Moving to Vietnam from USA: Everything you need to know

Thinking about moving to Vietnam from the US?

It's a popular destination for American expats because of its affordability and fast economic growth. Many digital nomads, English teachers, and professionals move there to enjoy a higher quality of life on a budget that's unrealistic in many Western countries.

Whether you're just curious or actively planning your move, you'll need to research different visa categories, living costs, health insurance, and other practical matters for a successful transition.

Here's an in-depth guide on everything Americans need to know when considering a move to Vietnam.

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Quick facts about Vietnam

Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering China, Laos, and Cambodia. In recent years, it's become more and more popular with multinational companies, expats from all over the world, and digital nomads.

Here are some important facts:

Many parts of Vietnam have beautiful nature, but major cities suffer from heavy air pollution. This is something to be aware of if you're environmentally cautious or have sensitive lungs.

Many Vietnamese, especially younger people and professionals who work in tourism or business, speak either fluent or at least some English. But Vietnamese is the official language, and not being able to speak it can often complicate forming genuine local friendships.

For your daily life, it's very helpful to learn basic Vietnamese phrases and get acquainted with the cultural norms.

Visa options for Americans in Vietnam

Americans visiting Vietnam can apply for electronic tourist visas online through the Vietnamese Immigration Department.

E-visas last up to 90 days and are quite cheap. Single entry costs 25 USD, multiple entry costs 50 USD, and you can pay both by bank transfer.²

But if you want to stay in Vietnam long-term, you'll need an appropriate Vietnamese visa. Even though Vietnam is a popular destination for expats, the Vietnamese government doesn't necessarily make it straightforward to get long-term legal standing in the country.

Many Americans get a work permit, but here is your long list of options:

Work visa

To get a work permit or visa, you'll need sponsorship from a Vietnamese employer.

Most of the time, American expats get this visa either through employment with a multinational company or by getting a job teaching English. Language centers and international schools often hire native English speakers and manage visa paperwork.

To get your visa approved at a Vietnamese consulate, you'll usually need an employment contract, proof of qualifications, and paperwork from your employer.

Student visa

Americans enrolled full-time at Vietnamese universities or language schools can get student visas. But these visas only cover your program duration, and there are typically limitations on how much you can work while on this visa in Vietnam, if you can even work at all.

In other words, you'll need to be able to cover your tuition, living expenses, and health insurance mostly or fully without working.

Digital nomads

Vietnam has no official digital nomad visa.

Many remote workers and freelancers stay on tourist or business visas, extending them every 90 days or doing "visa runs," which basically means leaving the country briefly to reset their visa period. But this practice isn't officially legal, and Vietnamese authorities could deny re-entry or extensions.

If you want to settle in Vietnam long-term, it's important to figure out a way to get a stable temporary residence permit or appropriate visa.

Spouse visa

If you're married to a Vietnamese citizen, you can apply for a spouse visa.

You'll need your marriage certificate, proof that your relationship is genuine, your spouse's Vietnamese ID, and standard documentation like your passport and a criminal background check.

Investor visa

Starting a business in Vietnam can lead to residency, but the minimum investment requirements and business registration processes can be quite complicated.

Cost of living in Vietnam

Vietnam can be a very affordable place to live, even in big cities. A family of four needs around 1,578 USD monthly, and a single person needs just 438 USD monthly, plus rent.³

This is a lot lower than what you'd pay in most cities in the US for a comparable lifestyle, and a big reason why many expats decide to move to Vietnam.

Here's what common expenses look like:

Services that count as luxuries in the US, such as house cleaning and nice gym memberships, are typically very affordable in Vietnam.

That said, families with children often face a major expense when it comes to schooling.

Vietnamese public schools teach in Vietnamese and don't match American educational standards. As a result, most expats send their children to private or international schools, which average a hefty 16,326 USD yearly per child.³

If you're relocating to Vietnam to work for an international company, some employers cover tuition costs as part of your benefits package, and this is an important factor to consider.

Salaries in Vietnam

Local salaries average just 415 USD monthly after tax.³

In other words, the reason why the cost of living in Vietnam is so affordable is that the local purchasing power is quite low, too.

But expats often earn a lot more through multinational companies or private international schools if they're teaching English. Your salary may not match American standards, but it'll likely be enough to allow you to live in Vietnam comfortably and enjoy a good quality of life.

Opening a bank account in Vietnam

You'll need a Vietnamese bank account to handle everyday transactions, such as getting your salary, paying rent, or just buying groceries.

You can maintain your US account, but it'll cost you a lot in fees to use your debit or credit card abroad, plus many landlords and employers won't work with foreign accounts.

However, opening a bank account in Vietnam typically requires proof of long-term residency. This means:

• A valid temporary residence card
• Proof of employment (like an employment contract), and/or
• Proof of address in Vietnam

In other words, you'll need to figure out your long-term visa status before you can open a local bank account.

