Vietnam ranks among the world’s 10 best places for retirees

In this year’s list, Vietnam ranks ninth, marking its first-ever appearance in the global top 10.

The country has been recognized for its reasonable cost of living, increasingly improved living conditions, and notable progress in infrastructure and healthcare system.

Although the cost of living is still slightly higher than some other Asian destinations, Vietnam is considered a well-balanced option in terms of affordability, living conditions and long-term development potential.

The ranking comes amid an increasing number of retirees in Europe, including France, considering long-term residence abroad to enhance their quality of life, enjoy more favorable climates, and optimize their retirement income.

To establish the ranking, Retraite sans Frontières analyzed 12 criteria, with the cost of living accounting for the largest proportion, equivalent to 20% of the total score.

According to Mr. Paul Delahoutre, the founder of the organization, living abroad can help retirees save 15-50% on daily expenses compared to living in France. Other important criteria include climate, quality of healthcare services, safety, accessibility of services, and ease of travel.

Beyond lifestyle factors, tax policy is also considered a decisive incentive when choosing a retirement destination. Some countries offer attractive tax incentives for pensions transferred from overseas, making them significantly appealing to foreign retirees.

Portugal continues to top the ranking, thanks to its cost of living being approximately 15% lower than France, geographic proximity, convenient transportation network, and well-developed infrastructure.

Spain follows closely, notable for its shared border with France, rich cuisine, and service standards comparable to those across Europe.

The remaining positions are held by Greece, Thailand, Mauritius, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Indonesia, with Bali (Indonesia) once again highly rated for its low cost of living and pleasant climate despite limitations in geographical distance and quality of healthcare services.

Experts recommend that before making a permanent relocation decision after retirement, people should conduct a thorough survey of the prospective country to fully assess factors such as living conditions, healthcare, security, and the ability to integrate into the community.

Vietnam's first-ever inclusion in Retraite sans Frontières' list of top retirement destinations is seen as a positive sign. This reflects the growing appeal of the Southeast Asian nation to the international community amid forecasts that the trend of “cross-border retirement” will continue to expand in the coming years.