Looking for German Expats in Vietnam?

Is Vietnam a good move for Germans? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2025 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what German expats in Vietnam wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• It's remarkably affordable. Low costs are the headline — 89% of expats in Vietnam rate the general cost of living positively and 79% housing affordability, against global averages of 40% and 34%.

• The food is a standout. 96% of expats in Vietnam rate culinary variety and dining options positively — one of the very highest scores in the survey.

• People are friendly and life is easy to enter. 81% rate locals as friendly, 56% say making local friends is easy, and 72% get by fine without the local language.

• It's safe and satisfying. 96% rate personal safety positively and 85% are happy with life abroad, well above the global average of 67%.

• The language is the hardest anywhere. Just 2% of expats in Vietnam say it's easy to learn the local language — the lowest score in the survey.

• Pollution and traffic are constant. Air quality rates just 22% (vs. 63% globally), and traffic, noise, and plastic waste dominate the complaints.

• Bureaucracy and environmental policy lag. Only 22% find dealing with authorities easy and 22% say the government protects the environment.

• Nature feels far from the cities. Getting around on foot or by bike rates 63%, and access to green space in the cities is limited.

For Germans, Vietnam offers unbeatable value, superb food, friendly people, and a safe, happy daily life. The trade-offs are a near-impossible language, air quality, and traffic. It rewards those who come for the energy and the price and can look past the pollution.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our German members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in Vietnam is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Germans is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Vietnamese way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Germans in Vietnam, residing in Hanoi, Ho-Chi-Minh-City, Vinh and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Germans in HCMC or Germans in Hanoi.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for German food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Vietnamese InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from Germany in Vietnam.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our Vietnam Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get roast pork with Knödel in Ho-Chi-Minh-City.
• Search the InterNations Places database for Vietnam to get information on institutions from your home country, including the German embassy.

From Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park with its phenomenal caves and grottoes to the Red River Delta, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly German expats in Vietnam.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in Vietnam. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Vietnamese bánh xè, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Hanoi’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the lush forest covered hills of the central highlands as well as other beautiful landmarks in Vietnam.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from Germany and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Grüß Gott from our Germans living in Vietnam!