Guides for living and settling in Vietnam
Housing, visas, banking, healthcare, school and procedures: practical Vietly guides for preparing life in Vietnam.
Housing
1. Before You Start
Finding accommodation in Vietnam is relatively accessible, but the market operates differently than in France. Listings can disappear quickly, prices vary greatly depending on the neighborhood and type of accommodation, and a significant part of the negotiation is done directly with the owner or an agent.
Read guide2. What type of accommodation to choose?
🏢 Classic apartment - Căn hộ This is generally the best compromise for a stay of several months or years. You can find both relatively simple local apartments and modern residences with:
Read guide3. What budget to plan?
In Ho Chi Minh City, for example, 2026 listing data shows a median of about $384/month for a T2/1-bedroom, but furnished apartments meeting the standards sought by many expatriates can easily reach $750 to $1,400.
Read guide4. Where to live in Ho Chi Minh City?
One of the most well-known international neighborhoods. It features many international restaurants, cafes, international schools, and modern residences. It is also one of the most expensive areas: 2026 data shows that many studios are around $700–1,000 and one-bedroom apartments around $1,000–1,600 in the expatriate segment.
Read guide5. Where to live in Hanoi?
Probably the most well-known international neighborhood in Hanoi. Around the lake, there are many cafes, restaurants, and accommodations aimed at foreigners. The observed rents for a one-bedroom apartment in 2026 range widely from <strong>500 to 1,200 $</strong>, depending on the location and level of amenities.
Read guide6. Where to live in Đà Nẵng?
Đà Nẵng can be an interesting alternative to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Housing is generally cheaper there: some 2026 estimates place comfortable one-bedroom apartments around $380–680, compared to $750–1,400 in Ho Chi Minh City. Areas near Mỹ Khê and An Thượng are particularly popular with foreigners.
Read guide8. Questions to Ask During a Visit
Before saying yes, always ask: "How much is the monthly rent?" "How much is electricity per kWh?"
Read guide9. ⚠️ Traps to Avoid
Do not send money just to 'reserve' an apartment from someone whose identity and connection to the property you have not verified.
Read guide10. The Rental Agreement
For a Vietnamese contract that you do not fully understand, request a bilingual version or have it reviewed before signing.
Read guide11. Temporary Residence Declaration
Vietnam has an official system for the temporary residence declaration of foreigners, used by hosts.
Read guide12. How much to budget for your installation?
For an apartment at 12 million VND/month, you shouldn't arrive with just 12 million.
Read guide13. Our Recommended Strategy
For someone moving to Vietnam for the first time, Vietly recommends:
Read guide14. Checklist Before Picking Up the Keys
☐ I have physically visited the property<br>☐ I have verified the identity of the owner/agent<br>☐ I have read the contract
Read guideBanking
Introduction
Moving to Vietnam quickly raises a question: how to manage your money once you are there?
Read guideShould you open a Vietnamese bank account?
It is not necessarily essential immediately, but it becomes very practical as soon as you actually live in Vietnam.
Read guide2. Can a foreigner open a bank account in Vietnam?
Vietnamese regulations allow foreigners to open and use payment accounts. However, the required documents depend on the person's status in Vietnam.
Read guide3. Can you open an account simply with a passport?
It is better not to assume that a passport will be sufficient. For example, Vietcombank states that its current accounts are accessible to Vietnamese citizens as well as foreigners holding a valid visa and the documents required by Vietnamese regulations.
Read guide18. What happens if a bank goes bankrupt?
Vietnam has a deposit insurance system.
Read guide4. Which bank to choose?
Vietnam has many banks. There is no universally 'best' bank: the choice mainly depends on your situation.
Read guide5. The VND: Understanding the Vietnamese Currency
One of the classic mistakes when arriving in Vietnam is to continue mentally converting all expenses into euros.
Read guide6. Payments via QR Code
This is probably one of the banking habits that will surprise newcomers the most.
Read guide16. Securing Your Vietnamese Bank Account
Your smartphone is practically becoming your wallet.
Read guide7. Bank Card or QR Code?
The card remains useful for certain purchases, hotels, reservations, and online payments.
Read guide17. An Important Note for Foreigners: Your Documents Must Remain Valid
Do not consider opening an account as a definitive formality. Banks must keep their clients' information up to date.
Read guide8. Can you receive your salary in your Vietnamese account?
Yes, and it is generally the simplest solution when you work for a Vietnamese company.
