Moving to Vietnam for a year - need some tips :)

you need to get a visa tourist and do the visa run, it's hard to get a student visa

I can fly in and out several times a year, I don't mind.
Do you think I will have a hard time finding a place to rent though? (signing a 1 year contract)

BenBen23 wrote:

I can fly in and out several times a year, I don't mind.
Do you think I will have a hard time finding a place to rent though? (signing a 1 year contract)

You will get marriage proposals if you offer to sign a one year lease...

😁

So I understand it's not very common over there haha
Is there any recommended website for finding a condo/apartment in Saigon?

A. My experience is landlord-provided wifi isn't consistent: usually ok,  not fast, goes out sometimes. Wideband more stable, SIM is $5, and basic voice/text/data is $5 monthly for 3G and a few gig. Start with that. Vietnam has problems with breaking underseas cables several times a year. Some people have gotten their own contracts for high speed connections, I don't know about that, but others in the forum do.

There are lots of coworking spaces, maybe you just work there.
Coworker HCM

B.  Batdongsan  is one site, here is 9399 apartment rentals in Saigon. You will have to figure out which district to live in. Coworking is almost all in D1. Use Chrome for english translation. There is also expat.com classified, craigslist, FB groups for expats, and word of mouth. There are buildings around town that cater to expats with more westernized facilities, fully furnished, serviced (maid cleaned). Most leases are advertised 1 year, but landlords often go down to 3 or 6 months at higher rate. Rent a hotel in D1 for a few days while you look around.

C. Tourist visa is easier with less scrutiny than Thailand. You don't have to fly out for visa runs, there is a bus to Cambodia border. 1 year business visas available too from fixers like Sunviet.

BenBen23 wrote:

So I understand it's not very common over there haha

It's a joke from OceanBeach.  All landlords prefer one-year contract.  Many tenants, however, chose to stay for 6 months and resign.

BenBen23 wrote:

Do you think I will have a hard time finding a place to rent though?

You'll not have any problem.  Doesn't matter how long your stay, there are always apartments that suit your needs.

BenBen23 wrote:

So I understand it's not very common over there haha
Is there any recommended website for finding a condo/apartment in Saigon?

As @Ciambella says, I was joking. Just saying, there are landlords who dream about a qualified foreigner signing a one year lease.

There are two links on this site which might help you. One is for "HCMC" and the other is for "Saigon". Listings are different, even if the areas are the same:

HCMC

https://www.expat.com/en/housing/asia/v … minh-city/

SAIGON

https://www.expat.com/en/housing/asia/vietnam/saigon/

Hi guys
Thanks for all the tips!

I need some help with visa fees:
vietnamvisa.govt.vn

3 months single entry costs $25 at the governments website.
I was told I have to pay another $45 at the passport control, is it accurate?

Cheers1

BenBen23 wrote:

Hi guys
Thanks for all the tips!

I need some help with visa fees:
htps://vietnamvisa.govt.vn

3 months single entry costs $25 at the governments website.
I was told I have to pay another $45 at the passport control, is it accurate?

Cheers1

WARNING:

That is NOT "the government's website".

See their hidden disclaimer at the very bottom of this long webpage:

https://vietnamvisa.govt.vn/terms-conditions/

(Note: it is a .govt URL, not a .gov site)

We are not supposed to advertise for Visa On Arrival (VOA) agents, but if you contact a forum user through the private message system (click on one of our avatars and send a message from the member's profile) then that person can send you a recommendation for their trusted agent in reply.

The only "official" website for a VOA approval letter for you is the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate website in your country (Israel).

THAT IS THE BEST RECOMMENDED SITE FOR OBTAINING A SAFE & LEGAL VISA.

At the embassy/consulate, you get an actual adhesive visa stamp before you travel, not an approval letter for obtaining the adhesive visa stamp on arrival at an airport in Vietnam.

