American Moving to Vietnam From US
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Introduction
Officially known as the Socialist Republic Of Vietnam, Vietnam is situated on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Vietnam is also known to be the eighth-most populous country on the continent. In fact, Vietnam ranks as the 13th most populous country in the world. Surrounded by a rich cultural foundation and incredible scenery, Vietnam boasts a vast range of climates due to its longitudinal range. Featuring a booming economy, this region deals extensively in tea, agricultural products, and rubber.
Over the last few years, Vietnam is a haven for expats from all over the globe. Hence, it is no surprise why more and more people are moving to Vietnam from US due to low-cost solutions and easy moving.
To continue, if you are planning to move to Vietnam from US, you need to collect tons of information before you consider your relocation process. To assist you further on your expat move below is our country guide for you. Here’s to making your transition seamless and decisions better!
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US Expat Destinations in Vietnam
Vietnam is home to both small and large scattered expat destinations. If you are planning to relocate to Vietnam, here are a few destinations that you can consider staying in.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon):
Being home to at least 9 million people, Ho Chi Minh City is popular for its pre-war name Saigon. Having a thriving expat community, this region is the most expensive city in Vietnam. However, you can easily find a one-bedroom apartment for around $700 or even less!
Hanoi:
This city displays more of a traditional vibe compared to the western vibe in Ho Chi Minh City. It has plenty of business districts, skyscrapers, and the old French Quarter. The region has an exciting ambiance with rich markets, pagodas, music venues, artistic hot spots, and other places. In addition, the prices are extremely good. You can get a view of a lake for around $600.
Danang/Hoi An:
This region is typically smaller than both of the above cities. Danang is an excellent coastal spot that offers loads of sun, sand, and seafood. Renowned for its beautiful craft and clothing market, the cost of living in this region is extremely low. Here, you will find apartments for around $500-600.
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QUICK FACTS ABOUT VIETNAM
Category | Information |
|---|---|
Capital | Hanoi |
Timezone | UTC+7 |
Currency | Vietnamese đồng (₫) (VND) |
Population | 94.500.000 |
Official Language | Vietnamese |
Dialing Code | +84 |
Emergency Number | 112 |
Driving | On The Right Side |
Working In Vietnam
While relocating to Vietnam from US, the most popular job for expats is teaching. You will find plenty of English language schools that seek qualified teachers and on-the-job training. Applying to schools can reap you substantial salaries.
However, if you are looking forward to continuing with the career that you’ve started in your home countries like finance, business, or marketing, you will find loads of opportunities. Moreover, when it comes to MNCs, you need to look into a few things. You will need to find out whether your current employer will allow you to transfer to Vietnam from US in case they have one. Nevertheless, you can always find a job abroad in Vietnam through the web.
Another important sector in Vietnam is real estate. The property market has seen extensive growth in recent years where foreign investors have poured into the real estate market. The hotel and office sectors have also experienced huge growth. This indicates the huge demand for jobs of property managers, sales representatives, etc.
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Taxation In Vietnam
Americans moving to Vietnam for expats residing in Vietnam for more than 183 days need to pay the same rate of tax as other residents. However, temporary residents can generally get benefits from Vietnam’s double tax arrangements that it has with 70 different countries.
- The Vietnam tax year runs from 1st January to 31st December.
- The amount of tax you pay is a flat % depending on your income with rates ranging from 5%-35%.
- You should file income tax monthly.
- General tax returns are due 30 March.
In case you work for a corporation, they will ideally pay your monthly income tax for you. If you want to pay taxes for your business, property sale, or investments, you can pay through a simple bank transfer. Several expats prefer hiring an accountant in assisting them to reconcile their tax right before the deadline (30 March) each year.
Healthcare For American People
Ideally, Vietnam has an excellent healthcare system. Almost every healthcare service is free of cost in Vietnam including mother and child healthcare, inoculations, etc. Vietnam has a mixed healthcare system including the public and private sector even though it is gradually transforming into a fully public model. In urban centers, the healthcare model is highly advanced but is reaching the countryside too.
Expat Insurance In Vietnam
For people relocating to Vietnam from US, expats generally choose to visit private hospitals in Saigon or Hanoi as these consist of doctors that speak French or English.
This is why it is highly recommended for you to take private medical insurance, especially if you don’t belong to the urban centers.
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Housing And Accommodation
The accommodation standard in Vietnam is highly excellent. In the chief tourist areas, the housing caters to all budgets. Although the prices of accommodation are a bit pricey by Southeast Asian standards, the quality of housing is much better and high.
The competition is highly fierce. Moreover, with the construction being a boom and great for travelers, the prices are kept low and the housing services are kept high. All in all, the expats can get good housing in the cities.
