Moving to Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know to Move and Live There

But moving abroad isn't something you improvise. In this guide, we walk through every step to prepare your departure and then live in Vietnam day to day.

01Why Choose Vietnam for Your Move Abroad

Vietnam stands out from other expat destinations thanks to several unique advantages:

Unbeatable Value for Money

Unlike Dubai or Singapore, Vietnam offers a high quality of life on a moderate budget: the cost of living is 3 to 5 times lower than in France. A couple can live very comfortably on €1,500 to €2,000 a month in Da Nang, all included.

A Booming Economy

With growth of 6 to 7% a year, Vietnam is one of the most dynamic economies in Asia. Business opportunities are real, particularly in:

• E-commerce and digital marketing
• Teaching (French, English)
• Tech and web development
• Tourism and hospitality
• Import-export

A Safe and Pleasant Place to Live

Sunshine nearly all year round, exceptional food, fiber internet everywhere in town: and Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia.

A Strategic Location

From Da Nang, you are:

• 2 hours by plane from Bangkok
• 3 hours from Singapore
• 4 hours from Hong Kong
• 5 hours from Tokyo

Ideal if you work with clients in Asia-Pacific.

0210 Steps to Prepare Your Move

Here is the complete checklist for a stress-free move to Vietnam:

1. Define Your Plan (3-6 Months Before)

• Why Vietnam? What's your goal?
• Which city? (Da Nang, HCMC, Hanoi)
• What monthly budget are you aiming for?
• Alone, as a couple, or as a family?

2. Handle the Paperwork in France (3 Months Before)

• Notify your employer or close your micro-enterprise
• Cancel your contracts (rent, utilities, phone, insurance)
• Forward your mail
• Update your carte Vitale (French health card) and your supplementary health insurance
• Get a full medical and dental check-up

3. Get Your Visa (2 Months Before)

For a first stay, the 90-day e-visa is the simplest. Once you're there, you can explore long-term visa options:

• E-visa: 90 days, 25 USD (single entry) or 50 USD (multiple entry), 100% online, processed in 3 business days
• Business visa: up to 12 months, on an invitation letter from a Vietnamese company
• Temporary Residence Card (TRC): 1 to 5 years with no renewal, with a work visa or an investment in Vietnam

See our Vietnam visa guide for all the details.

4. Organize Your Finances (2 Months Before)

• Open a Wise or Revolut account for international transfers
• Keep a French bank account active
• Set aside 3 months of expenses in advance (safety cushion)
• Look into taxes for expats

5. Find Temporary Housing (1 Month Before)

For the first month, book an Airbnb or a serviced apartment. That gives you time to:

• Explore the neighborhoods
• Negotiate a better lease in person
• Avoid scams by viewing places yourself

In Da Nang, three neighborhoods come up most often:

• My An / An Thuong: the expat neighborhood, close to the beach. Studios from 8M VND (~€300)
• Hai Chau: downtown, convenient for everything. Apartments from 6M VND (~€220)
• Son Tra: at the foot of the mountain, quieter. Houses from 10M VND (~€370)

For the long-term lease: search on Facebook Marketplace and the "Da Nang Expats" groups, negotiate the listed price (10 to 20% off is possible), aim for 6 months minimum, and test the internet connection before signing.

6. Pack Your Bags (2 Weeks Before)

Bring:

• Original documents (passport, birth certificates, diplomas)
• Prescription medication (for 3 months)
• Plug adapter (type A/C in Vietnam)
• Light clothing and a rain jacket

Leave behind:

• Furniture and appliances (you can find everything locally, for less)
• Winter clothes

7. Arriving in Vietnam — the First Week

• Buy a local SIM card (Viettel or Mobifone, ~€5/month)
• Open a bank account (Techcombank accepts foreigners)
• Rent or buy a scooter (rental ~€100/month)
• Register with the French consulate (register of French nationals abroad)

8. Settle In for the Long Term (First Month)

• Find your permanent home
• Set up your routine (coworking, sports, going out)
• Join the local French community
• Explore your city and its surroundings

For remote work: coworking spaces from ~€75/month in Da Nang, cafés with wifi everywhere, fiber at 100-200 Mbps for ~€10/month.

9. Sort Out Legal, Tax and Health Matters

• Choose your business structure: a US LLC (Wyoming/Delaware) is the favorite solution among expats; the French micro-enterprise remains possible but is less tax-efficient; a Vietnamese company is more complex but possible
• Declare your change of tax residence (see our Taxes page)
• Take out international health insurance: Cigna Global (comprehensive coverage, ~€150/month), Safety Wing (budget, ideal for nomads, ~€45/month) or April International (French insurer, good for continuity)

For healthcare, Da Nang has quality international hospitals (Vinmec, English-speaking staff; Family Medical Practice) and a public hospital with good value for money (Da Nang Hospital). Dental and eye care cost 5 to 10 times less than in France.

10. Enjoy!

Once you're settled, Vietnam offers an exceptional quality of life. Beach in the morning, work in the afternoon, street food in the evening — what many people dream of becomes your everyday life.

03Daily Life in Vietnam

The Language

Vietnamese has a reputation for being difficult (6 tones!), but "Xin chào" (hello) and "Cảm ơn" (thank you) open a lot of doors. The Ling or Duolingo apps are a good way to start; a private tutor costs ~€7.50/hour in Da Nang.

The French Community

Active and welcoming in Da Nang: "Français à Da Nang" Facebook groups, regular events (drinks, sports, networking) and the Central Vietnam chapter of the Association des Français du Vietnam.

04Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most common mistakes:

1. Leaving without a financial cushion: always plan for 3-6 months of expenses
2. Not researching visas: the rules change regularly
3. Signing a lease without a viewing: online photos can be misleading
4. Neglecting health insurance: an accident or illness can be very expensive
5. Ignoring taxes: non-resident tax status has major implications

05The Downsides to Know About

In all honesty, here are the things that can be a problem:

• The heat: 35-40°C in summer in Da Nang (but air conditioning is everywhere)
• Noise pollution: horns and construction sites, especially in town
• Bureaucracy: administrative procedures can be slow
• The distance: an 11-hour flight from Paris, +6 hours time difference
• The language barrier: English isn't spoken everywhere

Most expats adapt quickly.

06Da Nang vs Ho Chi Minh City vs Hanoi

For most French expats, Da Nang offers the best balance of quality of life, cost and convenience: beach, mountains and an international airport. To learn more, read our complete Da Nang guide.

07How Much Does Moving to Vietnam Cost

The initial setup budget includes:

• Plane ticket: €400-800 (one way)
• Visa: 25 USD (e-visa)
• First month of housing (Airbnb): €500-800
• Security deposit (lease): 1-2 months' rent
• Scooter (used): €300-500
• Miscellaneous (SIM, equipment, etc.): €200

Total setup budget: €1,500 to €3,000

That's far less than settling in Dubai (€10,000+) or Lisbon (€5,000+).

Once you're settled, here is a realistic monthly budget for a single person in Da Nang:

Add the scooter (~€100/month). For a detailed month-by-month budget, see our article on the cost of living in Vietnam.