Vietnam Expat Essentials – Insurance & Daily Life
Bordered by China to the north and Laos to the northwest, Vietnam is the eighth most populous Asian country. Most Vietnamese live in the Red and Mekong River deltas. Vietnam is a fascinating country with islands of Halong Bay and beaches of Nha Trang and palaces of Hue, attracting millions of visitors and expats all over the world.
Vietnam has been occupied by many foreign powers over its long history. Therefore, the Vietnam culture contains elements derived from the Chinese and French cultures. For example, the religion in Vietnam is a Buddhist majority, also ancient China Confucian and Taoist minorities. Vietnamese is the official language.
The climate in Vietnam varies from north to south. Generally speaking, the weather is quite hot all year round. It is best to go visiting the beaches of Danang, Hoi An and Nha Trang between May and August.
Dining in Vietnam
Vietnamese cuisine consists of rice or noodles and is generally considered very healthy. The most famous Vietnamese cuisine you might hear of is Pho: a fresh herb and vegetable noodle soup, usually with beef or pork. Another popular Vietnamese dish is Nem: spring rolls with eggs, mushrooms, pork and noodles, usually deep fried and served hot. For a quick lunch to go, you won’t want to miss trying a famous Ban Minh sandwich, usually available by food-cart. Vietnamese cuisine is characterized by the presence of shrimp paste and fish sauce. There are also many international restaurants available for expatriates. Many expats enjoy excellent street food in bustling urban areas.
Shopping in Vietnam
From eggshell art, carvings, paintings, and statues to clothes, watches, belts, jewellery and silk products, shopping in Vietnam is a great experience for many visitors and expats. There are many new shopping malls in Ho Chi Minh city. Markets in Ho Chi Minh are also highly recommended as they offer a true shopping experience that visitors won’t forget. One of the largest markets is Ben Thanh Market where expatriates can obtain early morning’s fresh produce to late night’s night market. You can shop for local produce, apparels, and souvenirs until midnight.
Safety in Vietnam
According to travel information of Government of Canada, though there’s no nationwide advisory in effect for Vietnam. Visitors and expats should exercise a high degree of caution due to increasing petty crime targeting foreigners, especially in larger cities. Make sure to use authorized taxi companies when leaving the airports in Vietnam. Always keep your personal belongings and passports and other travel documents in a secure place at all times. The roads are quite hectic in Vietnam so you should also exercise caution when driving or walking the streets.
Obtain important information on the international insurance plans that are offered by Expat Financial to expatriates and some local nationals in the Vietnam Expat Insurance video:
Housing in Vietnam
The cost of living in Vietnam is much lower than in Canada or US, making it an attractive expat destination. According to Numbeo, to rent an apartment with one bedroom in the city center would cost an average of just over $400 USD as of December 2016. The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city center would be around $2,064.94, whereas outside of city center the price would drop to $825.84 on average. Generally, expatriates in Vietnam will pay more than locals.
Expat Healthcare in Vietnam
Currently, healthcare system in Vietnam is under process to making it universal for its citizens. Although the standard of medical care is considered good in cities, in rural areas it is still insufficient and not readily available. At present, most expats opt to use private hospitals as these are usually equipped with English-speaking medical staffs. The standard of care in private hospitals in Vietnam is quite good. They have doctors from the US, Japan and Europe. The cost of private medical care can vary considerably. Expats should ensure that they obtain international health insurance before moving to Vietnam. Many expats may want to seek medical treatment in Bangkok or Singapore for specialist and medical emergencies.
Insurance for Expatriates in Vietnam
Most expatriates will want to obtain international medical coverage if residing in Vietnam. Medical evacuation is recommended along with a plan that provides international medical treatment. Health insurance in Vietnam for expats, it is important that you obtain a plan that will provide reimbursement for medical expenses via a large network of hospitals. Many expats should also obtain global life and disability insurance coverage while residing in Vietnam.
Here is a list of different types of expat insurance in Vietnam, you will want if you are planning to become an expatriate in Vietnam:
If you require a quote for insurance coverage in Vietnam, contact Expat Financial today for a quote and to discuss your Vietnamese expat insurance requirements.
