28/06/2024
𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗜 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗛 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬
𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘰 𝘊𝘩𝘪 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘩 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺? 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆
Vietnam is a relatively safe country without major terrorist or racist violence. Vietnamese people are well known for their friendliness and hospitality.
However, petty theft is a legitimate concern, especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC). Be cautious with your belongings, especially when in crowded public areas.
𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
Vietnam is an elongated, roughly S-shaped country with a north-to-south distance of 1,650 km, so the weather varies significantly between the north and south.
HCMC, located in the south, has a typical tropical climate with warm temperatures and abundant sunshine throughout the year. The year is divided into two distinct seasons. The rainy season usually lasts from May to November. The dry season lasts from December to April. The average temperature is 28°C (82°F), with little variation year-round. The highest temperature recorded was 40.0°C (104°F) in April, while the lowest was 13.8°C (57°F) in January.
HCMC experiences interesting weather patterns during the rainy season, such as rain showers while the sun is still out, or sudden heavy downpours that end quickly.
𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆
Vietnam's currency is the "đồng", with an exchange rate of approximately 1 USD = 25,000 VND. Common denominations include 10,000; 20,000; 50,000; 100,000; 200,000 and 500,000 đồng.
Cash is the most popular payment method in Vietnam. Other options like bank transfers, Visa cards, and mobile payment apps are available at modern stores. Remember to carry cash when visiting street vendors and small businesses.
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Taxis and motorcycle taxis ("xe ôm") are popular and easy-to-use for expats in HCMC. You can call the hotlines of major taxi companies like Vinasun and Xanh SM, or use apps like Grab to book rides.
The city also has a relatively well-organized bus system, and expats can use bus apps to more easily find suitable bus route.
Some expats who become familiar with the traffic, including motorcycles and cars sharing the same lanes, opt to rent motorcycles monthly for getting around HCMC.
𝗦𝗜𝗠 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀
A local SIM card will provide easy access to local networks and enable quick calls or messages when needed. The top network providers with good service and coverage are Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone. Expats need to show their passport for SIM card registration.
The quickest way to obtain a SIM card is to buy one at the telecommunication booths in the arrival area of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where staff can assist in English.
You can also purchase SIM cards at official carrier stores around the city.
𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴
Living in HCMC typically costs around $700-$1,000 per month for expats.
𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
A significant portion of your budget will go towards accommodation. Monthly rent can range from $150 for a small room to $440 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center.
Book a temporary residence before arrival, then take time to visit properties in person to make a permanent renting decision.
𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴
Another fixed monthly expense is for food and beverages. Meals at inexpensive restaurants typically cost $2-$4 per person.
Drinks are relatively cheap, with cans or bottles of soda, beer, and water costing around $0.50-$0.70.
𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴
Taxi fares are typically $0.20-$0.50 per kilometer. Motorcycle rentals are around $120 per month. Phone bills range from $6-$14 per month.
𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆
According to statistics, more than 20% of Vietnamese people can speak English, and this percentage is higher in major cities and tourist areas.
In HCMC, you can find many restaurants and businesses with English-speaking staff. However, you may occasionally encounter language barriers requiring the use of translation apps.
Overall, HCMC can be a pleasant city for expats seeking long-term residence in Vietnam. Do you have any memorable experiences living in HCMC? Feel free to share them in the comments.
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