Retire in Vietnam: A Federal Retiree's Guide

Thinking about retiring in Vietnam on your federal pension?

Here’s what most videos won’t tell you: your Vietnamese visa, FEHB coverage, Medicare decision, OPM annuity, and tax responsibilities are separate systems. Assuming that one automatically takes care of another can become a costly mistake.

I retired from federal service, survived a 327-day OPM processing wait, and began planning my own life abroad. Vietnam also made my travel and research list. This is the guide I wish someone had handed me—developed specifically for FERS and CSRS retirees, not generic expats.

Inside the guide:

✅ Vietnam’s real visa picture—including why online advice about a “retirement visa” can be misleading

✅ What FEHB may cover overseas—and the questions to ask your health plan in writing

✅ Why Medicare coverage generally stays in the United States and what that could mean for your Part B decision

✅ How to receive your OPM annuity reliably while living abroad

✅ Important tax considerations for U.S. federal retirees spending extended time in Vietnam

✅ Where to consider living based on healthcare access, cost, climate, and lifestyle—not just social media images

✅ Practical pre-departure checklists to help organize your plans

✅ Official source links so you can verify the latest visa, benefit, healthcare, and tax requirements yourself

The information and figures were reviewed against official sources in July 2026. Because visa, tax, insurance, and benefit requirements can change, this guide also shows you where to confirm the latest rules before taking action.

For educational purposes only. This guide does not provide immigration, legal, tax, financial, or insurance advice.