Life in Viet Nam

Vietnam has a population of about 94,349,000 people, 33.6% of them are living in Vietnam’s urban spaces and is also home to 54 ethnic minority groups. Vietnam’s biggest cities are Ho Chi Minh City (7.298 million) and Hanoi (3.629 million). However, Haiphong and Da Nang are also attractive locations, with urban populations of 1.075 million and 952,000 respectively.

The biggest ethnic group in Vietnam is the Kinh, making up a large majority of the population. 

The official national language of Vietnam is Vietnamese, the mother language of 85% Vietnamese citizens. 

Vietnamese people have their own compatriotism to love peace and freedom. Vietnamese people are also famous for diligence and hospitality… 

In Vietnam, greetings is a natural beauty and has become a feature of Vietnamese culture. Greeting is to present the goodwill, respect, politeness toward the person we are talking to. Greetings aim to not only confirm and enhance the existed relationships but also to build the new relationships.In Vietnam, greetings is a natural beauty and has become a feature of Vietnamese culture. Greeting is to present the goodwill, respect, politeness toward the person we are talking to. Greetings aim to not only confirm and enhance the existed relationships but also to build the new relationshipsIn Vietnam, greetings is a natural beauty and has become a feature of Vietnamese culture. Greeting is to present the goodwill, respect, politeness toward the person we are talking to. Greetings aim to not only confirm and enhance the existed relationships but also to build the new relationships.

In terms of religious affiliation, most people living in Vietnam claim none, although a mixture of Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism remains important. Of those who do claim religious orthodoxy, 9.3% are observing Buddhists, while an even smaller part is Catholic. The latter is a remnant of the French occupation, which brought Catholicism to those living in Vietnam.  

New shopping malls are springing up all over the cities of Vietnam with the wide range of products. Markets (especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh) are also highly recommended as they still play a central role in the daily lives of locals and visitors – truly a shopping experience you won’t forget quickly.

Prices of goods in Vietnam are cheap, foods could be bought from large supermarkets or retail markets of Vietnam. The local food such as rice, wheat and vegetables are available in major markets or wet-market, both domestic and imported goods are available in the system of supermarkets in Vietnam.

Here are some systems and chains of supermarkets in Vietnam:

Name	Adress	Website
	- 222 Tran Duy Hung, Trung Hoa, Cau Giay, Hanoi - 202B Hoang Van Thu, W.9, Phu Nhuan, HCMC	www.bigc.vn/en/sieu-thi-gan-nhat.aspx
	- Pham Van Dong, Co Nhue, Tu Liem, Hanoi - An Phu, An Khanh, Dist. 2, HCMC	www.metro.com.vn/public/trang-chu/trung-tam-metro
	- Km 10, Nguyen Trai, Mo Lao Ward, Ha Dong Dist, Hanoi - 158 Road 19, Binh Tri Dong B, Binh Tan, HCMC	www.co-opmart.com.vn/lienhe/hethongcoopmart.aspx
	- 210 Tran Quang Khai, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi	www.fivimart.com.vn/lienhe.asp
	- 25 Ba Trieu, Hang Bai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi - Vincom Center Dong Khoi, 72 Le Thanh Ton, Dist. 1, HCMC	http://vinmart.com/he-thong-vinmart.html

Vietnam cuisine is very rich with lots of special dishes symbolizing for different areas of this country. There are also many foreign restaurants such as European or Asian restaurants available to serve. Hanoi is especially a cuisine cradle, displaying special dishes from domestic and many parts of the world. 

Vietnam has a number of special dishes such as:

The range of restaurants that serve Korean food, Japanese food and European food in Hanoi and Hochiminh city:

Regarding to telecommunication, most parts of the country have excellent mobile networks and 3G coverage, however, the network in remote areas is less strong compare to the central areas. Telecommunications market in Vietnam is very diverse, with many different operators will meet demand of consumers including the major national networks as Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone, ...

