Crunching the Cost of Living in Vietnam for Expats
Vietnam is a flourishing country that is steadily rising as the go-to expat destination in Southeast Asia. Known for its diverse and gastronomic cuisines, well-paying career openings, and stunning landscapes in beach towns and mountainside cities, Vietnam is truly a dream for many travelers, retirees, and carefree nomads.
Different cities and countryside in Vietnam offer unique vibes, but cosmopolitans like Ho Chi Minh City provide a busy lifestyle filled with opportunities left and right. Vietnam has a lure on its own, but can you comfortably live the rest of your days in this expansive and beautiful country?
Calculating the General Cost of Living in Vietnam
If you’re wondering how much savings you need to churn to lead a cushy life in Vietnam, the good news is that many expats can enjoy a middle-class lifestyle with only $700 to $1,400 monthly.
Expats strapped for cash can maintain a tight budget of $700 for lower-end living, though you can push it to $1,400 for a comfier, middle-class experience. As for context, you can break down the numbers by considering the following essentials:
| Expense | Cost (USD) |
| Apartment Rentals | One-Bedroom (outside the city center) – $400One-Bedroom (inside city center) – $566Three-Bedroom (outside the city center) – $784Three-Bedroom (inside city center) – $1,200 |
| Utilities | Mobile call rate – $0.087Internet (uncapped) – $1.18 / $11 for fiber-opticHousehold utilities – $65 |
| Food | Grocery – $50Eating out – $100 |
| Transportation | City-center Bus Fare – $0.26Taxi (rate per km) – $1.05Petrol (per liter) – $0.92 |
| Electricity | $60 to $80 |
As you can see, many expats can fully enjoy a comfortable living in Vietnam since it doesn’t require you to burn holes in your pockets to live a good life. Most of the monthly budget will be dedicated to housing, schooling, and food, all of which are worth every penny if it means living in one of the most welcoming places in the world.
The Bottom Line: Saving Up for the Cost of Living in the Electric Streets of Vietnam
Depending on your lifestyle, Vietnam can be relatively affordable, but many expats find their dream home in this tranquil country since it offers amazing benefits that guarantee a higher quality of life:
- Work opportunities and a good salary
- Relatively cheap living costs
- Flexible working hours
- Delicious food
- Expats from all over the world and lots of social activities
- Safe from any violent crime
- Day-trips to some incredible nature spots
- New cultural experiences
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