Vietnamese women got their 15 minutes of fame in the wake of the Vietnam War, but they still remain popular among American guys who prefer Asian features and conservative family values. Today, I’ll introduce you to the intricacies of Vietnamese dating and share all the tools you’ll need to find your perfect Vietnamese mail order bride.
Female population of Vietnam | 50.3 million |
Best cities for dating | Hochiminh, Hanoi, Can Tho, Da Nang, Bien Hoa |
Age at first marriage | 25.1 y.o. |
Best dating site | SakuraDate |
Best Sites to Find Vietnamese Brides
As you know, I’m a firm believer in the power of online dating, and the Vietnamese dating scene is no exception. After careful consideration, I recommend trying one of these platforms:
SakuraDate | You won’t find better dating profiles anywhere. Good for high-compatibility matches, and there’s always plenty of material to use in your opening line. Solid chat with video and voice messages, and the pricing isn’t too bad, starting at $0.20 per credit. Sign-up is free and includes 20 bonus credits. |
LanaDate | A fun mix of social and dating features on one platform. You can scroll through the pictures and instantly connect with the ladies you like best. Interactive chat supports media messages, and there are also virtual and real gifts. Free registration comes with 20 bonus credits. |
NaomiDate | Try it if you’re tired of non-responsive people. The ladies are very often eager to chat and swap photos and videos. But you don’t have to waste your time on poor matches, thanks to detailed member profiles. New users get 20 credits after a free registration. Standard rates start at $0.20 per credit. |
Pick one and sign up today, but finish this post first to learn what you’re getting into.
Vietnamese Mail Order Bride Pricing
You cannot buy a Vietnamese bride. It’s illegal. If you ever run across a dating site offering to ship a Vietnamese order bride to your doorstep for a price, block and report it as a scam or a human trafficking ring.
The cost of Vietnamese mail order bride dating is merely my estimate of your expenses from the first meeting to getting married, based on personal experience and research. Here are the biggest expenses you’ll likely incur:
- Online dating expenses — from $100 per month. Subscription-based platforms charge up to $300 monthly but offer significant discounts for long-term plans. Estimating your costs on pay-as-you-go platforms like SakuraDate, EasternHoney, or NaomiDate is harder. In my experience, the first month or two are the most expensive, but once you get into a routine, your spending should stay within $100 to $200 per month.
- Visiting Vietnam — from $1,500 per week. This estimate includes round-trip plane tickets (about $1,000) and a week-long stay in Vietnam, including accommodations, food, and transportation for one (around $500). You will typically need to take at least a couple of trips, and they should ideally be a couple of weeks long.
- Immigration charges — around $2,500. At first, you’ll need to cover the filing fees for the petition for an alien fiance, which are around $700, and help your bride pay for the nonimmigrant visa application (under $300). The rest of the sum covers other paperwork charges, like adjustment of status and employment permit. Immigration attorney charges will be extra if you decide to use their services.
- Wedding budget — from $300. In most states, you can get a marriage license and a courthouse ceremony with witnesses for under $300. That’s enough to fulfill the K-1 visa requirements. If you go with an elaborate wedding ceremony and reception, get ready to pay up to $33,000 (or more), depending on the number of guests and your tastes.
So, how much are Vietnamese mail order brides? Here’s the total estimate:
Expense | Price | Included | Cost |
Dating site membership fees | $100/month | 6 to 12 months | $600 to $1,200 |
Travel expenses | $1,500/week | 2 week-long trips | $3,000 |
Visa filing fees | $2,500 | Forms, medical exams, etc. | $2,500 |
Wedding expenses | $300 to $33,000 | Ceremony and reception | $300 to $33,000 |
Total | $6,400 to $39,700 |
Don’t worry; you won’t have to pay the sum upfront. Considering most mail order relationships take at least a year or two to get to the wedding, you can fit additional spending into your monthly budget.
Additional Factors Affecting Vietnamese Mail Order Bride Cost
Staying in Vietnam long-term is much cheaper than taking multiple short trips. As we’ve established, you’d need around $1,500 for a week-long roundtrip, but the cost of living in Vietnam is only $900 to $1,500 per month (without plane tickets). For example, you can survive on around $100 worth of groceries if you opt out of eating out daily.
How to Save Money
I’m always looking for ways to make long-distance dating more affordable, and these tips work every time:
- Save on online dating fees. Pick sites with free registration, welcome bonuses, and discounts. SakuraDate and LanaDate check all these boxes.
