Vietnam’s visa policies have placed the country in the bottom 10 of the Expat Essentials Index, which ranks countries based on how favorable expatriates find their living conditions. The index is informed by the annual Expat Insider survey conducted by InterNations, the world’s largest online community of expats. For the 2022 edition of the index, 11,970 expats of 177 nationalities living in 181 countries and territories were asked to provide information on various aspects of expat life. To be included in the index, each destination needed at least 50 survey participants, and 52 countries and territories met this requirement.
Vietnam was ranked 46th in the overall index, which included four subcategories: Digital Life, Admin Topics, Housing, and Language. The country was placed 51st out of 52 destinations for the Admin Topics Subcategory, with 48% of surveyed expats reporting difficulties obtaining a visa to move to Vietnam, double the global average of 24%. Additionally, 66% found it challenging to deal with the local bureaucracy, compared to 39% globally, and 41% found it difficult to open a local bank account, compared to 21% globally.
Vietnam also ranked last for the availability of government services online in the Digital Life Subcategory, where it placed 49th. In the Language Subcategory, the country fell in the bottom 10, ranking 47th and last for the ease of learning the local language. However, 65% of respondents reported that it is easy to live in Vietnam without speaking the local language, compared to 51% globally.
On the positive side, Vietnam excelled in the Housing Subcategory, where it ranked fifth. Almost seven in 10 expats considered housing in Vietnam affordable, and 76% reported that it is easy to find a house there. Bahrain was ranked the best destination for expats, while Germany was ranked the worst. Singapore came third in the list, and Indonesia ranked sixth, thanks to affordable housing and the language advantage.
Vietnam was ranked 46th in the overall index, which included four subcategories: Digital Life, Admin Topics, Housing, and Language. The country was placed 51st out of 52 destinations for the Admin Topics Subcategory, with 48% of surveyed expats reporting difficulties obtaining a visa to move to Vietnam, double the global average of 24%. Additionally, 66% found it challenging to deal with the local bureaucracy, compared to 39% globally, and 41% found it difficult to open a local bank account, compared to 21% globally.
Vietnam also ranked last for the availability of government services online in the Digital Life Subcategory, where it placed 49th. In the Language Subcategory, the country fell in the bottom 10, ranking 47th and last for the ease of learning the local language. However, 65% of respondents reported that it is easy to live in Vietnam without speaking the local language, compared to 51% globally.
On the positive side, Vietnam excelled in the Housing Subcategory, where it ranked fifth. Almost seven in 10 expats considered housing in Vietnam affordable, and 76% reported that it is easy to find a house there. Bahrain was ranked the best destination for expats, while Germany was ranked the worst. Singapore came third in the list, and Indonesia ranked sixth, thanks to affordable housing and the language advantage.
