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Vietnam Travel Information
Statistics about Expats in Vietnam
Vietnam ranked 2nd on Top Destinations for Expats in 2019, from InterNations.com
A "Global Expatriates: Size, Segmentation, and Forecast for the Worldwide Market" report indicated there are about 66.2 million expats in the world - 0.88% of the world population - in 2017, and this number is expected to reach 87.5 million by 2021. Following that trend, the number of ex-pats in Vietnam increases dramatically.
Find out the best places for living in Vietnam.
General Information about Expats in Vietnam
According to the Expat Insider survey in 2019 from the largest community for expats, InterNations, Vietnam ranked 2nd among the best destinations for expats all over the world. The ranking is further consolidated by the increasing number of foreign professionals working and settling in Vietnam. According to Vietnam's Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, there were roughly 83,500 expats in Vietnam in 2019.
The expats in Vietnam mostly reside in the major cities of the country such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, etc. And in every city, there are designated areas that specifically cater to international residents' lifestyle while retaining the authentic Vietnamese culture.
Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Thu Duc City is the living area of many expats in Ho Chi Minh
Read more about Expat Communities in Hanoi
The Life of Expats in Vietnam
Answers from participants in the survey revealed what made Vietnam such a popular expat destination. Not only were there ample opportunities for expats in Vietnam to gain financial success, but the low living cost also helped people have more enjoyable experiences. Despite some claims that the living environment in Vietnam was not ideal (such as overpopulation, pollution, and traffic jams), the heart-warming hospitality of Vietnamese locals made it easy for expats to settle down.
Security
Vietnam is considered to have a stable political situation without any major political conflicts. Besides, it is happy news to report that there is little to no terrorism in Vietnam.
Safety is the first concern of many expats in Vietnam
However, pickpocketing and petty theft can be an issue. Therefore, expats in Vietnam should be aware of this and protect your assets carefully. Regarding women expats in Vietnam, it is advisable to prepare means of protection when you're out and about alone at night. Pepper spray and tasers are considered illegal weapons in Vietnam, but mosquito spray or personal security alarm can help you feel more secured.
Be careful with the pickpocket issue in Vietnam
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Cost of Living
In the report released by InterNations, Vietnam is dubbed as a “financial paradise” for expats because of the low cost of living. The average cost of living range in Vietnam is from US$ 700 to US$ 1,400 per month. Almost all of the costs in Vietnam are much cheaper than in many other countries. The cost of living for expats in Vietnam includes some expenditures such as house rental, food and drink, transportation, and shopping.
Job Opportunities for Foreigners
It is good to know that Vietnam continuously ranked as the 1st in the Working Abroad Index, according to the InterNations report in 2019. Multiple career options and favorable working conditions are some of the notable factors that fascinate global employees. The most common job for expats in Vietnam is a foreign language teacher. The demand for foreign teachers is very high, ranging from kindergarten to university level.
An expat working as an English teacher
In addition, thanks to the fast growth rate of the economy, the demand for foreign experts and managers in many fields is increasing significantly. And according to the Expat Explorer survey of HSBC, the average salary of expats per year is approximately US$ 88,000.
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Healthcare System
The national healthcare system in Vietnam has been improving under great effort from the Government. It will be much easier for expats to find health care providers in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi.
The Healthcare system in Vietnam is quite good and improving
The cost of healthcare in Vietnam is remarkably reasonable compared to its quality. However, in case you're looking for English-speaking staff, it is better to take out private health insurance and seek private and international health services.
Accessibility
Among the developing countries, the Internet and digital technology are quite astounding for their low cost. Although the Internet connection in Vietnam can get interrupted from time to time, there have been major efforts put into developing the bandwidth. Monthly fees for the Internet are also cheap, and you can get wifi pretty much everywhere you go, from shopping malls to street-side coffee shops. 3G/4G connections in Vietnam are also quite affordable, and the country is working on developing 5G network as well. As a result, you might not need to have an office job in Vietnam to settle down in the country. The reliable Internet connection and advanced communication means make it easy to work virtually.
In addition, the wide variety of mobile apps can be incredible aids for when you first come to Vietnam. Surpassing the language barrier, these apps can help you book rides and taxis, moving houses, delivering food and so much more. See the Useful Apps When Coming to Vietnam.
Education System
About the education for your kids, there are 5 basic levels in the national education system:
- Kindergarten
- Primary
- Secondary
- High School
- University
You can choose private/international schools for your kids. The public schools often require academic excellence from their students while the international schools offer an open environment for kids. Over the past years, many international schools have been established to meet the high demand from the growing expat population. Except for primary school, there are school fees for all other education levels, with a fixed and lower range in the public section compared to private education.
Vietnam offers international schools with a great curriculum
Summary of Statistic about Expats in Vietnam
It is no doubt that Vietnam is an attractive destination for the expat community. Considering all the pros and cons, many expats choose Vietnam to live and work. How about you? Share with us about being expats in Vietnam by commenting below!
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© Written by Minh Anh for itourvn.com
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Comments
Hello,
Thank you for writing this article, it was very interesting and had a lot of helpful points and information. When I made the move to Saigon, Vietnam earlier in the year I found it very hard to find any clear information on finances and banking in and outside of Vietnam. As a suggestion, a future post on how to manage your finances abroad, especially in Vietnam would be extremely helpful as it is a very important topic?
I have lived in District 2, 7, and 1, and I loved all of these districts. The only off-side with District 2 is the floods during the raining season around July to October.
Been living in HCM for quite a while and loving it since