destination for all foreigners to come. For Sapa, you can book the 2-day/1 night tour that has more value as it comes with the limo ride, village life, and cultural experience. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roninblue2/Financial Tipshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWpGtdkIf7Y\u0026list=PLnEvPLDQaOFUNMdKFKGWsPp1qp5Me-y9dRetirement countries playlisthttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnEvPLDQaOFU82U5AkUFqV8zlYFWAiuXxRetirement Central and South America playlisthttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnEvPLDQaOFWhum4ZDBgQ6EVuXl0iPcwURetirement countries Asia playlisthttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnEvPLDQaOFVt2xFKhEQD8-sFewCmF0X8Retirement of Europe playlisthttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnEvPLDQaOFU_KKMQRsu8_VXkHGyWQlqPRetirement to the Caribbean Islands https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnEvPLDQaOFVxH0qbJZ-_66j2UtBkEmivEpedimic Songs:Copyright Free Music HERE: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/8xb8ry/EvantoElements License for Songs and Video It is not only the obsession of foreigners but also the locals and the local government as well. "For the sake of ten years' benefit, we must plant trees. The air pollution would make it impossible fro me to live there, though. =(. I think your assessment is pretty accurate. In this blog post, I will focus living in Vietnam and aim to provide you with invaluable insight on life on the grounds. They not only look pretty but most of them are work-friendly too. Spend your evening sampling interesting foods youve never seen before or drinking bia hoi with the locals. Bun Cha is grilled pork in a sweet broth, which they serve with noodles and greens on the side. Many doctors in these hospitals are foreigners who studied and are practising in a western standard. 2. Even in day-to-day life, you'll encounter many selfless acts. I walk and drive everywhere. Both of us are curious to come back to explore what we havent explored yet. Also, we have never really planned to live in Vietnam long-term, meaning years and years. I have found it to be a lot different from Penang where prices were always clear, people were not as friendly, but less likely to rip you off or to attempt to engage you in a scam. Even somerestaurants have a menu, and they may charge you to sit. I was just in Vietnam and wouldnt want to go back. Some rentals even come with FREE Maid Service who will come clean your apartment and do the laundry for you. But if you want classic Southeast Asia heat year-round, then go for the south. What do you think? For now, the introduction of electric vehicles has been presented to Vietnamese over the last 2 years. I have no desire to come back here. Here is the list of best Vietnamese street food you should try. The range of attractions and pull factors basically lure both local and international visitors. Is living in Vietnam as a foreigner always good ? Yet in the end, we concluded that this Southeastern country was not meant to happen for us in the long term. Moreover, there are also a lot of activities held by both Vietnamese and foreigners to help expats get used to living in Vietnam. That means you will be always approached in a touristy way. The sky is the limit. I, of course also try to be very respectful, friendly and Im super interested in their lifestyle, and thats what Im getting back so far. I guess it applies more to the remote part of Vietnam than the major cities. On the behavioural aspect, its hard to make a sudden turn in peoples awareness about pollution in Vietnam. When I moved to Ho Chi Minh City, the expat community is where I started to build a network of friends and simply finding answers to my everyday questions about getting around and finding everything in the country. Why Vietnam Is One Of The Best Places To Retire Da Nang's Well-Planned City Center The city center sits to the West of the Han River. Living in Hanoi: Pros and Cons Happily Ever Travels Food An average Vietnamese meal out will cost you around 50,000 VND ($2/1.65). How One Epic Document Exposed the Secrets of the Vietnam War - The New After you get that sorted, you can start thinking about which items to pack for moving. It was not really a bad thing, but it was not also a good thing too. We either had to accept that fact and live with it or move along. Many tourists can be quite irritating, when we were checking in to our hotel there were a group of older Europeans who took a long time to check in and complained about the heat in their room and were unnecessarily rude, so in some ways I can understand why locals feel the urge to rip them off, however it does tarnish the experience for those of us who just want to have a nice time. Suddenly hammer slams and heavy machinery noise are all over your ears. There is so much about this country to love and enjoy. If you would like to try it out, recommend networking with fellow English teachers, and getting a teaching certificate, and if you have a bachelors degree that helps too. Cost of Living in Vietnam and Life as an Expat | Charlie on Travel 1. In this article, I will go through some of the pros and cons of living in Vietnam as a foreigner. Great pros and cons. However, I find