- Pick the right time to travel. The high season in Vietnam is from December to March and from July to September. Flying outside these periods will be much cheaper, but you might encounter extreme weather.
- Keep your gifts modest. Vietnamese women don’t like drawing attention to themselves. They’ll even evade flowery compliments. They may reject extravagant gifts, so keep things simple with sentimental souvenirs or flowers.
International dating doesn’t have to empty your savings account if you’re careful with budgeting and planning.
Why Do Vietnamese Women Look for Foreign Husbands?
Tien, 35
“None of the men I’ve dated takes my career seriously. I didn’t become an architect to be a stay-at-home wife, but that’s what most local guys expect from me. I’m hoping Western men are more open-minded and willing to support my career goals. It’s not like I don’t want a family, I just want to have a say in how we do it.”
Pham, 29
“I work in the hospitality industry, so I meet tourists and business travelers every day, and I just love hearing their stories. I’d love to travel the world with a strong man by my side. I’m a hopeless romantic and dying for a great story of star-crossed romance to tell my children and their children!”
Nguyen, 48
“I don’t believe there’s only one right person for everyone. I’ve already had my big romance, and I got a divorce and a son out of it. Now I’m just looking for someone who’s just as kind, caring, and hard-working as I am to build a life together we could both enjoy. As a single mom, I’m short on partner options in Lam Dong, that’s why I decided to try international dating instead. So far, it’s been going great.”
Vietnamese Mail Order Bride Statistics
First-hand accounts help us understand what’s inside Vietnamese mail order brides’ heads, but they don’t give us the big picture. That’s where the numbers come in:
- Vietnamese mail order brides are relatively young. The average age at first marriage is around 25, but the age gap is greater than in most countries, at over 4 years.
- Marriage and family are vital for Vietnamese. Over 67% of Vietnamese people are married, 23.8% are single, but only 2% are divorced.
- Vietnamese women love foreigners. Although most ladies marry locals, 15,000 to 20,000 choose to marry foreigners every year. They make up nearly 90% of all international marriages in Vietnam.
- Americans are the most popular among foreign partners. American men (5,119) have surpassed Korean (4,158) and Chinese (4,395) partners among Vietnamese women who choose international marriages.
- Vietnamese ladies are among the top 5 Asian mail order brides. In 2023, the US issued 610 K-1 visas to Vietnamese singles looking to marry Americans.
As you can see, Vietnamese-American relationships are pretty common and are getting more popular every year.
How to Find Vietnamese Bride: Best Ways to Find Foreign Brides
Even though it’s halfway across the globe, the Vietnamese dating scene isn’t much different from America. Younger daters prefer online connections, but there are still plenty of singles who go for old-school face-to-face dates first. If you fall into the latter category, don’t rush to the airport. Do some thinking first:
- Can you work remotely or take a long leave? Think back to your last relationship and how long it took for you to find a girlfriend and score the first date. Double the number, and you’ll get the minimum time you’ll need to stay in Vietnam to get anywhere. If you can work remotely despite the 12-hour time difference, you’re in luck. Otherwise, your short-term stay might become a waste of time and money.
- What’s your dating budget? Although the cost of living in Vietnam is pretty low, you’ll need to get there first. Besides, if you take an extended vacation or sabbatical, your main source of income will dry out fast. Consider your savings and budget carefully before making rash moves, especially in the current economy.
- How flexible and adaptable are you? Vietnamese culture is nothing like American, despite the country’s Westernization. You’ll need to get used to the cultural norms, cuisine, communication style, and language. Managing it all at once can be challenging, even for experienced travelers. If it’s your first trip abroad, adopting a Vietnamese lifestyle can be too much.
Suppose you have sufficient time and funds to brave a long stay in Vietnam, and you’re flexible enough to do it. Where do you find single ladies to court? Here are a few places that worked for me:
- Cocktail bars. Places like Layla in D1 or Qui, Bam Bam, and Lush have plenty of single ladies, and cocktails are an excellent social lubricant to help overcome initial awkwardness. Still, be careful to avoid sharks, who also flock to drinking establishments to find foreigners to milk for cash.
- Walking streets. Nguyen Hue and Bui Vien are always busy with locals and tourists, so it should be easy to strike up a conversation.
- Sports clubs and groups. You’ll find plenty of jogging groups, yoga classes, and other activities on Facebook. Joining will put you in touch with multiple single women at a time in an informal setting, doubling your chances of getting dates.
