Life in Vietnam

Online platforms

In Vietnam, the most popular resources for finding accommodation are Batdongsan.com.vn, Chotot.com, Facebook Marketplace, as well as groups for expats. For example:

• “Apartments for Rent in Ho Chi Minh City (Expats)”
• “Hanoi Housing for Foreigners”
• “Rentals in Da Nang for Expats and Locals”

Both private individuals and real estate agents post on these sites. It is better to search in English, although some ads are only available in Vietnamese.

Ukrainian communities

Although there are not many large Ukrainian groups yet, there are often posts in general international chats from Ukrainians who have already rented accommodation or are sharing contacts of trusted landlords. It is worth asking clarifying questions and requesting additional photos.

Required documents

To sign a rental agreement, you will usually need:

• a copy of your passport;
• a visa or entry stamp;
• for long-term rentals, the contact details of a local person or guarantor (optional).

Many owners are willing to draw up a contract verbally or via messenger, but we recommend insisting on a short written document in English or two languages.

What to look for in the contract

Check whether:

• utilities are included;
• the contract can be terminated early;
• a monthly inspection of the apartment is required;
• children/pets are allowed.

Also pay attention to the condition of the air conditioners and water heater — this is critical in the Vietnamese climate.

Legal support

If you have any doubts about the terms of the contract or the owner asks for an advance payment without guarantees, contact Visit Ukraine lawyers. We will help you check the documents and avoid trouble.

Shops and markets

In Vietnam, you can buy food in supermarkets (WinMart, Lotte Mart, CoopMart, Mega Market), local mini-markets (Circle K, B's Mart) and street markets, which remain the most popular source of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish.

Foreigners often combine large supermarket purchases with daily shopping at the market.

Food prices (2026):

• Rice (1 kg) — 0.8–1.2 USD
• Eggs (10 pcs.) — 1–1.5 USD
• Chicken (1 kg) — 2.5–3.5 USD
• Fish fillets (1 kg) — 3–5 USD
• Vegetables (1 kg) — 0.7–1 USD
• Milk (1 litre) — 1.3–1.7 USD
• Bread — 0.8–1.5 USD
• Mango, papaya (1 kg) — 1–2 USD

Average monthly food expenses:

• one person — 100–150 USD,
• couple — 180–250 USD,
• family with a child — 250–350 USD.

Cafes and restaurants

Eating out in Vietnam is affordable:

• Street food (pho, banh mi, rice with meat) — 1–2.5 USD per serving;
• Mid-range cafes — 3–6 USD per dish;
• Restaurants for tourists/expatriates — 7–15 USD per person;
• Coffee/tea in a coffee shop — 1–2 USD.

Many establishments offer set lunches or lunch sets at a discount on weekdays. In resort towns, restaurant prices for foreigners may be higher than at local establishments.

How to save

• Buy seasonal fruit — it is much cheaper;
• Choose local cafes over chain ones;
• Keep an eye on supermarket promotions — for example, Lotte Mart has weekly discounts on certain categories of goods.

Public transport

Public transport in Vietnam is not very well-developed compared to Europe. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are air-conditioned city buses, with fares ranging from 0.25 to 0.50 USD. Hanoi also has a new metro line, which is gradually expanding.

The most convenient way to get around is by taxi or motorbike taxi using apps:

• Grab (similar to Uber) — the most popular, safe and affordable option;
• Be, Gojek — alternatives with good rates.

A trip within the city by motorbike taxi costs 1–2 USD, by car — 2–4 USD. For frequent trips, contactless prepaid cards or fixed rates in apps are available.

Travel between cities

The most popular options for travel between cities are:

• Sleeper buses — 5–20 USD depending on the distance;
• Trains — convenient on the Hanoi–Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh City route, price 10–40 USD;
• Low-cost airlines: VietJet, Bamboo Airways, Vietnam Airlines — tickets from 20 to 50 USD if purchased in advance.