it rather annoying sometimes and to a lot of my foreign friends, they also tell me the same things about these \"specific traits\" in Vietnam. Each country has pros and cons. You get to taste different types of vegetables, roasted pork, pt, and more. On top of that, Vietnam is a super convenient base for visiting other cool countries nearby, including Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, China, and the Philippines, Taiwan, and more! Our desire was to visit more countries, compare those places and only then choose for ourselves where to return and stay longer. Even though you lived there for ages, rented an apartment, and rode a bike, Vietnamese people still will assume you are a tourist. I think bus tours are ok for first time visitors and reasonably safe. View If you're an expat or a digital nomad, Vietnam is one of the best places in the world to live right now. Perhaps you are thinking to move or to visit for a longer period of time and need, Full Article What You Get and How Much You Pay for Rented Apartment in VietnamContinue, Last updated on September 25th, 2022If youve been following me for a while, you noticed how much I love Vietnam. The government doesnt process them directly, to be honest. Though its known as a peaceful country, there are bad things about Vietnam that can interfere with your trip. Locals will quote prices higher than on their menus and others will tell you bold faced lies to try to get you to pay a higher price. Now here in this vlog, a listing of all the points you may want to consider before you jump on that plane to possibly. Many international hospitals hire staffs and doctors that can communicate well with expats and locals offering large language options. I have friends who are Vietnamese telling me that they only spend less than 250.000 VND (around 10$) to get themself full for the whole day. I help them avoid pitfalls and take proven shortcuts to make the right decisions and thrive in the next 5-10 years. How to avoid that? In the beginning, we were not sure what country to choose, so decided to travel a bit through a few countries and see which one we liked more. Tap water is not safe to drink. One of the problems living in Vietnam is the air pollution and heavy nosiest traffic. The high density of traffic in Vietnam is another debate that many people talk about. Why We Decided Not To Live in Vietnam as Expats Sign up for our free daily Postcard e-letter and we'll immediately send you a free research report to help you find your perfect place to live better, for less, overseas. Copyright 2021 MOVETOASIA. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The only people who fear death are those with regrets What is the bucket list blog you asked?In simple terms, the bucket list is a list of things as in experiences or achievements you want, If you are tired of trying out many travel websites for the best flights, accommodations, gear, and gadgets, look no further. Vietnamese will praise you for it and your life there will become substantially easier. Before I write about coworking spaces, I would like to mention that Vietnam is one of the top exporters of coffee. One of the problems living in Vietnam is the air pollution and heavy nosiest traffic. It was indeed, difficult to get through such disadvantages when I didnt know any Vietnamese at that time. I barely met anyone who spoke English on the street to ask for directions. I have not been in Hanoi for long but in my experience so far Vietnamese people have been unwelcoming and even downright deceitful. In central areas of Saigon like District 1, you will likely see it everywhere. 7 REASONS TO LIVE IN VIETNAM - Let's Speak Vietnamese 10 Reasons Why I Love Living In Da Lat, Vietnam | Expatolife If you are riding a bike or a car and get into an accident, for instance, you will be always guilty. It can vary from city to city. From mountain villages to forests, the landscape in Vietnam is beautiful, and there are thousands of places to live, whether you enjoy the chaos of urban life or prefer somewhere a little more remote. So just accept the differences and remember the many positives will reward your stay than complaining. Personally, I spend arout $500 per month to get by in Vietnam. But dont let that deter you. For example, if you live in a place considered the core of the city, frequent building maintenance from the houses around is unavoidable. One part of the reason is that its crowded, but the employees cannot use those excuses to serve badly. Traffic accidents can happen anyway. They will reduce the figures. For us, it was a big deal. Poor urban planning, no vehicle emission standards, air, and water pollution and other environmental issues keep lowering the quality of life, causing severe health problems for the citizens and residents until this day. I had a stomach ache and felt terrible after eating. To be honest, it was really challenging to come to terms with so polluted environment. It is business to them so they have to realise you know what they are doing. What did bother me were the bars engaging in dodgy behaviour, such as providing additional drinks that were not requested, then charging for them. So many questions I would like to ask ! I still have not been. This cuisine will satisfy the