Move to Vietnam with a clearer plan
Understand the cities, costs, housing, first steps, and common mistakes before you spend money or arrive unprepared.
Who this page is for
Whether you are retiring, remote working, or moving with a family, select your profile.
Relocating Expats
Planning to find local employment, teach English, transfer within a corporation, or launch an ethical local business structure.
Retirees
Looking to maximize their pension, secure premium international healthcare access, and settle in comfortable, modern neighborhoods.
Digital Nomads
Remote workers looking for top coffee shop infrastructure, fast internet, reliable visa options, and beach-side remote desks.
The 90-day move timeline
A structured step-by-step roadmap to pace your relocation safely.
90 days before
Begin researching city environments side by side. Audit your medical insurance needs, verify potential visa routes, map out standard budget models, and start organizing your liquid relocation capital.
30 days before
Gather and legally notarize necessary corporate, visa, or educational certificates. Book a short-term initial stay (1 to 2 weeks), arrange direct airport transfer, and establish reliable global fintech accounts for secure ATM access.
First week
Purchase a physical local SIM card at the airport or official mobile store. Set up local ride-hailing and pedaling software, begin scouting neighborhood districts physically, and meet expat networks locally.
First month
Select a vetted long-term rental apartment. Sign legal contracts verified using professional support tools, complete mandatory local police registration via your landlord, and establish consistent banking and shopping routines.
Core relocation pillars
The four critical decisions you must align to execute your move successfully.
Choose the right city
Compare HCMC (high energy, business, nightlife), Hanoi (culture, traditional history, distinct seasons), and Da Nang (calm coastal environment, beaches, cleaner air quality).
Secure housing safely
Never sign long-term lease agreements sight unseen. Scout local districts physically during the day and night to check for noise, check local deposit norms, and verify properties via Rent Check VN.
Understand the budget
HCMC and Hanoi monthly budgets typically average $1,200 to $2,000 for standard expat lifestyles, while Da Nang coastal routines average $900 to $1,500. Avoid underestimating medical or paperwork backup costs.
Visa and paperwork
Establish correct long-term tourist, business corporate sponsor, or retirement visa routes. Understand local rules on work permits, tax structures, and business legality requirements.
Important Visa Disclaimer
Visa regulations in Vietnam can change quickly and depend heavily on your exact passport country, background, and relocation timeline. For legal, professional, or visa-specific guidance, always speak with a qualified lawyer, official consulate source, or licensed Vietnamese immigration expert.
Your first week checklist
Core logistics to establish in your first 7 days on the ground.
Get a local SIM card
Visit an official Mobifone, Viettel, or Vinaphone store with your passport. Registering your SIM officially under your name is mandatory to avoid random number blocks.
Set up ride-hailing
Download local ride-hailing and transit software (Grab, Be, or Xanh SM). Linking your international credit card avoids currency disputes and ensures cashless, transparent transport.
Secure local cash access
Locate local bank ATMs (TPBank, BIDV, or international HSBC/Citi) that offer high withdrawal limit caps and low transaction fees to establish your initial local cash reserves.
Practice pedestrian safety
Local traffic is highly dynamic. When crossing pedestrian pathways, maintain steady, predictable walking paces to allow motorbike drivers to naturally route around you.
Common relocation mistakes to avoid
Skip the expensive, stressful errors most newcomers make in their first 90 days.
Signing a lease sight unseen
Many expats lock in 12-month rentals online only to discover intense local construction noise, building leaks, or poor localized neighborhood environments after arrival.
Rushing visa setup types
Securing short-term tourist entries instead of setting up proper corporate sponsor, employment work permit, or legal business pathways can lead to blacklists or forced departures.
Underestimating local expenses
Relying on out-of-date blog posts claiming you can comfortably live for $500 monthly across major cities often leads to major capital strain when medical or visa setup issues occur.
Relocation help resources
Actionable services and tools to streamline your Vietnam relocation.
Relocation Guide
Our premium comprehensive PDF capture containing visa, housing, and city profiles.
Get free guide arrow_forward calendar_month30-Min Consult
Get 1-on-1 private video guidance with KT to finalize your city, visa, and local setup budgets.
Book consult arrow_forward mapCity Guides
Plan your scouting trips with deep city-by-city comparisons of HCMC, Da Nang, and Hanoi.
Explore guides arrow_forward handshakeTrusted Partners
Get connected to ethical, vetted local professionals for visas, legal tax help, and housing.
Browse partners arrow_forwardStart planning your move with better information
Whether you are just starting your research or are booking your flight to Vietnam, get the exact support you need.