If you’re thinking of moving to Hoi An you have taken the first step to making one of the best decisions of your life. This quaint little town is an addictive experience and one guaranteed to permeate your soul. Ask any expat and you’ll hear why: ‘wonderful beaches, a UNESCO Heritage-listed Old Town, great facilities, world-class restaurants and shopping and a vast expanse of countryside where sharing the road with the odd sauntering cow, goose or water-buffalo all seems a perfectly natural experience …’ the reply begins and there’s so much more.
But moving to any new place has to be planned and researched. Is it safe? How do you open a bank account? Rent a house? What’s the weather like? And, above all, can you afford to live there? No more wading through copious expat sites or trying to find the phone number you wrote down. So here you go. And please, share back – the more information we all have the better off we’ll all be!
Money & Houses
Buying a House in Vietnam
Buying a house in Vietnam can be complicated for foreigners. Much depends on your visa status, or whether you’re married to a Vietnamese partner. There are also complex laws surrounding land ownership, even if you’ve legally purchased a property. Read about the law on buying a house here and find links to the people you’ll need to speak to.
Living Accommodation
If you’re looking to live in Hoi An for a lengthy period, you’ll likely want to rent your own apartment or house. There’s a great range of properties available in Hoi An, from the traditional to the modern. You can either rent through an estate agent or directly through the owner. It’s worth knowing a thing or two about the process before you commit – find our guide to long-term accommodation here.
Jobs
There is work to be found in Hoi An, but you won’t find the diversity that you’ll find in big cities like Hanoi, HCMC or Da Nang. Being a tourist town, a lot of work is centered around tourism and hospitality. There are some teaching opportunities available however, and plenty of digital nomads passing through working in digital marketing. It’s also worth bearing in mind that a tourist visa limits your capacity to work. Find our guide to jobs here.
Cost of Living
By Western standards, the cost of living in Hoi An can be cheap. Essentials such as food, accommodation, and transport can all be found much cheaper than you’ll be used to back home. You’ll pay more if you’re looking for specific Western treats that have been imported, but if you eat and shop locally then huge savings can be made. Our Cost of Living page tells you everything you need to know.
Opening a Bank Account
It can be convenient to open a Vietnamese bank account if you’re staying in Hoi An for a long time. Some banks will even allow you to open accounts in foreign currencies. Rules are varied as to where you can open one however, depending on your visa status. It’s also essential to have a Vietnamese-speaker with you when you try to open an account, and be aware that they often include limitations compared to the account you may be used to back home. Find our guide to opening a bank account here.
Tips & Essentials
For an overall look at essential things to know when in Vietnam, including money tips, post offices and an idea on prices, check out our Tips & Essentials‘ page.
Schools
If you’re planning to stay in Hoi An long-term and have children, then the town has two international schools to choose from:
Green Shoots International School
Daily Life in Vietnam
Pets
Keeping an animal in a different country means there’s a lot to be aware of. From the best vets to grooming services, microchipping, shelters, food and even adopting a pet, you’ll find everything you need to know on our dedicated pets‘ page.
Repairs
If you’re new to a town it’s always handy to have a good list of contacts for getting things fixed! On our Repairs‘ page you’ll find tried-and-tested services in the area if anything goes wrong with your motorbike, PC, camera or phone.
Hoi An Nightlife & Social Scene
There’s a growing list of things to do in Hoi An, away from the usual pursuits of sport, relaxation and eating fabulous food! You’ll find our ever-growing list of social clubs, meeting places and creative groups here.
Healthcare in Vietnam
Healthcare has come a long way in recent years in Vietnam, and being close to Da Nang puts you close to one of the country’s best private hospitals. The standard has risen across the board, with some excellent opticians, dentists and GP-style doctors around too. Find our recommendations on our Healthcare in Vietnam page.
Driving Licenses
The issue of driving licenses for foreigners in Vietnam is pretty complex, regardless of whether you’ve a driving license already issued in your home country. Although many foreigners ride motorbikes without a license, there are risks to be aware of if you choose to do this. You’ll also find out how to obtain a license if this is something you’re looking to get whilst living in Hoi An.
Visas
The issue of visas can often seem complex – and in many cases it is! So we’ve compiled all the information you need, in one place. From applying for the right visa before you leave your home country, to renewing a visa and the various ways you can do this, you’ll find it all here.
Weather
Although Hoi An has two seasons – wet and dry – but like the rest of the world, the climate can be unpredictable at times. And given its location, you’ll often find the region to be in a completely different weather system to what is going on north and south. Check out our weather page for the lowdown on what you can expect when living in Hoi An.
Transport
Getting around a town is essential knowledge to have wherever you are, unless you enjoy being stuck in the house with the curtains’ drawn. Our transport page gives you all the info on public transport around Hoi An, plus links to road rules and traveling further afield to the likes of Hue, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.