According to the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association, over 100,000 foreigners are living and working in Ho Chi Minh City in 2019! And that number exists for a good reason: according to statistics about expats in Vietnam, Vietnam is ranked 14th among the best destinations for expats in the world. If you’re considering expatriating here, read on for the essential information for expats in Ho Chi Minh City.
Why You Should Live In Ho Chi Minh City
- Though Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest metropolis in Vietnam, the cost of living is relatively low compared to the international rate. One can spend from US$ 465 (budget) to US$ 1310 (high-end) per month, while the salary of expats per year is approximately US$ 88,000. Moreover, you’ll love how much US$ 1 can buy here: from coffee to even a full-course meal!
- Living in Ho Chi Minh City means no worries about entertainment. The city is bustling no matter when even on weekdays! You can go to the bars, visit a museum, or join a local tour to learn more about Vietnamese culture without prior planning.
- Ho Chi Minh City is a food haven, especially for veggie enthusiasts. The diet here involves many greens, and the wide variety of food available will satisfy even the strictest critics.
- Above all, Ho Chi Minh City embodies a dynamic economic scene that welcomes talents and investors worldwide with an abundance of career opportunities!
Why You Should Not Live In Ho Chi Minh City
- Although English is a compulsory subject in school now, most Vietnamese can’t speak English, especially the elderly. Therefore, you’ll have specific barriers in daily conversations and documentation.
- Healthcare in Vietnam is complicated and not foreign-friendly. Most hospitals are overloaded and don’t speak English. International hospitals, however, can be expensive.
- Ho Chi Minh City’s air is quite polluted, and this is heightened during daily traffic jams. So, if you settle here, prepare to deal with the average air quality and heavy traffic.
Job Opportunities in Ho Chi Minh City
The most common job for expatriates is teaching English due to the current high demand for fluent speakers. Even if you’re not native, as long as you can speak English proficiently, you’ll find teaching jobs easily. On top of that, the pay is quite decent.
Aside from teaching, expats can get online jobs like content writing or corporate blogging. Though the pay is not secure and is often mediocre, this job allows you to work anywhere and anytime.
Expats can find opportunities for higher positions as executives in foreign companies or major Vietnamese corporations.
Last but not least, volunteering in Ho Chi Minh City is also a good idea. Expats can work for local and international non-profit or non-governmental organizations in Ho Chi Minh City. That way, you’ll both get paid and contribute to society.
Essential Documents For Expats in Ho Chi Minh City
Passport – Visa: Expats can get many types of visas, so choose accordingly since obtaining one can take a long time. You can go for an e-visa for better convenience but never opt for a visa on arrival.
You may want to check out How to obtain a Vietnam Visa?
Work permit: After securing a job, expats should first consider a work permit in Vietnam because they can be fined or expelled from Vietnam if they work without one or with an expired one. The procedure is straightforward and not time-consuming, so this should be on top of the checklist.
Driving license: There are two ways to drive in Ho Chi Minh City: one is to get an IDP – International Driving Permit in Vietnam, and the other is to get a Vietnamese driving license. The procedure for obtaining the latter is harder, but it’s more convenient for expats who plan on staying for a long time.
For more information: How to get a motorcycle license in Vietnam
For finding jobs:
- TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate: you can get this in your home country or in Vietnam. The course usually takes 120 hours of training, but it’ll be helpful to get teaching positions.
- Higher education diploma(s) original copy
- Federal/state background check original copy
For bringing pets:
- Vaccination certificates (in English): we recommend you get your pets’ rabies vaccination from 1 year to 30 days before you arrive in Vietnam. Other vaccinations are:
Dogs: distemper, parvovirus, canine hepatitis, adenovirus, parainfluenza, coronavirus, leptospira
Cats: panleukopenia, calicivirus, herpesvirus, leukemia
- Inoculation records: the history of all injected vaccinations on your pets.
Housing Information For Expats In Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City is relatively affordable, ranging from US$ 260 (budget) to US$ 800 (high-end), even though it’s one of Vietnam’s most developed cities. Foreigners living in the city often go for apartments and shared houses. The best districts in Ho Chi Minh City for expats to live are districts 1, 3(the central districts), and districts 7, 2.
Tips:
- Always see the place in person and check if all the appliances work.
- Ask carefully what the rent includes because electricity, water, and internet bills (and administrative costs for apartments) are usually not included.
- Find three-month or six-month contracts rather than a one-year or long-term contract in case you don’t like the place.