The passport entry stamp fee (different from the adhesive visa stamp) which is given at "passport control" in an airport in Vietnam, is set by the government here and does not vary, except by type of visa. For example, that fee is $135.00 USD for a 1 year business visa (category DN.

A VOA Agent is a private business, allowed to charge ANY price for assistance in obtaining the approval letter.

Example: I've personally seen 1 Year business visas listed for anywhere between $99.00 and $800.00. Again, the stamp at the airport is separate from and in addition to the agency fee.

If you are NOT generating taxable income under Vietnamese law, you may be able to qualify for a 1 year business visa (DN) which does not require any border runs (you can stay in the country for a year without needing to exit earlier).

If you have a sponsoring business here, you can apply for the 1 year business visa (DN) through the embassy/consulate.

If you don't have a sponsor, some trusted agents can provide a sponsor for you, under a loophole in the law.

You would NOT be employed, but 'sponsored' to "explore business opportunities".

FYI, that's also a great solution for retirees who are not planning on working to generate taxable income (like me).

(My hidden disclaimer: I am not a Visa expert. I am just someone who has gone through the experience and taken it upon myself to study all available information and pass it along, without any guarantee to the reader of anything).

Thanks.
I'm from Israel but I'm actually in Bangkok right now, planning to go to Vietnam around April.
Figured I'll get the 3 months visa first and if I like it try to get the 1 year business or whatever.

I personally prefer to not use an agent, so my only option is to physically go to the Vietnamese embassy here in Bangkok?

By the way, when applying for visa on arrival - can I pay using US dollars or Euros?

Thanks,
Ben

If you don't have a sponsor, some trusted agents can provide a sponsor for you, under a loophole in the law.

You would NOT be employed, but 'sponsored' to "explore business opportunities".

FYI, that's also a great solution for retirees who are not planning on working to generate

Oceanbeach
I am retired, not interested in working, been doing the 3 months visa run VOA for in excess of 10 years now. Tried many avenues to get a 1 year with no success. Any chance of advising  me the company you use as above. Much appreciate if you can!!

BenBen23 wrote:

Thanks.
I'm from Israel but I'm actually in Bangkok right now, planning to go to Vietnam around April.
Figured I'll get the 3 months visa first and if I like it try to get the 1 year business or whatever.

I personally prefer to not use an agent, so my only option is to physically go to the Vietnamese embassy here in Bangkok?

By the way, when applying for visa on arrival - can I pay using US dollars or Euros?

Thanks,
Ben

Ben, I have been using VOA (3months multi) for over 10 years & never had a problem. Only thing is depending when you arrive (how many in front of you) dictates how long you have to wait. Can be 15 minutes if you are lucky & up to 2 hours if you are not.
As a tip.......have your letter AND! the Visa form printed out & filled in ready & with photo. Its amazing how many arrive at the desk with no form or photo & then its a fight for the 1 pen available at the desk & then having to get photos done. All this adds time to a quite long process as it is!!

Which agent do you use?
And how much do you pay (in total) for the 3 months visa?

Ben, looks like i cant tell you the agent here on this forum. But i will tell you this, search the web & compare prices cos there is a huge difference believe me. One site sent me an e mail they were giving a 15% discount & 60usd for the letter. The one I have used for at least 10 years charges me 25usd for a 3 month multi entry. On top I pay 50usd (standard fee) for the visa at the VOA desk.

By the way they will take EURO but USD is god here

n1tw1t wrote:

BenBen23 wrote:

Thanks.
I'm from Israel but I'm actually in Bangkok right now, planning to go to Vietnam around April.
Figured I'll get the 3 months visa first and if I like it try to get the 1 year business or whatever.

I personally prefer to not use an agent, so my only option is to physically go to the Vietnamese embassy here in Bangkok?

By the way, when applying for visa on arrival - can I pay using US dollars or Euros?

