How can a foreigner stay in Vietnam?

Can you live in Vietnam as a foreigner?

Live in Vietnam? Sure.

• Expats flocking, yeah. Economy hums. Culture, rich.

• Opportunities abound. But research. Cheap living? Relative.

• Visas? A maze. Do not assume easy.

• Language barrier. Real. Learn Vietnamese. Or struggle.

• Don’t expect Western comforts. Expect chaos. Embrace it.

• The food. Unbeatable. Period. Seriously. Pho is life.

Additional Information

• Visa Options: Tourist visas are short-term, business visas are for work, and investment visas can lead to residency. Employment? Difficult without a local sponsor. I overstayed my tourist visa. Costly mistake.
• Cost of Living (2024): Rent in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi can be surprisingly high in expat areas. Food? Cheap if you eat like a local. My favorite dish is Banh Mi.
• Culture Shock: Prepare for traffic. Insane. And the constant noise. Negotiate prices, always. Remember Tet is a major holiday, everything shuts down.
• Healthcare: Standards vary. International hospitals exist. But expensive. Local hospitals? I’ve heard stories. I always get my medicine in the US.
• Job Market: Teaching English is common. Tech jobs exist, growing sector. Networking? Essential. I got my job thanks to friends.
• Regions: North (Hanoi) more traditional. South (Ho Chi Minh City) more modern. Central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hoi An) a good mix. Da Nang has the best beaches.
• My Take: Vietnam ain’t for everyone. You need patience. Resilience. And a sense of adventure. If you are not willing to make some sacrifices, move on.

How can I stay in Vietnam permanently?

Okay, so you wanna live in Vietnam forever, huh? It’s totally doable. You gotta invest, seriously. A lot of money. We’re talking serious capital. Think big bucks, like, buying a whole building, or a huge chunk of some company. They really, really want foreign investment now. It’s not some small amount; they are picky. I heard some crazy number, like millions, but don’t quote me on that.

Basically, you show them you’re bringing the dough, and boom, you’re in. Permanent residency. It’s the easiest way, trust me. There are other ways, sure, but this is the straightforward route, the most reliable. Getting a visa is a whole other hassle. This way is much simpler.

They really, really push this whole investment thing; it’s their main strategy. It’s like, a big priority for their economy, you know? So, it works, it’s pretty straight forward. Long-term investment? Yeah, they love that. They’re giving you permanent residency as a reward. It’s a good deal for them, and a great deal for you, if you can swing it!

Here’s the skinny:

• Massive investment is key. Think millions, maybe more depending on the current situation.
• Real estate or businesses. These are the main avenues for investment.
• Government incentives. They’re actively courting foreign investors, so this whole thing is well-supported.
• Permanent residency is the reward. This is the ultimate goal, right? Once you get it, you’re set.

I know a guy who did this. He bought, like, a whole hotel in Nha Trang. Crazy, right? Now he’s living the dream, permanently.

How long a foreigner can stay in Vietnam?

Ah, Vietnam! Land of pho and baffling traffic laws. So, how long can you, a glorious foreigner, grace its shores? Let’s unpack this like a questionable suitcase, shall we?

Tourist visas are your short-term fling. Think 30 or 90 days. Quick dip, maybe buy a silk scarf. Done.

Business visas, now, those are more serious. Possibly a year, multiple entries and exits! All business, naturally. (wink, wink).

E-visas are the speed daters of visa world. Max 30 days. Fast, furious, maybe a little disappointing (kidding!).

Extensions? Possible! Like winning the lottery… if the lottery involved paperwork and surly immigration officials.

Overstay? Oh dear. Fines. Deportation. Future bans! It’s a whole drama. So, yeah, check your visa. My aunt Carol learned that the hard way. She still hasn’t forgiven the ban on spring rolls.

• Visa types: Tourist, business, e-visa.
• Durations: 30-90 days (tourist), up to a year (business), 30 days (e-visa).
• Extensions: Maybe, if the stars align (and you bribe… I mean, ask nicely).
• Overstaying: Bad. Very bad. Think of the spring rolls you’ll miss!

Can foreigners get permanent residency in Vietnam?

Ten years. A decade. That’s how long they let you stay, indefinitely, but still… ten years. Feels fleeting.

Maybe it’s enough time to build something real. I can’t help but wonder what happens after the ten years is up.

