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Just 30 years ago, after emerging from decades of war, Vietnam was one of the five poorest countries in the world. Most of its existing infrastructure was damaged or missing, the population was dramatically decreased, and living conditions were abysmal.
Vietnam is one of the most scenic countries I have ever explored. No matter where I go, I’ll find something beautiful, odd, or just different than anything I’ve ever seen before.
One of my favorite ways to start the day here in Hanoi is to head over to the nearby French patisserie, where I can wake up with a perfectly prepared frothy latte and a flaky fresh-baked chocolate croissant or a warm baguette.
Every morning at his condo complex in Damansara Heights, in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Karl Hutchison, 61, sits on the patio next to the swimming pool, enjoying the palm trees, quiet neighborhood, and the warm, sunny weather.
Wherever you are in Vietnam, you’ll find that the cost of living is very low. Even in the most expensive cities—Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi—two people can live well for less than $1,500 per month. If you’re hoping to find an even lower cost of living than that, my advice is to head for the beaches.
When my husband David and I decided to retire, we had no idea where we would end up. We purchased one-way tickets from the U.S. to Hong Kong and planned to travel, staying in each place until it wasn’t fun any longer.
“I didn’t realize how easy living here would be. How easy it is to get around, to buy food, to go to the beach—things that make it so livable. Everything is so easy here—it’s remarkable.”
Randy and Swelaine Bartley moved to Johor Bahru in 2013, with an eye to opening a business. The couple had never been to Malaysia before, but they heard through the grapevine that there were opportunities for expat business there.
When you move to Vietnam, you’ll likely find that the people are delightful, the standard of living is high, the cost of living is low, and there aren’t enough hours in the day to explore Vietnam’s many wonders. Below are a few tips to help you get started on your Vietnamese adventure.
There’s a lot to love about Vietnam. From its low cost of living to its always helpful natives, it’s easy to see why so many expats are drawn here. If you plan on visiting, or moving to Vietnam, here are a few of the things about the country that are sure to appeal to you..