Every month, expats land in Da Nang missing one document, holding the wrong visa, or carrying zero cash because their bank card failed at the e-visa portal. This is the checklist to fix that before you board.
Which Visa Actually Works for Long-Term Living?
Vietnam gives most nationalities a 45-day visa-exempt entry - including Russians. It is enough for a scouting trip. It is not enough for relocation.
For anything longer, you need an e-visa (up to 90 days, single or multiple entry) or a residency card. Most expats start with the e-visa: $25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry, processed on evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn in 3-5 business days.
The catch: the portal rejects many non-Vietnamese cards - especially Russian ones. If your card gets declined, you either use a payment service or scramble last-minute before your current visa expires — sorting through a payment service that actually works is one of the things covered on our services page.
The Document Checklist to Start 6 to 8 Weeks Before Moving
These are the documents Vietnam will ask for, depending on your visa type.
Everyone needs:
- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining - this is enforced at the border, no exceptions
- Criminal background check with apostille, issued no more than 3 months before submission
- Proof of financial means (bank statement showing USD 1,500-2,000 minimum)
- Accommodation confirmation - lease agreement or a letter from your host
If you are working in Vietnam:
- University degree with certified Vietnamese translation (translated and then notarized)
- Work permit issued by your Vietnamese employer
- Professional references or certificates in your field
If you are studying:
- Official enrollment letter from a Vietnamese institution
- Proof of funding for the full study period
- Health insurance covering the entire stay
One thing catches most people off guard: the Vietnamese translation requirement. Every foreign document goes through a certified translator, then a notary stamps the translator’s signature. Budget one to two weeks for this step and do not leave it to the week before your flight.
The apostille on your criminal record is separate - processed by your regional Ministry of Justice. In Russia this takes 5 to 30 business days depending on the region.
Budgeting Your First Month: Realistic Numbers
Da Nang is consistently one of Southeast Asia’s most affordable cities for expats. Here is what a single person actually spends in month one:
- Furnished apartment: $300-550
- Apartment deposit (one-time): $300-550
- Food (local markets plus occasional restaurants): $200-350
- Health insurance: $50-80
- SIM card: $10-15
- Motorbike rental or Grab rides: $50-100
Total for first month including deposit: $1,200-2,000
Have at least $2,000 liquid before you land. You may need cash the first few weeks because card systems take time to set up.
The Problem with Transferring Money From Russia
SWIFT transfers from Russian banks to Vietnamese banks are unreliable in 2026. Some banks push the transfer through; others silently fail after 3-7 days. Meanwhile the e-visa portal and many Vietnamese landlords need payment upfront.
The practical approach most expats use:
- Bring cash USD - up to $5,000 without customs declaration on either border
- Bring a card from a Georgian, Kazakh or Armenian bank as your primary card
- Use transfer services like YuMoney or Golden Crown for ongoing transfers after you settle
Once you have a Vietnamese temporary resident card, you can open a local bank account. Techcombank and Sacombank both work with foreigners. You will need a registered address first, which means sorting your landlord registration in the first 24 hours. For a full breakdown of what to check in a Da Nang lease and how to avoid overpaying agents, see our long-term apartment rental guide.
Your First 72 Hours in Da Nang
At the airport: Buy a local SIM immediately. Viettel and Vinaphone both have counters at arrivals. Without a local number, Grab does not work and most landlords will not respond.
First day: Get your residency registered. Your landlord is legally required to notify local police of your presence within 24 hours of move-in. Service apartments handle this automatically. If renting from a private landlord, ask explicitly - many skip this step and leave you technically unregistered.
First week: Sort out your visa situation. If your 45-day visa-exempt period is counting down, you need to start the e-visa application, arrange a visa run from Da Nang, or begin the residency card process. Running out of days and scrambling is the single most stressful part of Vietnam relocation.
If your card is getting rejected on the e-visa portal, or you want someone to double-check your document list before you board, danangvisarun.com handles the full relocation prep including visa application and payment — message us there and we will confirm which route fits your timeline.
