The not-so-pretty side of living in Saigon
I’ve spent the last few months going on about how much I love Saigon, and I really do. Every time I leave the UK, I feel lighter, happier, more myself, and this move has been no exception. Life here is easier in so many ways, and moving abroad (yet again) has proven to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
But that doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and bánh mì. The grass feels greener for me, but it isn’t always greener for everyone. It’s just… different grass, with its own quirks and complications. And I think it’s only fair to talk about the parts no one mentions, the everyday things you suddenly have to deal with that never cross your mind back home.
1. Illness: My Immune System is Fighting for Its Life
I have never been sicker than I have in Vietnam. In just over three months, I’ve had:
food poisoning three times (one from a place I ordered from regularly)
a stomach virus
bronchitis
COVID twice
and what feels like a never-ending rotation of colds
It’s a mix of everything: the food (even the “safe” places), brushing my teeth with tap water (would not recommend, I’m just lazy), extreme weather shifts, teaching kids, the air pollution, the exhaust fumes… it all adds up. No one really warns you that your body is going to need time, months, to adjust.
2. Bureaucracy Will Test Your Patience
Let me say this gently: the police do not care about expat paperwork. At all.
My visa was delayed endlessly because the police department dragged out my police check for absolutely no reason. People kept saying, “Just give them money and it’ll be done instantly.” I didn’t. I tried to be patient. I really did. But eventually I had to be, let’s say, a little harsh…
And would you believe it? After weeks of delays, the moment I finally asserted myself (firmly but some-what politely), my police check was ready within half an hour. They just want bribing, essentially.
I was genuinely close to having to leave my job for a month because without that police check, there’s no work permit. But with a little pressure, okay, a lot, I got it just in time.
3. Living on Opposite Time Zones
Staying connected to friends and family back home is… hard. The UK is seven hours behind Saigon, so our days don’t overlap in any normal way. I do a full day here, and just as I’m heading to work, they’re only just waking up. When I finish work, they’re in the middle of their shift. And by the time they finish, I’m already passed out. We’re always slightly out of sync.
I’m honestly fine with it though. It’s something I thought I’d struggle with, but I’ve found my rhythm. My relationships back home are solid enough that we don’t need to talk constantly. We pick up exactly where we left off, whether that’s in a day or a week. Still, it’s something worth mentioning, because not everyone feels the same way, and it can be a big adjustment if you’re used to talking to people every single day.
4. The Dating Scene…
Dating in Saigon is… tragic. Most people on the apps are just passing through, they’re in the city for 24 hours, maybe a week, so of course they’re not looking to actually get to know anyone. And the men who do live here long-term? A lot of them have very specific preferences, or they’re not interested in real relationships, or… they’re significantly older. That’s just been my experience so far.
I love being single, so it doesn’t bother me, but if dating is something that’s important to you, consider this a gentle warning: the apps here are not the vibe. There are some dating and social events around the city, but , I have no idea how successful they are, they seem more like “maybe it’ll work, maybe it won’t” situations.
5. Prepare to Be Overcharged
If you’re visibly Western, you will be seen as a tourist, even if you’ve lived here for months. At markets, in taxis, in shops… people will try to charge you more. It’s not malicious, it’s just business, this is how the system works, and it’s something you quickly learn to navigate.
I’ve become very good at negotiating now, but at the beginning, it can be exhausting. You’re constantly second-guessing yourself: Am I being ripped off? Is this fair?
Being treated as a tourist doesn’t just affect money. You get a lot more attention: motorbikes slow down and follow you, drivers try to flag you over, and people stare more than usual. Sometimes it’s flattering, sometimes it’s exhausting, and it’s impossible not to notice.
Over time, though, you start to accept it as part of the rhythm of life here. You learn your boundaries, your limits, and your go-to phrases for haggling, and eventually, it becomes another part of navigating Saigon.
6. Western Products Cost Serious Money
Craving a taste of home? Prepare your wallet.
Want cheese? £££
Skincare from home? £££
Marmite? £££
Anything imported, food, clothes, cleaning products, makeup, comes with a painful price tag. It’s part of the deal when you move abroad, but it still shocks you the first few times.
7. The Language Barrier
Personally, I love it. I love walking down the street and not knowing what anyone is saying. I love entering a shop and figuring things out with context clues, hand gestures, and vibes.
But I know for many people, not speaking the language is a major stressor. Day-to-day life requires more patience and creative communication, which is fun for me, but not for everyone.
8. The Weather Has No Rules
Come prepared for every type of weather. Even in the dry season, it can suddenly flip, one minute the sky is clear, the next you’re drenched.
And Thao Dien…
The other day the area was completely flooded, and it hadn’t even rained. Just the tide rising. The weather here is unpredictable and occasionally disruptive.
Is it worth it?
For me? Absolutely.
I’ve never been happier, and the good massively outweighs the messy parts.
But I think it’s important to be honest: moving abroad will challenge you. It will overwhelm you. It will push you.
And if you’re open to that, Vietnam will give you more in return than you expect.
With Love from Saigon
Anaïs