Read guide9. Sending Money from France to Vietnam
This is an important point to prepare before departure.
Read guide10. And in the other direction: Vietnam → France?
This is where supporting documents become particularly important. Outgoing international transfers are subject to Vietnamese foreign exchange regulations.
Read guide11. Can we have an account in euros or dollars?
Vietcombank indicates, for example, that it offers current accounts in VND or foreign currencies.
Read guide12. Should You Keep Your French Bank Account?
Keeping a European account allows you to maintain part of your savings outside of Vietnam, pay certain French expenses, potentially receive income in euros, and have a backup solution.
Read guide13. Be Careful with the French Bank Card
A French card generally works for many international transactions, but its daily use can become costly.
Read guide14. Never leave with just one card
Losing your wallet containing your only bank card when you just arrived in Ho Chi Minh City is an easily avoidable complication.
Read guide15. ATMs
ATMs are very common in large cities.
Read guide20. Concrete Example: Moving to Ho Chi Minh City
Let's take Julie, a French woman, who is moving to live in Ho Chi Minh City for two years.
Read guide21. Before You Leave: The Vietly Checklist
Once in Vietnam, obtain a Vietnamese number, stabilize your residency situation, compare several banks before opening your main account, and properly activate the application and security devices.
Read guide22. Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Transferring all your savings to Vietnam upon arrival
Read guideVisas & procedures
Introduction
Going to Vietnam for a few weeks is relatively simple. However, settling there for several months or years requires a bit more organization.
Read guideFirst question: how long do you want to stay?
Before discussing visas, ask yourself three questions.
Read guide2. French: Can you enter Vietnam without a visa?
In September 2026, French citizens holding a regular passport can enter Vietnam without a visa for a stay of up to 45 days, provided they meet the entry requirements.
Read guide3. The Vietnamese e-visa
To stay longer, Vietnam has an electronic visa system.
Read guide4. Single Entry or Multiple Entries?
This is an important distinction.
Read guide5. Is the e-visa sufficient for settling down?
To test life in Vietnam for a few months: yes.
Read guide6. The main types of visas to know
Vietnamese legislation uses codes to identify different visa purposes. Some are particularly important for someone wishing to settle.
Read guide7. You Want to Work in Vietnam
This is probably one of the most common cases.
Read guide8. The Work Permit
The work permit is distinct from the visa.
Read guide9. Who issues the work permit?
According to the new regulations, the competent authority is notably the provincial authority corresponding to the location where the foreigner is to work.
Read guide10. Can you work without a work permit?
In some cases, yes.
Read guide11. You are coming to study in Vietnam
For long-term studies, Vietnam offers the DH visa.
Read guide12. Study Vietnamese to Live in Vietnam
This is a particularly interesting option for someone who wants to:
Read guide13. Student ≠ automatically allowed to work
This is an essential distinction.
Read guide15. The Temporary Residence Card — TRC
The Temporary Residence Card, often referred to as TRC, is one of the most interesting documents when you start to truly settle in Vietnam.
Read guide16. How long does a TRC last?
It depends on the category.
Read guide17. How much does a temporary residence card cost?
As of April 1, 2026, the official fees published for the issuance of a temporary residence card are as follows:
Read guide18. Vietnamese Abroad: A Special Case
If you are of Vietnamese descent but currently hold a foreign passport, your situation may be different from that of a foreigner with no ties to Vietnam.
Read guide19. The famous '5-year visa'
The visa exemption certificate can have a maximum validity of 5 years, while it must expire at least six months before the passport or travel document to which it is attached.
Read guide20. What documents for a Việt Kiều?
The goal is to demonstrate your Vietnamese origins.
Read guide21. And for the spouse or children?
The exemption certificate can also be requested by a foreigner who is:
Read guide22. You are investing or starting a business
Vietnam has several categories of investor visas:
Read guide23. Is there a retirement visa?
Vietnam does not operate like some Southeast Asian countries that have a general retirement visa based simply on age and a certain amount of savings.
Read guide24. Finding an Apartment: A Often Overlooked Formality
When living in Vietnam, your place of residence must be declared in accordance with the applicable residence rules for foreigners.
Read guide25. The Temporary Residence Declaration
Always ask the landlord:
Read guide26. Where to make this declaration in 2026?
Since May 21, 2026, accommodation establishments use the unified portal of the Ministry of Public Security:
Read guide27. Your passport becomes extremely important
Before settling in, check its expiration date.
