12 Best Places To Live In Vietnam

Vietnam has been a popular destination for tourists for years due to its lovely climate, outstanding natural beauty and rich culture. In recent years, it has also become a more favoured spot for people hoping to relocate.

We’ll take a look at the best places in Vietnam to live for work, families, immigrants and more.

Let’s take a look at the best places to live in Vietnam.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Vietnam

City	Reason
Ho Chi Minh	Best for work
Da Nang	Best for affordability
Vung Tau	Best for families
Hanoi	Best for immigrants
Nha Trang	Best for retirement
Hanoi	Best for young adults
Ho Chi Minh	Best for students
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh	Best for food and nightlife
Da Nang	Best for singles
Ho Chi Minh	Best for weather
Nha Trang	Best for beaches
Sa Pa	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Vietnam for Work

Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known and referred to as Saigon) is the business and financial hub of Vietnam. Expats are drawn to the city due to the active job market and the wonderful job opportunities.

Ho Chi Minh also has a very safe reputation as well as plenty of housing options and good public transport links. Its main draw is the growing economy – the city benefits from its southern location, acting as a gateway for agricultural production and export – with increasing opportunities for expats.

The main industries for work in Ho Chi Minh are IT, finance, and manufacturing as well as a booming education industry with lots of opportunities for those interested in teaching English as a foreign language.

Vung Tau is located on the coast and is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable cost of living and its enjoyable coastal lifestyle. There is a large expat community here, as well as lots of job opportunities in the oil and gas industry.

Cheapest Places To Live In Vietnam

Vietnam is a good country for those who are hoping to relocate on a smaller budget. It offers a high quality of life and has several potential housing options for all kinds of expats.

Da Nang is a good city to consider relocating to for expats who are hoping to relocate somewhere with affordable living and housing costs. The cost of eating out is also low and public transportation costs are very affordable.

Despite the lower costs, Da Nang is still a vibrant city with plenty of attractions for expats who are hoping to soak in some of Vietnam’s heritage and culture.

Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, is another great option for those hoping to move to a city with lower living and housing costs. There are some other great benefits of Hue, such as its good healthcare systems and convenient location.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam for Families

Vung Tau is considered one of the best cities in Vietnam for expats – the city has a large expat population which continues to go as well as a relaxed, coastal atmosphere.

It’s a wonderful city for families as there is an active job market providing plenty of opportunities for expats, as well as very high-quality healthcare systems where English is commonly spoken.

Vung Tau is known to be a relatively safe city with friendly residents. There are lots of attractions in Vung Tau which makes it an appealing choice, particularly its huge number of seafood dining options.

Ho Chi Minh is another great option for expats with families, especially if you’re hoping to get absorbed in city culture.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam for Immigrants

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and is located in the northern region of the country. The city has many Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences.

It’s a very popular choice with immigrants due to the affordable cost of living and cultural attractions. The city is rich in culture and blends traditional and modern influences.

There is also a very large existing immigrant community in Hanoi made up of professors, digital nomads, students and more. This is particularly good for those hoping to easily find and integrate with an international community after relocating.

Can Tho is another good option for immigrants. This riverside city is vastly growing, with an active economy and job market.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam for Retirement

By far the most popular city in Vietnam for retirees is Nha Trang. The natural coastlines and beaches of the city are world-renowned and ideal for those who want to spend their retirement close to the water.

Nha Trang also has excellent healthcare facilities and systems. It is also very easy to get to Ho Chi Minh which is another city that boasts good hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Nha Trang is also a relatively affordable city and your money can spread far, with several luxurious housing options even for those working on a smaller budget.

Hue is another good potential option for retirees – the city has a laid-back atmosphere with good healthcare systems, an affordable cost of living and a convenient location.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam for Young Adults

Hanoi is one of the best cities in Vietnam for young adults. The capital has all the conveniences and developed infrastructure of a modern city, as well as a large expat community for those hoping to find like-minded people.