Thanks,
Ben

Ben, I have been using VOA (3months multi) for over 10 years & never had a problem. Only thing is depending when you arrive (how many in front of you) dictates how long you have to wait. Can be 15 minutes if you are lucky & up to 2 hours if you are not.
As a tip.......have your letter AND! the Visa form printed out & filled in ready & with photo. Its amazing how many arrive at the desk with no form or photo & then its a fight for the 1 pen available at the desk & then having to get photos done. All this adds time to a quite long process as it is!!

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind.
So I should expect to pay around US$80 every 3 months + travel fees? That's not too bad..

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind.
So I should expect to pay around US$80 every 3 months + travel fees? That's not too bad..[/quote

Yes Ben that will cover it & even less if you go 3 months single.

I fly Vietjet & if lucky get a return ticket for about 100usd, but over the years because many Viets now travel,  one time last year i had to pay nearly 300usd return.
If you have a private way i can contact I will send you the Visa on line I use, up to you.

n1tw1t wrote:

Oceanbeach
I am retired, not interested in working, been doing the 3 months visa run VOA for in excess of 10 years now. Tried many avenues to get a 1 year with no success. Any chance of advising  me the company you use as above. Much appreciate if you can!!

Since you asked me directly, I'll send you a private message. I have nothing to hide. Free 'advertising' of Visa agents on this site (even when shared as "advice") is not permitted.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

n1tw1t wrote:

Oceanbeach
I am retired, not interested in working, been doing the 3 months visa run VOA for in excess of 10 years now. Tried many avenues to get a 1 year with no success. Any chance of advising  me the company you use as above. Much appreciate if you can!!

Since you asked me directly, I'll send you a private message. I have nothing to hide. Free 'advertising' of Visa agents on this site (even when shared as "advice") is not permitted.

Thanks for that Oceanbeach, really appreciate that & if i get a 1 year it will make a big difference for me, its not the costs its the 2 pages used up every 3 months on my passport thats the killer.  i will buy you a couple of beers ok

n1tw1t wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

n1tw1t wrote:

Oceanbeach
I am retired, not interested in working, been doing the 3 months visa run VOA for in excess of 10 years now. Tried many avenues to get a 1 year with no success. Any chance of advising  me the company you use as above. Much appreciate if you can!!

Since you asked me directly, I'll send you a private message. I have nothing to hide. Free 'advertising' of Visa agents on this site (even when shared as "advice") is not permitted.

Thanks for that Oceanbeach, really appreciate that & if i get a 1 year it will make a big difference for me, its not the costs its the 2 pages used up every 3 months on my passport thats the killer.  i will buy you a couple of beers ok

Totally free recommendation, HOWEVER, I just noticed your nationality: Scottish

That "might" be why you are having problems getting a 1 Year Business (DN) visa.

As of last November, my agent told me that only U.S. citizens were being approved for that specific classification.

Anyway, you can contact the agent and find out for sure.

Question: Would you qualify for work here if you wanted it?

IF you can obtain a LEGAL contract and work permit, you can apply for a temporary resident certificate.

You don't need to work full time, according to my agent, as there is no minimum requirement for hours worked.

Just make sure it's a legal contract. Don't pay for a bogus contract and work permit or you could really get in a jam.

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

n1tw1t wrote:

OceanBeach92107 wrote:

Since you asked me directly, I'll send you a private message. I have nothing to hide. Free 'advertising' of Visa agents on this site (even when shared as "advice") is not permitted.

Thanks for that Oceanbeach, really appreciate that & if i get a 1 year it will make a big difference for me, its not the costs its the 2 pages used up every 3 months on my passport thats the killer.  i will buy you a couple of beers ok

Totally free recommendation, HOWEVER, I just noticed your nationality: Scottish

That "might" be why you are having problems getting a 1 Year Business (DN) visa.

As of last November, my agent told me that only U.S. citizens were being approved for that specific classification.

Anyway, you can contact the agent and find out for sure.

Question: Would you qualify for work here if you wanted it?

IF you can obtain a LEGAL contract and work permit, you can apply for a temporary resident certificate.

You don't need to work full time, according to my agent, as there is no minimum requirement for hours worked.

