Vietnam

Moving to Vietnam

There are 392 rivers in Vietnam running from the north to south of the country stretching 6,734 kms. Needless to say, water is an indispensable part of Vietnam, which is nested on the eastern Indochinese Peninsula.

From floating markets to water puppetry, the Vietnamese revere the water that’s all around them. Not only is it considered to bring life and trade, it’s also believed to wash away bad luck.

A land rich with caves, bays and fertile land, Vietnam's land cover is no more than 20%. Mountains account for 40% of the country's land area, and tropical forests cover around 42%. Unsurprisingly, then, Vietnam is second only to its maritime neighbor Thailand in paddy production. Rice is a staple among Viet people, and the cornerstone of every meal. Along with rice the country is also a top exporter of cashews and black pepper.

In Vietnam, you’re never far from coffee or snake wine. Revered as a sign of vitality in Vietnamese medicine, snake wine is made by putting whole snakes with herbs in rice wine to cure ailments like rheumatism and back pain. However, one should be careful with consuming snake wine with a ‘it’s-5PM-somewhere’ attitude.

Drinking and driving is an offense everywhere, but especially dangerous on the streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, two big urban centers of Vietnam. The Viet people are all used to swaying and snaking along the roads on their motorbikes, if not on the basket boats.

For a population of 97 million, Vietnam is home to roughly 50 million motorbikes -- five times as many as in Japan, posing a stubborn challenge to environmental activists.

Living in Vietnam

Living in Vietnam as an expat can be a very rewarding experience. Vietnam is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history, and it is a great place to learn about new ways of life. The cost of living in Vietnam is generally lower than in many other countries, which can make it an attractive destination for expats.

There are also many expat communities in Vietnam, so it is easy to meet other foreigners and make new friends. However, it is important to keep in mind that Vietnam is a developing country, so there may be some challenges to living there as an expat. For example, the infrastructure may not be as developed as in other countries, and the availability of certain products and services may be limited.

It is also important to be respectful of local customs and traditions, and to try to learn some of the language. Overall, living in Vietnam as an expat can be a very enriching and rewarding experience if you are open to new cultures and are willing to adapt to a different way of life.

Do I need a visa for Vietnam?

Whether or not you need a visa to enter Vietnam depends on your nationality and the length of your stay. Some nationalities are eligible for visa-free entry for a limited time, while others must obtain a visa in advance.

If you are a citizen of one of the countries that are eligible for visa-free entry to Vietnam, you may be able to enter the country without a visa for a certain number of days. This is typically 30 or 90 days, depending on the country. If you want to stay in Vietnam for longer than the visa-free period, you will need to apply for a visa.

If you are not eligible for visa-free entry to Vietnam, you will need to apply for a visa in advance. There are several types of visas available for Vietnam, including tourist visas, business visas, and work visas. The process for obtaining a visa will depend on the type of visa you need and your country of citizenship.

It is important to note that Vietnam has recently implemented new visa policies, so it is a good idea to check the most up-to-date information before planning your trip. You can find more information about visas for Vietnam on the website of the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Embassy of Vietnam in your country.