Nha Trang, Vietnam

Most foreigners who live in Nha Trang—and there are close to a thousand of them—seem to agree on one thing. Once they have moved here, they never want to leave. Here, you can be footsteps away from one of the most beautiful bays in the world or a short drive from some of the prettiest landscapes in Southeast Asia.

Nha Trang is a special place—it’s a melting pot of nationalities and cultures. As a result, you can eat at a different restaurant every day, enjoying a huge variety of Vietnamese and international cuisines that reflect the tastes of Nha Trang’s diverse population.

French speakers are as comfortable here as English speakers; large numbers of French and French-Canadian expatriates reside alongside the Europeans, Russians, Australians, Indians, and Americans who live here.

Most importantly, a large number of Vietnamese are fluent in English, French, or both, making communication less of a challenge than it is in many other Asian cities.

There are modern supermarkets and upscale clothing stores, and convenient, vibrant traditional markets. Also, you’ll find numerous spas and an excellent hot spring spa and resort.

Vietnam‘s largest amusement park and aquarium is in Nha Trang, and there is even a miniature golf course here—the first one in Asia.

Nha Trang, Vietnam, is a social place, and with such a large foreign population, there are plenty of opportunities to make friends.

Nha Trang has been a popular resort town for almost a century, and foreigners have always been made to feel welcome.

Spend a few months here, and you’ll likely have as many Vietnamese friends as you will expats.

With relatively straight-forward immigration laws, it’s easy to stay in Vietnam long-term and join the ever-growing number of foreigners who have decided to make Nha Trang their home.

Things To Do

Thanks to the diverse expat population, there is a range of different cuisines available for eating out. Nha Trang is one of the best places for international cuisine in Vietnam.

Of course one o the most popular things to do in Nha Trang is to hit the beach. The clean, white sand beaches are lined with palm trees and a great place to spend the day. There are lots of restaurants and bars here as well, making it a lively option after dark.

The bay is home to more than 12,000 hectares of coral reef popular with divers. If you want to learn how to scuba dive there are excellent local schools. You can also expect to see lots of fish snorkeling.

Health Care In Nha Trang

A visit to the doctor in Nha Trang costs about US$10 and many expatriates living here say that they are quite comfortable receiving care in these facilities for general medical issues, broken bones, and infections.

Additionally, there are several excellent physicians with various specialties scattered throughout the city. On average a visit with a specialist, with a full examination, costs around US$2.

When you have an urge for a massage, you’ll find a wide selection of spas and a multitude of individual practitioners.

A skilled sixty minute massage by a blind masseur costs only around US$2. A one-hour massage at an upscale spa will generally be less than US$20.

When shopping for food at the traditional market, it’s important to have a sense of what something should cost. Ask a trusted Vietnamese friend what a fair price would be for a particular item. They’ll usually give you a price range.

After you find the item, it isn’t uncommon to be charged the same or even less than what you expect – usually a bit less than that same item would cost in the grocery store.

Health Care In Vietnam

Many foreigners living in Vietnam say that the care that they have received at these facilities has been excellent. Any medical condition can be treated at the French Hospitals, including trauma.

For complex illnesses or surgeries, most foreigners chose to be treated in Thailand,Malaysia,Singapore, or in their home countries, where international-standard medical care is routine.

Expat Community

There is a vibrant and mixed expat population in Nha Trang. A cosmopolitan city, there are expats from Europe, China, Australia, Russia Canada, and the USA. French and English are both widely spoken by locals which is a definite plus.

Why Are So Many People Retiring In Nha Trang?

Nha Trang, Vietnam seems to cast a spell on expats who move here. Around one thousand have already fallen under it, and that number looks set to increase. The bay, and surrounding countryside is the main attraction, and attracts retirees from across the globe.

For a long time this has been one of the best destinations for retiring in Vietnam. Thanks to Vietnam’s recent economic progress, we would even venture that Nha Trang is one of the best places to retire in Asia.

For example, the city is undergoing big change, with new high rise buildings going up and tourist numbers increasing.

Most expats stay away from the tourist areas when possible and opt for a quieter life in the suburbs. Here’s what you need to know about retiring in Nha Trang.

Climate

Like most of Vietnam, Nha Trang has a tropical climate. This means hot weather all year. For folks used to a cold weather climate, this is one main reasons they are retiring in Nha Trang.

Most importantly, the dry season runs from May until mid-August. During these months there is very little rainfall.

July is also the hottest month of the year in Nha Trang when you will want to do little more than lounge on the beach.

The monsoon season is from September to December. In short, during these months you can expect heavy downpours most days.