Vietnam at a glance
| Entry | 90-day e-visa · No visa exemption for U.S. citizens |
|---|---|
| Retiree visa | None · Repeat e-visas or family visa |
| VA presence | None · FMP reimbursement |
| Time zone | UTC+7 · Currency: dong |
| Cost of living | Roughly USD 900–1,400 a month. |
| Money · language · time | Vietnamese dong (VND) · Vietnamese · UTC+7 |
Entering Vietnam
U.S. citizens need an e-visa (up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, not extendable in-country). Use only the official evisa.gov.vn site. Fake visa sites are common.
Long-stay and retirement visas
- No retirement visa. Most long-stay vets rotate 90-day e-visas.
- TT (family) visa / temporary residence card if married to a Vietnamese citizen.
- 5-year visa exemption certificate for people of Vietnamese origin and their spouses.
- Work or investor visas for those with a local business.
VA care and benefits in Vietnam
No VA facility. Care for service-connected conditions is reimbursed through the Foreign Medical Program. There is no Federal Benefits Unit help for Social Security in Vietnam.
Vets in Vietnam are already in the group
Ask about visas, hospitals and FMP claims from people who've done it there.
Healthcare
Good private hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi (FV Hospital, Vinmec, Family Medical Practice, Hanoi French Hospital). Serious cases are often flown to Bangkok or Singapore.
Where veterans live
- Da Nang: Beach city, good value, big expat community.
- Hoi An: Charming old town near Da Nang.
- Ho Chi Minh City: Most services and the U.S. Consulate.
- Hanoi: Capital and the U.S. Embassy.
- Nha Trang / Vung Tau: Beach towns with expat clusters.
Cost of living and property
Roughly USD 900–1,400 a month. Costs vary a lot by city and lifestyle, and health insurance is extra.
Foreigners can buy an apartment on a 50-year renewable leasehold, capped at 30% of units per building. No land.
Watch out for
Fake e-visa sites, motorbike traffic, no in-country visa extensions.
Veteran organizations
No VFW post. Several Vietnam veteran reconciliation groups visit regularly. See all veteran organizations abroad.
Common questions
Does Vietnam have a retirement visa?
No. Most veterans living in Vietnam rotate 90-day e-visas or use a family visa through a Vietnamese spouse.
Can veterans use VA benefits in Vietnam?
VA compensation can be paid abroad, and service-connected care is reimbursed through the Foreign Medical Program.
Last reviewed November 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.