Renting a scooter or motorbike

The most popular and cheapest way to get around Vietnam is to rent a scooter.

This is convenient for short and long stays, especially in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang or resorts.

• Daily rental — 5–8 USD;
• Monthly rental — 50–100 USD;
• Deposit: usually a deposit of 50–100 USD or a copy of your passport is required.

Some rental companies allow you to use the vehicle without a Vietnamese license, but officially you need an international driving permit (IDP) or a Vietnamese license to drive. If you are stopped by the police, the fine without documents can be as high as 20–50 USD.

Petrol costs ≈1 USD/l, a full tank — 3–4 USD.

Car rental

Car rental is not very popular due to heavy traffic and difficult navigation, but it is available:

• Car with driver — the most popular and safest option (from 40 to 70 USD/day);
• Rental without a driver — possible if you have a Vietnamese driving license, price — 30–50 USD/day.

Parking in cities is often limited, so car rental is more suitable for travelling outside the city.

Banks that are convenient for foreigners

There are many banks in Vietnam, but not all of them open accounts for foreigners without a residence permit or work visa. The most expat-friendly banks are:

• TPBank,
• Vietcombank,
• ACB (Asia Commercial Bank),
• HSBC Vietnam,
• Techcombank.

Some of them have English-language apps, which makes them much easier to use.

Online banking and mobile wallets

Most banks have mobile apps with a basic English interface, but you often need to visit a branch in person to activate them.

Mobile wallets are also very popular — MoMo, ZaloPay, VNPay — which allow you to pay for utilities, taxis, food delivery and even shopping in stores without a card.

How to open an account

To open an account, you will usually need:

• a foreign passport; a Vietnamese residential address (rental agreement or confirmation from a hotel);
• a visa or residence permit (often not a tourist visa).

Some banks will only open an account with a work or student visa. Without these documents, card use is limited or unavailable.

Cash withdrawals and payments

ATMs are widely available, but often charge a 1.5–3% commission for withdrawing cash from foreign cards. It is most advantageous to withdraw large amounts at once, but it is only safe to do so at banks or shopping centers.

Bank cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in supermarkets, shops and cafés, but street vendors and taxi drivers only accept cash or mobile wallet QR codes.

Legal support

If you are planning to open an account or sign a contract with a bank but are unsure about the details, Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you understand the rules and complete the necessary paperwork.

Mobile operators and tariffs

There are several major mobile operators in Vietnam:

• Viettel — the largest and with the best coverage;
• Mobifone — stable speed, affordable subscriptions;
• Vinaphone — popular among young people and foreigners.

A starter pack with a SIM card can be purchased at the airport, kiosks, or operator stores. The price is 2–5 USD, including basic internet.

A monthly package with 10–15 GB of internet costs 2–4 USD, and unlimited tariffs cost 5–8 USD.

Contract or prepaid?

Most Ukrainians and expats use prepaid services, which do not require a contract; all you need is your passport. You can top up your account online, in supermarkets or at terminals.

Contract tariffs are only available to people with a residence permit or long-term visa.

Home internet

Home internet is well-developed, especially in large cities. The main providers are Viettel, VNPT, and FPT. Speeds are 100–300 Mbit/s. The cost is 10–15 USD/month, and connection usually takes 1–3 days.

Most apartments already have internet access — tenants only need to change the contract to their name or top up the previous user's account.

Tips

• When buying a SIM card, make sure it is registered in your name — this will prevent it from being blocked.
• Convenient mobile internet packages often include unlimited social media (Facebook, Zalo, TikTok).
• Cafés, hotels and co-working spaces always have free Wi-Fi, so mobile phone costs are usually low.

Kindergartens

Both public and private kindergartens operate in Vietnam.

Public kindergartens are affordable (around 20–40 USD/month), but they are often overcrowded, and the staff only speak Vietnamese.

