Vietnam has been named in the list of the world’s best 10 countries for retirement in 2020 by International Living with two metropolises including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. International Living a magazine providing information about global travel, living, retiring, investing, and real estate, among others.

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The list was resulted from an annual survey of Global Retirement Index, which covers five continents with the distillation of pertinent and measurable fact of scouts and experts as well as the experience of expats.

The magazine described Vietnam as one of the world's most impoverished countries less than 30 years ago and now has very enabling conditions for pensioners. “English is widely spoken, and the local people are exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Making friends - both expats and Vietnamese - is easy. Life's little luxuries are more than affordable in Vietnam. It's not surprising that so many foreigners have chosen to retire here,” International Living wrote.

According to the magazine, “Vietnam’s exceptionally low cost of living is a major incentive for living here. Wherever you are in Vietnam, you’ll find that the cost of living is low.”

Agreeing with International Living magazine, John Powell, an expat from New York, said that he sold most of his belongings and moved to Hanoi, the historic French-influenced capital city and was absolutely charmed by lots of things including the good healthcare and good base for travel.

John said he budgets of around US$2,700 a month to take frequent trips abroad and still lives comfortably in the city.

Vietnam is one of two Asian countries mentioned in the list of worth-living place for retirement together with Malaysia. Besides, there are other Western and American countries listed namely France, Spain, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Portugal.