Moving to Hoi An
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Hoi An, Vietnam. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$0
solo, city centre
Livability
52/100
decent
Safety
63/100
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
PR timeline
—
varies
How to move to Hoi An
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Residency data coming soon for Hoi An.
What it costs to move to Hoi An
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Monthly burn (solo)
$0/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Easy1–3 days, small-town ease
- •Passport sufficient
- •1 month's deposit
- •Very small market but low demand too
- •Extremely affordable
First month in Hoi An
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Research visa options for Vietnam
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Vietnamese-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–3 days, small-town ease. Housing friction: Easy.
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Sort this before you need it, not after
- ☐
Start learning basic Vietnamese
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Hoi An
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Vietnamese
primary language
Moderate
English proficiency
English proficiency is moderate. Learning at least basic Vietnamese isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
2.6/10
democracy index (EIU)
🚩 Authoritarian regime
regime type
Travel advisory: Level 1 — Exercise normal precautions
Is Hoi An safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
🤷
Fine. Just keep your wits about you
1.5
homicides per 100k
Weather in Hoi An
What the thermometer actually says
34°C
summer highs
20°C
winter lows
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ Sea access in Hoi An at 34°C summers. Yes, really.
- ✓ 7.1% GDP growth in Vietnam. Jobs appearing in Hoi An.
Think twice about
- ✗ Homicide rate in Hoi An: 1.5/100k. Above average but manageable.
- ✗ Political risk in Vietnam (2.6/10). Do homework before Hoi An.
- ✗ Summers hit 34°C in Hoi An. Budget for cooling.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Hoi An profile →