Hanoi is also known to have a thriving and ever-changing nightlife scene which is ideal for young adults who want to spend their evenings in bars and clubs.

While Hanoi is undoubtedly modern, it also retains a lot of its rich heritage with plenty of cultural and historic attractions to explore if you’re hoping to learn more about Hanoi’s history.

Ho Chi Minh is another good option for young adults as the city has plenty of good job opportunities as well as affordable housing options and reliable public transportation.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam for Students

Ho Chi Minh is one of the best cities for international students in Vietnam. The city is home to various educational institutions, many of which have a range of courses and options for international students.

Some of the best universities are The American School of Vietnam, the Australian International School of Saigon, the British International School of Ho Chi Minh and the European International School.

The city also has plenty of cafes and eateries which are ideal spots for students to study. The city is reported to have a thriving nightlife scene and there are lots of bars and clubs for students to enjoy.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam for Food and Nightlife

Vietnamese cuisine is heralded around the globe for its use of distinctly bold flavours and fresh ingredients. Relocating to Vietnam offers a treasure trove of great dining experiences.

The best city in Vietnam for food is Hanoi. The city is well-known for its outstanding street food and you’ll get a true glimpse into Vietnamese culture and heritage by sampling different dishes.

One of Vietnam’s most famous dishes is Phở – a noodle dish typically served with chicken or beef in a hearty broth.

Ho Chi Minh is one of Vietnam’s best cities for those who enjoy nightlife. The city is the biggest metropolis in Vietnam and as such has many different bars, clubs and music venues to cater to all audiences.

Ho Chi Minh is especially celebrated for its beer streets (you will often find many international travellers on plastic stools drinking inexpensive beer on the streets) and rooftop bars.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam for Singles

Vietnam has lots to offer singles who are hoping to relocate – the affordable cost of living is one of the biggest draws for international expats.

Several Vietnamese cities are good potential choices for singles, but Da Nang is particularly good for singles as it’s very affordable, English is widely spoken and the job market is active and continuing to grow.

For those who are hoping to find a more quaint and traditional Vietnamese location, the city of Hoi An is a good option. The town is very popular with digital nomads who enjoy a slower pace of life, with plenty of endearing shops and cafes to mull around.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam for the Weather

The weather in Vietnam largely depends on what region you decide to relocate to. The country has both a tropical and sub-tropical climate and the northern part of Vietnam is known for freezing weather during the winter months.

March to May is the best time to experience hot weather in the south of Vietnam, whereas May to June are the hottest months for those settling in the north.

Ho Chi Minh is a good city of choice for expats who are hoping to enjoy the warm weather. The city usually experiences hot weather throughout the year, though do keep in mind that there are dry and rainy seasons in the city.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam Near Beaches

Nha Trang is one of the best cities in Vietnam for beach lovers and is a well-loved destination for working expats and retirees alike. There is a range of fantastic beaches which draw in thousands of people every year for holidays and tourism.

Some of Nha Trang’s most famous beaches are Hon Noi Beach, Bai Dai Beach and Doc Let Beach. The city experiences good weather as the coastal winds keep down the humid temperatures.

Vung Tau is another lovely coastal city which is ideal for those wanting to settle close to the beach. The seafood in Vung Tau is reportedly extremely high quality and has an international reputation.

Best Places To Live In Vietnam Near Mountains

Almost three-quarters of Vietnam’s landscape is made up of hilly and mountainous regions. One of the best locations for those hoping to relocate near the mountains is Sa Pa, located in the north of Vietnam.

Established by the French colonies, Sa Pa is easily accessible from Hanoi via bus or night train. The town is mainly a tourist spot, but there are some wonderful hikes and walking trails laid out, as well as the possibility of doing some intense treks through rice terraces.

Ho Chi Minh is another city with easy access to some outstanding mountain trails and treks. Those who are hoping for a more urban city should consider Ho Chi Minh a city with lots of potential.