Discover American Expat Life in Vietnam, The Truth After 3 Years with Markeiz Ryan

“If I really spent $4,000 a month, I’d have a villa and a problem.”

Having Markeiz back on Discover Vietnam felt like picking up a conversation we never really finished the first time. When he first joined me back in 2020, I was recording out of my bedroom, praying the iPhone wouldn’t ruin the audio. This time, we were sitting in a full podcast studio — lights, cameras, a technician, the whole lot. It made me think about how much this show has grown, and how much life in Vietnam has shaped both of us.

This episode wasn’t about headlines or clickbait. It was about getting past the noise — especially the noise created after his CNBC video “Living on $4,000 a Month in Vietnam” went viral. That title got people talking, but most of the reactions didn’t include the actual context. And nothing drives me madder than a story taken out of context.

I wanted to let him tell the full story himself — the chaos that brought him to Vietnam, the visa confusion everyone goes through, the reality behind that $4,000 figure, and why life here works for him. What I loved most is that the conversation wasn’t defensive. It was honest. It was grounded. It was two people who love living in Vietnam but also understand the complexities and privilege that come with that.

Key Talking Points

1. The Real Story Behind the “$4,000 in Vietnam” Headline

2. From Military Punishment to a Life Rebuilt Abroad

3. Visa Confusion, Missteps, and the Reality of Living Here

4. What Life in Vietnam Actually Costs — Not the Myths

5. Are Foreigners Really Driving Up Housing Prices?

Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Returning Guest, Studio Glow-Up & Podcast Confessions
• 05:00 – Military Punishment & the Spark That Led to Vietnam
• 12:00 – Visa Scams, Emergency Visa Fees & Life’s First Curveballs
• 18:00 – The $4,000 Headline: What CNBC Didn’t Show
• 26:00 – The Real Cost of Living Here (and Why “Cheap” Is Misleading)
• 36:00 – Are Foreigners Pushing Up Housing Prices? The Myths Unpacked

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Studying Vietnamese in Vietnam
• 1:13 Navigating Payments in Vietnam
• 2:22 Podcast Introduction and Guest Reintroduction
• 4:16 Challenges of Learning Vietnamese
• 10:14 Military Experiences and Moving to Vietnam
• 13:54 Visa Issues and First Impressions
• 17:30 Current Visa Situation and Studying in Vietnam
• 19:36 Military Benefits for Studying in Vietnam
• 20:30 Living on $4,000 a Month in Vietnam
• 21:29 Cost of Living and Hidden Expenses
• 25:14 Challenges of Renting and Property Ownership
• 28:21 Financial Strategies and Saving Money
• 29:25 Day Trading and Financial Learning
• 30:13 Negativity and Misconceptions
• 36:26 Foreigners' Impact on Housing Prices
• 38:09 Legal Restrictions for Foreigners in Vietnam
• 39:55 Defending the Expat Lifestyle
• 43:21 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell