πŸ‡»πŸ‡³ Vietnam Guide

Your First 30 Days Back in Vietnam

You just landed. Whether it's Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, this checklist will carry you through the first month β€” one step at a time.

Days 1–3: Land Safe

  • Get through customs β€” carry deportation paperwork and any ID
  • Exchange USD or have VND ready (1 USD β‰ˆ 24,500 VND at currency counters)
  • Buy a Viettel or Mobifone SIM at the airport β€” 50,000–100,000 VND
  • Call or message family immediately
  • Take a taxi or Grab (ride app) to a budget hotel (200,000–400,000 VND/night)
  • Save Police 113, Ambulance 115, Fire 114 in your phone
  • Eat a proper meal and rest β€” recovery begins now

Days 4–7: Get Connected

  • Download Grab, ZaloPay, and MoMo apps on your phone
  • Locate the nearest HCMC or Hanoi civil registration office for documents
  • Visit Vietcombank or Techcombank to open a basic account (bring ID/passport)
  • Have family send money via Remitly or Western Union to Vietnam
  • Join 'Expat Corner HCMC' or relevant Facebook groups for advice
  • Explore your neighborhood on foot β€” know your surroundings

Week 2: Documents & Stability

  • Apply for a Family Registration Book (Hα»™ KhαΊ©u) if you are a citizen
  • Contact the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City if needed (+84 28 3520 4200)
  • Find monthly housing β€” budget 2,000,000–5,000,000 VND ($80–200) for a room
  • Register for Vietnam Social Health Insurance (BHYT) if eligible
  • Visit FV Hospital or Vinmec for any health concerns (English spoken)
  • Look into HCMC's ESL teaching market β€” high demand year-round

Week 3–4: Start Rebuilding

  • Apply to English teaching centers (ILA, Wall Street English, RMIT continuing ed)
  • Check Vietnamworks.com and TopCV.vn for local job listings
  • Consider freelance work if you have tech, design, or writing skills
  • Explore the hospitality sector β€” hotels and restaurants hire quickly
  • Build a routine: morning walk, language apps, connection with community
  • Read the Vietnam cost of living guide to plan your budget
  • Remind yourself: millions rebuild after setbacks β€” you will too
"Vietnam moves fast. The cities are full of energy, English teaching pays well, and cost of living is low. If you stay disciplined, you can stabilize quickly."

Next Steps

Find Housing in Ho Chi Minh City β†’Get a SIM Card β†’Receive Money from the USA β†’Find Work in Vietnam β†’Emergency Numbers β†’Cost of Living β†’

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