But once you have these documents, the application process is straightforward. Just go to your nearest bank branch—major banks like Vietcombank and BIDV are often good options—and follow the bank's procedures.

Tax implications for Americans in Vietnam

If you want to live in Vietnam long-term, you should be prepared to navigate tax obligations in both Vietnam and the US.

Vietnam taxes

You become a Vietnamese tax resident after living in Vietnam for more than 183 days.⁴

Vietnamese income tax uses progressive rates from 5% to 35% based on your earnings. If you work for a corporation, they typically withhold and pay your monthly income tax on your behalf. But if you're self-employed or run a business, you'll need to manage this yourself.⁴

US taxes

Americans living in Vietnam must also file US tax returns.

The US taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live, and Vietnam and the US also don't have a tax treaty, which means no automatic relief from double taxation.

Still, you can typically use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or foreign tax credits to reduce how much you owe to the IRS.

Hiring a qualified tax professional can be very helpful, especially if you end up owing a lot of money in taxes both in Vietnam and the US.

Getting accommodation in Vietnam

Most expats rent rather than buy in Vietnam. Vietnam's property ownership laws also somewhat restrict foreigners, which makes purchasing more complicated than renting in many cases.

Renting

Renting is standard for American expats, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

You can often find a nice apartment with full amenities, including luxury ones like a gym and a pool, for a pretty affordable cost.

Start with Facebook expat groups and word-of-mouth to find a good place, but if nothing turns up, you can also use a real estate agency.

Make sure to watch out for:

• Hidden costs like building management or parking fees
• Furniture and appliances in poor condition
• Neighborhoods far from amenities or with unreliable power and water
• Landlords who won't provide proper contracts or receipts

Just like in the US, it's important to visit properties in person before committing to anything.

Buying

Foreigners can buy property in Vietnam, but there are limitations. You can own up to 30% of units in an apartment building or 10% of properties in a landed development.⁴

Overall, many expats just stick to renting—at least for their first few years in Vietnam.

Healthcare system in Vietnam

Vietnam has both public and private healthcare. However, most expats use private healthcare exclusively. Public hospitals can be crowded, and it's often hard to find doctors who speak English.

In turn, getting private or international health insurance gives you access to private hospitals, where doctors speak English, there is a lot of modern equipment, and the wait times are shorter.

Even for private healthcare, the costs are far lower than in the US.

Best cities to live in Vietnam as an expat

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City is where you'll find the most job opportunities, the highest salaries, and the largest expat community in Vietnam.

It's a big city that moves fast with motorbikes everywhere, but it also attracts foreigners with modern apartments, great nightlife, delicious restaurants, and many options for shopping. However, if you're sensitive to pollution, Ho Chi Minh City doesn't have the best air quality.

Hanoi

Hanoi has four distinct seasons, including a winter that gets surprisingly cool. There is an active expat community, but you can expect it to be smaller than in Ho Chi Minh City. Many expats get a job teaching English there at a private or international school.

Overall, Hanoi feels more traditionally Vietnamese and less Westernized.

Da Nang

Da Nang attracts expats who want to have access to the beach. The city sits on the coast between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and has better air quality than both.

The expat community is growing but still small, with mostly digital nomads and English teachers. If you don't need big-city amenities and a fast quality of life, it can be a great place to stay long-term.

Is it safe to live in Vietnam?

Yes, Vietnam is generally safe. Violent crime is quite rare, especially for expats, and you'll most likely feel comfortable in your daily life.

That said, petty crime can happen in tourist and crowded areas. Make sure to keep your valuables secured and stay alert, especially when walking near roads where motorbikes can grab items easily.

Scams targeting foreigners are also common, especially with inflated prices for tourists. But once you get more experience in the local way of life, it should start happening to you less and less.

Overall, if you stick to well-traveled areas, especially at night, you shouldn't have any safety concerns while living in Vietnam.

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Moving to Vietnam is popular with Americans who have a job offer from an international company, an English teaching position, or a remote work arrangement that lets them handle their visa situation.

It's a beautiful country with an affordable cost of living, rich culture, excellent food, and easy access to Southeast Asian travel.

That said, be prepared for air pollution in major cities, language barriers, and visa restrictions that don't officially accommodate digital nomads and remote workers yet. Families with children will also likely face expensive international school costs.

Another major expense that many expats underestimate is moving money between countries. Converting USD to VND regularly, such as for rent and daily expenses, can cost you a lot over time because banks often add hidden markups to their exchange rates.

These aren't listed as fees, so they're easy to miss until you calculate how much you're losing per transaction.

This is why many expats in Vietnam research cheaper and more convenient ways to move money across borders, such as Wise.

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Sources

1. Worldometer - Population in Vietnam
2. US Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam - Vietnamese Visas and Entry/Exist
3. Numbeo - Cost of Living in Vietnam
4. Deel - Moving to Vietnam

Sources checked 03/23/2026