In this article, I’ll tell you how to become a house sitter in Vietnam. I recently spent 6 weeks house sitting in Ho Chi Minh City and loved my time there. I enjoyed it so much, that I’ve already booked to return.
Since leaving the UK two years ago, I’ve traveled the world as a digital nomad. I use house sitting to keep my accommodation costs down and enhance my overall experience. I’ve found it’s a great way to immerse in a culture and really get to know a place and its people.
I currently have over thirty 5-star reviews for house sitting around the world and I want to pass on all my knowledge and experience. So, if you’re asking yourself ‘How do I become a house sitter in Vietnam?’, all the information you need is right here.
What is a House Sitter?
Essentially, a house sitter is someone who takes care of another person’s home for a set period. Usually, while the host family is away on vacation. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement that ensures the property remains safe and secure, and the sitter receives free accommodation in a local, homely setting.
I started building my house sitting profile over 5 years ago and now have dozens of countries and cities under my belt. I find that the experience feels more like living somewhere as opposed to simply passing through, which I love. I’ve met some amazing people along the way and have open invites for return visits to many of my previous stays.
Sits can range from a 1-night stay to months in length. My longest sit to date was in Durham, North Carolina in the summer of 2023, where I stayed for 2.5 months looking after a beautiful property. If you’re also interested in house sitting in the US, be sure to read my previous article – How to Find Pet Sitting Jobs in The US.
Pets are often included, but not always. This adds another fun dynamic to a house sit for sure. Tasks like watering plants, cutting the grass, collecting mail, and keeping up the trash schedule are usually part of the deal. All of this information is presented upfront before any application is made, so you always know what you’re heading into and what’s expected of you during your stay.
Requirements to Become a House Sitter in Vietnam
If you’re wondering how to get into house sitting in Vietnam, there are a couple of basic requirements to consider first. There’s a level of commitment and responsibility that comes with every sit. So, before we move on to the how and the where, consider these factors first.
Profile: A detailed and verified profile via a reputable house sitting website is one of the most important requirements. I’ll be discussing this in a lot more detail a little further on. But, showcasing yourself honestly and professionally as a potential house sitter is a must.
Visa: Every country has different visa restrictions depending on your nationality and citizenship – Vietnam is no different. Ensure that visa time constraints won’t hinder you before applying for a house sit. I use ivisa.com to get all the information I need of this nature.
Research: Vietnam is a vast country with tropical weather patterns and very defined wet and dry seasons. Before embarking on a house sitting assignment, research the location of the house sit and the probable weather at that time of year. It’s quite difficult to up and leave a house sit if you get there and find it’s not for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your host before committing.
Be Responsible: There’s a high level of responsibility required with every sit. Although free accommodation is a huge attraction, keep in mind it’s not a free holiday. Daily and weekly tasks often require close adherence. Even more so when pets are part of the deal.
How to Become a House Sitter in Vietnam
Although many people I speak to think it’s as simple as sending an email and being accepted. I can tell you for a fact that there’s much more to securing house sitting jobs than that. In the 5 years that I’ve been applying for sits, I’ve seen the competition for postings increase substantially.
So, let’s get down to business. How do you become a house sitter in Vietnam? In the next 5 steps, I’ll outline a straightforward process that anyone with the desire to become a house sitter will be able to follow.
1. Sign Up
There are many great websites available for budding house sitters to explore. I’m going to be diving deeper into a few of my favorites in the next section of this article. Rest assured, there’s a range of excellent platforms solely designed to connect house sitters with hosts.
Trusted Housesitters is my website of choice. It’s, in my opinion, the best option by far, but that also means it is the most expensive. Some sites offer free memberships, shorter trial periods, or fees as low as $29/year, so it doesn’t have to be expensive, especially when you’re getting started.
An important thing to remember is that most hosts will only list their property on one website. Therefore it’s a good idea to have at least two house sitting platforms in your arsenal. This will give you more options and increase the likelihood of securing those dream placements in Vietnam.
2. Build Your Profile
Whichever house sitting sites you decide to go for, you’ll have the option to build a profile. This is your primary introduction to hosts looking for a sitter. Use whatever features are available to showcase yourself in the best possible light. Always be honest about your reasons for wanting to house sit too.
Photos, videos, testimonials, social media links, websites, and character references, are all great examples of things to include in your profile. Many of the websites will have a verification process; ensure you complete all these steps so hosts know for certain you are who you say you are.
After building the profile, don’t stop. Keep things regularly updated by adding photos of the recent places you’ve been, or new information about the duties you may have undertaken. All of this goes a long way to show a potential host that you’re active and committed to the process.
3. Start Local – Build Your Reviews
When I first began house sitting 5 years ago, all I applied for were month-long stays in San Diego. Now, guess where I am still yet to house sit? I had no reviews! Is it any surprise that somebody with a beach house in California didn’t even consider me? So, I regrouped and considered a new approach.
