The Reality of Moving to Vietnam After 9 Months Living Here

Summary

After nine months in Vietnam and traveling between several cities, the narrator shares practical considerations for people thinking of relocating—not just visiting.

• Try places before committing. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and seaside destinations offer very different experiences. The narrator enjoyed Da Nang but found it quieter than expected, with construction and fewer activities. Social connections matter: arriving without a community can feel lonely, even in a lively city.
• Account for the weather. Hanoi has distinct seasons, including chilly mornings and nights. Ho Chi Minh City stays warm year-round, while coastal cities can have intense rainy seasons that disrupt daily life.
• Check visa and flight details carefully. The narrator describes the usual tourist visa as 90 days and advises using the official application site, checking every detail, and including your full name—including any middle name—on visa and flight bookings. They recount having to pay a fee to correct a Vietjet ticket.
• Get a Vietnamese phone number. Many local services and transactions rely on Zalo or phone-verified payment apps. An eSIM may help temporarily, but the narrator says a local number would have saved them considerable hassle.
• Test a neighborhood before signing a long lease. Construction can begin unexpectedly, even in a previously quiet area. The narrator found apartment hunting easy in Hanoi and was shown several places in one day, but recommends checking the surroundings first.
• Expect cash to be important. Many places prefer cash or local QR-code payments. The narrator found that ATM withdrawal limits were often low, leading to repeated withdrawals and fees; a Vietnamese number and local payment app may make payments easier.
• Plan for food differences and imported-food costs. Vietnamese dishes are widely available, but imported Western staples can be expensive or hard to find. Cooking local food can reduce costs; the narrator particularly praised inexpensive tofu as a protein alternative.
• Consider pollution and healthcare needs. The narrator describes Hanoi’s air pollution as severe and says people with respiratory or other health conditions should factor it into their choice of city. They also note the possibility of motorbike accidents, while finding some routine medicines, dental care, and beauty treatments less expensive than at home. Healthcare needs and insurance will vary depending on someone’s circumstances.
• Be aware of cultural differences. Dating may involve language and cultural barriers, as well as practical questions about long-term plans and visas. The narrator also found that hugging was uncommon in their local social interactions.
• Learn some Vietnamese. Even basic language skills can lead to warmer reactions, help build trust with landlords, and make bargaining easier.
• Think about what you want outside daily costs. The narrator missed international music acts and large rock-focused festivals, and felt Hanoi’s social scene suited them better than a quieter city. Their own reason for being in Vietnam was to make travel and martial-arts-history content, rather than to settle permanently.

Notable Locations, Products, and Speaker

• Locations: Hanoi (including the Old Quarter, Beer Street, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, and Tây Hồ), Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Thailand, Japan, Bali, and Australia.
• Services and products mentioned: Zalo, Vietjet, Hanoi Living Hub, eSIMs, cash and ATM services, QR-code payment apps, and tofu.
• Speaker: Carl Tomich, the narrator and travel-content creator.