Is Vietnam a good alternative to Thailand?
This video will discuss how much it costs to retire in Vietnam
We'll give you some numbers and costs
Along with some of the challenges and important information,
a retiree or digital nomad will have to know when living or retiring in Vietnam
Here is the first reason why Vietnam might be a good alternative to Thailand
The cost of living
Vietnam is a low-cost nation to live in
Most products cost less than half of what you'd spend in the West
and anywhere from 5% to 25% less than what you'd pay in many other Southeast Asian nations
According to International Living, Vietnam's inexpensive cost of Living is a big lure
When we visited Vietnam, the low cost made sightseeing, shopping,
dining, and drinking all the more tempting
Dive into a bustling, casual restaurant and pay $1 for an ice-cold can of beer and $2 for banh mi,
the country's wonderful, omnipresent pork sandwich on a breadstick,
and you'll have one of our all-time favourite meals — ever
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's most costly city, followed by Hanoi
The cost of living as a couple in these two cities is less than $1,300 per month
In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, many Westerners get by on $500 a month, but it's a simple life
If you're looking for the ultimate in luxury,
a monthly budget of roughly $4,000 will get you a huge, furnished house with a lake or park view,
five-star dining, and regular cruises and sightseeing tours around Vietnam
The cost of living outside of the capital cities
of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will be significantly lower
All utilities, housekeeping, food, dining out every day, and even occasional massages are
included in a monthly budget of roughly $800 to $1100 in any of these places
The beach is just a short walk away in all of these communities,
and you can even buy a house with an ocean view
With a monthly budget of $3,500 to $4,500, you may rent a contemporary villa with a private
pool and live like royalty while dining and drinking at the city's most renowned restaurants
Of course, your lifestyle will dictate how much you need to spend
Author Shannon O'Donnell wrote, "The low cost of living plays a major factor,
and the deliciously cheap street food helps as well
Most digital nomads and entrepreneurs prefer to establish a base in Ho Chi Minh City,
while expats and retirees prefer locations like Hanoi and Ho An"
According to O'Donnell, you can get a lovely 1-bedroom western-style room
anywhere in the country for $400 a month, practically any place in the country
Later, we will discuss our top 5 places for expats and retirees to live in Vietnam
Reason Number 2: Why Vietnam Might Be a Good Alternative to Thailand
Easy access to other parts of Southeast Asia
As a regional travel hub, Vietnam is a must-visit destination
Due to the abundance of low-cost airline options,
airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer direct, nonstop flights to all
major worldwide destinations, including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, or Malaysia
Also, flights to the United States are presumably available again once borders reopen
In contrast to budget airlines like VietJet, Pacific Airlines, and Bamboo Airways,
full-service carriers like Vietnam Airlines are available at a reasonable price
Travelling within the country is even easier
Direct flights connect major cities like Ho Chi Minh City,
Da Nang, and Hanoi and buses, trains, and even boats to popular islands
Reason number three
Vietnamese food is deliciously regional, with savoury broths in the north, spicy noodles in the
south, and delicious meals and specialties found only in one town or town throughout the country
The cuisine is fresh and nutritious,
with diverse tastes skillfully mixed to produce one-of-a-kind meals
The country is also known for its coffee, which is robust, rich,
and cultivated locally and is a source of pride for the Vietnamese, who are its largest customers
If you're a foodie on a budget, Vietnam is a great place to try new things and save money
We love the Vietnamese noodle soup, known as Pho
Thumbs up if you love this dish and Vietnamese coffee
Reason number four
Friendly locals
The Vietnamese people are kind and welcoming
Because Vietnam is a diverse country,
so are Vietnamese values and beliefs and their language and culture
But they all have one thing in common:
they love to smile and are really interested in getting to know their foreign visitors
Although they are physically classified as Southeast Asians,
numerous years of Chinese control have pushed the Vietnamese closer to East Asians,
particularly their northern neighbours, the Southern Chinese
