At the start of each day, Daniel enjoys a cup of coffee on his balcony along Tran Phu Street in Nha Trang, watching over the sea. This Canadian software developer has been residing in the city for one year. His initial visit to Vietnam was three years back as a traveler.
However, upon returning to Canada, he longed for his days in Vietnam and chose to relocate to Nha Trang to find out if he belonged there.
He leased a small apartment in the northern part of the city for $400, started studying Vietnamese, became involved with community running clubs, and currently works from afar while arranging programming sessions for young people.
The northern part of Nha Trang has its own pace—neither overly quick nor sluggish. I’ve visited Bangkok, Bali, and Lisbon, yet only here did I discover the perfect combination of ocean, hills, delicious cuisine, and reliable high-speed internet.
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People visiting an island within Nha Trang City. Image courtesy of Khoa Tran |
As per unverified information from Expat, a service designed to assist individuals in locating homes overseas, approximately 4,000 foreigners are
living long-term
In the city area of Nha Trang, the majority come from South Korea, Russia, Germany, Australia, France, and the United States.
Numerous people appreciate the gentle weather, featuring average temperatures ranging from 26 to 27 degrees Celsius, sunny days, and ocean winds.
Some people opt for the city due to its affordable lifestyle, which is projected to range between $600 and $1,000 per month.
Digital nomads such as Daniel can find employment opportunities here too. Nha Trang hosts numerous sectors, including maritime services, green energy, tech, and travel-related businesses.
An expatriate mentions that foreign individuals can secure jobs as English instructors or within the tourism, service, or information technology sectors.
Rebecca, a marketing professional from Australia, abandoned her job in Sydney’s advertising industry to work as a freelancer while exploring Southeast Asia. Following visits to multiple cities, she chose to remain in Vietnam.
I selected Nha Trang as a break from daily routine. Initially, I intended to remain for three months, yet I prolonged my visa. Now I possess an apartment of my own, I go diving, I’ve learned to prepare bun cha ca, and each morning I jog alongside residents along the shore.
In Northern Nha Trang, where Rebecca now resides, the area is evolving into a community for foreigners, featuring European-inspired cafés, small stores offering international products, fitness centers with instructors who speak English, and open-air yoga sessions providing views of the sea.
Each day, she goes running with companions through Luong Son Pass, offering an expansive sight of the seaside town from 50 meters high above the ocean. Occasionally, she plunges into the water to examine underwater coral formations or glides across the surface on a stand-up paddleboard. Cam Ranh Airport lies just half an hour away by car from the city.
I feel more at home here than I used to,” she remarks. “I’ve made connections with people from Canada, Ukraine, South Korea, and Vietnam who live here. Each of us has our own motivations, yet we all believe it’s worthwhile to remain.
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An overhead view of the circular-roofed Dam Market in Nha Trang. Photograph courtesy of VnExpress/Xuan Ngoc |
Nha Trang provides similar facilities to big cities regarding medical services, transport, educational institutions, and fast internet connectivity. It is located within a protected harbor featuring clean waters, consistent breezes throughout the year, and mountainous terrain surrounding it.
Khánh Hòa province is allocating funds towards hospitals, international schools, and newly constructed seaside roads to support
a growing community
Foreign residents contribute to the local economy by leasing apartments, purchasing properties, and utilizing various services, thereby generating employment opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, education, and food and beverage.
Thanks to the growth of Cam Ranh Airport, newly built highways, and continuous improvement projects, Nha Trang, particularly the area in the north, is anticipated to attract an increasing number of tourists.