Although face-to-face dates are undoubtedly the cornerstone of any relationship, a trip to Vietnam to find your love is always a gamble. So, I suggest you hedge your bets a little by starting your Vietnamese dating journey online.
Step-By-Step Instruction: How to Get Vietnamese Mail Order Bride Online
Online dating is huge in Vietnam. According to surveys, over half of Vietnamese singles use at least one dating app. While mainstream apps like Tinder and OkCupid are pretty popular, Vietnamese singles also use messengers like Zalo and Telegram to find dates. Facebook Dating is getting plenty of attention as well.
At the same time, the common complaints about mainstream apps in Vietnam are the same as all over the world. Most users are looking for casual hookups, nothing serious. Besides, these apps are geared towards local matches and don’t work for international connections without premium upgrades.
Niche dating platforms like SakuraDate, LanaDate, and NaomiDate have the advantage of connecting singles genuinely interested in long-term relationships and marriage. Besides, they prioritize connecting singles from different countries and facilitating international connections, making them the best choice for serious daters.
International online dating works much like mainstream dating apps, with a few exceptions. Here are the basic steps you’ll need to take:
- Test dating sites and choose the best one for your needs.
- Fill out your dating profile with photos and personal details.
- Search for good matches using swiping and filters.
- Use chat or mail to contact the ladies who return your interest.
- Develop a long-distance relationship until you’re ready for IRL dates.
If your face-to-face meeting goes well, that’s when you can start thinking about proposing and settling down.
Jack May:
“I may sound like a broken record, but communication is the biggest issue in Vietnamese dating. It’s not just about the language barrier because, in my experience, many young Vietnamese women speak English confidently. The miscommunication stems from the differences in using different forms of address and word choice. For example, even after a huge success, your Vietnamese partner will say, “It went fine,” instead of gushing. Don’t think she doesn’t trust you or want to share. It’s typical for the Vietnamese to avoid expressive words, and boasting is in bad taste. This will take a while to get used to, so don’t give up on a relationship just because you think your partner hides something.”
Pros & Cons of Searching for a Vietnamese Bride Online & Offline
So, which avenue should you choose: online dating or visiting Vietnam to find your future bride? Here’s a brief recap of the main advantages and disadvantages of both options:
Online dating | Offline dating |
Pros | |
You meet thousands of Vietnamese singles ready for a new relationships | Gauging mutual attraction and compatibility is easier in person |
Online translation and other tools help overcome language barriers and time difference | You experience the Vietnamese culture first-hand to decide if you can live with it every day |
Setting up a dating profile takes no time and has zero risks | Meeting friends and family can tell you a lot about your partner |
Cons | |
Most communication options are paid | International flights are pretty expensive |
Romance scam risks are pretty high | Instant immersion into Vietnamese culture can be jarring |
Filters and editing distort the real appearance | Most Vietnamese singles don’t take relationships with tourists seriously |
Is It Legal to Have a Vietnamese Mail Order Bride?
I’ve gone through all the international dating and marriage regulations when I started dating my future wife, so I can assure you that marrying a Vietnamese mail order bride is legal. As long as you meet the basic requirements (you’re not related to each other, free from past marriages, and capable of consenting to marriage), you can formalize your relationship in the US or Vietnam. The legalities of having your marriage recognized are different but not impossible.
The trick is to choose a safe and legal dating site to meet your future Vietnamese wife. No place that puts price tags on women is legit. Instead, look for reputable platforms with solid reputations and positive reviews, like SakuraDate, LanaDate, or NaomiDate.
Hugh B. Prescott
“When I saw SakuraDate profiles, I became an instant fan. With so many pics and detailed bios, it’s easy to tell which girls are worth chatting with. There are plenty of nuggets I can use as opening lines, so I’m never short on ideas. And the girls are just so eager to chat, I never feel bad about myself, like I usually do on Bumble and Tinder.”
Success Stories
Brian and Thu
“The thing I love most about Thu is her willingness to listen to me vent. Even when we first met on SakuraDate, I was surprised by how much her calm and patient support meant to me, although we could only chat a few times a week because of her busy schedule. I didn’t really think our relationship would go anywhere, but I decided to visit her anyway. I’m glad I was wrong. She was just as kind and caring in person, and it took me less than a day to realize that’s exactly what my previous relationships were missing. Of course, being a practical lady, Thu didn’t agree to marry me right away, but we spent a lovely two weeks together and kept our long-distance thing for a few more months until we finally got married. Her paperwork is still in the works, but I’m hoping she can move in with me soon.”
