China vs Vietnam | Things to Consider Before Moving

China vs Vietnam // What’s the Deal?

Who wins – it’s time to pit China vs Vietnam as we touch on ten factors between these two very different but equally sublime countries!

This blog is brought to you by the wonderful folk at Urban Sesame.

PLEASE NOTE | The writer (who is called Ian) is of Chinese descent, and previously lived in China for over 10 years. He speaks, reads, and writes Chinese, but for 4 years now has been living in Vietnam.

Take it away Ian!

There are so many amazing countries to choose from when moving abroad, each with its own unique culture and benefits.

So how do you decide which one is right for you?

In this blog post, we’ll compare Vietnam vs China – two popular choices for expats – to help you make your decision.

Read on to learn more about what each country has to offer, and find out which one is the best fit for you.

Before we continue on with this list, just a few additional details on how we qualify these important points.

Both of these countries are big, and having to consider all of the regional differences within is already a big task, let alone comparing things across borders.

To avoid overgeneralizing, we’ll be focusing these points mostly on the major cities – Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, vs Hanoi, Saigon, and Danang.

Further, we’ll only be considering the differences that exist now – not what may or may not happen in the future as both countries continue to develop, but there will be a few side notes on this.

Lastly, we’ll try to be as objective as possible. The writer will have his own personal biases, but each country has a special place in his heart.

Ultimately, moving to a new country is a personal decision – this is just here as a guide.

Without further ado, here are 10 important factors to consider before moving to either Vietnam or China:

China vs Vietnam | Cost of Living

China vs Vietnam | Language Barrier

China vs Vietnam | Infrastructure

China vs Vietnam | Weather Conditions

China vs Vietnam | Government

China vs Vietnam | Traffic

China vs Vietnam | Pollution

China vs Vietnam | Safety

China vs Vietnam | Visa Requirements

China vs Vietnam | Food & Drink

China vs Vietnam | FAQ’s

China vs Vietnam // Cost of Living

When it comes to the cost of living, Vietnam is significantly cheaper than China.

In cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you can find a comfortable apartment for around $500 per month.

While groceries and other essentials are relatively affordable, dining out and nightlife are very cheap compared to China.

In Beijing, for example, a meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost you around $30, while the same meal in Vietnam will only set you back $10.

China’s big cities are very modern, with most districts having a higher cost of living to match.

If you’re moving to China on a budget, you’ll want to get your finances in good order. 

China’s Tier 2-3 cities come a little cheaper but Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and especially Shanghai will cost you a fair amount of dollar to get by.

China vs Vietnam // Language Barrier

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face when moving to a new country is the language barrier.

In China, Mandarin is the official language and is spoken as a first language (or dialect) by around 70% of the population.

In Vietnam, the official language is Vietnamese – but the thing to consider is the accent.

There’s no real “standard” way of saying things, and this makes the same language almost unintelligible.

If you learn the “northern accent” people in the south probably wont understand you, and vice versa.

Find out more about that with our north vs south dialect comparison.

As a bonus though – Vietnamese is written in the Latin Alphabet, so it’s a lot easier to get exposed to new words and order off the menu, vs having to decipher the Chinese hanzi.

Vietnamese Dialects // North or South?

North vs South? Vietnamese dialects can vary quite significantly. This is one of the very early questions a Vietnamese learner asks themselves.

China vs Vietnam // Infrastructure

When it comes to infrastructure, China is miles ahead of Vietnam.

The roads, bridges, and highways are world-class and easily on par with what you’ll find in Europe or the United States.

Public transportation is also excellent, with a well-developed network of trains, buses, and subways.

In Vietnam, the infrastructure is still catching up.

Trains do exist (and the Hanoi – Saigon route is highly recommended).

But while the major cities have decent roads, things can get a bit dicey in smaller towns.

Moreover, there is no subway system in Saigon. But it’s under construction, and has been for the last 20 years.

China vs Vietnam // Weather Conditions

The weather conditions in China and Vietnam are very different.

In the north of China, you have 4 distinct seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter

Winters can get very cold and bitter in the Dongbei (north-eastern) area. If you live in Shanghai, it can also get very damp.

There is also no central heating in Shanghai meaning, despite warmer temperatures than the north, it can feel rather cold.

Moving down south, the climate is more tropical, but Guangzhou can still get a bit nippy also.

Here in Vietnam, the weather is a bit less demanding. Hanoi can get quite cold and damp during winter, with a lot of humidity to contend with in the summer.

Having said that, beaches like Danang and Nha Trang are beautiful all year round and easy access to the ocean is a good reason to move here. 

