Most foreigners who live in Nha Trang—and there are close to a thousand of them—seem to agree on one thing. Once they have moved here, they never want to leave. Here, you can be footsteps away from one of the most beautiful bays in the world or a short drive from some of the prettiest landscapes in Southeast Asia.
Nha Trang is a special place—it’s a melting pot of nationalities and cultures. As a result, you can eat at a different restaurant every day, enjoying a huge variety of Vietnamese and international cuisines that reflect the tastes of Nha Trang’s diverse population.
French speakers are as comfortable here as English speakers; large numbers of French and French-Canadian expatriates reside alongside the Europeans, Russians, Australians, Indians, and Americans who live here.
Most importantly, a large number of Vietnamese are fluent in English, French, or both, making communication less of a challenge than it is in many other Asian cities.
There are modern supermarkets and upscale clothing stores, and convenient, vibrant traditional markets. Also, you’ll find numerous spas and an excellent hot spring spa and resort.
Vietnam‘s largest amusement park and aquarium is in Nha Trang, and there is even a miniature golf course here—the first one in Asia.
Nha Trang, Vietnam, is a social place, and with such a large foreign population, there are plenty of opportunities to make friends.
Nha Trang has been a popular resort town for almost a century, and foreigners have always been made to feel welcome.
Spend a few months here, and you’ll likely have as many Vietnamese friends as you will expats.
With relatively straight-forward immigration laws, it’s easy to stay in Vietnam long-term and join the ever-growing number of foreigners who have decided to make Nha Trang their home.
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
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Nha Trang’s low cost of living allows you to enjoy a high quality lifestyle at an affordable price. A couple can live well in Nha Trang for about US$750 per month.
Renting a house or apartment here is generally very easy on the budget. There are decent apartments in good neighborhoods starting at around US$125; for this amount, you could expect to rent an unfurnished, two-bedroom apartment with 24-hour security. However, these units would not include housekeeping or any utilities and may not include an air conditioner.
An experienced full time housekeeper will cost around US$125 per month and a meal for two won’t strain the budget for more than perhaps US$10.
Although rents are often quoted in U.S. dollars, the law states that rent—other than for hotels—should be paid in Vietnamese dong. In Nha Trang, many owners prefer to be paid in dollars and if dong is offered as payment, it may be converted at a less favorable rate than a bank would charge.
Additionally, the banks in Vietnam may not give as good of an exchange rate as you could get outside of the country. So it’s best to come to Vietnam with an adequate supply of U.S. dollars.
| Expense | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | VND 7,403,440 | |
| Gas | VND 122,814 | Used for cooking. |
| Electricity | VND 736,962 | Moderate air conditioning use. |
| Water | VND 122,814 | |
| Telephone | VND 122,814 | |
| Internet | VND 245,627 | Unlimited access. |
| Cable TV | VND 122,814 | |
| Groceries | VND 3,681,356 | |
| Entertainment | VND 3,681,356 | |
| Total | VND 16,239,997 |
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It is easy to get around on foot in Nha Trang as the town is pedestrian friendly. For longer journeys there are the usual Vietnamese options.
The fastest way to get around is via the motorbike taxi, known locally as Xe Om. These are cheap and efficient although you can expect to pay a premium during adverse weather.
The cheapest way to travel is via public transport. The bus system in Nha Trang covers most of the city and is the best option if you are travelling to popular locations such as the beach or shopping malls.
Taxi’s are reliable and often driven by English speakers. If you are new in town this can be a good way to learn the lay of the land, and avoid paying over the odds.
Thanks to the diverse expat population, there is a range of different cuisines available for eating out. Nha Trang is one of the best places for international cuisine in Vietnam.
Of course one o the most popular things to do in Nha Trang is to hit the beach. The clean, white sand beaches are lined with palm trees and a great place to spend the day. There are lots of restaurants and bars here as well, making it a lively option after dark.
The bay is home to more than 12,000 hectares of coral reef popular with divers. If you want to learn how to scuba dive there are excellent local schools. You can also expect to see lots of fish snorkeling.
A visit to the doctor in Nha Trang costs about US$10 and many expatriates living here say that they are quite comfortable receiving care in these facilities for general medical issues, broken bones, and infections.
Additionally, there are several excellent physicians with various specialties scattered throughout the city. On average a visit with a specialist, with a full examination, costs around US$2.
When you have an urge for a massage, you’ll find a wide selection of spas and a multitude of individual practitioners.
A skilled sixty minute massage by a blind masseur costs only around US$2. A one-hour massage at an upscale spa will generally be less than US$20.
When shopping for food at the traditional market, it’s important to have a sense of what something should cost. Ask a trusted Vietnamese friend what a fair price would be for a particular item. They’ll usually give you a price range.
After you find the item, it isn’t uncommon to be charged the same or even less than what you expect – usually a bit less than that same item would cost in the grocery store.
Many foreigners living in Vietnam say that the care that they have received at these facilities has been excellent. Any medical condition can be treated at the French Hospitals, including trauma.
For complex illnesses or surgeries, most foreigners chose to be treated in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, or in their home countries, where international-standard medical care is routine.
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There is a vibrant and mixed expat population in Nha Trang. A cosmopolitan city, there are expats from Europe, China, Australia, Russia Canada, and the USA. French and English are both widely spoken by locals which is a definite plus.
Nha Trang, Vietnam seems to cast a spell on expats who move here. Around one thousand have already fallen under it, and that number looks set to increase. The bay, and surrounding countryside is the main attraction, and attracts retirees from across the globe.
For a long time this has been one of the best destinations for retiring in Vietnam. Thanks to Vietnam’s recent economic progress, we would even venture that Nha Trang is one of the best places to retire in Asia.
For example, the city is undergoing big change, with new high rise buildings going up and tourist numbers increasing.
Most expats stay away from the tourist areas when possible and opt for a quieter life in the suburbs. Here’s what you need to know about retiring in Nha Trang.
Like most of Vietnam, Nha Trang has a tropical climate. This means hot weather all year. For folks used to a cold weather climate, this is one main reasons they are retiring in Nha Trang.
Most importantly, the dry season runs from May until mid-August. During these months there is very little rainfall.
July is also the hottest month of the year in Nha Trang when you will want to do little more than lounge on the beach.
The monsoon season is from September to December. In short, during these months you can expect heavy downpours most days.
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Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
Medications in Vietnam cost a fraction of what they cost in the West. And, chances are good that they will be authentic. However, when in doubt about authenticity get your medications at the hospital or at one of the larger pharmacies.
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