Read guide28. Documents to Prepare Before Leaving France
For a long-term relocation, create a digital and paper file containing:
Read guide29. Keep Digital Copies
Create a secure folder containing:
Read guide30. Example 1: I just want to test life in Vietnam
She wants to spend three months in Ho Chi Minh City before deciding whether to settle down.
Read guide31. Example 2: I find a job in Vietnam
The company first checks his eligibility.
Read guide32. Example 3: I am going to study Vietnamese for a year
Sophie enters a Vietnamese university
Read guide34. Example 5: I am French of Vietnamese descent
This is a very different situation from an expatriate with no family ties to Vietnam.
Read guide35. The visa does not solve everything
An installation generally involves several independent files.
Read guide35. Quick Table: Which Status to Look At?
Quick Table: Which Status to Look At?
Read guide37. Vietly Checklist — Before Departure
Vietly Checklist — Before Departure
Read guide38. Arrival Checklist
Arrival Checklist
Read guidePhone & Internet
Introduction
A Vietnamese number quickly becomes useful for creating certain accounts, receiving verification codes, contacting a landlord or a delivery person, using various local applications, and communicating with Vietnamese businesses.
Read guide1. The Main Mobile Operators in Vietnam
Three names come up particularly often
Read guide2. Can you buy a SIM card with a French passport?
Identifying the owner of the line is important in Vietnam. Operators are strengthening their subscriber verification procedures. In 2026, new authentication measures were introduced to combat incorrectly registered SIMs and fraud.
Read guide3. Physical SIM or eSIM?
Both solutions exist.
Read guide4. The Particularly Convenient Setup for a French Person
If your phone supports Dual SIM, you can do
Read guide5. Be Careful with French Roaming
Keeping your French SIM card does not mean you should use your French plan normally in Vietnam.
Read guide6. What to do immediately upon arriving at the airport?
You can have Internet almost immediately.
Read guide7. How much data do you really need?
It depends a lot on your usage.
Read guide8. 4G or 5G?
Both exist in Vietnam.
Read guide9. Should You Buy a Phone in Vietnam?
Not necessarily. A recent European smartphone will generally work with Vietnamese networks.
Read guide10. The Vietnamese Number Becomes Important
When arriving as a tourist, one might think: 'I can do everything with WhatsApp.'
Read guide11. Do not change your Vietnamese number every three months
This is a classic mistake. Get a number that you plan to keep fairly quickly.
Read guide12. Be Careful If You Change Your Phone
Security rules regarding SIM cards have been strengthened.
Read guide13. Essential Applications
Once your line is activated, install your operator's official application.
Read guide14. Internet in Your Apartment
If you are staying for several months, do not rely solely on your mobile plan.
Read guide15. First, check if Internet is already included in your accommodation
It's important. If you are renting: a furnished apartment; a serviced apartment; a room; a residence;
Read guide16. Shared Wi-Fi or Personal Fiber?
For someone working remotely, I clearly recommend a personal connection when possible.
Read guide17. If you are a developer, freelancer, or remote worker
Don't just look at the download speed figure.
Read guide18. Always Plan for a Backup Connection
In case of an Internet outage, simply activate the hotspot feature on your smartphone.
Read guide19. Beware of Public Wi-Fi
Prioritize using your mobile connection when you need to perform a sensitive operation and do not trust the available network.
Read guide20. And VPNs?
A VPN can be useful for someone living abroad, especially for securing certain connections or accessing their professional infrastructure.
Read guide21. Zalo: An App to Know
Even if you already use WhatsApp, Messenger, or Telegram, you will very likely encounter Zalo in Vietnam.
Read guide22. Should You Keep WhatsApp?
Your French number can continue to be associated with certain services while you use your Vietnamese number daily.
Read guide23. Beware of Scam SMS
As everywhere, fraudulent SMS messages exist. Be particularly wary of messages claiming to come from:
Read guide24. Losing Your Phone in Vietnam: Why It Can Become Serious
Your smartphone potentially contains
Read guide25. Concrete Example: Moving to Ho Chi Minh City
Let's take Thomas, a Frenchman, who is moving to live in Ho Chi Minh City for three years.
Read guide26. Phone and Internet Budget
Rates change regularly and depend heavily on promotions, data volume, and the operator.
Read guide27. The Vietly checklist before departure
Before leaving France:
Read guide28. Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Only using your French plan
Read guideHealthcare
Introduction
When preparing for a move to Vietnam, health is often addressed after visa, housing, or banking. However, it is one of the topics that is better to resolve before leaving.
