Embedded Files
If you’re thinking about retiring abroad from the UK in your 60s or beyond, these Blog pages are here to help. I have divided the Blogs into two Chapters -
1) The UK Chapter (planning to move)
2) The Vietnam Chapter (Life in SE Asia)
I share practical, first-hand experience of moving abroad later in life — from what to organise before you leave the UK to what everyday life is really like once you arrive.
You’ll find articles covering:
Renting accommodation abroad
SIM cards, banking, ATMs, and managing money
Cultural differences and settling in
Everyday life as a retiree abroad
Living in Vietnam, with a particular focus on Hanoi
Whether you’re just exploring the idea or actively planning your move, these posts are written to be clear, practical, and easy to follow, especially for people over 60.
The Vietnam Chapter - (Life in SE Asia)
Sept 2026 Before moving to Vietnam to retire, I did what I thought was the responsible thing: I notified my UK bank of 35 years, NatWest, that I would be abroad for at least six months. I entered my travel plans into their app, updated my details, and set off to start my new life.
May 2026 I first came to Vietnam in August 2023 for a three-week trip, traveling from Hanoi down to Ho Chi Minh City. By the end of it, I was already falling in love with the country. But my journey home from Ho Chi Minh City to London—a grueling 13-hour flight via Hong Kong—would change my life forever.
April 2026 I retired and moved to Hanoi from the UK in April 2025. Now, some might question my logic or my wisdom here. Why? Because I picked a country that doesn't currently have a dedicated Retirement visa.
March 2026 I’ve previously written a Blog about private health insurance and mentioned that I couldn’t get cover for any pre-existing medical conditions.
March 2026 When planning my early retirement to Hanoi, Vietnam from the UK, one of the things that surprised me the most was the cost of private health insurance
Feb 2026 Before I made the move, this was one of the first things I wanted to know. You can find plenty of figures online—but I wasn’t sure how realistic they were.
Jan 2026 Before I left the UK, I decided I was going to keep both my UK bank account and credit card.
Jan 2026 Before I left the UK, I had been with EE for over 10 years. But like many people, I had noticed the monthly plans were getting more and more expensive.
Jan 2026 After initially moving into a hotel I started to hunt for an apartment....
Jan 2026 Part 3 of 3 in the series of Blogs in relation to my motorbike journey from complete beginner to buying one.
Jan 2026 Part 2 of my motorbike journey.
Dec '2025 This is part 1 of my motorbike journey in Hanoi.
Dec '2025 Learning Vietnamese - harder than I thought.........
Dec '2025 By the time I retired and finally moved to Hanoi, Vietnam I had visited there 3 times before....
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse