Beaucoup de posts demandant des renseignements pour venir vivre et travailler au Vietnam. Je ne vais pas reprendre l'ensemble de tout ce que les uns et les autres ont pu répondre, mais je voudrais souligner quelques points importants, qui me semblent indispensables à connaître, si l'on ne veut pas que le rêve devienne cauchemar.
Trouver du travail :
Le Vietnam pratique la préférence nationale. Des articles récents dans la presse indiquent que le contrôle des sociétés et entreprises qui emploient des travailleurs étrangers est renforcé. On ne peut employer un étranger que si son savoir-faire ou sa qualification n'existe pas au Vietnam. Et çà devient de plus en plus difficile de ne pas trouver les compétences sur place, compte-tenu de l'amélioration des niveaux de qualifications et d'études dans le pays.
En réalité, à moins d'avoir un contrat temporaire avec une société étrangère ou d'oeuvrer dans l'humanitaire, la meilleure façon de trouver du travail, c'est de créer sa propre société, et si possible en joint-venture avec un vietnamien.D'où la nécessité d'avoir déjà un capital pour investir et voir venir...
Vivre au Vietnam:
Il y a deux façons de vivre au Vietnam : soit côtoyer les vietnamiens et vivre entre expats, soit vivre avec les vietnamiens. Dans le premier cas, on peut vivre sans parler le vietnamien, ni intégrer la culture locale : la choucroute et les spaghettis bolognaise ont le même goût partout, et les communautarisme se suffit à lui-même. Dans le second cas, il est indispensable d'apprendre à parler, lire et écrire le vietnamien, le plus couramment possible, et d'accepter d'intégrer la culture du pays et ses codes sociaux, pour s'y intégrer le mieux possible et y être accepté comme un ami, à défaut de concitoyen.
De toute façon, il me semble que vouloir vivre au Vietnam ne peut être le résultat d'une décision subite, mais au contraire, l'issue d'une maturation, après avoir visité le pays plusieurs fois, et surtout y avoir vécu quelques mois, notamment pendant les périodes climatiques les plus pénibles.
Sans faire de pub pour quiconque, je vous encourage à lire sur le Courrier du Vietnam du Dimanche, consultable par Internet, les tranches de vie d'un expat qui raconte la vie quotidienne au Vietnam. Cà permet de se faire déjà quelques idées sur certains aspects surprenants de la vie ici, quand on est occidental.
Entre celui des photos sur papier glacé des catalogues, celui des émissions et reportages télé, celui de quelques privilégiés qui roulent en 4x4, celui des villes, celui des campagnes, le Vietnam offre tant de visages qu'il est parfois bien difficile d'y retrouver celui de ses rêves !
De toute façon, je souhaite sincèrement bienvenue et bonne chance à tous ceux que tente l'aventure.
Nhaqué
Je n'ai bien évidemment rien à ajouter à votre post qui est bien le reflet de la vie de tous les jours au Vietnam : non, simplement au sujet du Courrier du Vietnam dont vous évoquez la teneur en parlant d'un occidental vivant là-bas, je voudrais préciser pour les forumistes qui seraient intéressés que - personnellement ayant eu beaucoup de difficultés à cerner la rubrique!! - il leur suffira de rentrer dans la recherche "tranches de vie" et de remonter à leur gré sur un ou trois mois, ou plus -
C'est très drôle, superbement écrit par quelqu'un qui a surmonté les difficultés pouvant exister entre notre civilisation occidentale... et la vie et les avatars de chaque jour -😉😉😉 j'y retrouve en grande partie ce que j'y vis lors de mes longs séjour et qu'effectivement il est opportun et nécessaire de connaitre si on envisage d'aller vivre là-bas.
Merci de nous l'avoir indiqué - je me suis beaucoup amusée à les lire... et je vais remonter le plus loin possible.
Bonne journée - Cordialement - Kimtwo -
Le vent et les turbulences sont l'oeuvre de Dieu, mais la voile et le gouvernail nous appartiennent..
