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What do I need to know: Moving from Thailand to Vietnam?


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I am bored with the recent changes in Thailand, and with the pollution becoming pretty intense I wish to relocate. I would like to pack my bags and move to Vietnam if possible. I have a standard tourist visa; but nothing else. What do I need to do? Do I need to arrange for any documents, am I ok bringing my large amount of personal belongings by plane without issue? Is it reasonable to rent a place for a month, drop my gear off, and then go find a long term rental? Where can I find places to stay online? How does banking get handled there? I asked a lot, but the lack of information out there is frustrating, and any advice would go a long way.

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Make sure you understand the visa situation there. It's easy to get a three month stay and then use agents to keep extending. I was told that you must use an agent and there is a bit of underhanded dealing to stay for long periods. There are only long term visas for people who are working and no extensions based on retirement or marriage...........

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If you are planning on moving to Saigon, I suggest that you think twice. The ex-wife says that even she can't stand the city any more. She's just finished building a new house down on the Mekhong. There are some posts on the web somewhere by English teachers in Vietnam. There are a lot of complaints that it might be good to read up on.

But if you're determined to go, why, good luck....

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Ahh.... Vietnam.... the next "it" place.

But I heard it's quite a hole unless you want to teach English. I think that's why nomades numeriques like Thailand better.

I'd be interested to know what you've heard to say, "it's a quite a hole". You could certainly be right, but I think it's fair to give at least a couple of specific reasons.

But I'd be even more curious to know how it would no longer be a hole if you want to teach there.

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It depends where you want to live in Vietnam. Hanoi and Saigon are overcrowded and polluted. Da Nang is ranked as one of the best developing cities in Asia. There are some great beach resorts in the south although over-development is becoming a problem (Nha Trang for example). Most places in Vietnam are cheaper than Thailand. The country is run by a control freak government, whose behaviour is far worse than what is happening in Thailand. At the end of the day people go to Vietnam either because its different or to make money (especially teachers).

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This is of interest to me as I'm off to Vietnam next month. A friend of a friend was an English teacher here for many years but became very peed off with the Thai system. He feels so refreshed as the students, schools and visa system are much better than here.

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I made the move last year after my wife of 15 years decided to become a junkie. So, with my daughter in tow, off to Vietnam. We both got 2 year temporary resident cards with no hassle, she is in an International school and I enjoy being out of Thailand for the time being. Crowded? Yes, some places but not everyplace. You'll enjoy the change.

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I made the move last year after my wife of 15 years decided to become a junkie. So, with my daughter in tow, off to Vietnam. We both got 2 year temporary resident cards with no hassle, she is in an International school and I enjoy being out of Thailand for the time being. Crowded? Yes, some places but not everyplace. You'll enjoy the change.

How much is international school in Vietnam?

How does your wife become a junkie after 15 years?

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Ahh.... Vietnam.... the next "it" place.

But I heard it's quite a hole unless you want to teach English. I think that's why nomades numeriques like Thailand better.

Definitely a major down grade from Thailand, not to mention it is a socialist state.
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I feel you OP and I was thinking the same pssible trajectory...whats the deal with opening a bank account and being a digital nomad? How about the visa...and whats the best beach town near a biggish city? My american mates lived in hanoi and loved it...they were making 30 bux usd an hour teaching...

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I made the move last year after my wife of 15 years decided to become a junkie. So, with my daughter in tow, off to Vietnam. We both got 2 year temporary resident cards with no hassle, she is in an International school and I enjoy being out of Thailand for the time being. Crowded? Yes, some places but not everyplace. You'll enjoy the change.

How much is international school in Vietnam?

How does your wife become a junkie after 15 years?

guy , why are you interested in off topic personal info ? are you like the old gossip ladies that sit around every afternoon and talk smack about their dead husbands ? or are you some kind of perv ? you need to unbuckle the seat belt on your bar stool and walk around a little , i fear all the blood in you body settled in your keester , resulting in your brain death ........... ..........