I come from a small city in the UK called Peterborough. Not many have heard of it but it’s my home. I noticed that there were a lot of house sits being posted with very few applications close to where I lived, so I started applying. My first sit was 5 doors away from my best friends, so I got to hang out with them whilst securing my first 5-star review.
I slowly started applying to sits further away until I landed house sit number 5 – six weeks on a ranch in Tucson, Arizona – bingo! Once you have a verified review from another user on the website, it hugely bolsters your profile’s credibility. So, consider looking for short and close-to-home stays to kick-start your profile.
4. Be Outstanding
House sitting is review-orientated and you’ll only be as good as your previous review. If the hosts aren’t happy with the job you did, they have the option to leave you a bad review. So, consider that every posting is vital in securing the next one, and see each as a gateway to your next house sitting opportunity.
Embrace any responsibilities and always try your best to over-deliver. After all, a person’s home is their entire world. Whether it’s a small apartment or a 7-bedroom mansion, be worthy of their trust and ensure hosts always come home to the house they know and love.
Being communicative and knowing the boundaries of what the host expects is an important factor. Some may want regular updates (more so with pet sits), and others may just want to check in now and again and ensure everything is going okay. Be sure to discuss this beforehand and follow the host’s wishes.
5. Set Alerts and Be Proactive
As I mentioned previously, the competition for sits can be pretty fierce. Asia is a developing market for house sitting and unlike North America, the UK, and Australia, where literally thousands of sits are available at any time, the numbers in Vietnam are significantly lower.
But don’t be disheartened. As the industry continues to grow, more are coming online all the time. I am living proof that amazing house sitting placements can be secured in Vietnam. Many websites have a function that will alert you when a sit comes up matching your specified criteria.
Don’t hang around! Sites like Trusted Housesitters limit applications to 5 and I’ve seen listings in Vietnam disappear in minutes. When you apply, write a personalized email and address any questions in the listing. Don’t be tempted to send a generic application, I know for a fact that hosts do not appreciate this and are highly unlikely to respond.
How To Find Work as a House Sitter in Vietnam
There are many great ways to find work as a house sitter in Vietnam. Numerous websites exist with the sole purpose of connecting potential house sitters to hosts around the world. Each comes with some different benefits and fees, but I’ve outlined my top 5 below that cover all bases.
1. Trusted Housesitters
I’ve already mentioned Trusted Housesitters a couple of times in this article as it is my go-to website for house sitting. It’s the biggest website of its kind on the market and is very user-friendly. At a glance, as I’m writing this, over 6,000 listings are looking for house sitters globally.
They have three, tiered membership options that come with subsequent additional benefits. The basic package allows unlimited sits and is $129/year, while the Premium Sitter option at $259, features instant alerts and saved searches, cancelation cover, and 2 airport lounge passes.
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2. Mind My House
Mind My House is a secondary option that I keep in my back pocket. I like the format and ease of the website, it regularly has high numbers of international listings, and has a low annual fee of just $29. It’s one of the longest-running house sitting websites around and with this comes bags of experience.
Homeowners list their properties for free which is another huge bonus that ensures a regular supply of fresh opportunities. I enjoy their daily updated stats page which tells users exactly where and when hosts are listing, and where sitters are looking. It’s a beneficial tool, especially when starting out as a sitter.
3. Nomador
I’ve been keeping a close eye on Nomador as I like the format and functionality of the site. I imagine they’ve taken a leaf out of Trusted Housesitters’ book and are gearing towards the same level of listings and customer service, albeit with a lower annual cost.
Nomador’s listing numbers are certainly on the rise. With a starting, basic package of $99 and a top-tier membership with several added benefits at just $179, it’s definitely an appealing option. There’s even the possibility to pay quarterly which may be helpful to anyone on a tighter travel budget.
Thousands of international listings, including many all across Asia, are currently awaiting applicants on Nomador.
4. House Carers
Another long-serving, international house sitting site is House Carers. I’ve never personally used this particular site to secure a sit, but have spent time getting to know their offerings and have heard good things from hosts and sitters alike whilst on my travels. Having now written about them several times for previous articles, I feel they’re worthy of consideration as a house sitting website platform.
House Carers regularly has ample listings with homeowners joining for free, which I always think is a great idea. The low annual fee of just $50/year makes it a viable secondary house sitting source for anyone seriously looking to get started as a house sitter in Vietnam.
5. Workaway
I caught the travel bug using Workaway for volunteer placements years ago and it’s remained a valuable house sitting resource for me ever since. Although the platform is more geared towards language exchanges, and the trade of work for accommodation and food, house sitting is also one of the main search criteria.
The web and app-based site is convenient to use and I’ve found that active hosts are always quick to respond. The annual fee is $50 a year, or just $60 if you join as a couple. I’ve had many amazing experiences and met some great friends using Workaway.
How Much Do House Sitters in Vietnam Make?
