Vietnam
A solid all-round choice. Ranked 44 of 55, strongest on affordability, softest on retiree visa.
- Healthcare 55
- Retiree visa 22
- Affordability 95
- Safety 76
- Climate 76
- Expat community not verified58
1 of 6 axes rest on data we could not verify yet; those score a neutral 50 and are marked "not verified".
- Retirement visaNoasialongstay.com
- Min incomeNot verified yet
- Monthly budgetMuch lower than the USnumbeo.com
- HealthcareFairexpatarrivals.com
- SafetySafeenglish.vov.vn
- Top citiesDa Nang, Hoi An
Good to know
- Low cost of livingNumbeo estimates a single person's monthly costs at about 376 EUR (roughly 11.3 million VND) excluding rent; overall cost of living is about 160% lower than the US excluding rent.numbeo.com
- Safe for retireesVietnam ranks 38th of the countries measured in the 2025 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.721, placing it in the second tier of highly peaceful nations.english.vov.vn
- Comfortable climateSouthern and central Vietnam have a tropical monsoon climate with distinct rainy and dry seasons, while the north has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons.en.wikipedia.org
Watch out for
- No dedicated retirement visaasialongstay.com
- Expat community data not verified yet
Visa & residency
No verified data yet
No verified data yet
No verified data yet
Vietnam has no retirement, passive-income, or digital nomad visa. Long-stayers rely on tourist e-visas, or a Temporary Residence Card tied to a qualifying purpose such as work, investment, or family ties to a Vietnamese national.
Healthcare
Public hospitals are often underfunded, crowded, and staffed by Vietnamese-only speakers, while private hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City meet international standards with English-speaking, often overseas-trained doctors.
Expats are advised to hold international health insurance and use private JCI-accredited hospitals, as the public system is not well suited to foreign residents.
Cost of living
Numbeo estimates a single person's monthly costs at about 376 EUR (roughly 11.3 million VND) excluding rent; overall cost of living is about 160% lower than the US excluding rent.
Rent prices in the US are about 288% higher than in Vietnam; a one-bedroom apartment in a Vietnamese city centre averages roughly 10.5 million VND per month per Numbeo.
Safety
Vietnam ranks 38th of the countries measured in the 2025 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.721, placing it in the second tier of highly peaceful nations.
Climate
Tropical monsoon in the south and centre, humid subtropical monsoon in the north.
Southern and central Vietnam have a tropical monsoon climate with distinct rainy and dry seasons, while the north has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons.
Community & language
No verified data yet
Established expat communities concentrate in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where private hospitals and services cater to foreigners.
Vietnamese is the sole official language, spoken by the large majority of the population.
Taxes
Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income, but personal income tax paid abroad on overseas income is creditable in Vietnam, capped at the Vietnamese tax due on that income.
Vietnam has signed double taxation agreements with 81 countries, though some are not yet in force.
Moving & migration
Foreigners can open a bank account in Vietnam with a valid passport and valid visa or temporary residence card (TRC). Most banks also require proof of purpose (employment contract, business registration, or retirement proof). Expat-friendly banks: Vietcombank, Techcombank, HSBC Vietnam, Standard Chartered Vietnam, and Timo (digital-first bank). Physical presence is required for account opening. Accounts are denominated in VND (local currency) or USD. Foreigners with a 6+ month visa/TRC can open VND savings accounts. For retirement, a 1-year investment visa (DT visa) provides eligibility for term deposits. Banks follow strict AML/KYC procedures; a Vietnamese phone number is usually required for SMS banking.
Vietnam does not have a universal public healthcare system accessible to foreign retirees. Foreigners must rely on private health insurance or pay out-of-pocket. Private international hospitals in major cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang) include: Vinmec International Hospital, Family Medical Practice, FV Hospital, and Raffles Medical. These accept international insurance. Some public hospitals have international wards with higher standards. Registration for private care: book directly with the hospital or clinic; no government registration required. International health insurance providers operating in Vietnam include Cigna, Aetna, and April. Costs are affordable compared to Western countries: a GP consultation at a private clinic costs USD 30-60. For retirees on a long-term visa (TT or DT visa for residence purpose), having comprehensive health insurance is generally required for visa approval.
Vietnam does NOT recognize foreign driving licenses for direct use. All foreigners residing in Vietnam (3+ months) must obtain a Vietnamese driving license. The conversion process: (1) Have your home license translated and notarized in Vietnam. (2) Obtain a health certificate from a Vietnamese hospital. (3) Submit application at the Department of Transport. (4) No automatic exchange - foreigners from countries with the 1968 Vienna Convention may convert without driving test, others must take a theory test (available in English) and practical test. Alternatively, an International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1968 Vienna Convention is recognized. IDPs based on the 1949 Geneva Convention are NOT valid in Vietnam. Minimum age: 18 for motorcycles (A1 license), 18 for cars. Note: Vietnam has extremely high traffic accident rates; defensive driving courses are recommended.
