According to MoneyWise, culture-rich Vietnam is quickly becoming a popular retirement destination for North Americans. And with its French colonial architecture, endless natural pursuits and amazing street food.

Particularly affordable expat-friendly destinations include the beach town Nha Trang and the bustling city of Da Nang, where around US$1,000 can cover your living costs for a month.

There’s a growing expat community in Nha Trang and expanding services catering to Westerners and locals alike. Da Nang is modern, international and welcoming, and its lovely weather will allow you to enjoy the city’s parks, beach and riverfront year-round.

In Vietnam’s cities and tourist centers, English is becoming more commonly spoken, and the government has put more emphasis on English classes in schools. But you’ll need some knowledge of Vietnamese to communicate in smaller towns and rural areas.

Vietnamese health care is good for basic needs, but the country doesn’t score high for specialized care or surgeries. Vietnam doesn’t have a retirement visa, but the US citizens can get a one-year multiple-entry visa that will have to be renewed. It requires that you leave the country once every 90 days.

Costa Rica tops the list, followed by Mexico, Panama, Malta, Malaysia, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Peru, etc.

The number of foreign holidaymakers to Vietnam in the first quarter of 2019 is estimated at 4.5 million, a rise of 7% year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Hanoitimes