Mr Criss Mettle, a Ghanaian living in Vietnam, returned to SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami to share the challenges Africans are currently facing in the country.
According to Criss, Vietnam used to issue visas within 24 hours, making it an easy entry point for many people. However, things have changed drastically. The e-visa system has slowed down significantly—sometimes taking up to two years—and has now been suspended for many African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria.
He explained that the Vietnamese authorities began cracking down on black foreigners, claiming their population was growing too fast. There were mass raids in foreigner-dominated areas, where over 200 Africans—mostly Nigerians—were arrested. Police demanded documents like TRCs (Temporary Residence Cards), and those who couldn’t provide them were either placed under house arrest, sent to detention centers, or forced to leave the country.
Due to the fear of deportation and mistreatment, many Africans fled Vietnam by buying their own tickets. Criss recalled one incident where a Nigerian detainee fell seriously ill and was denied hospital care. This led to a protest by fellow Nigerians, and the case was eventually covered by the media.
Criss said that currently, being black in Vietnam means constant harassment from the police. Even simple tasks like opening a bank account can be difficult. There’s a widespread stereotype that blacks are involved in drugs or prostitution, leading to more arrests and job discrimination. Employers now openly state they don’t want to hire blacks, which wasn’t the case some years back.
He also shared a story about finding someone’s lost money. Instead of returning it immediately, the person came back with a group to share the money, leading to confusion and a fight—just one example of the tension surrounding foreigners.
Despite the discrimination and hardship, many Africans still prefer to stay in Vietnam due to the low crime rate and affordable cost of living. Even though salaries are low—some earn as little as $20 for 8 hours of work—a monthly income of $200 is considered manageable. Criss, an international teacher, earns about $250 a month, which is seen as a big salary. He mentioned that when locals hear you make $250, they’re willing to offer you their daughter for marriage, thinking you’re wealthy.
In Vietnam, owning an air conditioner is a sign of wealth. Most people live simply, but food and farming are affordable and accessible, making daily life cheaper than in Ghana. Criss concluded by saying he once thought of using Vietnam as a stepping stone to the U.S., but he now realizes life there comes with serious racial challenges.
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