pickiest customers out there. Very often this rule applies to other issues too. But dont worry too much about this, as many locals can also speak a little English. In Ha Noi, Vietnam, you can find more than 100 similar to The Sinh Tourist, but actually, only one booth is real. 20 Best reasons NOT to retire to Vietnam! Don't live in Vietnam - ASEAN NOW Wish us luck :D, Your email address will not be published. Experience the karst landscape of Halong Bay on a 2-day cruise, with round-trip transfers from Hanoi. Cons of living in Vietnam. I hope some of my tips can help you have safe travels! Vietnameseare some of the most hospitable and warmest peopleI have encountered in my life. But at the same time, we feel it would be a bit challenging for us to try to live in Vietnam on a long-term basis. Vietnam has so much to offer and it's a great country. She is working online and thats why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. Such a trait can be in the daily activity of Vietnamese, especially if you are an early bird. The time has come when Mark and I started to feel lonely. Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of Vietnam, was clear about the route to development. Don't live in Vietnam 20 Best reasons NOT to retire to Vietnam! 7 Bad Things You Should Know Before Living in Vietnam - Itchy Feet on The locals are happy to help youout or simply practice their English with you. Even to visit as a tourist, you'll need to fill out an. Special Tours Tour Packages HOT Tours Hanoi to Sapa 5D4N Vietnam at a Glance Hanoi to Sapa 6D5N Northern Vietnam Essence Hanoi to Halong 4D3N Last time I checked MBPS ranged between 1.5-10 if lucky 20 Mbps both upload and download. Its quite hard to avoid this situation. This situation is quite common for travelers. While traveling, having a data sim card makes everything that much easier. Below are the five important things to consider for making your Vietnam travels that much easier. They are moving to Saigon for different reasons : personal or professional ; after all, they love this city. I will provide you with my 5-year review for you to understand my perspective from a foreign expat living in Vietnam, the lessons learned and what you should know about this country. However, during summer, the highest temperature in Da Lat is never more than 28 C, and the lowest is not less than 5 C in the winter. Easy to Get Around With No Car You do not need a car to live in Vietnam. You are constantly bothered by people wanting to give you rides for money. The ten bad things about Vietnam that I listed below may sound cynical, but don't let them stop you from visiting or returning to my country. The most common mode of transportation is the motorbike, and ex-pats (long-term foreign residents) can even rent a motorcycle for a day. Thats when you realize theres about to be another building built up in the area. So that wraps it up. These are the reasons to move to Vietnam! Read this post abouthow to get a Vietnam SIM card. The high poverty rates in Vietnam is a problem. The Cost of Living in Saigon: Living Comfortably Without Spending a Lot The returning of candy is because they may be out of 1000 or 2000vnd notes. 20 Best reasons NOT to retire to Vietnam! Not knowing any local language set barriers and obstacles for usto grow, and most importantly live our daily life. Avoid pitfalls and take proven shortcuts to make the right decisions and thrive in Asia. So I created this website and this YouTube channel. These factors played a role, but in truth only heightened an already existing reality a reality made clear to me in 1966 . Another con of living in Vietnam that I can think of is a language barrier. You just enjoy your stay in Viet Nam when you go there rather than let those things bother you since it is getting more expensive every year thanks to the improvement of its economy. Explore some of the worlds deepest caves. Its even cheaper if you can adapt to the lifestyle of a Vietnamese. I also had some traffic accidents every yearwhen I was in Vietnam, and it took me at least one week to heal. Therefore, I can check it from time to time to make sure it is still there. How can find affordable housing and good internet since I work Remotely. No country is the world is perfect. But Im not going to pretend this country is perfect, either. Many people complain about the lousy service in Vietnamese restaurants. BothHanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have a huge expat base, while in smaller cities like Hoi An and Da Nang, Im 100% sure you will find them too. Pros of Living in Vietnam 1. Per kilogram? Why are Vietnam's schools so good? - The Economist Without further ado, lets start with the advantages or benefits of living in Vietnam. I lived near a local market. I bet that everything in yourluggage is much more valuable than that, so the compensation is nothing! 