American vlogger leaves Thailand after 6 years for Vietnam, impressed by its dynamic growth
An American vlogger who had been based in Thailand since 2019 announced recently that he is leaving the country and scouting Ho Chi Minh City as a possible new base.
American vlogger Philip Beere, a YouTube creator with 74,100 subscribers, departed Thailand for Vietnam after six years and expressed his admiration for the country's dynamic growth. In a video posted on August 2, Beere remarked on the optimistic atmosphere, youthful energy, and strong work ethic he encountered in Ho Chi Minh City.
He noted that Vietnam's economy was expanding at an impressive 8% annually, compared to Thailand's 2%, and predicted that Vietnam could surpass Thailand's economy within the next few years. Beere acknowledged Thailand's charm, yet pointed out the nation's changing landscape, citing the dominance of tourism and the potential risks of Phuket.
He praised the people and culture of Thailand but highlighted concerns about heat, air quality, and worsening floods. Vietnam's economy grew by 8.02% in 2025, and projections indicate a potential overtaking of Thailand's economy by 2026 or 2027. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development predicts Vietnam's growth at 6.5% in 2026, compared to Thailand's 1.7%.
Beere is currently spending a few weeks in Vietnam and plans to create comparison videos between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok. The Thaiger, reviewing his video, noted similar issues in Ho Chi Minh City, including air quality problems, urban flooding, and high rents. Vietnam, however, lacks a retirement visa and issues temporary residence cards valid up to two years for foreign workers, family members of Vietnamese citizens, students, and investors.
A recent NPR report highlighted that social media is steering American expats towards Southeast Asia, with a Brookings Institution study estimating a negative U.S. net migration trend in 2025 for the first time in over half a century.
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