Just make sure it's a legal contract. Don't pay for a bogus contract and work permit or you could really get in a jam.

Mate, just been in contact with Suzanne your friend & yes, only 1 year for US citizens. Oh well BKK for a day every 3 months is not that bad I suppose hahaha. Dont really want to complicate things Gordy so will just stay like it is, you never know things might change. Anyways thanks for your help

AC

Hi there,
You can rent a month or few months on Airbnb
Regarding to visa, just visit here then asking to apply visa tourist, 3month, 6m or more depends on...

Thanks,

Lisahoang wrote:

Regarding to visa, just visit here then asking to apply visa tourist, 3month, 6m or more depends on...

That's a VERY BAD advice.  Aside from citizens of the 24 exempted countries, everyone needs a visa BEFORE entering Vietnam.  Out of all the participants on this thread, @Bumblebee123 from Japan is the only person who can visit VN without applying for visa ahead of time.

"Just visit here then asking to apply"?  Good God ! 

HI

Sorry, I mean to extend visa when at VN already.

To the OP Ben..
Well, it’s now April & your probably here now as you planned. 

Two tips from Yogi to preserve your financial well being & maintain your sanity.   

1).  Castration.         This procedure could possibly be the single most important factor regarding your financial & mental well being.

2).   “Captain Save a Hoe.”      Please don’t become one of those deluded schmucks that ride into town thinking they can “save” a girl from the bar & turn her into wifey .    It’ll work for a while,,,,until your cash runs out.

Yogi rotates between four countries in this region.   From what I’ve seen,,,most  of the “carnage” Expats bring upon themselves can be attributed to the above two factors.

Aye aye Captain 👩‍✈️

Spend more, avoid the VISA runs. I once got a year's B-VISA. T-VISAs are cheaper...

Both, VIETTEL and VINAPHONE have 2 GB a day plans. (FTP shops advertize 3 GB a day or 90 GB a month, but i am sure there will be a catch like a post-paid subscription or "the need to buy a new Iphone". I had both, they are okay for 4 G LTE. VINAPHONE's plan is only 89 k a month. But you will want fiber optics ...

Take the meter readings and document that properly :---(

My wife and I are planning on relocating to VN and more specifically Da Nang or Hoi An. Tried to contact a couple of the listings but all I receive is a page saying that the feature is not available. Tried to even contact expat.com but once submitted it wants a code but there is no code feature either. Any suggestions?

Just and FYI, I have lived in China for the past 17 years and it is time to move on.

Ron

For your wife's sake, take a few minutes to learn how to navigate the forum before posting.

You are replying to a thread listed under the Ho Chi Minh City forum, so you are not likely to get a lot of answers about Danang here.

On to your question:

Chewdog wrote:

My wife and I are planning on relocating to VN and more specifically Da Nang or Hoi An. Tried to contact a couple of the listings but all I receive is a page saying that the feature is not available. Tried to even contact expat.com but once submitted it wants a code but there is no code feature either. Any suggestions?

Yes.

1. On Facebook, search for

1755676684734081

Under "groups" you should find the Danang/Hoi An listing.

Many agents and landlords there will be very happy to accept your advance deposit, highly inflated in exchange for you being given dubious peace of mind

2. Alternatively, explain to your wife that, unless you like taking huge risks with more money than you really need to secure housing in Danang, you will wait until you actually have boots on the ground in country (staying at a comfortable hotel with free breakfast) before you actually drive around with an inexpensive driver to choose from real vacancies available for immediate occupancy.

NOTE: Using the housing listings online before you are actually here in Vietnam is (in my mind) a sucker bet.

Sincere best wishes for good luck to you.

Thanks a lot for your reply. We just returned from being in Danamg. We met with a recommended agent and were able to view a few places did not rent a place. He knows what we are looking for and our budget. Since we are just next door we can hop a flight at anytime. Thank you for letting me know that I was in the wrong forum.

Cheers,