Lifestyle

Finding the positive in an imperfect life in Vietnam: foreigners

Many expats have recently shared their personal experiences of living in Vietnam, and a common recommendation is to embrace change and find joy in the little things.

Administrator

2 February, 2024

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Several expats have been leaving comments on a recent article by Ray Kuschert titled “Eight things I hate about Vietnam,” published on Tuoi Tre News. Kuschert, an Australian who has been living in Ho Chi Minh City for over a decade, listed the top eight things he dislikes about Vietnam, including visa policy, traffic, food, weather, and more.

One expat from the UK, Louis Barber Corallo, agreed that there are aspects in Vietnam that need improvement. However, instead of constantly complaining, he suggested that foreigners should embrace the new culture and try to adapt as much as possible. Corallo recommended learning Vietnamese, taking breaks from the expat community by mingling with locals, and being friendly with neighbors.

Another expat, Anh Bon Andrew, echoed Corallo’s sentiments, stating that expats should learn Vietnamese, make Vietnamese friends, and integrate into the community. Andrew believes that by doing so, expats can overcome the challenges they face.

Ruth Maloney, an Australian expat, shares the same opinions as the writer. After many years in Vietnam, Maloney suggests that one learns to make the best of any situation and appreciate the positive aspects of living in the country.

Sivaraj Pragasm, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City originally from Singapore, acknowledges that Vietnam may not be suitable for everyone. However, Pragasm believes that with a basic understanding of the language and some local friends, one can easily find what they need in the country.

Paul Jones admits to being annoyed by certain things in Vietnam but concludes that, overall, the country offers more positives than negatives.

On the other hand, some foreign readers shared their negative experiences of being overcharged in Vietnam. Mark Walker, from the Philippines, mentioned that prices are often doubled for foreigners. However, Kristoffer Svendsen believes that if foreigners are aware and speak Vietnamese, they are less likely to be taken advantage of. Alessandro Ferin added that although some places may charge higher prices for foreigners, it is not a significant issue.

Rob Lock commented on the fairness of charging tourists more, pointing out that many museums are government-funded and locals pay taxes while tourists do not.