What I Got Right (and Wrong) In My First Week Here

I did absolutely no preparation for moving to Vietnam. None. I was still finishing my Master’s dissertation right up until the flight, so the idea that I was actually moving abroad didn’t feel real. Honestly, it didn’t hit me until the plane landed in Saigon and I stepped out into the humidity. That’s when it clicked… oh right, I actually live here now.

The Visa Debacle

The trip started with a hiccup at Manchester airport. The check-in staff weren’t thrilled that I didn’t have a return ticket. I handed over my visa approval letter (since I was collecting the actual visa on arrival in HCMC), but they weren’t impressed.

They warned me it could be fake, that immigration might not let me in, or that I’d need to buy an onward flight on the spot. Their final advice? Don’t show the letter at all. At the time, I thought, well, they must know best.

So I did as they said. I landed, kept the letter tucked away, and immigration waved me straight through. They gave me a one-month visa, and I walked away thinking, brilliant, problem sorted.

Except… it wasn’t. Because future me is now (literally) paying the price, having to fly out of the country just to sort out the visa mess I accidentally created. But that’s a story for another day.

Grab to the Rescue

My company had promised a shuttle. Did it turn up? Of course not. The second you walk out of Tan Son Nhat airport you’re swarmed with “taxi, taxi!” guys, and it’s overwhelming when you’ve just completed a 17 hour flight.

Because I had Grab already downloaded, I saw straight away that my ride wasn’t coming, skipped the haggle, and ordered a car in minutes. No drama, no stress, no standing in the rain clutching my suitcase. Highly recommend.

Download Zalo Early

Here’s something I didn’t know until I got here: everyone uses Zalo. WhatsApp exists, sure, but if you want to talk to a landlord, your agent, sometimes even your boss, it’s Zalo. Download it before you arrive.

The eSIM That Saved Me

One thing I did get right: buying an eSIM before flying out.

At least that was one less thing off my plate. I landed with working data, ordered a Grab straight away, and didn’t have to faff around with airport WIFI or sim stalls while I was still trying to get my life together. It’s just one of those things you don’t want to have to think about at the beginning.

Phone Safety

Guidebooks love to warn you about motorbike snatches, which if I’m being honest, I am yet to witness, however, of course it can still be a risk.

But you can’t exactly navigate a new city without Google Maps. So, rather than hiding your phone away every few minutes, buy a cheap strap that clips onto your case.

Finding a Flat

Housing was surprisingly smooth. My company covered a hotel for the first week, but I started flat hunting almost immediately.

I found a great agency who actually listened to what I wanted (including my oddly specific request for somewhere near a running spot). I won’t get into all the details here because I wrote a whole blog about it, with all the tips you’ll actually need, but it did not take me long to find my home for the next year.

The Sandal Situation

If you’re like me and like to walk everywhere, you’ll want sandals that can handle both distance and weather. Saigon has a rainy season that doesn’t give much warning, it can be blazing hot one minute and absolutely throwing it down the next.

So, take it from me, bring sturdy sandals that can cope with long walks, sudden downpours, and a lot of humidity. Cute holiday flip-flops and trainers won’t cut it here.

Jet Lag Reality

I thought I’d breeze through jet lag and head straight out exploring. Instead, the combination of heat, humidity, and time difference knocked me flat.

In the end, I realised there was no prize for powering through. The city isn’t going anywhere. Pace yourself, take naps, drink water.

Looking back, my first week wasn’t flawless. But that’s the point, you don’t come here to have everything figured out from day one. You come here to figure it out as you go.

In the end, the chaos isn’t what makes Saigon hard, it’s what makes it unforgettable.

With love from Saigon,
Anaïs