Voyager c'est aller de soi à soi, en passant par les autres (proverbe touareg)
tout comme Kimtwo je n'ai rien a ajouté, vous avez dit l'essentiel et je suis d'accord avec vous....
Merci de nous avoir signalé le journal de cet expat sur "le courrier du Vietnam" et merci à Kimtwo de nous avoir précisé où chercher pour le trouver. C'est en effet un régal de lire ce journal...
Amicalement
René de Toulon
Ne demandes pas ton chemin à quelqu'un qui le connait.... tu risquerais de ne pas te perdre.
R.B. de Braslaw
La vie n'est pas un restaurant mais un buffet, levez-vous pour vous servir...
D. Glocheux
Hi,
I’m leaving on September 4th for Vancouver as a tourist for 6 months.
My boyfriend works there, so I’m going to visit him. I’d like to take the opportunity to learn English at a school during October and November.
Could you recommend any schools—price, activities, location, reputation, etc.?
Hi,
I'm 17.
I'd like to find a site that offers a total immersion with a family between Vancouver and Calgary for 4 weeks this summer. Not specifically with a teacher at home because it's very expensive on the sites I've already checked, nor with classes at a school or activities with other foreigners since the immersion isn't enough.
Thanks for your help.
Hi! I’m 76 and have traveled a lot in my life, and now I’m looking to settle in Réunion.
I’ve seen a retirement community in Saint-Pierre (Ravine des Cabris) and a residence called Village d’Or in Sainte-Clotilde.
I have a feeling that living in Saint-Joseph might be better.
I’ve submitted both applications and would love your thoughts—also if you know of any friendly small residences for rent, or if you have experience living there.
My pension is 1,460 €.
Thanks so much for your help!
Looking forward to hearing from you—warm regards to everyone
After living for many years in the West (Belgium, Italy, Switzerland),
I’ve decided to return and settle in Cameroon, my home country.
Currently an entrepreneur in real estate and transport, I’m looking for a partner / partners / foundation to collaborate on an agriculture project, as I own 10 hectares of land.
The hectares have remained unused for years due to a lack of financial means, since the project requires what I’d call a considerable investment. As the main stakeholder, I have a minimal contribution to offer.
I believe it’s time to bring this space to life to meet pressing needs and serve the common good of society.
The project is simple:
1) Grow maize + build a processing plant to produce flour
2) Open a mini supermarket + a modern bakery using the flour for pastries, etc.
3) Build a healthcare service
4) Build a nursery and primary school
5) Construct free housing for retired expatriates in exchange for their voluntary contributions in their respective fields.
This is a project I truly believe in, and I invite anyone interested to add their personal touch—whether through advice, guidance, or involvement.
Note: This project has national and international potential in terms of employment.
Hi everyone, my son’s school is offering him a one-month Erasmus trip to Ireland, but he has to find a junior cycle school that will accept him and a host family on his own. Honestly, we’re struggling—we’ve contacted two schools and haven’t heard back! If you have any leads...
What price should I expect to pay for a modest small apartment or a large room in a bedroom community in Quito? Are restaurants and food expensive? And which airline is best to travel from Montreal? Thanks for your answers
I’m considering moving to Miami to live and work for a few years.
If anyone knows what the administrative formalities are—both for getting a work permit and for the steps and reputable organizations to contact (since I imagine there are scammers in this space) when buying a studio in Miami or Miami Beach—I’d love any info you can share!
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has already had the experience of working abroad?
I don’t have a specific country in mind yet, so I’m open to hearing about your experiences on this topic—the pros and cons, etc.
Hi there!
I’m a young Malian looking to work in Morocco. Besides a passport, what other documents are required at the **Moroccan** border?
Thanks for your help!
