As of 2022, the number of foreigners living in Vietnam is over 100,000. Expats come from over 100 countries and territories in the world. Most of migrants come from China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the United States and live and work in big cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Danang, Nha Trang, etc.
The United States has been named among the list of the leading inbound nationalities visiting the nation this summer, according to details given by Booking.com's Travel Predictions 2023.
Most non-Vietnamese people or expats usually live in the southern part of the country, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau, given their strong economy, job opportunities, and excellent healthcare system.
According to Ministry of Labour data from April 2021, around 101,550 expats live permanently in Vietnam, out of a population of 98.2 million. Most expats live in the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which was known as Saigon when it was the South Vietnamese capital before post-war reunification.
Vietnam's culture demands that you observe certain rules, although the Vietnamese are generally forgiving of unintentional faux pas and very welcoming to foreign visitors. Generally, Vietnamese people are very appreciative if they see you knowing and trying to abide by the customs.
Is Vietnam safe for solo female travel? Yes, Vietnam is one of the safest places in Southeast Asia for solo travel. Violent crime is almost non-existent.
Yes, it is possible to live in Vietnam without speaking Vietnamese. Vietnam's major cities Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, have a large number of English-speaking residents who can help you get situated with living in a new country.
The not-so-short answer is: Yes, you can, but it also depends on where you go in Vietnam. To your relief, most foreigners visiting Vietnam know barely any Vietnamese words but "Xin Chao - Hello" and "Cam On - Thank you". That is quite enough vocabulary for a 2 or 3 week trip to Vietnam.
In 2021, the sex ratio at birth in Vietnam was at approximately 112 male births per 100 female birth.
A more recent estimate from Vietnam Television says their population might be as large as 130,000. Vietnam and Korea had a connection in the past via survivors of the Lý dynasty of Vietnam fleeing to Korea via Taiwan.
Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon (SGN)
The huge range of cuisine, entertainment, accommodation choices and general buzz, make this the city of choice for the largest number of expats in the country.
Two groups of foreign buyers can buy and own properties in Vietnam. First are legal entities, such as foreign investment funds and banks, branches and representative offices of overseas companies established in Vietnam. The second group includes foreigners or overseas nationals with an appropriate entry visa.
In 2019, Australia's recreational travel to Vietnam was valued at A$1.2 billion50. More than 317,000 Australians visited Vietnam in 2019, reflecting Vietnam's popularity among Australian travellers51.
To make it into the group of the top 1 per cent in terms of wealth in Vietnam, according to Knight Frank, Vietnamese people need to own $160,000. This figure is $2.9 million in Singapore; $540,000 in Malaysia; and $60,000 in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Vietnamese locals are known for being very easy-going, humble, and friendly. There is no prejudice and extreme pride in their souls. Like their culture, Vietnamese people are very open-minded, simple, and welcoming. As a newcomer, you will love the hospitality of the locals, even in the big cities.
As of April 2021, the singulate mean age at marriage among Vietnamese men was about 28.3 years. By comparison, for women in Vietnam, the singulate mean age at marriage was around 24 years.
Vietnam ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, which sets a minimum age of marriage of 18, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1982, which obligates states to ensure free and full consent to marriage.
There are an estimated 72,000 Muslims across Vietnam, according to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs.
Common taboos in Vietnam
Avoid Public Touching: Public displays of affection are not seen as appropriate. Avoid hugging, holding hands, and especially kissing in public. Even touching a member of the opposite sex is looked down upon. Modesty: It is important to keep your body covered.
According to statistics, more than 50% of Vietnamese people speak English. This percentage is much higher if we talk about the most tourist places.
Avoid profusely complimenting people or using very colourful language to praise something. This can often be interpreted as insincere and may actually cause people to lose face .
While Vietnam does not have a retirement visa, there are several options for individuals who want to retire in Vietnam. Americans can apply for a visa to Vietnam through any Vietnamese embassy and will be approved for either six months or one year but can only stay in the country for three months at a time.
If you are married to Vietnamese citizen, you are eligible to apply either visa exemption for 5 years or temporary residence card. Unfortunately, there is no specific spouse visa for Vietnam. So, you have fall in love with a Vietnamese citizen and got married in Vietnam on tourist visa. What will you do next?
The Vietnam E-visa program issue visas to foreigners from Vietnamese Immigration Department for citizens of 80 countries, including the United States. The program uses an online application process to issue 30-day, one-entry visas for $25, payable via bank transfer.