Field Notes 19 stories
Visa, relocation, and travel guides for Vietnam from people who actually live here
Honest breakdowns — what actually works, what isn't worth your time. Written by the team that's been on the ground for years.
Latest Relocation
Vietnam International Schools 2026: What $15K-$38K a Year Actually Buys an Expat Family
Real annual cost of international schools in Vietnam: $25K-$45K with capital fees, application, transport. Da Nang vs HCMC vs Nha Trang breakdown.
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Living in Vietnam
Real Expat Reviews of Living in Vietnam: What People Say After Six Months in 2026
Honest expat reviews of living in Vietnam in 2026: real budgets $500-3500/mo, why some stay and others leave, profiles of who …
Living in Vietnam
Pros and Cons of Living in Vietnam: An Honest Long-Stay Guide for Digital Nomads in 2026
Living in Vietnam costs a solo nomad $1,000-1,800/month. Pros, cons, real budget and 5-point decision checklist from someone …
Travel
Vietnam in 7 Days Beyond the Beach: A North-First Slow-Travel Route for 2026
A 7-day Vietnam cultural itinerary covering Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang — no beach resorts, no package tours. Real …
Digital Nomad
Vietnam vs Thailand for Digital Nomads 2026: Real Monthly Costs After Living in Both
Vietnam vs Thailand for digital nomads in 2026: monthly costs $1,100-1,800, banking, internet, motorbike rental. Lived in Da Nang …
Visa
Vietnam Visa Overstay 2026: Fines, Lao Bao Costs, and How to Fix It
Vietnam visa overstay 2026: real costs at Lao Bao border from Da Nang — 6 case studies and a one-day plan to clear it.
Relocation
Living in Vietnam in 2026: Complete Expat Guide to Life, Visas, and Money
Living in Vietnam as an expat: visas, $350+ rentals, money transfers, daily life. Real numbers from 6 years in Da Nang. Honest …
Relocation
Best Cities in Vietnam with Kids: Schools, Air Quality, and Safety Compared
Where to live in Vietnam with kids. Da Nang fits most families: beach, international schools, safety, clean air. From an expat …
Living in Vietnam
Where to Live in Vietnam: Da Nang vs Saigon vs Nha Trang — An Expat's Honest Comparison
Where to live in Vietnam: Da Nang, Saigon, and Nha Trang compared on rent, air quality, schools, and beach access. A breakdown for …
Finance
Sending Money From Vietnam in 2026: USDT, Wise, SWIFT, and the Hidden Fees
How to send money out of Vietnam in 2026: Wise, SWIFT, USDT TRC20, and cash. Real fees, step-by-step, and the gotchas expats run …
Travel
Vietnam in One Week: An Expat's Honest Itinerary (After Living Here Six Years)
A real one-week Vietnam itinerary from an expat who's lived in Da Nang for 6 years. North, center, south — what to see, where …
Expat Life
Work Permit Vietnam 2026: How to Get One Without Flying Home Twice for Documents
Work permit Vietnam 2026 guide for foreign professionals. Documents, Decree 152 requirements, processing times, costs, and the TRC …
Visa
Vietnam Visa Extension From Inside the Country: 2026 Guide
Vietnam visa extension explained — three ways: visa run, e-visa online ($25), agent-handled extension. Real expat experience and …
Relocation
Moving to Vietnam in 2026: How Not to Mess Up Your First Year
Moving to Vietnam in 2026 — visas, budget, banking, housing. The hidden costs of your first quarter and a checklist that saves you …
Expat Life
How to Move to Vietnam in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide for Expats
Move to Vietnam in 2026 without the expensive mistakes. Visa options, real budget, pet import rules, and the first-month setup …
Expat Life
Vietnam Tax for Foreigners 2026: Complete Guide for Expats
Vietnam tax for expats 2026: tax residency under the 183-day rule, 5-35% income tax brackets, deductions, filing, double-tax …
Vietnam Travel
Why September Is the Only Month I'll Visit Sapa Now
Three trips to Sapa taught me one thing: pick September or don't bother. What I learned about timing, homestays, and the photo I …
Visa
Vietnam E-Visa 2026: I applied three times and messed up twice
Step-by-step e-visa application with the mistakes that cost me a week. Official fees, photo specs, and the one rule nobody …
Visa
My first visa run almost went wrong three times
What nobody tells you about the Lao Bao border run from Da Nang. Real costs, the catch-22 with e-visas, and why I now leave at 4 …