Hi there. I’m planning to move to Luxembourg around December 2025 or January 2026. I’ll be looking for a job and settling in. My question is: is it too complicated to find housing? Is the job market more advantageous and easier than in France? I’m open to any information that could help me.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences about marrying a Cuban and moving to Cuba (not the other way around!). Yes, some of us actually *want* to stay on the island! Is it possible to work there without too much hassle, or is it really complicated?
I’m heading to Bangkok for a 5-month internship, and I’m wondering about the budget because I’ve read all sorts of things—so I decided to post here to get answers tailored to my situation! :D
I found housing that costs me 7,000 baht (I know it’s a bit pricey, but it’s super convenient...), which works out to about 160 € all-inclusive. So, I was wondering if it’s realistic to live on 500 or 600 € per month, and if so, under what conditions? Is that enough, considering I’ll be working 40 hours a week?
Thanks in advance for your replies—I hope they’ll reassure me!
WEP offers loads of different projects, including one I really like: helping and volunteering on a farm, particularly in South America (Peru or Argentina).
I’d love to know if anyone has tried this project or knows someone who has... or has done something similar? I’d like to get some feedback before diving into the adventure.
If so, could you share your thoughts on the project, any tips, etc.?
Hi there,
Our departure time is getting closer (we have less than 2 years left—it’s both a long time and so short!). To start preparing seriously, we’ll need quite a bit of info. If anyone knows the rates charged by movers for a crate to French Polynesia, or what pitfalls to avoid (I know you can get quotes directly from movers, but I’d love insights from actual customers😉).
Are there any special requirements before leaving France (aside from taxes...)?
Thanks to everyone for your help—every bit of info is useful. We’re aiming for a departure around 06/2010 (just need to save up a little more...).
Thanks again!
Hi, I’m a self-employed physiotherapist in France, and as my wife (a nurse) and I look into working abroad in about two years, I’ve been offered an equivalence to become a respiratory physiotherapist in Switzerland. Actually, I’m currently doing a postgraduate diploma in pediatric respiratory physiotherapy and want to specialize in that area. Anyway, that’s not the main point—could anyone explain the pros and cons of doing this job in Switzerland? Based on the paperwork I’ve received, the equivalence seems purely administrative or almost... What about working conditions, quality of life, salaries, etc.?
Thanks for your replies.
PS: Same question for my wife, a nurse, regarding her integration.
I’m looking for information about jobs in early childhood in New Caledonia. I’m currently a childminder in a MAM (multi-accueil) and I’ve also worked for about 6 years in several daycare centers as a childcare assistant.
In the summer of 2026, my husband is being transferred to New Caledonia. We’ll be living near Nouméa. Do you know if the early childhood sector is a good field for jobs there?
Can’t wait to discover this island! Right now, we’re in the middle of all the administrative paperwork for our 3 kids, finding housing, bringing our cat to the territory, and so on!
Thanks for your feedback!!
Hi there,
I’ve been living in Bali for a month now, but unfortunately on a VOA visa. I’m looking for a European company that’s set up in Indonesia. I’m in electrotechnical maintenance—air conditioning, cold rooms, 220V/380V electricity. I’ve been a tradesperson for 3 months and can bring my full professional toolkit. If anyone’s interested, let me know!
You can send me a message.
Best regards,
I’d love to go to Japan to travel, and if things go well, work there too.
Has anyone tried finding a job there? Is it even possible without speaking Japanese?
I’m thinking of starting out in restaurants (dishwashing or serving) and then moving into my field, IT.
I’d like to move to Spain, specifically to Málaga.
To do that, I’d like to know if I’ll need any official documents from France to work there, or anything like that...
I’d also love to hear from people who’ve moved to Spain for work—do Spaniards like the French? Is it hard to fit in? What are the salary ranges for a ready-to-wear salesperson? And is it easy to find housing?
My partner and I currently live in Antibes—we’re both freelancers working remotely. We’re thinking about potentially moving to Italy.
