Vietnam : Cost of Living by City
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Vietnam?
Vietnam, officially referred to as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a long, thin country in Southeast Asia.
When it comes to the standard and the cost of living, Vietnam is still cheap by most standards: a month’s stay can start from 250$ using basic rooms, local food, and open bus transportation – which is relatively cheap.
However, even though it has some of the lowest costs of living in all of Asia, it does have some of the most expensive hotels worldwide, so if you’re planning on a luxurious vacation, it can be pricey.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Vietnam
RESTAURANTS
Vietnamese food is quite cheap, and you can usually get a decent meal for 1–2$ in small restaurants.
Fast food can cost you anywhere between 2$ and 20$ – depending on where you want to eat.
If you like the local cuisine, meals can be as cheap as 2$ but if you don’t then you are looking at 5$ minimum for lunch deals and probably about 8$ – 10$ for dinner.
Alcohol is cheap with beers costing as little as 1$.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $2.12 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $0.85 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.32 |
MARKETS
With a sheer abundance of fresh vegetables, herbs, fish, and seafood you’ve probably never tasted before, Vietnam has a lot to offer.
As logic would have it, eating in your own kitchen is always a cheaper option than eating outside, and there are many people who actually prefer this option when on vacation.
So for those people, markets are a valid option, and a much cheaper one, at that.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.48 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.02 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.60 |
TRANSPORTATION
The railway is the least developed transportation infrastructure in Vietnam, but having said that – trains are undoubtedly the most comfortable way to travel overland in Vietnam, although prices are more expensive than buses.
Bicycles are always an option and can be rented in many cities – they are actually a great way of covering larger distances.
The xe ôm is a cheap mode of transport for Vietnamese and tourists alike – 0.43$ dong for a 10-minute trip.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $0.30 |
| Monthly Pass | $8.46 |
| Gasoline | $1.13 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities, for an apartment of normal size (of about 85m2), are just above 64.87$, including electricity, heating, cooling, and water.
Cell phone services are considerably lower than in most countries, while high-speed internet is also pretty cheap, varying along the lines of 11$ per month.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $64.87 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.07 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $10.71 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
As expected, you will have to cash out a bit more money if you want to indulge in sports and fitness activities and pass your time this way.
However, in Vietnam, these are reasonable prices, and most tourists interested in sports will be able to pay for fitness centers that cost about 27$ a month.
Other ways of pastime, like going to a cinema are mostly affordable, too.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $26.19 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $7.91 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $4.02 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
When it comes to clothing and shoes, this is something that isn’t quite necessary for any tourist, but if you happen to want to go shopping, Vietnam really is a country to do this.
You can find quality jeans like Levi’s for only 40$, and dresses and shirts for just 33$, while quality shoes and sneakers are more expensive, costing around 93.18$.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $37.66 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $32.84 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $93.18 |
RENT PER MONTH
Like in most countries, living and renting apartments, studios or houses depends on the neighborhood and the type of living facility you’re renting.
Accommodation will cost you anything from 150$ per month for a small room, to 376.91$ for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center.
It really depends on what you prefer and what you want to spend your money on.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $376.91 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $235.02 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $857.75 |
HEALTHCARE
Vietnam has a public insurance system with broad coverage and relatively modest contribution rates.
Out-of-pocket spending remains substantial, and total health spending per person is around 300 to 700 USD per year.
Private insurance is available but not widespread, with monthly costs for supplemental plans often around 30 to 80 USD, depending on benefits.
With average monthly salaries of 400 to 500 USD in urban areas, healthcare costs can be a noticeable share of income, though public coverage helps limit direct costs.
EDUCATION
Public primary and secondary schools are tuition-free, though families pay for uniforms, books, supplies, and transport.
Private and international schools charge several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per year.
Public universities charge $1,000 to $4,000 per year, while private universities may cost more.
Students also pay for housing, food, transport, and textbooks.
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Vietnam?
Taking into consideration the statistics provided, it can be said that people in Vietnam spend most of their money in supermarkets and markets, buying food and necessities.
They also spend a lot of money covering their taxes and rent expenses which, in this country, exceed 24% of one’s entire salary.
In Vietnam, people also spend a lot of money on transportation and considering the fact that cities here are extremely large and spacious, this is also to be expected.
Apart from going to restaurants, it seems that people in Vietnam practice sports and leisure and enjoy this more than spending their money on clothing and shoes.
Average Costs Breakdown
Vietnam: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Salaries in Vietnam aren’t too high, unfortunately, and many people have problems making ends meet.
The minimum wage in Vietnam is 168.3$ which is very low and cannot cover the basic monthly expenses.
If you’re planning on living modestly in Vietnam, you will need, at the very least, somewhere around 500$ per month, if you’re living in the city.
However, people living in villages are used to a more modest life and spend less money.
The average salary in Vietnam is around 444.89$, which is also not enough to cover all your expenses if you want to afford most things necessary for a living.
Vietnam Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Vietnam Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | LOW |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | MEDIUM |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | HIGH |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | LOW |
| SCAMS RISK | MEDIUM |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | MEDIUM |
| TAP WATER RISK | MEDIUM |
Cost of Living by City in Vietnam
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Hanoi |
38.34 |
| Ho Chi Minh City |
37.82 |
It’s interesting to hear about the cost of living in Vietnam. The budget-friendly options for everyday expenses are really appealing, especially for those looking to explore without breaking the bank. But it’s wild to think about how the price of a luxurious hotel can skyrocket there, so it definitely seems like a place where you can either save or splurge based on what you’re after. Balancing experiences must take some careful planning!
It’s surprising how you can stretch your budget in Vietnam, but then again, those luxury hotels can really hit hard. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best experiences come at a cost, even in a place that’s overall affordable.