Australian man sells home to enjoy comfortable retirement in Vietnam
Expat LifeA holiday in Vietnam in 2022 turned into a life-changing experience for Steve Thompson, who later sold his home in Australia and moved to Khanh Hoa Province to enjoy a healthier and more fulfilling retirement.
AI is not killing ESL teaching in Vietnam, it is making it better: Expat teacher
Expat LifeThe end of ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching is near. That is the view of many people in the industry around the world, who say AI and its flood of new features will soon replace the English teacher in the classroom. After 13 years of teaching English, I disagree.
Expat backs Vietnam’s proposed indoor smoking ban, citing England’s experience
Expat LifeSubhajeet Chatterji, an English teacher in Vietnam, has voiced his support for Vietnam’s proposed roadmap toward a complete indoor smoking ban, saying clear communication, consistent enforcement, and sufficient preparation time would help businesses and smokers adapt.
British tourist stranded in forest after Google Maps detour and flat tire, Vietnamese police come to rescue
Expat LifeA British tourist who followed Google Maps onto a treacherous forest road in central Vietnam was rescued by two police officers after his motorcycle suffered a flat tire in the mountains, an experience he described as one of the best he has ever had in his travels across 34 countries.
'We are guests, and have responsibility to respect the law': Briton on following traffic rules in Vietnam
Expat Life"Most people would probably agree that when we travel to another country, we have an even greater responsibility to respect its laws. We are guests."
A lesson learned: Vietnam repairs what the West throws away
Expat Life"Recycling is better than putting something in the landfill. But keeping something working is better than recycling it."
Expats in Vietnam face fines of up to $1,920 for housing violations
Expat Life 14:46 07/09/2026Foreign homeowners in Vietnam shall be fined up to VND50 million (US$1,920) for violating regulations on housing ownership under a government decree, which took effect on August 26.
Electronic identification accounts available to foreigners in Vietnam
Expat Life 19:28 03/09/2026Foreigners legally entering or residing in Vietnam may obtain electronic identification accounts to access public services, carry out electronic transactions and use other functions available through the VNeID app.
Enough is enough: An expat’s take on smoking while driving in Vietnam
Expat Life 20:02 30/08/2026"I would be very happy to see laws passed that stamp out the practice of smoking on motorbikes."
Vietnam should promote preventive healthcare, healthy aging from middle age: expat
Expat Life 14:26 17/08/2026Vietnam should strengthen preventive health care and healthy aging initiatives from middle age, said Subhajeet Chatterji, an English teacher in Ho Chi Minh City, during a Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper discussion on the Vietnamese Ministry of Health’s proposed policy framework for helping people aged 40 and above prepare for old age.
Op-ed: Why preparing for old age at 40 is a critical necessity for Vietnam
Expat Life 16:58 16/08/2026"Vietnam's proposal hits on an undeniable truth: the best time to prepare for old age is decades before it arrives, and the only way to beat 20 years of inflation is to start early."
Foreigners get hooked on Vietnamese coffee despite sleepless nights
Expat Life 16:32 13/08/2026Vietnamese coffee is famous for its bold flavor and high caffeine content, thanks to the use of robusta beans, leaving foreign visitors with memorable—and often hilarious—experiences when they take a sip.
'Banh mi' vs. burger: Which is better?
Expat Life 09:12 13/08/2026Cousins in the bread roll sphere, Vietnamese 'banh mi' and the American burger share a unique secret in their respective histories. There are some raw facts that might shock you.
Can foreigners apply for Vietnamese citizenship after living in Vietnam for over 3 years?
Expat Life 17:39 08/08/2026A person asked whether they could apply for Vietnamese citizenship, noting that their father is a Vietnamese citizen, their mother is a Russian citizen. Their parents live in Russia, and they have lived in Ho Chi Minh City for more than three years.
An expat op-ed: 40 is not old, 30 working years lie ahead, but preparation still matters
Expat Life 13:27 08/08/2026Here is a simple fact: getting old costs money, and if you do not prepare for it, the consequences are serious.
Creator behind 'The Borderless Office' shares take on leaving Thailand for Vietnam
Expat Life 14:08 05/08/2026An American YouTuber with 74,000 subscribers, known for documenting expat life in Southeast Asia, says he plans to leave Thailand after six years, backed by a desire for a faster-paced environment in Vietnam.
Who would bother wasting a day riding a train across Vietnam? I would!
Expat Life 20:41 02/08/2026And I have done it a few times since first visiting Vietnam in 2012. Saigon Railway Station, the gateway to the sights and real spirit of Vietnam, is itself a place worth the experience.
Free buses pave way for Ho Chi Minh City's greener future: op-ed
Expat Life 19:23 20/07/2026"When the news broke that Ho Chi Minh City was rolling out completely free bus rides across 134 routes until the end of the year, it was a striking development."
Ho Chi Minh City emerges as fashion shopping destination for international visitors
Economy 13:53 08/07/2026Ho Chi Minh City is evolving beyond a traditional tourist destination into a thriving fashion shopping hub, with many local fashion retailers reporting that international visitors now account for 60-70 percent of their revenue.
UK consul general hosts World Cup watch party in Ho Chi Minh City as England reach quarterfinals
Expat Life 15:14 07/07/2026The British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City hosted a World Cup watch party on Monday as England defeated hosts Mexico 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing together diplomats, business representatives, partners, and Vietnamese football fans.
Foreign tourists join lively beachside group dance sessions in Vietnam’s Da Nang
Expat Life 15:57 06/07/2026Every evening along My Khe Beach in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, a portable speaker transforms a stretch of sidewalk into an open-air dance floor, where locals and foreign tourists come together for energetic, instructor-led group dance sessions.