海角乱伦

Are there many expats in Hanoi or just HCMC?

Both cities have a sizeable expat community. Estimates are ~50,000 expats in Hanoi, with Saigon having more.

Which is a better place to be based? - @daviddomoney

That's a broad question. "Better" for what?

Are there many expats in Hanoi or just HCMC?
Both cities have a sizeable expat community. Estimates are ~50,000 expats in Hanoi, with Saigon having more.
Which is a better place to be based? - @daviddomoney
That's a broad question. "Better" for what? - @Aidan in HCMC

Not to nitpick, but what's your source for that estimate. It seems a bit high.

Are there many expats in Hanoi or just HCMC?
Which is a better place to be based? - @daviddomoney

My advice would be to skip both. There was a time decades ago when large Asian cities still had some charm. Now, with massive overdevelopment and overpopulation, you'd聽 be better off in a smaller city.

Are there many expats in Hanoi or just HCMC? Both cities have a sizeable expat community. Estimates are ~50,000 expats in Hanoi, with Saigon having more.Which is a better place to be based? - @daviddomoneyThat's a broad question. "Better" for what?聽 - @Aidan in HCMCNot to nitpick, but what's your source for that estimate. It seems a bit high. - @jayrozzetti23

We just had a recent discussion in a FB 海角乱伦 group about whether people on 90 day tourist visas and visa exemptions should really be counted as "expats living in Vietnam".

as a part of that argument, someone mentioned that perhaps tourism numbers have increased due to so many people exiting and reentering the country on new visas and Visa exemptions.

We wondered if the government is counting every entry of a foreigner as a brand new foreigner coming into Vietnam.

it also seems plausible that people coming into this country simply for tourism purposes are being lumped in together with foreigners who are expats relocating here.

very easy to see how both demographic groups could be statistically inflated.

Both cities have a sizeable expat community. Estimates are ~50,000 expats in Hanoi, with Saigon having more.
That's a broad question. "Better" for what?聽 - @Aidan in HCMC

Not to nitpick, but what's your source for that estimate. It seems a bit high. - @jayrozzetti23

Oops, my bad. I should have provided a citation.

"Hanoi is a city of over seven million people, including a population of approximately 50,000 expatriates..."

"Hanoi is home to approximately 50,000 expatriates."

That quoted "50,000 expats in Hanoi" is a recurring theme.

...someone mentioned that perhaps tourism numbers have increased due to so many people exiting and reentering the country on new visas and Visa exemptions.

We wondered if the government is counting every entry of a foreigner as a brand new foreigner coming into Vietnam.

I've very little doubt that this is indeed the case. Plumps up those tourism numbers, quite nicely.

it also seems plausible that people coming into this country simply for tourism purposes are being lumped in together with foreigners who are expats relocating here.

very easy to see how both demographic groups could be statistically inflated. - @OceanBeach92107

Wouldn't surprise me to learn that in the eyes of VN immigration, any & all foreigners with a declared "temporary residence in Vietnam" will be counted/listed under a single umbrella designation. That's not to say that immigration is unaware of the differences and the numbers for each category.

@jayrozzetti23

Interesting thanks - better Danang?

Interesting thanks

@Aidan in HCMC

For work/life balance?

@Aidan in HCMC
For work/life balance? - @daviddomoney

is this a contest where you can ask the fewest words in a question in order to get the most words and an answer?

talk about yourself and what you want in life otherwise nobody knows.

@Aidan in HCMC
For work/life balance? - @daviddomoney

Okay, I'll bite馃槈

What type of work? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

As mentioned by member OceanBeach92107, you'll have to give us a little more to work on.

@jayrozzetti23
Interesting thanks - better Danang? - @daviddomoney

Well, it's the most popular city in Vietnam and only has a population of 1.2 million, so it's gotta be better than HN or HCMC, right? Plus it has a beach.

But it looks pretty overbuilt and most tropical storms seem to land there.

Anywayz, you can always try it out and then move somewhere else if you don't like it.

People on these forums always seem to think they're gonna choose the perfect place and then live there "forever". I guess that could happen, but these days places change quickly, usually for the worse.

@OceanBeach92107

Yeah probably need give it some thought and write a more detailed answer. Was thinking be good move to Vietnam.

I presume the most job opportunities are in HCMC followed by Hanoi. I would have thought Hanoi is less busy than HCMC but maybe less job opportunities.

I am more interested in parks, cafes than bars/nightlife for example.

I first came to Vietnam 15 years ago, arriving in Hanoi. At that time, I found life there to be a bit more challenging, so I decided to move to Ho Chi Minh City (HCM), where life felt easier. Of course, this was 15 years ago.

Now, both cities have developed significantly, offering plenty of opportunities for those with the right qualifications.

Personally, I prefer HCM because it doesn't have a winter season.

Sure thing thanks

Didn't think of the seasons part

@OceanBeach92107
Yeah probably need give it some thought and write a more detailed answer. Was thinking be good move to Vietnam.
I presume the most job opportunities are in HCMC followed by Hanoi. I would have thought Hanoi is less busy than HCMC but maybe less job opportunities.
I am more interested in parks, cafes than bars/nightlife for example. - @daviddomoney

What is your area of expertise?

business development

business development - @daviddomoney

You've mentioned the availability of "jobs" as one of the factors you are considering.

In order to be legally EMPLOYED in Vietnam you must be qualified as an expert in a field considered to be critical for the national needs as determined by the government.聽

It must be an employment field currently unable to be staffed by citizens of Vietnam.

I may be wrong but I'm not aware of any critical need by the government for employees in the field of "business development", and I would expect that anyone being hired into that employment field would need to be very fluent in the Vietnamese language (Ti岷縩g Vi峄噒).聽

If you personally wanted to develop a business here in Vietnam and live here as an active business person, you would need to first consider the minimum requirements for Capital contribution to your business.

It only takes the equivalent of a few thousand US dollars to start a business here, but in order to have your business qualify you for a one year 膼T4 Business Visa, you will need to have a minimum 鈧�600 million Vi峄噒 Nam 膽峄搉g capital contribution (currently $23,042.80 USD) PLUS enlist the services of a Vietnamese CPA to handle your mandatory accounting needs, plus the expenses for a brick and mortar storefront, since foreigners do not qualify for a business Visa with virtual online business activity.

Ironically it will be you who will almost certainly need to enlist the services of a Vietnamese firm specializing in "business development" for foreigners.

Those firms are usually run by an attorney who specializes in business law for foreigners.

I highly suggest that before you start the process of deciding where you want to live in Vietnam, if you are serious about establishing a business presence here, come to Vi峄噒 Nam on a 3-month tourist visa and scout out possible locations as well as favorable conditions for whatever business you plan to develop.

Otherwise you will be limited to 3 month tourist visas as long as you attempt to live here, with the requirement that you absolutely must leave the country every 3 months in order to first apply for your next Visa and then re-enter the country when that next Visa is approved.

Okay thanks seems I had some misconceptions about how easy it was to get a work permit in Vietnam. Will have to explore things further.

It's not that difficult, as many international and local companies in Vietnam are actively seeking to expand into overseas markets and need capable individuals to support these efforts.

It's always wise to research thoroughly before making any decisions. If you have the necessary qualifications, the best approach would be to contact headhunting agencies in Vietnam. They can assist you in finding better opportunities tailored to your requirements.

Sure thanks alot