Additionally, there has been an intense increase in the total number of luxury resorts. Any traveler or traveler having a budget can easily get budget-friendly accommodation throughout the entire country. The hotels of Vietnam are more austere and state-owned which are constructed in an Eastern European model, while the private mini-hotels make real efforts.
Some of the hotels cover each of the bases by offering a range of rooms, right from simple fan-cooled rooms with cold water, AC accommodation, satellite TV, mini bar, and fridge. As a rule, make sure you look into the quality of the room in terms of hygiene, comfort, and appeal.
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Visa And Registration
Visas can be extended whilst you stay in Vietnam. However, the cost is quite high. Speaking practically, it is less expensive to leave and re-enter the country. There are a lot of visas for Vietnam depending on which you can apply for moving to Vietnam from US.
These include,
- Tourist Visas: This is for those who wish to visit Vietnam without work for 30 days.
- Official Visas: These are for diplomatic purposes which are issued for different durations. Such visas are issued with an official letter right from the Vietnam government.
- Business Visas: Here, you get 2 kinds of work permits. In case you are transferred to Vietnam from your office, your employer will sponsor your business visa. This will be valid for up to 1 year. However, when you move to Vietnam without a job, business visas will allow you to stay and work in Vietnam for about 90 days.
Residency card
Residency in Vietnam and immigration laws are highly strict. Moreover, there are several hurdles that you need to cross before applying for residency. Here, the 3 levels of application that you should make are,
- Temporary Residence Permit
- Working visa
- Permanent residency permit
Working Visa
To obtain a working visa, you must be able to prove that you are,
- Over 18 years old
- In a good health
- Having a job offer in Vietnam
- Having no criminal record
Moreover, you should prove that you own all the essential experiences needed professionally. It can either be professional training, undergraduate degrees, or 5 years of employment in your industry. Ideally, a work permit is valid for 2 years. However, bear in mind that you need to secure this permit at least 2 weeks before the date you start employment.
Temporary Residency Permit: Next in the lane comes the temporary residency permit. Under this, there are several categories. Some last up to 5 years but are quite hard to get hold of. To get this, you should get approval to work in any type of business or own a business or be a professional under government approval to study/work in Vietnam.
Not to forget, there is plenty of paperwork involved. Hence, it is best to work with a local law firm to ensure you own everything needed for the application.
Permanent Residency Permit: Permanent Residency Permit for expats who,
- Have been residing in Vietnam for minimum 3 years
- Had a temporary residency permit earlier
- Can prove they have a stable income during their stay in Vietnam
Note: Permanent residency cards should be renewed every 10 years.
Education in Vietnam
The state education system in Vietnam is divided into 5 levels
- Preschool
- Primary school
- Secondary school
- High school
- Vocational training/ further education
However, one downside of Vietnam education is the quality of education. Due to underpaid teachers and outdated curriculum, education in Vietnam has declined a lot. Hence, most expats prefer sending their children to international or private schools in Vietnam.
International Schools In Vietnam
These schools are generally more common in metropolitan cities. It has all types of the curriculum including American, International Baccalaureate, Australian education models, etc. In case you want your child to be taught in French or English language, make sure you reach out to an international school. On an average basis, the fees for international schools range from $10,000/£7,500 to $30,000/£21,000 annually.
Cost of living in Vietnam
Expats relocating to Vietnam from US can expect the cost of living to be quite favorable. This makes Vietnam a popular destination for all retirees planning to move here. Below is a price breakdown for the cost of living in Vietnam.
GOOD/SERVICE | AVERAGE VIETNAMESE đồng (₫) (VND) | AVERAGE US DOLLAR |
|---|---|---|
Meal At An Inexpensive Restaurant | 50,000.00 ₫ | 15.00 $ |
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) | 113,999.09 ₫ | 5.00 $ |
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) | 40,000.00 ₫ | 6.00 $ |
Water (12 oz small bottle) | 7,484.18 ₫ | 1.56 $ |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | 18,162.48 ₫ | 2.52 $ |
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment | 1,504,723.84 ₫ | 168.10 $ |
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | 1,649.73 ₫ | 0.14 $ |
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 244,927.38 ₫ | 66.57 $ |
Conclusion
While international moves are stressful, it is important to analyze the whole process of your move. To sum up, living in Vietnam is an exciting yet challenging prospect. To get the best out of your move, ensure doing as much preparation as possible. Consequently, you need to connect with a team of expert movers to help you with your move. Considering this, we at Earth Relocation are here to offer the most efficient and affordable international moving services to Vietnam. Providing top-notch relocation services, we at Earth Relocation look after the entire custom processes. While finding a moving company in Vietnam, reach out to none other than us. Dealing in a comprehensive range of services right from packing to shipping at affordable rates, we are one of the best licensed moving companies Vietnam. What are you waiting for? Give us a call today and book your FREE estimate at cost-effective rates!
