Temporary Resident card or multiple entry-exit

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@rainwinters

I believe you have better experience in Vietnam compared to other expats. Your Vietnamese fluently and familiarity with local matters, you might have an advantage in gathering detailed information directly from Vietnamese Immigration officers. Once you get enough information then Please share your experience here; it could be helpful for other expats facing a similar situation.

    Hello,Lately my wife and I have been considering an extended stay in Vietnam to see what it is like living long term there. We have previously travelled there for short vacations and both love the lifestyle Vietnam offers, not to mention how inexpensive everything is. Some background:We are both currently employed medical professionals in Sydney Australia, early 40s. However, we will be taking a long overdue break from work and have decided to take a 2 year reset to travel.From what I understand, TRC requires either a work grant permit, or an investor pathway. For what it's worth, my mother was born in Vietnam, she was part of the 'boat people' from 1970. I can speak Vietnamese fluently.In regards to applying for a work permit, not sure what the market is for Health professionals in Vietnam or even just teaching English is viable too.I have also read that long term expats do the entry - exit to renew their 3 month stay? That may be an easier route to take if there are no legal ramifications.We will be putting our townhouse up for rent in Sydney, which in all likely hood will cover our living expenses while in Vietnam.If any expats are in a similar situation or anyone with tips for long term stay, please feel free to chime in and it will be much appreciated. Thanks for your time.        -@rainwinters

As long as you have the proper documentation from your mother, you qualify for the 5 Year Visa EXEMPTION Certificate (NOT a visa, but an EXEMPTION from needing a visa).

YOU MUST APPLY FOR IT OUTSIDE VIETNAM through a local Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam.

The certificate is initially validated when you enter Vietnam using it for the first time.

"5 Year" is misleading and confusing to many people.

The certificate is valid for up to 5 years if you have enough validity on your passport.

However, each entry stamp is only good for 6 months "permission to remain".

it's unclear whether the pre-COVID practice of allowing some agents to get you an extension in country beyond the 6 months has started happening again.

All indications I've seen is that it's no longer possible to do that, so you should be prepared to do a border run every 6 months.

once you fully exit Vietnam and are fully processed into the neighboring country, you will be allowed to immediately turn around and reenter Vietnam on a new 6 month stamp, as long as your VEC and passport both have sufficient validity remaining.

Good luck!

O.B.

Google Maps link to Sydney Consulate of Vietnam (including phone number and website link)

   
 
As long as you have the proper documentation from your mother, you qualify for the 5 Year Visa EXEMPTION Certificate (NOT a visa, but an EXEMPTION from needing a visa).



Google Maps link to Sydney Consulate of Vietnam (including phone number and website link)
   

    -@OceanBeach92107This, I did not know. Thank you so much. I will definitely investigate this further. While I do speak Vietnamese fluent enough, it lacks the nuance to blend with the locals and they know straight away when I speak. English is my 1st language, so I feel more comfortable communicating in English hence my trepidation when speaking to officials in their native tongue.

          As long as you have the proper documentation from your mother, you qualify for the 5 Year Visa EXEMPTION Certificate (NOT a visa, but an EXEMPTION from needing a visa). [link under review]-@OceanBeach92107

This, I did not know. Thank you so much. I will definitely investigate this further. While I do speak Vietnamese fluent enough, it lacks the nuance to blend with the locals and they know straight away when I speak. English is my 1st language, so I feel more comfortable communicating in English hence my trepidation when speaking to officials in their native tongue.
   

    -@rainwinters

Even speaking and understanding just a little bit of Tiếng Việt will be a huge advantage for you and your wife.

You will find that local Vietnamese citizens will usually want to get to know you (FOREIGNERS! 🤩) and they won't be too harsh about any difficulty you have communicating.

I would guess that your biggest stumbling blocks would be obscure idioms and also regional dialects.

Even then I'm sure you'll get along.

I've talked to many Vietnamese people who moved to a different area of the country and felt that they couldn't communicate with anyone.

But eventually they are able to communicate on a basic level.