- Check the neighborhood to see if it’s safe, comfortable, and convenient.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Transportation Guide
Ho Chi Minh City offers a plethora of transportation options to choose from. If you’re adventurous, a motorcycle is the most convenient and time-saving choice to navigate through the traffic jams and small alleyways of Ho Chi Minh City. However, remember to get a driver’s license and familiarize yourself with the Vietnamese Law on Road Traffic.
Some addresses that offer long-term rental:
Tigit Motorbikes
Address: B2-00.01 Sarimi, 72 Nguyen Co Thach, An Loi Dong Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City.
Chi’s Cafe
Address: 185/30 Pham Ngu Lao Street, District 1, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Nevertheless, if you’re scared of the busy streets here, you can opt for our cheap public transportation like taking the bus (usually VND 6,000/ride) or ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek.
Banking Information For Expats In Ho Chi Minh City
Banking in Ho Chi Minh City is convenient thanks to the number of international banks here (HBSC, ANZ, Shinhan Bank, Standard Chartered, Hong Leong, CitiBank…) and reliable Vietnamese banks like Vietcombank, ACB, VietinBank, BIDV…
Most expats choose to open two accounts, one in a foreign currency and 1 in Vietnam dong for easy transactions. All you need are a passport, a visa, a small deposit, a work contract, and a proof of address.
Read more on Vietnamese Currency.
Safety Tips For Expats in Ho Chi Minh City
- English nowadays is still not spoken widely around Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, to avoid confusion or scam, learn some basic Vietnamese phrases or better yet, learn Vietnamese!
- The weather in Ho Chi Minh City can change suddenly, which leads to annoying diseases. Prevent this by learning about the most common diseases in Vietnam and how to stay away from them.
- Get informed on scams and annoyances in Vietnam that foreigners meet the most to get yourself away from trouble!
- Vietnam is not too hostile towards the LGBT community so that you can hang out at most places. However, in Ho Chi Minh City, there are lots of entertainment that cater specifically to the LGBT community.
- Keep your belongings where you can see them all the time, as snatch thieves often aim for foreigners.
- Note down the driver’s information when you’re using hired transportation in Ho Chi Minh City.
Useful Websites, Groups, and Apps for Expats in Ho Chi Minh City
For house hunting:
Living in Ho Chi Minh City: a large group with frequent posts from both locals and expats.
Living in Vietnam: a website of a French expat that has a clear and easy-to-understand format.
For teaching jobs:
English Teachers In Vietnam: a popular group that connects teachers with jobs and discusses teaching-related topics.
Vietnam Teaching Jobs: a professional website that posts every other day.
For other jobs:
Jobstreet: an international employment consultancy that has frequent postings with various jobs.
Expat.com: a web explicitly designed for expats and has many non-teaching job listings.
Facebook groups for expats:
Expats in Ho Chi Minh City: a leading group for answering new expats’ concerns.
Expats and Locals in Ho Chi Minh City: another online community for expats to meet and ask questions.
Facebook groups for female expats:
Female Expats and Locals in Ho Chi Minh City: arguably the largest group for expats in Ho Chi Minh City with helpful content.
Saigon Female Expats Meetup: a group used for meetups, but it has job listings now and then as well.
Mobile Apps: with the bustling use of technology in Ho Chi Minh City, mobile apps are necessary. The ideal starter pack would be a ride-hailing app, a navigation app, a (food) delivery app, and a translation app.
More Useful Information For Expats In Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: To settle down, the first thing expats should do is to get a sim card that has 3G/4G/5G. Big players are Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone. One tip is to get your sim at an official mobile network store, rather than any vendors off the street, to avoid scams.
Food shopping:
On Ham Nghi Street (District 1), you can shop for Western groceries and amenities at An Nam Gourmet Market, Nam An Market, Phuong Ha Shop, and Thai Hoa Shop.
For organic food, check out: La Holista, Biogarten, and Organik Dalat.
Popular local supermarkets are CoopMart, BigC, and WinMart.
Household appliances:
Shop your electronics at Dien May Xanh, The Gioi Di Dong, and Nguyen Kim.
To get environmentally-friendly products, go to Lai Day Refill Station and Green Around The Corner.
Gym: Ho Chi Minh City gyms are abundant, from local gyms that cost under US$ 15 to high-end ones that are still cheap as chips – around US$ 150. Some popular options are California Fitness and Yoga and Power Up Fitness.
Summary On Essential Information For Expats In Ho Chi Minh City
Being in a foreign country can be a terrifying yet rewarding experience. With this article on essential information for expats in Ho Chi Minh City, we hope that you can settle down with ease soon and start enjoying all the fun that the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City offers!