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If you want to escape pollution and live in a friendly place in Vietnam, check out Da Nang. Not long ago Danang was very provincial but now plenty of nice bars and cafes, plenty of cheap but good quality hotels.

Hoi An is nearby if you want to join the tourists. A little further south you can find plenty of deserted beaches.

Others have commented on Saigon/HCMC and they are right. Suits a certain kind of person. Hanoi has a lot of character but is now very large and hugely polluted. The northern Vietnamese character takes some getting used to - some foreigners take to it easily but some do not. The Southerners are much more businesslike and pragmatic. Danang is in the south.

You should try to learn some Vietnamese. More and more are able to speak English but a few words of the local language is important.

During my extended stays in Vietnam I always either had a work visa or was invited by a company - so I had no problems on that score but unable to advise you. You will need to do some research on the visa issues and much will depend on what your circumstances are (will you want to work, start a business or do you want to retire?) but there are plenty of foreigners living in Vietnam and so there must be ways of getting long term visas. Having a slightly more difficult visa system is actually a positive thing as it keeps out the criminals and low-life types.

It would make a lot of sense for you to visit Vietnam on a visitor's visa, hang out where the expats are and they will tell you how things work. You will also get a feel for the place. After a few weeks you will know whether you can function there or not.

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As many noted, Saigon (aka HoChiMinh City, HCMC) is polluted.

Thousands of scooters and motorcycles in the streets spew exhaust fumes and carbon monoxide.

Crossing a street is dangerous too.

If you really want to live there and close to the center, District 1, is the place.

District 2, cross the river, is quiet (Thau Dien)

I heard Hanoi is more laid back.

But if you want to live out of these cities, you have a choice between Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Hue.

I especially like Hue, the citadel, you literally 'live in a postcard'

HTH

Gerry

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Couldn't you just leave your stuff here and go get a feel for the place first

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

I have, I loved the central areas particularly Da Nang and Hoi An, oceans, extremely fresh seafood, good beer for ~8 baht/glass, cheap, and the people are friendly. I wouldn't mind HCMC but it is very crowded and noisy. I am sure the quality of life will be higher than in Thailand if the visa situation is easier.

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Couldn't you just leave your stuff here and go get a feel for the place first

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

I have, I loved the central areas particularly Da Nang and Hoi An, oceans, extremely fresh seafood, good beer for ~8 baht/glass, cheap, and the people are friendly. I wouldn't mind HCMC but it is very crowded and noisy. I am sure the quality of life will be higher than in Thailand if the visa situation is easier.
Then do it! You have nothing to lose, it's not like you can't come back here after a year if miss it and it sounds like you need a change of scenery

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

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Actually, I did get a 5 year VN drivers license with just a tourist visa and I drive a van all the time. I do live in Thao Dien which was mentioned earlier and it's quiet, not polluted. We ride our bicycles daily on the main road without any fear of getting hit. It's about 10 minutes or so to District 1.Of course District 1 and pretty much of the rest of Saigon is nuts as far as traffic. There is a nice beach area south of Saigon which is about a 30 minute drive or 1 hour by hydro-foil. Vung Tau. Very quiet area. The guys are right about the language but I'm learning the basics, use a couple Apps on my phone, and I get along fine. My daughter prefers living here also. My biggest complaint is the MC drivers.

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Well!...everyone forgot to mention the best place i lived for 5yrs....Vung Tau. It's down the river from HCMinh about an hour by fast ferry. On the coast, and really the surronding beaches and places a little further up the coast are fantastic, if you want somewhere nice and quiet. You should consider a visit to there at least and look. Good bunch of expats to mix with too....

No problems with bank Accounts and stuff....but i am not up to speed on visa anymore. Used to slip the local I. M. Officer $50 and got issued with 6 or 12 month visa, no worries....

Why Take all your clothes....Vietnam has cheap more modern clothing everywhere in shops and better made than Thailand....not rubbish from footpath stalls.

The food is great, and the ladies are far more prettier the further North you go.....

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