Foreigners with a valid long-term visa (TT, DT, or Temporary Residence Card) can import household goods and personal effects duty-free if the goods are used, within reasonable quantities, and imported within 6 months of first entry on that visa. Required documents: detailed inventory list (in English and Vietnamese), passport with visa/TRC, bill of lading, customs declaration, and letter of guarantee from employer or sponsor (if applicable). Electronics may attract import duties if considered new or for commercial use. Prohibited items: weapons, narcotics, politically sensitive materials, used electronics beyond personal use. Cultural goods (books, art) require review by Ministry of Culture. Shipping costs: USD 2000-6000 depending on origin and volume. Customs clearance can be complex; hiring a Vietnamese customs broker is strongly recommended. Goods are inspected by Vietnam Customs at arrival port.
Dogs and cats entering Vietnam require: ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15-digit), valid rabies vaccination certificate (at least 30 days before travel, within 1 year), and an international health certificate issued by a government veterinarian in the origin country within 7 days of departure, endorsed by the country's Ministry of Agriculture equivalent. Additional requirements: pets must undergo health inspection upon arrival at designated ports (Noi Bai - Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat - HCMC, Da Nang). The inspection is conducted by the Department of Animal Health (DAH). Rabies antibody titer test is not required for most countries but may be requested. Quarantine applies only if the pet shows signs of illness or lacks proper documentation; quarantine period is typically 7-14 days at owner's expense. Certain dog breeds may face restrictions (pit bull, dogo argentino). Maximum 2 pets per person for non-commercial import.
Vietnam retirement residency timeline: (1) Before arrival: Vietnam does not have a specific 'retirement visa.' Retirees typically use: (a) 3-month tourist visa (e-visa available for 90 days for many nationalities via evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn), (b) 1-year multiple-entry visa (must be sponsored by a tour company/agency), or (c) Investor visa (DT visa) if investing in a Vietnamese company. (2) Arrival: Most nationalities need a pre-approved visa or e-visa. (3) Visa runs/extension: Tourist visas do NOT lead to residency. Retirees often do visa runs (leave and re-enter every 3 months) to neighboring countries (Cambodia, Thailand, Laos) - this is increasingly scrutinized. (4) For long-term stay: the recommended route is the Investor visa (investment from VND 50 million / ~USD 2,000) which provides a 1-year DT visa, renewable. Alternatively, a 5-year visa exemption certificate is available for overseas Vietnamese and their spouses. (5) After 3 years on DT visa: eligible for Temporary Residence Card (TRC), valid 1-5 years. (6) Permanent residency: Vietnam does NOT offer permanent residency to most foreign retirees. Only those who have made 'special contributions to Vietnam' (nominated by a ministry) and have lived in Vietnam for 5+ years may be considered. Naturalization requires Vietnamese language proficiency and renunciation of original citizenship (Vietnam generally requires single citizenship).
Popular retirement spots
Where retirees in Vietnam tend to settle, and the honest reason why. Each note shows its source.
Da Nang
A central-Vietnam coastal city with sandy beaches and a tropical climate, home to a growing international community and multiple consulates.
Hoi An
A well-preserved former trading port near Da Nang, a UNESCO World Heritage town valued for its historic old quarter and relaxed central-coast setting.
Questions about retiring in Vietnam
Answered from the verified data on this page. Every answer shows its source; anything we have not confirmed says so plainly rather than guessing.
- Does Vietnam have a retirement visa?
No dedicated retirement visa. Other residence routes may apply; check the country page.
asialongstay.com- How much monthly income do I need to retire in Vietnam?
This is not verified yet - check the official source before you rely on it.
- Is healthcare good for expats in Vietnam?
Healthcare quality is rated fair. Public hospitals are often underfunded, crowded, and staffed by Vietnamese-only speakers, while private hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City meet international standards with English-speaking, often overseas-trained doctors. On cost: Expats are advised to hold international health insurance and use private JCI-accredited hospitals, as the public system is not well suited to foreign residents.
expatarrivals.com- How expensive is it to retire in Vietnam?
Much lower than the US. A comfortable single-retiree budget is Numbeo estimates a single person's monthly costs at about 376 EUR (roughly 11.3 million VND) excluding rent; overall cost of living is about 160% lower than the US excluding rent.
numbeo.com- Is Vietnam safe?
Safe. Vietnam ranks 38th of the countries measured in the 2025 Global Peace Index with a score of 1.721, placing it in the second tier of highly peaceful nations.
english.vov.vn- What is the climate like in Vietnam?
The climate is Tropical monsoon in the south and centre, humid subtropical monsoon in the north.. Southern and central Vietnam have a tropical monsoon climate with distinct rainy and dry seasons, while the north has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons.
en.wikipedia.org- Where do retirees live in Vietnam?
Popular retirement spots include Da Nang and Hoi An.
en.wikipedia.org
Compare Vietnam with its closest rivals
The three countries whose RetireScore sits nearest.
