I’ve accepted a position to be a software architect for IBM in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Viet Nam. What do I need to know? What’s the deal with taxes? How should I set up my banking? What kind of insurance should I get? Any suggestions and/or anecdotes about living abroad will be appreciated!
OH MY GOD!!
Wow, how exciting for you. How much time have you got before you leave?
Uh oh, one less San Diego Doper. Thank God Astroboy moved to town so we can have a sense of equilibrium. 
Hey, Scout! I think my last four or five threads have you as a first responder. Either you’re constantly online, or we’re highly synchronized. (I’ll go with the second as a working theory for now.)
I’ll be starting on 6/16, leaving San Diego on 6/11. (Yes, I’ll miss the Dopefest. Dammit!) However, as you pointed out, as part of the Asia / San Diego exchange program, Astroboy is here to take my place. That’s a clear win for San Diego!
A friend of mine from Colorado is moving to Saigon right now, too. Re. banking, I think it’s best to have a local account AND keep an account in the US. Keep checks and an ATM card for the US account, too. This comes in handy sometimes. Good luck
I was actually hoping for more advice than this, but maybe I chose the wrong forum. On the bright side, it means I’m free to go rambling on a tangent…
Trinidad? When did you move to Trinidad? I remember you were interested in coming to Viet Nam the last time I almost got a job there. Now with your Colorado friend, you have two reasons! Scout, you’re welcome too. We’ll have a Doperfest East (Far East)!
P.S. I’m still looking for advice. I’m set for banking thanks to Jill. How about taxes and insurance?
I would ask your company if they could put you in touch with someone else from your company that made the same move (there must be others?). They’re probably the best people to ask and could give you more specific advice.
Best of luck with the move!
I don’t know much about living in Asia but I did live in Europe for 10 years and never gave up my US citizenship. I used an American bank and just accessed cash via ATMs or Cambias. I paid what I could on line or with a debit card and sent my stateside bills in the mail but be careful. the mailing time is extensive and sometimes you can’t get the bill in time to get the payment back on time. In those cases I called the debtor and explained and most will allow you to pay by direct draft or online.
LEarn as much as you can of the language. It is helpful to learn your way around, to shop, to read signs, everything. Get out and experience the culture. A lot of Americans hid at home due to a language barrier but the more you get out, the more you learn. Learn as many customs as you can before you go so you don’t accidentally offend and try to find a friend who is either a local or someone in your company who has lived there a while to show you the ropes.
Good luck and enjoy. It sounds exciting.