Your First Week in Vietnam: The Practical Expat Setup Guide

Before You Land

A few things to have sorted before you get off the plane:

• Visa confirmed and printed - have a printed copy of your e-visa approval or embassy visa. Immigration officers may ask for it.
• VPN installed and tested - some apps and websites are restricted in Vietnam. ExpressVPN and NordVPN both work well. Install before you arrive or you may not be able to download the VPN app from within Vietnam.
• Accommodation booked for at least your first 2 weeks - do not commit to a long-term lease until you have experienced the city.
• Travel insurance active - if you do not yet have long-term health insurance, at minimum have travel insurance for the journey.
• Offline Google Maps downloaded - download your city's map for offline use before arriving.

Day 1: The Airport

Getting into the City

Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat Airport - SGN):

• Grab app: Easiest, cheapest, transparent pricing. Get a SIM card in arrivals first (see below), then order a Grab from the designated ride-hailing zone outside.
• Metered taxi: Use Vinasun or Mai Linh - reliable meters. Avoid unlicensed taxis near the arrivals exit.
• Distance to District 1: 7-10km, approximately 30-45 minutes. Grab cost: 100,000-180,000 VND ($4-7).

Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport - HAN):

• Grab: Book from the app. Designated pickup area outside Terminal 2.
• Airport bus (86): 45,000 VND to the Old Quarter. Slow but cheap.
• Distance to Old Quarter: 35km, 40-60 minutes. Grab cost: 200,000-300,000 VND ($8-12).

Get a SIM Card at the Airport

Do this before you leave the arrivals hall. All three major carriers (Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone) have counters in arrivals.

• Viettel: Best coverage nationwide and internationally. Recommended.
• Cost: Approximately 200,000 VND ($8) for a SIM with a data bundle
• Monthly top-up for unlimited 4G: 150,000-200,000 VND ($6-8)
• What you need: Passport

Having mobile data immediately means Grab works, Google Maps works, and you can contact your accommodation if needed.

Day 1-3: Accommodation and Orientation

Your Temporary Base

Stay somewhere flexible for the first 2 weeks - Airbnb, a serviced apartment, or a reputable hotel. Use this time to explore different neighborhoods before committing to a long-term lease.

Check our Renting in Vietnam guide for neighborhood breakdowns.

Police Registration (Important - Often Overlooked)

Foreign nationals staying in Vietnam are legally required to register with local police (tạm trú) within 30 days of arrival if not staying in a hotel.

• Hotels do this automatically - the front desk handles your registration as part of check-in.
• Private apartments - your landlord is supposed to register you. Many do. Some do not. Ask your landlord directly.
• If your landlord doesn't register you: Visit the local ward police station (phường) with your passport, visa, and lease agreement. The registration form is simple.

This is rarely enforced against short-term tourists but is important for long-term residents. It becomes particularly relevant when applying for work permits or TRCs.

Day 2-5: Essential Apps and Accounts

Must-Have Apps

Download and set up these in your first few days:

| App | What It Does | |

|

| | Grab | Rides, food delivery, GrabCar, GrabBike, GrabFood | | Zalo | Vietnam's WhatsApp. Essential for communicating with landlords, staff, local contacts | | Google Translate | Camera translate mode is invaluable for menus, signs, documents | | Google Maps | Download your city offline | | VinID / MoMo | Mobile payments (useful once you have a local phone number) | | Wise | International money management (see below) |

Set Up Your Money Situation

If you do not have a Vietnamese bank account yet (or cannot get one on a tourist visa):

1. Activate Wise with your home currency account - this handles transfers well
2. Bring a low-fee international debit card - Charles Schwab (USA), Starling or Monzo (UK), Revolut (EU)
3. Withdraw VND from ATMs - BIDV and Agribank have lower foreign card fees
4. Change a small amount of USD cash at a reputable exchange counter for initial petty cash

See our Banking for Foreigners guide for full details.

Day 3-7: Healthcare and Safety Baseline

Register with a Doctor

Do not wait until you are sick to find a doctor. In your first week:

1. Identify your nearest international clinic or GP
2. Register as a patient (many allow online registration)
3. Ensure your health insurance details are saved on your phone

In HCMC: Family Medical Practice has multiple locations and a good reputation for expat GP care. FV Hospital is the best emergency option.

In Hanoi: Family Medical Practice Hanoi, SOS International Clinic.

Insurance Check

If you arrived without long-term health insurance, this is urgent. Do not leave this until week 3. Even a basic regional plan takes a few days to activate.

See our Healthcare and Insurance guide.

Food and Water Safety

• Do not drink tap water in Vietnam. Bottled water or filtered water only.
• Street food is generally safe and often delicious - high turnover means fresh ingredients. Busy stalls are safer than quiet ones.
• Ice: In tourist areas and modern restaurants, ice is made from filtered water and is safe. In very local settings, exercise more caution.
• Shellfish and raw vegetables at roadside stalls are the most common cause of stomach issues for new arrivals. Ease in rather than going all-in on day 1.

Week 1: Transport

Getting Around

Grab: Your primary transport option for the first few weeks. Transparent pricing, no haggling, GPS tracked.

Walking: More viable than it looks on the surface - crossing streets requires confidence. Walk assertively at a steady pace. Traffic flows around you. Do not wait for a gap that never comes.

Motorbike: If you plan to ride, get your driver's license sorted early. See our Driver's License Conversion service. Do not ride illegally - police checkpoints specifically target foreigners riding without correct documentation.

The Traffic Reality

Vietnam's traffic is intense, particularly in HCMC. This is the number one culture shock for most new arrivals. Tips:

• Download Grab before you need it - it works immediately with a foreign card
• Crossing the road on foot: move slowly and predictably. Traffic will flow around you.
• Helmet is legally required and non-negotiable on motorbikes
• Peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm) are genuinely chaotic - plan around them for the first week

Week 1 Checklist Summary

• Get a local SIM card at the airport (Viettel)
• Download and activate Grab
• Download Zalo and add any local contacts
• Download Google Maps offline for your city
• Set up a VPN
• Confirm police registration (hotel does this; apartment - check with landlord)
• Set up Wise or confirm your international card works at Vietnamese ATMs
• Identify and register with a GP clinic
• Confirm health insurance is active
• Identify your nearest international hospital and save their number
• Start exploring neighborhoods to find where you want to rent long-term
• Start your 183-day count from arrival date

After Week 1: What's Next

The first week is about practical setup. Week 2-4 shifts to:

• Finding a long-term apartment (see our Renting Guide)
• Starting your visa or work permit process (if employed or planning business)
• Opening a bank account (if eligible)
• Building social connections - join expat groups, attend meetups
• Getting more serious about Vietnamese language (even 30 minutes a day makes a difference)