10 unexpected hardships of living in Vietnam

The list of reasons why you should think twice about living in Vietnam has been compiled without regard to their importance. Each of them is unique in its own way and can influence your decision.

Language barrier

😊 English is spoken here mainly by those who work in tourism, cafes and other establishments catering to tourists. If you decide to go to more remote areas or communicate with locals at markets, in stores or just on the street, you may find that they know only a few basic phrases.

👴 Sometimes you can meet older people who speak Russian. These are the ones who learned it back in the Soviet era when Vietnam and the Soviet Union had close ties. It's rare, but it's always nice to meet someone you can talk to in your native language.

🤗 Even if people don't really understand you, they always try to find a compromise. They may call someone who knows English or get a translator themselves. If you're planning a long stay in Vietnam, I recommend downloading a translator on your phone. It will make your communication easier and more pleasant.

Chaos on the roads

🛵 In Vietnam, bikes are the main mode of transportation and most people prefer them because of their convenience and speed. However, when it comes to traffic situation, this is where the real chaos begins. Traffic lights are rare, there are hardly any set rules, and every driver just maneuvers as they can. This creates an environment where it can be scary for a newcomer or tourist to even cross the road.

😅 Lack of full-fledged driver's education and chaotic traffic make the road situation unpredictable and dangerous. Despite this, local drivers somehow manage to avoid serious accidents. Nevertheless, for those seeing this for the first time, it can be a shock and a source of stress.

Climatic conditions (heat)

It can really get very hot in Vietnam in the summer. Even when the thermometer shows +35 degrees, it feels at least +40 because of the high humidity and extreme UV index. On such days it is often advised to stay at home or in a cafe under air conditioning or at least smear yourself with the most powerful SPF cream to avoid burning.

The humidity here is so high that the temperature feels much higher than the thermometer indicates. If you decide to go for a walk at noon, you will be wet as rain in just 10 minutes.

Locals take sun protection very seriously. Many of them prefer to wear long clothing to shield themselves from the blinding rays and protect their skin from sunburn. This is not just a fashion or cultural trait, but a necessity to keep skin healthy in the face of such intense sun exposure.

Street animals

When evening falls, the streets of Vietnam come alive not only with people, but also with a variety of wildlife that can cause real discomfort. Walking along the streets, you can easily encounter fat cockroaches crawling out of drain holes. It's commonplace, and seeing them on the sidewalks is a familiar sight.

In addition, at night you can hear and sometimes see mice digging through mountains of garbage in search of food. It's not a pleasant sight, especially if you're used to clean and well-maintained streets. It's even worse when you get home and notice a lizard crawling up the wall. They manage to get into the house through the tiniest of holes, which can sometimes scare you.

The locals are quite relaxed about such animals. For them, it is part of everyday life and they are already used to the presence of these animals. Vietnamese people try to keep the area around their homes and stores clean, but unfortunately it is not always possible to get rid of this problem completely.

Low level of sanitation

🚫 In Vietnam, sanitation leaves much to be desired. In small cafes, food is often prepared with bare hands, which is unusual and can raise doubts about cleanliness. Dishes are washed right outside in a basin, which adds even more questions. Watching this, especially in the beginning, can be shocking.

🗑️ In addition, garbage here is just lying around in the streets, not neatly stacked in bins. Waste bags can be seen everywhere and are often left there for long periods of time. This creates a less than pleasant environment and can put off those who are used to cleaner streets.

😐 The locals are used to it and don't really care, it's the norm for them. They just don't pay attention to such trifles. But for us, the newcomers, it can be a significant disadvantage, which should be taken into account when deciding to live in Vietnam.

Difficulties in obtaining a residence permit.

🌐 If you are thinking about getting a residence permit in Vietnam, prepare for some difficulties. In Vietnam, getting a residence permit is not as simple a task as you might wish. One of the most common ways to get a residence permit is to start a business, but definitely with a local Vietnamese or Vietnamese woman who will appear in the founding documents.

📋 Marrying a Vietnamese or Vietnamese woman is another way. It may seem like an easy solution, but it is not for everyone. Also, once married, you will have to go through a lot of bureaucracy to get all the necessary documents and confirmations.

🤔 Also, it is worth considering that even with all the formalities, the process of obtaining a residence permit can take a long time. There are cases when documents are lost and the waiting period drags on for months. Sometimes there may be unforeseen problems with migration services.

🌏 In general, if you plan to stay here for a long time, be prepared for bureaucracy and compromise. The process can be time-consuming and require a lot of effort.

Spicy food

🌶️ When it comes to food in Vietnam, be prepared for a real challenge for your taste buds. In European cafes, spiciness in dishes is tolerated, but in local Vietnamese cafes, things are different. Here, spicy food is the norm and you might not be asked how much you like spice.

🔥 Even if you ask to make the dish less spicy, it won't always help. They already have a "default" level of spiciness that our concepts just don't match. Vietnamese people believe that spicy food is good for health, especially in hot climates.

Of course, everyone has their own perception of spiciness, and for some it will only be a plus. If you like spicy dishes, you will have a real heavenly treat here.

Low level of education

In Vietnam, families with children may face certain difficulties related to education. The level of education here does not always meet our expectations, and there are not many international schools either. This creates problems for families who want to provide their children with a quality education.

In addition, playgrounds, especially good ones, are rare here. Finding a place where you can spend time with your child in a safe and interesting way is not easy. But on the other hand, should you worry about that when you always have the beach at your fingertips?

High noise level

The high noise level in Vietnam can be a real challenge for those who like quiet. Loud music and noisy streets are commonplace.

Karaoke. They love to sing after a day of work, and often it happens under a glass of alcohol. People sing with a soul, not paying attention to others. For them it is a way to relax and have fun, but for those who live nearby, it can be a problem.

I personally encountered this during the European Football Championship. Vietnamese watched matches in bars that started at 23:00 or 02:00. Every goal was accompanied by violent emotions - joy or disappointment. The noise spread throughout the neighborhood and disturbed sleep.

Limited career opportunities and low salaries

😊 If you are not working remotely and need to find a job locally, this point will be especially important for you. There are not many high-paying jobs in Vietnam, especially for foreigners. The competition here is quite lively, especially in the tourist areas.

💸 The average salary in Vietnam is around 6-10 million Vietnamese VND per month, which is roughly equivalent to 250-450 USD. This may be enough to cover basic expenses, but don't expect high incomes here like in developed countries.

🔍 If you intend to stay here for the long term and financial stability is important to you, it's a good idea to carefully work out your career prospects in advance.

Thank you for reading my article! If you want to learn about the positive aspects of living in Vietnam, be sure to check out my other article "Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Live in Vietnam".

I would also appreciate your donation to me as the author if you feel it is necessary. See you soon