30-Day Vietnam
Relocation Blueprint

Determine your visa path

• Review Vietnam visa options for your nationality
• Check e-visa processing times (3-5 business days)
• Decide: E-visa (90 days) vs. Visa on Arrival vs. Business visa
• E-visa is simplest for most nationalities

Secure international health insurance

• Get quotes from SafetyWing, Cigna Global, IMG Global
• Check coverage for Vietnam specifically
• Confirm: hospitalization, emergency evacuation, routine care
• Purchase insurance (minimum 6 months recommended)

Book your flight to Vietnam

• Choose: Ho Chi Minh City (expat hub) or Hanoi (cultural capital)
• Book flight 2-3 days before visa starts (buffer)
• Book first week accommodation (Airbnb/hotel)
• Arrive mid-week (Tue-Thu) for smoother processing

Prepare your banking strategy

• Notify home bank of travel dates
• Set up Wise account for international transfers
• Bring: 2 credit cards, 1 debit card, $500-1000 USD cash
• Vietnam is cash-heavy but QR payments are everywhere

Download your digital toolkit

• Grab app (ride-hailing, food delivery)
• Google Translate (Vietnamese offline pack)
• Google Maps (offline Vietnam maps)
• VPN for accessing home country services

Organize all documents

• Scan: passport, visa, insurance, flights, hotel booking
• Save to: Google Drive + USB drive + email to yourself
• Print: 2 copies of passport photo page
• Check passport validity (6+ months required)

Map your target areas

• District 1: Central, expensive, expat-friendly
• District 2 (Thao Dien): Expat enclave, restaurants, cafes
• District 7: Quieter, more Vietnamese, cheaper
• Binh Thanh: Local feel, good value

Land and get oriented

• Clear immigration and customs
• Take Grab to accommodation (not airport taxi)
• Check in, rest, and hydrate
• Explore immediate neighborhood on foot

Get your Vietnamese phone number

• Visit Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone store
• Purchase tourist SIM (30-90 days)
• Register with passport (required by law)
• Viettel has best coverage — 200-500k VND ($8-20)

Get Vietnamese Dong

• Exchange USD at bank (not airport)
• Withdraw VND from ATM (Vietcombank lowest fees)
• Set up GrabPay digital wallet
• Small vendors = cash, restaurants = QR/digital

Visit 2-3 target neighborhoods

• Spend 2-3 hours in each area
• Check: grocery stores, pharmacies, cafes, coworking
• Walk around at different times of day
• Don't sign anything yet — you're gathering data

Master local transport

• Learn Grab features (motorbike vs car, scheduled rides)
• Test routes: hotel to District 1, to airport
• Consider motorbike purchase (after 1 month, not now)
• Never ride without a helmet

Identify your medical options

• Locate: FV Hospital, Vinmec, Columbia Asia
• Visit one hospital to understand the process
• Save emergency contacts to phone
• Confirm insurance covers these facilities

Start building your network

• Join expat Facebook groups
• Attend one expat meetup or coffee morning
• Introduce yourself to 3 people
• Your network will solve problems Google can't

Schedule 5-8 viewings

• Use Facebook Marketplace, agents, 'For Rent' signs
• Budget: $400-800/month for 1-bedroom
• Look for: furnished, AC, washing machine, security
• Never rent sight-unseen

Understand rental contracts

• Standard: 6-12 month lease, 1-2 months deposit
• 30 days notice period typically
• Get everything in writing
• Red flag: landlord won't provide written contract

Set up home infrastructure

• Electricity: prepaid meters common
• Internet: FPT, Viettel, or VNPT (2-3 day install)
• Water: usually included or prepaid
• Get landlord's help with initial setup

Stock your kitchen

• Find: Co.opmart, Lotte Mart for groceries
• Locate wet market for fresh produce (cheaper)
• Find your local Circle K / FamilyMart
• Test kitchen appliances

Open Vietnamese bank account

• Required: passport, work permit, visa, proof of address
• Recommended: Vietcombank, Techcombank
• Alternative: Wise + ATM withdrawals
• Local account = QR payments, easier rent

Establish daily structure

• Test internet speed at home
• Find coworking space or reliable cafe
• Set work hours (account for time difference)
• Structure = sustainability

Complete local registration

• Register with local police (landlord handles this)
• Get temporary residence certificate (90+ days)
• Register with your embassy (recommended)
• Vietnam takes registration seriously

Learn essential Vietnamese

• Master: greetings, numbers, directions, food ordering
• Download Drops or Duolingo
• 'không' (no), 'cảm ơn' (thank you), 'bao nhiêu' (how much)
• Even basic Vietnamese transforms your experience

Eat like a local

• Try: phở, bún chả, bánh mì from street vendors
• Visit a local market (not supermarket)
• Busy stalls = fresh food
• Vietnamese street food is world-class

Level up your mobility

• Consider motorbike: $300-800 used, $1000+ new
• Get international driving permit from home country
• Practice in quiet areas first
• Or stick to Grab if uncomfortable

Establish medical routine

• Choose primary international hospital
• Find local pharmacy for routine meds
• Schedule checkup if needed
• Keep insurance card in wallet

Deepen social connections

• Join hobby groups (hiking, sports, language exchange)
• Attend 2-3 events this week
• Find a language exchange partner
• Goal: 5-10 people you can call for help

Streamline money management

• Set up recurring transfers
• Automate bill payments
• Track spending (establish baseline)
• Budget reality: $800-1500/month comfortable

Think beyond 30 days

• Visa renewal strategy (e-visa requires exit/re-entry)
• Work permit requirements if employed locally
• Consider 6-12 month lease
• Decision point: stay or extend?

Evaluate your first month

• What's working? What isn't?
• Adjust routine as needed
• Revisit housing if needed
• Celebrate wins — you made it!

Set your 90-day goals

• Language learning milestones
• Social connection targets
• Financial goals
• You're not just surviving — you're thriving