Is Vietnam a good place for expats?

Question

Accepted Answer

Vietnam is full of chances for explorers, history lovers, city fans, and beach enthusiasts.

Also, Vietnam is a cheap place to live. Most things cost less than half of what you would pay in Western countries, and prices are usually 5% to 25% lower.

Information Type	Vietnam Data
Population	100,770,000 (Dec. 2024 est.)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)	US$468.49 billion (2024 est.)
GDP Per Capita	US$4,649 (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate	4.5% (2024 est.)
Currency	Vietnamese dong (VND)
Exchange Rate Versus U.S. Dollar	25,385 dongs per U.S. dollar (Dec. 2024)
Language	Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Capital	Hanoi
Population of Capital City	8.5 million (municipality area)
Time Zone	UTC/GMT +7 hours
Seasons	Tropical in south. Monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March)
International Dialing Code	84
Electricity	120/220V- 50Hz
System of Government	Single-party state
Current Leader	President Luong Cuong (since October 2024)
Income Tax Rate for Residents	5% to 35%
Property Tax	The municipal authorities levy tax on real estate
Capital Gains Tax	0.1% on the gross sale or 20% of net profit.
Inheritance Tax	Inheritances and gifts are subject to income tax at special rates.
Rental Income Tax	Nonresidents are liable to pay tax on their Vietnamese-sourced income at a flat rate of 20%
Transfer Tax	0.1 to 10%. Apply on the transfer of properties
Sales Tax	Rates are 0%, 5%, and 10%
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Property	Foreigners are not allowed to own land
Local Chambers of Commerce	N/A
American Chamber of Commerce
Primary Exports	Clothes, shoes, electronics, seafood, crude oil, rice, coffee, wooden products, machinery
Residency and Visa Requirements	Foreign nationals who wish to visit the country can apply directly at the Vietnam Embassy or Consulates located in their countries of residence. The entire application process will take about 4 to 10 days. Visitors may also obtain the visa upon arrival at the airport with certain special requirements.
Special Benefits for Foreign Residents or Retirees	Foreigners who are residents in Vietnam can own dwelling houses but cannot sub-lease these dwellings
National Airline	Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Facts & Figures

Vietnam Facts & Figures

Table Of Contents

Table Of Contents

Vietnam Facts & Figures- FAQs

Latest On Vietnam Facts & Figures

Live Overseas And Launch A New Life

A Fresh Start In An Exotic Old World Escape

Worried About Soaring Utility Costs?

The Quirks And Customs Of Southern Vietnam

The Global Nomad Lifestyle: A Journey To Personal Freedom

Live Overseas And Launch A New Life

A Fresh Start In An Exotic Old World Escape

Worried About Soaring Utility Costs?

The Quirks And Customs Of Southern Vietnam

The Global Nomad Lifestyle: A Journey To Personal Freedom

More Resources From Vietnam