Cost of Living in Vietnam

If you've ever considered moving to Vietnam, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Vietnam?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Vietnam and whether the reported $1158 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $442.23.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Vietnam
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

2.11 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

21.05 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

4.6 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

0.84 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.79 $

Cappuccino (regular)

1.78 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.51 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.31 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.44 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

0.97 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

0.94 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.48 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

12.5 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

3.6 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

10.51 $

Apples (1 lb)

2.89 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.05 $

Oranges (1 lb)

1.46 $

Tomato (1 lb)

0.98 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.17 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.21 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.82 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.54 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

8.42 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

0.8 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.48 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

1.26 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.29 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

8.42 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

0.51 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

0.63 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

3.16 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.13 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

42110.0 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

35126.48 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

69.37 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

0.07 $

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

10.58 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

23.5 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

7.16 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

3.79 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

210.58 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

12792.57 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

38.22 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

34.82 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

89.91 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

86.4 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

363.98 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

238.42 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

879.16 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

477.17 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

2774.88 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

1391.37 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

442.23 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

9.81 %

Vietnam

How Safe Is Vietnam for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Vietnam

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Vietnam is a relatively safe country to travel to. Its main source of income is tourism, so the tourists' safety is their number one concern. The capital city, Hanoi has 6 million inhabitants, so street crime is more common there.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Means of transport and taxis aren't very safe in Vietnam. Many taxis in Saigon and Hanoi have previously installed rigged meters that charge up to 2 to 8 times more. Your best chance is taking a taxi from reputable companies such as Mai Linh and Vinasun in Saigon. You should consult some guidebooks and travel forums before you travel to Vietnam that will prepare you for petty scams. There is also a very popular scam where the buses break down and the tour operators force people to pay considerable amounts for crummy hotels "while the bus is repaired".

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpocketing and bag snatching is a very common issue in Vietnam, especially on the side of the roads where motorbike snatching may occur. Keep your belongings by your side at all times and try to leave all your valuables in a security deposit box of your hotel.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Natural threats include rare earthquakes and occasional typhoons (from May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta nearly every year. Vietnam is occasionally also devastated by storms and typhoons that can cause millions of dollars of damage. In case of a natural disaster, follow the instructions of local authorities.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There are some areas where cases of mugging have been reported, it is generally rare, and foreigners are rarely targeted.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There is a low probability of a terrorist attack, however, they should never be ruled out so be vigilant and watch out for suspicious activities.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There is a number of scams performed on tourists in Vietnam, such as gambling scams where, if you do venture in gambling, there is a great risk you will be scammed or ripped off or karaoke scams: since prostitution is forbidden, you can find prostitutes in various karaoke bars, which are actually one big scam and their clients often get ripped off, drink spiked and robbed. Apart from these scams, you can get overcharged by everyone: street vendors, taxi and bus drivers, hotel owners and worst of all - the police. Double-check every information and pay, or negotiate everything in advance.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Sexual assaults are common in Vietnam, especially in the following cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Sapa, and Cat Ba Island. Avoid overnight trains and buses, and parts of cities that are filled with bars and clubs, since there is a higher chance of running into intoxicated people. Follow basic common sense and avoid walking alone at night and in poorly lit and secluded areas.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

All US citizens wishing to visit Vietnam will need to apply for a tourist visa and no earlier than six months before their planned departure. Your passport should be valid for at least six months past your date of return. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

currency_exchange

Currency

The Vietnamese Dong is the official currency in Vietnam. We recommend changing your money in post offices, banks or larger hotels. Airports also offer a convenient exchange rate.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Weather in Vietnam depends on the region you're at. For example, in Hanoi, it is its capital, summers last from May to October, and winters, mostly dry and mild, last from November to April with average temperatures from 17-22°C. In central Vietnam the weather is hot and dry from January to August, reaching temperatures as high as 30°C. The period from September to October is a rainfall season. Southern Vietnam is mostly dry and hot between November and April, and the rainfalls are common from June through August.

flight_takeoff

Airports

The busiest airport in Vietnam is Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located in Ho Chi Minh and a close second is the Noi Bai International Airport in the country's capital, Hanoi.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Vietnam, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Comparison of the Cost Of Living in Vietnam with other countries

Cost of living in countries