As published on International Living’s website, Australian expat Sharyn Nielsen, who moved to Ho Chi Minh City with her husband in 2011, shared her experience: “We feel safer here than we did in Australia. We’ve never faced robbery or threats.”

Nielsen highlights Vietnam’s ‘everyday sense of security’ as a standout aspect of life in the bustling southern city. “We’ve walked through parks at night, something unthinkable in many Western cities,” she noted.

She also praised the local community’s vigilance: “Strangers have kindly advised us to secure our phones in cafes or tourist areas.”

A recent International Living study identifies the safest global destinations for retired expats, all outranking the United States on the Global Peace Index.

Jennifer Stevens, International Living’s executive editor, emphasized, “Our recommendations are backed by our correspondents and contributors who live in or frequently visit these locations.”

This year’s top destinations are Portugal, Malaysia, and Ireland, followed by Spain, Italy, Greece, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Indonesia.


Vietnam Named Top Expat Destination by InterNations

For the fourth consecutive year, Vietnam leads as the most affordable expat destination globally, ranking first out of 53 countries for personal finances, according to InterNations’ 2024 report.

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