There isn’t typically a financial exchange between a host and a sitter. The benefit comes from the exchange of free accommodation in a private, home setting.
You can certainly become a freelance house sitter in Vietnam as there are savings to be made by not paying for accommodation and these can be substantial. This can open up doors to places in Vietnam and the rest of the world, that perhaps may not have been previously viable for budgetary reasons.
Pros and Cons of Being a House Sitter in Vietnam
Many factors should be seriously considered before embarking on a house sitting adventure in Vietnam. I’ve outlined the many pros, and fewer cons, I’ve encountered from my own experience below, to give you a better idea of what to expect when house sitting in Vietnam.
Pros of Becoming a House Sitter in Vietnam
- Cost of Living: Costs are notably lower than in the UK and many other places I’ve visited. Prices for food, accommodation, and transportation pleasantly surprised me during my visit.
- Climate: Vietnam’s consistently warm climate (22-34°C/72-94°F) is a major draw.
- Culinary Delights: A mix of affordable and delicious street food alongside high-quality restaurants offers a diverse culinary experience.
- Coffee: You’ll find an abundance of cafes, and Vietnamese coffee, known for its strong flavor, is remarkably inexpensive.
- Social Scene: Big cities such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and HCMC offer a vibrant social scene, making them fun places for nightlife with great opportunities to balance work and leisure.
- Culture: Vietnam boasts many outstanding museums, theaters, memorial parks, and iconic monuments.
- Connectivity: High-quality WiFi is accessible almost everywhere, including unexpected spots like smaller cafes and public areas. Affordable SIM cards are also easy to attain.
- Ex-pats: The presence of numerous expatriates in Vietnam creates a familiar environment, offering home comforts for those seeking them.
Cons of Becoming a House Sitter in Vietnam
- Language Barrier: English isn’t widely spoken in Vietnam, and my limited Vietnamese led to some challenging situations.
- Cultural Differences: Traditional customs, communication styles, and social etiquette can differ significantly from Western norms in numerous ways. You’ll quickly learn how to eat with chopsticks!
- Adverse Weather: Vietnam has a tropical climate with high temperatures, humidity, and distinct wet and dry seasons, making the weather, particularly during the wet season, a potential drawback.
- Chaotic Roads: Roads in bigger cities often lack the organized flow seen in Western countries, and traffic rules are interpreted quite flexibly.
- Visas: Understanding the rules and durations of your visa is crucial, as citizens from different countries are entitled to varying lengths of stay in Vietnam.
- Pollution: Air pollution as a result of vehicle emissions and industrial activities can be a concern in built-up areas.
How to Become a House Sitter in Vietnam: FAQs
Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions on how to become a house sitter in Vietnam:
You don’t need any qualifications to become a certified house sitter in Vietnam. However, some key personal traits like being responsible, reliable, and trustworthy are important factors. Simply sign up via a reputable house sitting site like Trusted Housesitters and build a profile to showcase your talents as a house sitter.
To become a house sitter in Vietnam without any experience, you must first sign up for a house sitting website. You’ll need to build a descriptive, honest, and verified profile that showcases your best traits and reasons for wanting to house sit in Vietnam.
Taking on an international house sit without experience is not advisable. I recommend beginning the house sitting process closer to home with several shorter sits. This will allow you to obtain some 5-star reviews for your profile, making an international sit more likely, as well as gaining some invaluable experience and insights into the process.
Yes, there is a demand for house sitters in Vietnam and listings come online regularly. However, it should be noted that the Asian market for house sitting is still developing and significantly fewer listings appear than in places like the US or the UK.
Each house sit comes with a different set of delights and challenges. Factors like the weather during the rainy season can be a negative, as well as certain cultural differences that make normal daily life a challenge. Location can be key in such a vast country like Vietnam.
I believe that any negatives are outweighed by a whole host of positives. Amazing food, friendly locals, beautiful beaches and countryside, and some incredible cities make Vietnam one of my favorite house sitting locations to date.
For anyone wanting to get started as a house sitter in Vietnam, you should consider the fact that there’s rarely an exchange of money for house sitting. The benefit comes from the bonus of free accommodation in a homely setting in incredible destinations such as Vietnam.
Trusted Housesitters is a web and app-based platform for house sitting. It’s the biggest of its kind on the market with thousands of listings regularly seeking applicants. A variety of paid membership options facilitate house sitters and hosts with the entire process and ensure a smooth, safe, and successful exchange for everyone involved.
In Conclusion
House sitting was a real game-changer for me. It’s opened up so many doors to countries I never thought I’d get to visit. Without accommodation to pay for, the possibilities are endless.
Vietnam has been one of my favorite countries to house sit in. I enjoyed the mix of the enthralling madness of cities, the tranquil beaches, and the stunning countryside. As a destination, it ticked all the boxes for me and I can’t wait to go back.
I recommend house sitting to everyone I meet. I hope this article helps get you on the road to some amazing house sits in Vietnam and beyond.