We’d like to settle near the French border, between Ventimiglia and San Remo (this is important because we need access to Nice Airport twice a month). ✈️
I’d love to hear about life in this region! We’re looking for a quiet spot close to the sea. Any recommendations? As for the paperwork, is it difficult to get everything official? Is finding housing tough in this area? What kind of guarantees are usually required? If any kind soul could shed some light on this, we’d really appreciate it! 🥺🏻
I'm looking for an au pair who'd like to come to Bournemouth in the south of England, and I'd love to know what the best websites are to find one, please.
I’d like to get some information about my eligibility for the DV Lottery.
About my background:
• I earned a *Bac Pro* through VAE (*Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience*), issued by the *Éducation nationale*.
• I also have a professional certification as a *Conseiller en Insertion* (Employment Counselor), issued by the Ministry of Labor.
• Altogether, this adds up to a *Bac+2* level.
I’d like to know if this level qualifies me to apply for the DV Lottery.
Regarding my work experience:
• I work as an *Employment Counselor*.
• I checked on O*Net Online for the classification: Job Zone 4, SVP Range: 7.0 – <8.0.
• I only have one year of experience, but I handle similar tasks in business creation.
So my question is: can I apply for the DV Lottery despite my relatively short experience, given that my job falls under Job Zone 4?
I’m looking for info on villages around Aix, like Fuveau, Bouc-Bel-Air, or even Éguilles and Venelles?
We’re a couple with a child living in the Paris region, and I’ll be relocating to Aix-en-Provence in spring 2026. We’d love to swap our apartment for a house with a pool within 20-30 minutes max of central Aix, with a budget of around 650k €.
In terms of climate and geography, I’ve read that Aix is in a basin where it can get really hot. What about the surrounding villages that are a bit more elevated, like Venelles? Is it just as stifling?
Starting this spring, we want to settle near Aix-en-Provence. We're tired of living in the mountains with all the snow—we really need some sunshine and a fresh start. Is it hard to find a house to rent there? What about prices? If you have any great tips or useful info about the area, we’d love to hear it. I work in education and want to do prevention work in Marseille or Aix—are there jobs in the social sector?
Anyway, we need tons of info, but we’re sure we’re going to take the leap—no hesitation, adventure is adventure!!!
Thanks for your help and any experiences you can share.
I’m an osteopath and I’d like to set up and open an osteopathy practice in Thailand. I don’t have a precise location in mind yet, but I’m thinking maybe Hua Hin.
I saw there’s an osteopath based in Phuket, so I wrote to him for some info, but he still hasn’t replied🤪!
So I’m reaching out to people who live there or know the country well:
I’d like to know what the best ways are to advertise and get known in Thailand. Are there any local classifieds newspapers?
First, I’d like to practice from my apartment. Is that allowed in Thailand?
Ideally, I’d like to work part-time in a private hospital as an osteopath. I’m thinking that in Thailand, the medical field is much more open than in Europe!!! Has anyone seen an osteopath or chiropractor working in a Thai hospital? Do you know the price of a consultation?
Any info you can share will be super helpful! Thanks in advance[;)!!!]
Hello everyone,
We’re a small family from the south of France, with a 2-year-old little boy, and we’re dreaming of starting a new adventure abroad by opening our own business. For now, we haven’t chosen a specific destination yet.
We mainly speak French, with a basic level of Spanish and English, and we’re ready to improve these two languages if needed. We’re looking for a multicultural, safe country with quality healthcare and good schools accessible for our son. We’d also love a pleasant place with a mild climate where life is good.
Our idea is to travel to different countries to explore, compare, and refine our project. We’d be really happy to read your tips, experiences, or anecdotes if you’ve already undertaken a similar project or if you know key points to anticipate.
Thanks in advance for your shares and help—it would really help us move forward with our project! 😄
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to Dublin as an au pair in a few weeks.
I’m looking for a reputable language school. It’s so hard to choose! Has anyone already done a language stay in Dublin? Any tips? Thanks so much! :)