• Indefinite residency doesn’t mean citizenship. It’s just… permission.
• Valid substitute for a visa: That’s all. It’s just that.
• Feels temporary: Even with a decade, it is fleeting. It’s just permission. I just want to be home.
• My visa is expiring next year. I feel anxious.

Who gets one anyway? Not just anyone.

• Have to be sponsored by family or a company here. I don’t have either.
• They say it is not so easy to get this. It’s a mountain climb really.
• My best friend wanted to get it but failed. He already left Vietnam.
• You need to have lived here long enough, and working, legally. Even with all that, still no assurance.
• I need to find a wife here, I guess.

It’s a card, not a key. That’s how it feels.

Is it safe to live in Vietnam as a foreigner?

Safe in Vietnam? Hmm, depends. I mean, Saigon’s crazy busy, but I felt fine. Petty theft, yeah, that’s a thing anywhere, right? Need to watch your stuff.

But violent crime? Not so much, at least not what I saw. I lived near District 1 for six months, near the Ben Thanh Market. So crowded. My friend got his phone snatched, though. Annoying.

Political stability? Seems solid enough. News doesn’t show much craziness. Expats love it, that’s for sure. Lots of them in my building. Australians, Americans, even some Frenchies. They all raved about the food. Speaking of food…pho for breakfast? Genius.

Healthcare? Private hospitals are good. Affordable-ish. My travel insurance covered a lot. Gotta get good insurance though, seriously. Don’t be cheap about it.

Cost of living… pretty affordable, surprisingly. Way cheaper than London, that’s for sure! But it depends on your lifestyle, obv.

• Safety: Generally safe, but petty theft is a concern. Be vigilant!
• Healthcare: Access to good private hospitals; essential to have comprehensive travel insurance.
• Cost of Living: Relatively low compared to Western countries.
• Political climate: Stable.

Okay, what was I saying? Ah, yes. Should you live here? It’s a vibe. You gotta figure it out yourself, you know?

What is required to move to Vietnam?

So, Vietnam, huh? Fancy swapping your lukewarm tea for, like, actual coffee? You’ll need a ticket and, oh yeah, paperwork. Lots and lots of paperwork. Think of it as a bureaucratic piñata – filled with disappointment, probably.

Basically, if you’re not from around (ASEAN, that is), you can’t just waltz in and claim squatter’s rights. Visa time. Like showing your ID to get into a club, except way less fun and more forms.

• Visa Required: Tourist, business, work… pick your poison. Each comes with its own special brand of governmental hoop-jumping. It’s a bit like choosing your own adventure, only with less adventure and more existential dread.
• Length of Stay Matters: Don’t overstay! Unless you enjoy the company of stern-faced officials and the aroma of regret. Every country has visa-free stays but do not expect it for long.
• Temporary Residence Permit: Think of it like an extended backstage pass. It grants you the privilege of staying longer, usually tied to work or family. Prepare to be intimately acquainted with the concept of “red tape”. I remember applying mine in 2023 and I swear it aged me 10 years!

Think of it this way: Moving to Vietnam is like dating. You need to impress the gatekeepers, prove you’re not a complete weirdo, and hope they see something they like. Good luck with that! Because I will certainly need luck myself.

How much is a temporary residence card in Vietnam?

Ugh, getting that temporary residence card in Vietnam in 2024 was a nightmare. Cost me a fortune. One hundred and fifty-five USD. Yeah, a rip-off, I tell ya. For five years validity. I swear, the whole process at the immigration office felt like an eternity. I was sweating bullets, that place was packed.

The air conditioning was broken, naturally. Seriously, the humidity! I remember thinking my passport photo was going to melt. I almost fainted. My palms were drenched. It took forever.

• Location: Ho Chi Minh City
• Time: July 2024
• Fee: $155 for a 5-year card. Absolutely absurd.

I should have gotten travel insurance that covered this crap. Live and learn, right? The forms, don’t even get me started on the forms. So many forms! They kept asking for the same stuff over and over. It was infuriating. Total waste of time.

The staff wasn’t exactly friendly either. No smiles. No help. Just grumpy faces. I felt completely stressed out the whole time. I actually considered just leaving. Next time I’ll definitely hire an agent. They say it’s worth it. Five years. Expensive but it is what it is. At least it’s done. I needed that five-year card badly! Moving forward.