Ho Chi Minh City Expats Chat

Who it's for

Made for digital nomads and English teachers in Ho Chi Minh City. Also known as Saigon, HCMC.

Common questions in this chat

Can I enter Vietnam without a visa and for how long?

Only citizens of about two dozen countries get visa-free entry, 45 days per entry: the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the Nordics (any purpose, to 14 Mar 2028) plus more European countries (tourism only, to 14 Aug 2028). Everyone else needs an e-visa. Check your passport on the official list before booking; these are fixed-term resolutions. Source: ey.com/en_vn (People Advisory Services alert, Aug 2025) and vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-visa-policy-2025-reforms.html. Checked: 2026-10.

How much is rent for a one-bedroom in Ho Chi Minh City?

As of Oct 2026, listing guides show typical one-bedroom rents of about USD 700-1,400 per month in Thao Dien (District 2 side) and about USD 850-1,100 in Binh Thanh; District 1 is generally higher. Older buildings and local districts can be much cheaper. Asking prices often differ from final, so compare several listings. Source: visreal.vn/how-much-to-rent-1-bedroom-apartment-in-ho-chi-minh/. Checked: 2026-10.

Is there a digital nomad visa or a residence card for long stays in Vietnam?

No digital nomad visa exists as of Oct 2026. Remote workers usually rotate 90-day e-visas, which is a legal grey area for working. The legal long-stay route is a work permit via a Vietnamese employer, then a temporary residence card (TRC) of up to 2 years. The July 2026 UD1 visa is for sponsored tech personnel, not nomads. Source: thesentry.com.vn/en/vietnam-digital-nomad-visa/ and tanvanlang.com/en/temporary-residence-card-application-vietnam/. Checked: 2026-10.

How do I get a Vietnam e-visa and what does it cost?

Apply on the official portal evisa.gov.vn: upload a passport photo and data page, pay by foreign bank card and wait a few working days. The e-visa is valid up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, official fee USD 25 (single) or USD 50 (multiple). Agencies charge extra; the fee on evisa.gov.vn is the baseline. Source: evisa.gov.vn (fees also confirmed by atlys.com/blog/vietnam-visa). Checked: 2026-10.

Can I extend my Vietnam e-visa in Ho Chi Minh City?

Generally no: several guides say an e-visa cannot be extended in-country, so the usual route is to leave and apply for a new one. Visa-exempt stays also cannot be stretched. Other visa types may be extendable at the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) for HCMC, often via a sponsor or agency. Rules change, so check before your stay runs out. Source: expatden.com/vietnam/extend-vietnam-visa/. Checked: 2026-10.

Chat rules

1. No spam. No ads, promo or referral links without a moderator's OK.
2. Nothing illegal or dangerous: no escorts, drugs, scams, fake documents.
3. No forwards from channels while you're new — write your own words.
4. Respect each other. No insults, discrimination or harassment.
5. English only so everyone can follow.
6. Stay on topic: life in Ho Chi Minh City — housing, visas, work, health, events, tips.
7. Report, don't argue: reply to the message with /report and moderators will look.

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