Moving To Vietnam From The UK

Moving to Vietnam

If you are moving to Vietnam, whether to Saigon, Hanoi or Haiphong, Britannia Movers International will be able to tailor the move to your individual needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to Vietnam All shipments of used household and personal effects are subject to a 100% inspection by customs and are dutiable at a rate determined by the Ministry of Finance. The shipper must be in possession of the appropriate visa and work permit. Only one of each electrical item is allowed. Books, CDs, tapes and discs are subject to censorship. Your local Britannia Member will provide you with detailed customs regulations. Britannia and our agents will assist you with completion of customs formalities. To assist us with this please let us have a copy of your passport (and visa if applicable). The required documentation will be supplied to you on arrival.
	Vietnam Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to Vietnam Both sole use and crated consignments usually take an average of 5 – 6 weeks to reach Vietnam from the UK. Sole use container loads take on average 5 – 6 weeks door to door. Clearance times for sea shipments are approximately one week. However, this can vary depending on volumes being shipped, customs or immigration delays and prevailing weather conditions.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to Vietnam All groupage consignments will be barcoded before they are loaded into the shipping container. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to Vietnam with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Moving Motor Vehicles to Vietnam No used cars may be imported, only brand new ones with less than 100km. Current duty on a new car is 250%, therefore we do not recommend the importation of your car to Vietnam.
	Vietnam Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International Payments Regular Overseas Transfers Prepaid Currency Card Forward Contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to Vietnam with Britannia

Your Move to Vietnam with Britannia – Britannia can offer you a door-to-door shipping service to Vietnam, and can either ship your effects by sole-use container, or for smaller shipments in a wooden crate (LCL). In addition, we can offer a door-to-door airfreight service to some destinations in Vietnam. Our agents in Vietnam will arrange customs clearance, and deliver and unpack the effects, including removal of debris on day of delivery.

Additional Removal Services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional services when moving to Vietnam. We are authorised to provide international insurance, can arrange storage, or take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to Vietnam, you can request a quote, and read more about our international removals and additional removal services, like money transfer.

Living in Vietnam

If you are looking for an adventurous and exciting lifestyle or moving for professional reasons, Vietnam can be a perfect destination. Vietnam has stunning landscapes, dramatic coastlines, a diverse and rich culture, and has experienced rapid economic growth in the last decades.

Located in Asia, Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula, and is surrounded by China, Laos, Cambodia and the South China Sea. Although the country has experienced unstable political and economic conditions for most of the twentieth century, it has recently emerged as an economically strong nation, and has joined the World Trade Organisation in 2007. While, living standards and equality among the population is not as high as in Western Europe, poverty and inequality have declined significantly in recent times.

Vietnam is a fast-growing and exciting country. Hanoi, the capital, is the main political and cultural centre of the country and is often referred to as the “city of lakes”. If you want to escape the buzz of big cities, travel to the southernmost part of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta, which is a varied and stunning region. Whether you are looking for new business opportunities, or a different lifestyle, Vietnam could be your perfect destination.

Vietnam Visas

When moving to Vietnam, one of the first steps is securing the appropriate visa. Vietnam offers several types, depending on the purpose of your stay, including tourist, business, and temporary residency visas. It’s essential to ensure you have the right visa to avoid any delays or complications during your move.

For short stays, a tourist visa is typically sufficient, but for longer stays or if you’re relocating for work or family reasons, you may need a business or temporary residency visa.

A temporary resident visa (DT visa) will typically be valid for between one and three years. You’ll need to show proof of employment or investment in Vietnam, along with a sponsorship from your employer or company. If you’re working in Vietnam, you’ll need a work permit, which will be applied for by your employer. They’ll typically be valid for one to two years, and can be renewed.

Working in Vietnam

Vietnam offers a range of opportunities for UK citizens, particularly in sectors like education, technology, manufacturing, finance, and hospitality. English teaching remains a popular option, but there is also strong demand for skilled workers in IT, engineering, banking, and sales. The growing economy, especially in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, offers an environment where foreign expertise is highly sought after.

In terms of work culture, Vietnam tends to be hierarchical, with respect for seniority playing a key role in daily interactions. Communication is often indirect, so patience and diplomacy are important. Work hours generally follow a Monday to Friday schedule, although longer hours can be expected in some industries. It’s essential to build strong relationships with colleagues if you want to succeed at work in Vietnam, as teamwork and mutual respect are central to the workplace dynamic.

Cost of Living in Vietnam

The cost of living and housing is Vietnam can be significantly lower than in Western Europe. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Vietnam is 55% lower than in the UK, not including rent prices. Rent alone is 70% lower in Vietnam. Salaries are around 85% lower in Vietnam than in the UK, but many UK expats enjoy a high quality of life.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Vietnam below. Prices are shown in Vietnamese đồng and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About Vietnam

• The official name of the country is the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
• Vietnam has one of the lowest unemployment rates among the developing countries.
• Vietnam is the world’s second largest exporter of coffee and rice.
• Vietnam has a very rich wildlife, with over 270 types of mammals, and 800 bird species.
• Vietnam is home to one of the longest beaches in the world, the My Khe Beach in Da Nang, stretching over 20 miles.
• Vietnam is a socialist state governed by the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Choose Britannia for Your Vietnam Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to Vietnam and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.