China vs Vietnam // Government

The culture in China is very different from what you’ll find in Vietnam. First and foremost, China is a Communist country, while Vietnam is Socialist.

While the Communist Party does have a lot of power in Vietnam, it’s not to the same extent as it is in China. This can be seen in the way the two countries are run.

China is a lot more efficient, and things just work here – whether it’s getting a visa, opening a bank account, or starting a business.

In Vietnam, you’ll often find yourself waiting in line for hours, only to be told that you need another document.

Perhaps of day to day importance though, in Vietnam, you can easily access Google, Facebook, and Youtube.

This is not the case in China, where the “Great Firewall of China” blocks many sites. You will need a VPN.

Vietnam Apps // The Ones You Need To Download For Life in Vietnam

Coming to Vietnam anytime soon? Great choice! Today you will discover the most important Vietnam Apps you need to download with our comprehensive guide.

China vs Vietnam // Traffic

This is a big one, and can be a deal breaker for some.

The traffic in China is notoriously bad. You can easily spend an hour in a car, just to travel 20 kilometers.

Due to any combination of things (the large population, rush hour, or even just the Lunar New Year) you could potentially find yourself stuck in a traffic jam for literal days.

Taking the metro is a different story, it’s quick, regular and efficient and is the most common way for locals to get around in the bigger cities.

In Vietnam, the traffic is much better.

Even without a good public transport system, people are still able to move around at a reasonable pace.

While it can get congested in Hanoi and Saigon during rush hour, it’s nothing like what you’ll find in Beijing or Shanghai. 

China vs Vietnam // Pollution

Something to consider, especially if you’re moving to China.

The air pollution in Chinese cities can be tough on some days, although it is worth saying this has improved over the last few years.

It’s possible to have days where the air quality index (AQI) exceeds 250, which is considered “very unhealthy.” In fact, it’s also quite possible to hit 400!

In Vietnam, the air quality is much better. However, it’s still not perfect.

The AQI in Hanoi and Saigon can reach 150 on bad days. But overall, it’s still a lot cleaner than what you’ll find in China. There are a lot more good days than there are bad. 

You can find out more about the pollution in China and how it’s being combatted here.

China vs Vietnam // Safety

Both countries are considered safe generally, with very little day to day crime.

However, if we’re looking at it from a purely statistical standpoint, China is the safer of the two.

The crime rate in China is quite low, and you rarely hear about things like muggings or robberies.

Vietnam does have its fair share of crime, but these are for “petty” non violent offences like pickpocketing and motorbike theft.

Even on your own at night, you would feel a lot safer in these two countries than many others around the world.

China vs Vietnam // Visa Requirements

Another important factor to consider before moving to a new country is the visa requirements.

In China, most expats will need to obtain a work visa.

This can be a bit of a process, and you’ll need to have an employer sponsor you.

With a lot of highly publicized crackdowns and deportations, it’s getting increasingly difficult to get your RMB pay packet under the table.

In Vietnam, the visa requirements are a bit more relaxed.

You can easily obtain a tourist or business visa, which will allow you to stay in the country for up to 3 months.

There’s also the option to do a visa run to Cambodia which is always an interesting weekend trip. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a longer-term visa.

However, it’s worth noting that Vietnam is also cracking down on illegal workers. 

China vs Vietnam // Food & Drink

When it comes to food, both countries have a lot to offer.

Chinese cuisine is of course world-renowned.

And while Vietnam doesn’t yet have the same international reputation, the food here is still excellent.

In both countries, you’ll find a wide variety of dishes to suit all taste buds.

The street food scene is particularly strong in Vietnam, and craft beer is everywhere.

Having said that, the variety of regional and ethnic cuisines in China doesn’t really make it a fair fight.

Definitely China for the win. 

6 Must-Try Vietnamese Street Food & Snacks // North vs South

Vietnamese Street Food has a lot of surprises we think you’ve never seen before! Today we introduce you 3 from the north and 3 from the south of Vietnam.

There’s a lot more to discuss, but let’s end this list at a nice and even 10.

If you’re thinking of moving to either China or Vietnam, hopefully this list has given you a few things to think about. It’s by no means exhaustive, but it should give you a good starting point.

Feel free to check out Urban Sesame for more articles on life in Vietnam and China.

We cover everything from travel and food, to culture and current affairs. And if you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch or drop a comment below!

Thanks once again to Ian from Urban Sesame for this fascinating look at China vs Vietnam.

China vs Vietnam // FAQ’s

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