Destination
Vietnam
Visas, housing, setting up and local help across four cities. National rules apply everywhere; prices and providers are city by city.
Vietnam at a glance
- Currency
- Vietnamese đồng (VND)
- Official language
- Vietnamese
- Time zone
- UTC+7
- Emergency
- 113 police · 114 fire · 115 ambulance
Wide street scene, Hanoi, late afternoon light
Cities
Where to live in Vietnam
Each city page has local guides, typical prices and the providers who cover it.
Residential lane, District 3
VietnamHo Chi Minh CitySaigon is the choice if you want energy.
Old Quarter street, morning
VietnamHanoiThe capital runs on a different clock to the south.
Neighbourhood café, An Thượng
VietnamDa NangSmaller, slower, and a lot closer to the beach.
Riverside homes, Perfume River
VietnamHueVietnam's former imperial capital, and the quietest of the four.
Services
Help with your move to Vietnam
Visa and immigration help usually works nationwide. Housing, set-up and local help are arranged city by city.
Before you move
Practical information
Rules, typical costs and step-by-step guides for this destination.
GuideMoving to Vietnam checklistA practical step order for relocating to Vietnam — what to sort out first, and what can wait until you've landed.
GuideCost of living in VietnamWhat things actually cost in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang, in ranges rather than false-precision numbers, and where the maths changes if you're used to a Western budget.
RegulationVietnam's e-visa network expands to 83 border gatesResolution 389/NQ-CP (2 December 2025) adds 41 border gates where foreigners can enter and exit on an e-visa, taking the total to 83. A logistics change, not a change to who qualifies or for how long.
RegulationWork permit rules reformed under Decree 219/2025Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (effective 7 August 2025) replaces the previous work-permit framework: faster decision timelines, a longer short-term assignment window, and a new provincial issuing authority.
Plan your move to Vietnam
Answer around 10 questions and get a task list with timings and reasons.
Common questions about moving to Vietnam
- Is it actually cheaper to live in Vietnam?
- For most day-to-day spending — food, transport, casual dining — yes, noticeably. It's not uniformly cheap though: imported goods, international schools and private healthcare can close the gap fast if you don't adjust your spending habits. See the cost of living guide for sourced figures.
- Do I need to speak Vietnamese?
- No, not to get by day-to-day in the bigger cities — English is common in business and expat-facing services. It helps for cheaper local shopping, dealing with officials, and generally settling in faster, but it's not a prerequisite for moving here.
- Which city should I move to?
- Depends what you want. Ho Chi Minh City for energy and convenience, Hanoi for seasons and a more administrative pace, Da Nang for a slower, coastal lifestyle. Each city page goes into the real trade-offs.
- What visa do I actually need to relocate, not just visit?
- The tourist e-visa most people find when they search "Vietnam visa" isn't built for relocating. Work permits, Temporary Residence Cards, investor and family-sponsored routes are the paths that actually support a longer stay — see the Visa & Immigration page for the real options.