People can easily purchase SIM of the networks mentioned above in point, agents of each sim card carrier without procedures; most networks in Vietnam are now 3G, and easily access the internet quickly. People can buy sim, phone cards from the lobby A1 and A2 (1st floor) at the Noi Bai International Airport or from a number of stores, dealers of the network carrier in the following addresses: 

- Viettel Store: 111 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho, Hanoi // 32 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 

- Mobifone: No. 4 Dinh Le, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi // 45 Thai Ha, Hanoi

- Vinaphone: 57A Huynh Thuc Khang, Dong Da, Hanoi // 216 Tran Duy Hung, Cau Giay, Hanoi

- Viettel Store:  362 Nguyen Thi Dinh, Thanh My Loi Ward, Dist. 2, HCM,…

- Mobifone: 80 Nguyen Du, Ben Nghe Ward, Dist. 1, HCM // 489 An Duong Vuong, Phuong An Lac A, Binh Tan Ward, HCM,…

- Vinaphone: 493 Đien Bien Phu, Dist. 3, HCM // 537 Kinh Duong Vuong, Binh Tan Ward, HCM, …

http://vietteltelecom.vn/, 

http://www.mobifone.com.vn/wps/portal/public, 

http://www.vinaphone.com.vn/ 

Vietnam has made significant improvements in medical in recent years, a growing number of hospitals and centers, professional clinics and pharmacies reach to international standards serving health care needs of people. Vietnamese government is increasingly concerned about health of community; therefore, many hospital projects are in the process of construction in several provinces near the capital. 

The range of national hospitals and international hospitals in Hanoi and Hochiminh city:  

- Bach Mai Hospital (78 Giai Phong Street, Dong Da, Hanoi)

- National Hospital of Otolaryngology (78 Giai Phong Street, Dong Da, Hanoi)

- National Hospital of Endocrinology (Yen Lang, Thai Thinh, Dong Da, Hanoi)

- National Hospital of Pediatrics (18/879 La Thanh, Dong Da, Hanoi)

- Vinmec International Hospital (458 Minh Khai, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi)

- Vietnam-France Hospital in Hanoi (No.1, Phuong Mai, Dong Da, Hanoi)

- Ho Chi Minh Oncological Hospital (3 No Trang Long, Ward 7, Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh city)

- Hanh Phuc Hospital (Binh Duong Avenue, Thuan An Town, Binh Duong province)

- France-Vietnam Hospital (6 Nguyen Luong Bang, Southern Sai Gon (Phu My Hung), Dist. 7, Ho Chi Minh city)

Regarding to housing, leases for land are always available at prices that suit each object, purpose and fully equipped with utensils, living equipment in large cities or nearby industrial park. As an expatriate living in Vietnam, you can choose between multiple different types of accommodation:

- Serviced apartments are a good choice if you are planning to stay for only a couple of months. They are usually located in high-rise buildings or hotels and come fully equipped with furniture, a reception, a gym, and restaurants. Services like housekeeping are also included in the rent.

- Regular apartments give you more independence and flexibility aside from leaving more money in your wallet. Renting an average apartment, of course, also means that you will have to organize many details yourself, such as having utilities connected and dealing with your landlord.

- Houses can be rented as well, with and without furniture. This is probably the best option for you, if you will be living in Vietnam with your family and need space. Unfortunately, finding a house to rent may be difficult in some densely populated areas.

- Renting a room is, naturally, the easiest and cheapest option. This makes sense if your income is relatively small but you don’t want to move too far out of town. Rooms often come with a bathroom and shared kitchen. They can be rented furnished or unfurnished.

Cost of living in Vietnam chart (Based on Hochiminh City, 2015) (Reference)

Accommodation (per month)
Furnished two bedroom house	VND 12,000,000
Unfurnished two bedroom house	VND 10,000,000
Furnished two bedroom apartment	VND 14,000,000
Unfurnished two bedroom apartment	VND 10,000,000
Groceries
Milk (1 litre)	VND 30,000
Dozen eggs	VND 25,000
Loaf of white bread	VND 26,000
Pack of chicken breasts (1kg)	VND 80,000
Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro)	VND 31,200
Eating out
Big Mac Meal	VND 87,000
Cappuccino	VND 50,000
Local beer	VND 20,000
Three course meal at a mid-range restaurant	VND 160,000
Utilities
Mobile call rate (per minute – mobile to mobile)	VND 1,700
Internet (Uncapped ADSL or Cable – average per month)	VND 350,000
Electricity (average per month for standard household)	VND 800,000
Hourly rate for domestic cleaner	VND 60,000
Transport and driving
City centre bus fare	VND 12,000
Taxi (rate per km)	VND 7,000
Petrol (per litre)	VND 16,000 (May/2016)