Nick and Mai
“I didn’t take Jack’s presentation seriously when I first heard him talk about international dating. It seemed like something for desperate loners. When I finally admitted that was me, Jack helped me choose NaomiDate and set up an account. One thing led to another, and in six months, I was deep into a relationship with Mai. We bonded over failed marriages, custody battles, and general disappointment in dating. At first, we agreed not to take our chats too seriously, but it didn’t really work. It’s been three years since our first date, and I can’t believe I ever doubted Mai was the one for me.”
Real-Life Experience: Meeting Singles in Vietnam
I didn’t spend much time in Vietnam. My only experience with local ladies comes from a two-week-long vacation a few years back. Still, I went into full research mode, and I’m happy to share what I’ve learned with you:
- Vietnamese women are used to Western English teachers. Don’t expect Vietnamese girls to be impressed by your English or origins. They are pretty used to foreign teachers, businessmen, and tourists. Your dating chances don’t rise automatically just because you’re a foreigner; you’ll still have to work to get dates.
- Ho Chi Minh is drastically different from smaller communities. The larger the city, the more used to foreigners local ladies are. They may be more open to international dating, but you’ll also meet more sharks targeting wealthy guys from the West. In the North, smaller communities are more insulated and traditional. If you date a local girl, you’re essentially dating her whole family, cousins and aunties included.
- Vietnamese women are more conservative than other Asians. If you think Koreans, the Japanese, or Filipinos are traditional, the Vietnamese will put them to shame, so to speak! Most girls are uncomfortable even with minor PDAs, like hand-holding in public, especially if there’s a chance you might run across her family members. This attitude takes some getting used to.
- Social status and wealth give an instant dating boost. While it’s true for most countries, status is especially important in conservative Vietnamese society. I don’t recommend flaunting your income because it will attract the wrong kind of attention. Whichever city you’re staying in, look for the upscale neighborhoods. That’s where you’ll have the best luck meeting Vietnamese ladies genuinely interested in serious relationships.
Overall, I’d say research and an open mind are critical for Vietnamese dating success. The more you learn about the culture and customs before flying over, the better luck you’ll have with the locals. And if you’re willing to adjust your ways to the Vietnamese norms, you’ll fit right in and have no shortage of eager dates.
How to Make a Long-Distance Relationship With a Vietnamese Mail Order Bride Work?
Whether you first meet your Vietnamese girlfriend online or offline, a huge chunk of your relationship will be long-distance by necessity. Use the following tips to keep it on track:
Do | Don’t |
Expect your date to deflect and protest compliments | Break promises you make, or you’ll lose the hard-earned trust |
Be polite and respectful, and give your partner enough time to formulate her responses | Make over-the-top compliments and comments; they come off as insincere |
Learn about your girlfriend’s family and ask occasional questions about them | Criticize your partner or overtly demonstrate negative emotions |
Be open and direct in your conversations, but avoid strong, emotionally-colored language | Bring up sensitive subjects, like the Vietnam War, China, communism, etc. |
The more you learn about your Vietnamese mail order bride, the better you can tailor your conversations to support a long-distance relationship.
How to Invite Your Vietnamese Bride to the US?
When I first researched the immigration process for my future wife, it seemed incomprehensible, but after breaking it down into major steps, it became more manageable:
- Petition for Alien Fiance (Form I-129F). Attach your financial statements and relationship evidence to speed up the processing time (6 months to 3 years).
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160). Your bride should file it at a local consulate or embassy. She’ll need to attend an interview and a medical exam; vaccinations might also be necessary.
- Relocation and marriage. You’ll have 90 days to fulfill the conditions of the K-1 visa, or your bride may be deported.
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) and Employment Authorization (Form I-765). After you settle into a married life, your wife can become a resident and look for a job.
When Anastasia and I had to go through the process, we found the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Bureau of Consular Affairs websites very helpful, so check them out.
Vietnamese Mail Order Bride Scam
Romance scams are evolving and getting more elaborate, so you should be extra careful even on reputable dating sites. Always remember the basic online safety rules: don’t wire money to strangers, regardless of their sob stories, don’t share your credit card details or explicit photos, and don’t accept payments or gifts. Learn more about the latest cons from FTC and BBB to recognize the red flags.
Expert Take
Vietnamese women are nothing like other Asians, and dating them is a unique experience that requires patience and an open mind. If you’re taken with their beauty, pragmatism, and affectionate nature, remember my tips before embarking on an international dating adventure. Try it out online, quick and risk-free, before booking your flight, and you’ll save yourself lots of time and money.