Nelson, a retired US expat said, "I was in Vietnam during the war and have been back four times since
I lived in Hanoi part-time, and my wife is Vietnamese
From my experience, Vietnamese people are some of the friendliest people on earth"
Whether Vietnamese people are friendly is up to you,
but we can confidently say they were among the friendliest and
most welcoming we've encountered while travelling throughout Southeast Asia
Reason number five
The following locations are ideal for retirees and digital nomads since they
have a laid-back ambiance and a slow pace of life
Da Nang: Da Nang is a great spot to retire in Vietnam
It is Vietnam's most valuable city and provides a perfect living environment for the elderly
The city is clean and lovely, and its beaches are among the cleanest,
safest, and most appealing in Southeast Asia
Despite its fast expansion, this area remains tranquil
Wide highways, pathways for pedestrians, and the Han River running through the
center produce stunning views and a moderate temperature, contributing to Danang's allure
The standard of Living is excellent, while the cost of living is low
The retirees may easily travel from Da Nang to Hue, Hoi An old town, and My Son sanctuary
Da Nang is also a great place for digital nomads, with countless cafes and good internet connections
Nha Trang: The perfect location for retirees is one where they are able to enjoy themselves
Nha Trang, a seaside city in Vietnam, is a top choice for retirees based on that criterion
This coastal city is home to many attractive attractions, including Ponagar Tower,
Mineral Spring, the Institute of Oceanography, Long Son Pagoda, Bao Dai Palace, and many more
Phu Quoc: Phu Quoc is a haven for foreign retirees in Vietnam
Phu Quoc is well-known for being a tranquil place, like a beautiful pearl in the center of the sea
A peaceful, mild environment with numerous lovely beaches such as Sao Beach, Ganh Dau Beach,
Long Beach, Ong Lang Beach, and Thom Beach, excellent for retirees to rest on the sand
Hue: People's lives in Hue's old city are relaxed, peaceful, and thoughtful
In addition to the tombs and temples, the terrain here
boasts historic residences and tree-lined lanes that provide a sense of tranquillity
Every day in the late afternoon, listening to the great Thien Mu bell,
drinking delicious tea, strolling into old ruins,
sitting and telling stories in the historical country would be wonderful experiences
Furthermore, Hue cuisine is well-suited to the tastes of the elderly
Last but not least, one of our top five cities to live and retire in Vietnam is Hoi An
Hoi An: The weather is severe in central, but Hoi An benefits from turning away from the sea,
so the climate is relatively pleasant
The quiet areas of the ancient town
and the highlight of Hoi An will create an atmosphere suited for the elderly
This location still has that renowned rural environment,
yet the living conditions are adequate for a pleasant existence
The Japanese picked the Dien Ban region and Hoi An as the locations for senior resorts
This demonstrates that spending your golden years in this city is a wise idea
For some retirees, Hoi An may be too touristy
Still, it's pretty lively, with many restaurants and cafés, and is close to other beaches
With that, here are some of the challenges expats and retirees might have to face living in Vietnam
If you want to stay or retire in Vietnam for an extended period,
you should thoroughly research the visa requirements to comply with the law
First, learn about the culture and, if possible, learn Vietnamese
Understanding the local culture and conversing with local people
will simplify your life in the new area
Vietnam ranks 104th out of 195 nations regarding healthcare accessibility and quality
In general, the quality of healthcare services in Vietnam falls short of Western countries
The fees or taxes associated with relocating abroad are complicated
As a result, foreign nationals considering
retiring in Vietnam should consult with a knowledgeable lawyer or a tax specialist
Before planning to retire in Vietnam,
foreigners should visit the country several times to better understand the country
Lastly, traffic congestion and weak environmental
regulations contribute to air pollution in Vietnamese cities
However, if you do not want to live in the city,
rural or seaside destinations provide more nature for retirees
The easiest method to decide whether or not Vietnam is a good long-term
destination for you is to plan a longer visit whenever feasible
At the same time, it should be viewed through the eyes of a long-term resident rather than a visitor
To watch another video about retiring in Southeast Asia, click the video on your screen now