How much money do you need to retire in Vietnam?

How much do I need to retire comfortably in Vietnam?

Three thousand dollars a month. That’s what I need. No, wait. It’s less, I think. Maybe. Eight hundred, they said. Lies. It’s more.

Damn these numbers. They haunt me. It’s never enough, is it? Eight hundred is laughable. That’s barely enough for rent in a decent place. I’d need healthcare, too. You know, this stuff adds up.

Key things to consider:

• Healthcare: Private insurance is essential. Prices vary wildly. Expect to pay.
• Housing: A decent apartment? Forget $800, It’s far more in places I’d actually want to live. Da Nang? Probably closer to a thousand.
• Food: I eat well. This isn’t rice and noodles every night. I like fresh seafood. That’s expensive.
• Travel: Vietnam is beautiful. I want to see it. This adds up.

The $1200 figure is… optimistic. Frankly, I’d budget significantly higher. Maybe $2000. At least. 2024 is looking expensive. Man, I should have saved more.

Where is the best place for expats to retire in Vietnam?

Okay, so best place for expats to retire in Vietnam? Da Nang, hands down. Nha Trang’s alright, I guess, but Da Nang wins.

I lived near Da Nang for six months in 2023. Seriously, the weather was perfect. Warm, sunny, but not brutally hot. The beaches were amazing. Clean, less crowded than Nha Trang, which felt way too touristy to me. I hated the crowds.

Da Nang’s more laid-back. More sophisticated, even. Better food. Honestly, the food scene in Nha Trang was a total let-down.

Cost of living? Much cheaper in Da Nang than back home in Canada. Way cheaper. I was paying like $600 a month for a lovely apartment, close to everything.

• Excellent weather: Tropical but pleasant year-round.
• Beautiful beaches: Clean, less crowded than Nha Trang.
• Affordable living: Rent, food, everything is significantly cheaper than in the West.
• Good food: Seriously better than Nha Trang. More variety.

Nha Trang? Too much of a party town. Felt too much like a resort. Da Nang felt more like a real city, more local, you know? The expat community in Da Nang felt tighter knit, too.

I met some really cool people. We’d hang out at cafes, explore the markets…it was just…easier. Finding friends, feeling at home. Nha Trang felt transient, whereas Da Nang felt like a place I could actually settle.

The healthcare in Da Nang was surprisingly good too, much better than I expected. Access to good Western-style healthcare if needed, but much more affordable. Big plus. That was a worry initially.

Nha Trang’s okay if you like a nonstop party vibe, but for a chill retirement? Da Nang’s the place.

Can you get permanent residence in Vietnam?

Oh, Vietnam permanent residence, eh? So, you want to trade spring rolls for…eternal spring rolls? A Permanent Residence Card (PRC), valid, get this, for a decade, yes ten long years. Forget visas, it’s your all-access pass, supposedly granting you “indefinite” residency. Indefinite, until it expires, that is!

• The Golden Ticket: Imagine it’s like Willy Wonka’s golden ticket, but instead of chocolate, it’s pho. You gotta earn it though, like getting grandpa’s approval.
• The 10-Year Itch: Think of the PRC as a 10-year lease on life in Vietnam. After, well, renew or sayonara! Is it really indefinite? I guess it is, until it isn’t.
• Visa-Be-Gone: Waves bye-bye to pesky visa runs. More time for exploring hidden beaches and perfecting your Banh Mi eating technique.
• Not quite a Citizenship: Don’t get ahead of yourself. You’re a resident, not a citizen, there is a difference! It is more like a VIP guest pass, okay?

Let’s be honest, “indefinite” is a strong word. But getting a PRC beats scrambling for visas every few months. I’m convinced. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a craving for some real Vietnamese Coffee.