Living in Vietnam

Moving to Vietnam? Start here.

Vietnam is one of the most exciting places in the world to live - vibrant, affordable, and endlessly welcoming. But between visa rules, VNeID registration, motorbike traffic, and figuring out why your landlord wants to check the calendar before signing a lease, the first few months can feel overwhelming.

Living in Vietnam: A Newcomer's Handbook cuts through the confusion with clear, practical, no-nonsense guidance for anyone relocating to Vietnam - whether you're an expat starting a new job, a digital nomad settling in for a few months, or simply beginning a new chapter of life abroad.

Inside, you'll find 16 essential chapters covering everything you actually need to know:

• Visas, residence registration, and administrative paperwork (fully updated for Vietnam's VNeID system)
• Finding and renting a home, and understanding your contract
• Setting up a SIM card, banking, and e-wallets like MoMo and ZaloPay
• Navigating traffic, motorbikes, and getting around safely
• Eating well - from street food stalls to sit-down restaurants, with real price references
• Healthcare, emergencies, and how to find reliable care
• Workplace culture, communication norms, and etiquette
• Personal safety, seasonal weather, and holidays that affect daily life
• Basic Vietnamese survival phrases for every situation

Each chapter includes a Useful Phrases section with real Vietnamese expressions you'll actually use - not textbook vocabulary, but the words you need at the market, in a taxi, or at the bank.

This isn't a tourist guide. It's a practical companion written for people actually building a life in Vietnam - honest, current, and grounded in real everyday situations.

Part of the Living in Vietnam / Sống Ở Việt Nam series by Mr Giang, author of The Real Vietnam series on Vietnamese culture, folklore, and regional life.