Moving to Da Nang from Europe — a 90-day checklist

Moving from a highly structured European country to the dynamic coast of central Vietnam is exhilarating, but the logistics can be overwhelming. Missing a single piece of paperwork can mean a denied boarding pass or frozen bank accounts abroad.

Here is our battle-tested, 90-day checklist for European expats moving to Da Nang.

90 Days Out: Bureaucracy and Health

• Check Passport Validity: Vietnam requires at least 6 months of validity beyond your date of entry, and at least two blank pages. If you are close, renew it now.
• International Driving Permit (IDP): To legally ride a scooter in Vietnam, you need your home country motorcycle license and a 1968 convention IDP. Order this through your national transport authority.
• Travel Insurance: Ensure your policy covers Vietnam, includes repatriation, and explicitly covers riding a scooter (many do not unless you have a valid license back home).
• Vaccinations: Consult a travel clinic. Typhoid, Hepatitis A/B, and Tetanus are highly recommended. Japanese Encephalitis is optional but common for long-term rural stays.

60 Days Out: Finances and Visas

• Apply for the E-Visa: Apply for the 90-day single or multiple-entry tourist e-visa via the official Vietnam Immigration portal. Warning: There are dozens of fake, overpriced "agency" sites. Use only the `.gov.vn` portal.
• Banking: Inform your bank you are moving to Vietnam to prevent frozen cards. Open a borderless account like Wise or Revolut for cheap currency conversion and international transfers.
• Unlock Your Phone: Ensure your smartphone is factory unlocked so you can insert a local MobiFone or Viettel SIM card (or eSIM) upon arrival.

30 Days Out: Packing and Subscriptions

• Cancel Subscriptions: Gyms, mobile phone contracts, broadband, and local streaming services.
• What NOT to pack: Heavy winter clothes (unless arriving in December/January), bulky toiletries (you can buy everything here), and excess shoes (flip-flops rule Da Nang).
• What TO pack: High-quality sunscreen (local options often contain whitening agents), specific prescription medications (bring a 3-month supply), and electronics (laptops are more expensive in Vietnam).

14 Days Out: The Soft Landing Prep

• Book Initial Accommodation: Book an Airbnb or hotel for at least your first 3 to 4 nights. Never sign a long-term lease without seeing the property in person.
• Download Essential Apps: Grab (for ride-hailing and food delivery), Zalo (the WhatsApp of Vietnam), and Google Translate (download the Vietnamese offline package).
• Print Documents: Print your e-visa approval, flight itinerary, passport copies, and travel insurance details. Keep them in a waterproof folder.

Arrival Day

Breathe. You made it. Get through immigration, ignore the aggressive taxi touts outside the airport, and call a Grab to your hotel. Tomorrow, the adventure begins.

Want to skip the stress of your first 48 hours? TryViet's Arrival Lite package includes a pre-loaded MobiFone eSIM, private airport pickup, and a curated neighborhood shortlist so you can land and instantly relax.