1. Actually, we picked up a few words really quickly but obviously it was never enough,even for such a simple activity as a trip to a supermarket. It is affordable to live in Vietnam unless you go above and beyond your budget and go out drinking every night. For some expats who live in Vietnam not being able to speak a local language may not be a problem. Most other tours were boring. I cant imagine how solo travelers who choose to live in Vietnam and are not part of any community manage not to feel lonely. Waking up at 6:30 in the morning, you will already see the crowded streets with thousands of motorbikes moving back and forth every second. Ill guess well find out when we see you in Vietnam (or not)! Since Vietnam is popular for the rich density of coffee shops, you can always go to a favourite cafe near the area to get away from that hectic noise for a while. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. Just skip the hassle of looking around, pre-order this unlimited data sim card ($9 USD for 30 days), and receive free delivery to your accommodation as well! There are things in Vietnam that I can't seem to get along with really well.Can't say that I entirely hate it because it's a part of the country's culture. Eating in Vietnam is ultra cheap, too. They offer help, meals, gifts, etc., and give you more than you expect, and you would find in other countries people rarely offer help more than they could afford. Pros and cons of living in Vietnam - Anna Sherchand For my readers, here is the discounted ride with Grab (up to VND 30000 off)! However, unless you speak Vietnamese, they are going to be more limited. You visit a different country, look different, and charge more than the locals. For example, you can easilyfind an apartmentfor as low as $250 per month. 9 reasons why foreigners are moving to Saigon - Vietnam Insider Vietnam is one of the Asian countries where you can get a job easily as a foreigner. If I succeed in convincing you, then your next step will be to read how to move to Vietnam and the budget youll need for moving. We expats tend to be bonded by the fact that we tend to face the same challenges or culture shocks, miss the same things from home, and so on. So the general Vietnamese attitude towards foreigners tends to be friendly and nice. 20 Best reasons NOT to retire to Vietnam! Don't live in Vietnam. So even if we ended up learning some of this language, I doubt it would come in handy outside the country. Reasons NOT TO LIVE in Vietnam | I HATE Vietnam ? | 5 CONS of living in Your email address will not be published. The closest transport service that I had was Xe Om (which is a traditional transport service in Vietnam). How to Retire in Vietnam - U.S. News Sadly, Vietnam still has a long way before having the right solutions to this matter. Vietnam has a unique way of making its coffee fresh and enjoyable for even Westerners to enjoy. Other regions do serve the same dish but it wont taste the same since Cao Lau originated from Quang Nam, a small province that lies in the central area. 4 Important Reasons to Live in Hanoi The climate and seasons of Vietnam vary quite a bit from north to center to south. Have you ever wondered what its like to walk in the shoes of a Viet Cong soldier during the Vietnam, Read More Cu Chi Tunnels Guide: Info, History & TipsContinue, Than Tai hot springs park is one of the most popular attractions in Da Nang, Vietnam. No one bothers to look into what happened. Don't live in Vietnam. Your email address will not be published. Have you fallen in love with it yet? 2 Days in Phnom Penh Itinerary: Useful Guide, Iceland Winter Packing List: 40+ Useful Items, 18 Amazing Things to Do in Kumamoto, Japan, Renting a Car in Ljubljana: Top Tips and Advice, Copenhagen on a Budget: Your Ultimate Guide. In terms of safety, as a traveler and an ex-pat, I never heard or witness any foreigners getting hurt or unsafe in Vietnam (except the bike or laughing gas accidents) during my stay. Jonathan Fairfield 10971 Posted September 3, 2021. A salesperson doesnt know you have seen and done it all, and he doesnt know you are living and working in Vietnam. Getting a visa for moving to Vietnam is a relatively straight forward process. In, Full Article Southeast Asia Foods and Drink Safety How to Avoid Poisoning & Eat HealthyContinue, Last updated on November 26th, 2019Are you looking for the best cafes in Saigon? You can also use this link: https://r.grab.com/grabannasmate. Not only is it hugely varied, but also it is generally healthy, making use of tons of fresh herbs and other ingredients. Some other times, when going to the store or for a stroll you will be offered again and again the same tour or excursion. Another thing, since we have been working independently,making any friends among Vietnamese people turned into an impracticable mission. 3. There are pros and cons of living in Vietnam, but the more you know, the more prepared you will be! But there was none. Finally, these may be the reasons not to visit Vietnam. We could feel it in the air, could see how dirty rivers and lakes were. If the amount is too large, you should ask again if theres a mistake. You can start learning Vietnamese before you go. Reasons Why You'll Fall in Love With Vietnam's People Thanks to the socialist approach workers pick up rubbish at the end of the day around the cities and smaller towns in Vietnam, so cities, for the most part, look great. Why Don't Americans Know What Really Happened in Vietnam? If you have been following us for a while you know that last year we set off to Southeast Asia with a goal to settle down there for a bit, work online and explore the region at the same time.