Read guideIs it easy to get medical treatment in Vietnam?
Yes, especially in large cities. In Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, you will find public hospitals, private hospitals, international clinics, and many specialists.
Read guide2. Public or Private?
Public institutions cater to a large portion of the Vietnamese population. They sometimes have extremely experienced specialists.
Read guide3. Does the French Social Security automatically cover you?
When you actually become an expatriate, you should not assume that your Vitale card will continue to work as if you were living in France.
Read guide4. What is the CFE?
The Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE) allows expatriate French citizens to maintain coverage based on the French system.
Read guide5. CFE alone or CFE + supplementary insurance?
CFE also offers a plan that includes basic coverage and supplementary insurance with a partner, including the possibility of hospital third-party payment within its network.
Read guide6. And an international private insurance without CFE?
International insurers offer contracts designed for expatriates.
Read guide7. What to Check in Insurance
Do not choose solely based on the monthly price.
Read guide8. Medical repatriation is particularly important
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends having insurance that covers medical care, hospitalization, surgery, and medical repatriation, reminding that costs abroad can be very high.
Read guide9. If You Work for a Vietnamese Company
As of July 2025, certain foreign workers with a fixed-term contract of at least 12 months with a Vietnamese employer are subject to mandatory social insurance.
Read guide10. Can foreigners subscribe to Vietnamese health insurance?
It should not be assumed that a foreigner residing in Vietnam can automatically purchase public health insurance just like a Vietnamese citizen.
Read guide11. Before Leaving: Take Stock of Your Health
For a long-term move, it's a good idea to take advantage of the months leading up to your departure to assess your health.
Read guide12. Vaccines to Check
The Pasteur Institute recommends being up to date with the French vaccination schedule before a stay in Vietnam.
Read guide13. Japanese Encephalitis
The name can be misleading: it is obviously not limited to Japan.
Read guide14. Rabies
Preventive vaccination may be considered for extended stays, especially when quick access to care may be difficult.
Read guide15. Mosquitoes: A Real Issue in Vietnam
In Vietnam, mosquito prevention is not just about malaria.
Read guide16. Malaria
The risk is not the same throughout Vietnam.
Read guide17. Protect Yourself Especially Against Bites
A few simple habits:
Read guide18. Medications: What to Bring?
If you are on chronic medication, do not leave with just a few days' worth of medication.
Read guide19. Be Careful with Certain Medications
A medication that is legal in France is not automatically subject to the same rules elsewhere.
Read guide20. Is it easy to buy medicine in Vietnam?
Pharmacies are very numerous. There are large chains as well as many small independent pharmacies.
Read guide21. Keep a small medical file
For people with a chronic illness, this can really save time.
Read guide22. Translate Your Medical Record?
Not everything. A 150-page record is generally not useful. Instead, prepare a medical summary in English indicating:
Read guide23. What to do in case of emergency?
In Vietnam, the number generally used for emergency medical assistance is:
Read guide24. Your insurance may have its own network
Before a scheduled hospitalization, check if your insurer works directly with the facility.
Read guide25. Bank Card and Health
Always keep access to a financial reserve.
Read guide26. Choose Your Hospital Before You Get Sick
This is one of the best things to do after you settle in.
Read guide27. If You Have a Chronic Illness
Asthma, diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, or other monitored conditions:
Read guide28. Mental Health
Expatriation can be exciting, but also exhausting.
Read guide29. Pregnancy and Maternity
If you are considering pregnancy in Vietnam, be sure to compare insurance options carefully. Maternity often constitutes a specific item.
Read guide30. Children: Plan for More
For a family moving in, check:
Read guide31. Air Pollution
In some major cities, air quality can sometimes be poor.
Read guide32. Heat and Humidity
The body may take some time to adapt.
Read guide33. Water: Can you drink tap water?
For a newcomer, the simplest rule is: do not automatically consider tap water as your daily drinking water.
Read guide34. Food
Vietnam has a vast street food culture.
Read guide35. Should you get treated in France for major healthcare?
Some people complete all their healthcare in Asia. The CFE offers solutions to maintain coverage during temporary returns to France, depending on the chosen plan. There is no single right strategy.
Read guide36. Concrete example: moving to Ho Chi Minh City
Camille, 37, is moving to Vietnam for three years
Read guide37. Health Checklist Before Departure
Health checklist before departure
Read guide38. Post-Arrival Checklist
Post-Arrival Checklist
Read guide