In a bold move that’s turning heads, former Love Island star Diamanté Laiva has swapped the grey skies of the UK for the vibrant shores of Vietnam, the world’s most affordable country. The 22-year-old, who made a splash as a Casa Amor bombshell in series 11 of the ITV dating show in June 2024, didn’t let her brief two-day stint on the show define her. Instead, she’s taken charge of her future, leaving behind what she calls the “miserable” and “negative” UK for a fresh start in Da Nang, Vietnam’s thriving coastal hub.
According to the Expat Insider 2024 survey by InterNations, Vietnam has clinched the title of the world’s most affordable place to live for the fourth consecutive year. With 86% of expats praising its low cost of living—compared to a global average of 40%—and half describing it as “very good” (against a global 12%), Vietnam is a haven for those seeking an affordable yet vibrant lifestyle. Diamanté, with her entrepreneurial spirit and fiery personality, has embraced this opportunity wholeheartedly.
Taking to social media, the influencer and businesswoman shared a glowing “life update” from her new home in Da Nang, Vietnam’s commercial and educational heart. Her rent? A jaw-dropping £180 a month for a place just steps from the beach. “The beach is outside,” she enthused in a video, comparing some of Da Nang’s modern buildings to the glitzy skyline of Dubai. “I love it, I really do love it.”
Diamanté didn’t hold back when reflecting on her decision to leave the UK. “Leaving the UK forever has made me realise that you guys are actually the problem—why is the country so negative?” she said in her viral clip. Despite her whirlwind Love Island experience—where she was unceremoniously dumped after just 48 hours and returned to her old job shortly after—she described herself as “very chilled” about the exit. Her move to Vietnam, which she called an “awkward, random country,” has been anything but uncomfortable. “I’ve not experienced a single ounce of weirdness,” she shared, crediting her smooth transition to avoiding overcrowded expat hotspots.
Now settled in Da Nang, Diamanté runs her two online businesses remotely, relying on just “basic” Vietnamese to navigate her new life. Her affordable rent and proximity to the beach have only added to the allure of her bold relocation.
Diamanté’s candid video, posted just 19 hours ago, has already amassed 72,400 views and 4,884 likes, sparking a wave of reactions from social media users. Many expressed envy at her low-cost, beachside lifestyle. “I’m so jealous, I love Vietnam,” one user gushed. Another begged, “Tell me more please!” Others echoed her sentiments about the UK, with one commenting, “I honestly think people in the UK are just miserable. I cannot live here forever.” A fellow expat shared, “I left nine years ago at 24 and never looked back. I miss my family so much, but every time I go home to visit, I realise why I left.”
Diamanté’s response to the latter was heartfelt: “Literally, family can always visit… they get a holiday out of it too.”
Diamanté’s journey from the Love Island villa to a sun-soaked life in Vietnam is more than just a relocation—it’s a statement. Unfazed by her brief reality TV stint and the UK’s “gloomy” atmosphere, she’s carved out a new path in a country that offers affordability, beauty, and a fresh perspective. Her story is resonating with thousands, inspiring others to rethink their own life choices and consider the possibilities beyond their borders.