Private or international kindergartens offer a higher level of comfort, a bilingual environment (English + Vietnamese) and smaller groups — the price is 200–700 USD/month.

Most nurseries accept children from 2 years old. To enroll, you will need your child's passport, visa or legal residence document, medical certificate (health + vaccinations), birth certificate, rental contract or proof of residence.

Schools

State schools are free, but teaching is conducted exclusively in Vietnamese.

For Ukrainian children who do not speak the language, international schools are the most convenient option. They offer education in English or according to Western programs (British, IB, American curriculum). The cost is 4,000–10,000 USD/year, depending on the city, level and conditions.

Bilingual schools are also popular, with lower prices of 2,000–4,000 USD/year.

Clubs and leisure

There are many children's development centers in large cities:

• English, dance, robotics and art clubs — from 10 to 30 USD/month;
• sports clubs (swimming, taekwondo, football) — 15–40 USD/month.

There are also free classes at municipal centers, as well as master classes at libraries, museums and cultural centers.

English-speaking playgroups for children are often organized on Facebook, which is a convenient way to communicate with other families from abroad.

Is insurance mandatory?

In Vietnam, medical insurance is not mandatory for tourists or short-term visits.

However, insurance is often required to obtain a work visa, study or long-term residence, especially if you are applying through an employer or university.

For Ukrainians staying in Vietnam without official status, having an international insurance policy is a way to avoid unexpected expenses in case of illness or injury.

Public vs private healthcare

• Public healthcare in Vietnam is accessible, but often lacks English-speaking staff and equipment.
• In cities, it is better to go to private clinics such as Family Medical Practice, Raffles, Hồng Ngọc Hospital, etc.
• The cost of a consultation is 20–50 USD, tests start at 10 USD, and a day in hospital costs 100–300 USD or more.

Many doctors have studied abroad and speak English well.

Who needs insurance

• Tourists — medical care without insurance is expensive
• Freelancers and expats — private insurance with hospitalization coverage
• Students — often included in visa requirements, some universities require local insurance

Where to get insurance?

The easiest option is to purchase international medical insurance online before departure. This covers outpatient and emergency care in Vietnam, as well as transportation.

👉 You can purchase international insurance on the Visit Ukraine platform — it's fast, affordable and completely online. Just select the package and term you need and receive your policy by email in a few minutes.

Most common fines

In Vietnam, fines may seem insignificant in terms of amount, but they are often collected on the spot — without receipts. The most common situations:

• Traffic violations: not wearing a helmet on a moped — 10–15 USD, running a red light — 20–30 USD.
• Smoking in prohibited areas — up to 50 USD.
• Improper waste disposal (littering) — 5–20 USD.
  

It is recommended to remain calm and not pay cash ‘out of hand’ if you are unsure of the situation — it is better to ask for an official fine.

Vietnamese language courses and adaptation programs

Language is one of the main challenges. Although many people in large cities speak basic English, knowledge of Vietnamese is an advantage in everyday life.

Free or inexpensive courses can be found at universities (for example, Hanoi University, Vietnamese Language Studies) or at language centers — from 50 USD/month.

There are also support groups for Ukrainians where they discuss everyday life, documents and life in Vietnam.

Leisure

In large cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang), the infrastructure for foreigners is actively developing:

• cinemas with English-language films,
• yoga and fitness centers,
• cafés and co-working spaces,
• free events at cultural centers (e.g. Goethe-Institut, L'Espace).
  

On Facebook, you can find dozens of expat groups where events, parties, sales, exchanges and advice are posted.

Services from Visit Ukraine for Ukrainians in Vietnam

Life in Vietnam is a new pace, a new culture and new opportunities. But to make the transition comfortable, it is important to have access to reliable information and support. On the Visit Ukraine platform, you can:

• Take out medical insurance online before travelling to Vietnam
• Get legal advice on housing, visas, banks or insurance
• Learn more about staying, working or studying in Vietnam

We are here to support you, wherever you are in the world 💙