. Do you play to rent a motorbike? In any case, it is best to boil tap water before drinking it, or as some do, install water filters and purifiers. If you plan to use public transportation, you can expect to pay around $20-$30 per month for a monthly pass. Lot of incidental costs in Vietnam that jack up the cost of living like the visa runs or paying agents or whatnot. Cost of Living in Vietnam - Moving To Vietnam in 2023 Quality apartments in not crappy areas start at 500 + high utilities. Privacy Policy. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn5T0r4o5KV4qoyQyR7Buww, https://www.pinterest.com/gratefulgypsies/, Alongside his wife Rachel, Sasha is one half of the. The average cost of living for an expat is around $1,000 to $1,500 per month, depending on lifestyle and location. Weve got the nitty-gritty out of the way, lets dive into the general quality of life in Vietnam for someone looking to settle in. The best thing to do would be to make friends with a local to bring you around in your first few months to show you the ropes in Vietnam, and what the local prices are to avoid being overcharged. Vietnam's most expensive city is Ho Chi Minh City, followed by Hanoi. The average apartment in the city center costs around $500-700 per month. How Much Will I Make Teaching in Vietnam? The most important factor would be its affordability. Vietnam living cost per month regarding rent and utilities can vary significantly, ranging from $200 to $1,000 or more per month. To really cut costs, you can stock up on beer at grocery stores. Vietnam Hanoi Cost of living in Hanoi, Vietnam Summary of cost of living in Hanoi Family of four estimated monthly costs: 48,563,798 Single person estimated monthly costs: 23,079,167 WARNING! Best believe you are able to find good coffee on almost any corner. While Craigslist can be helpful, it is not necessary. All rights reserved. Cost of living in Da Nang, Vietnam | The Blond Travels Hospitals and medicine Amy and Andrew are British expats, who works as English teachers in Hanoi. Vietnam ticks all of those boxes. They can be super handy for those who dont want to buy their own motorcycle. you need $2500 a month minimum for a good quality life. Id like to stay and make a life there without having to leave. The welcoming hospitality of its people is what makes Vietnam unique and exciting. All cost of living estimates are adjusted to form a best-estimateon the budget for a single person in that city. You will, however, find digital nomads and entrepreneurs in both those locations, but the communities are smaller. Here, you can live like a king on a paupers budget. You can do this through. To be safe, I suggest booking an Airbnb for your first few weeks, while you decide where to stay in Vietnam. There are three main visa options for expats making the move to Vietnam. The average salary of an ESL teacher in Vietnam is around $1,200 USD per month for a first-time teacher. Job opportunities here are scarce if you are a foreigner looking to work in specialized industries. This tells local vendors to direct you to the vegetarian dishes they offer. Edit ; Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre - . Updated Jun 2023 Cost of Living > Vietnam Cost of Living in Vietnam Select city in Vietnam: Summary of cost of living in Vietnam: A family of four estimated monthly costs are 1,733.0$ (40,916,939.7) without rent. While on the upper end of the range for Saigon, his expenses are not extravagant. And read my privacy policy here. Some expats also use the affordable real estate agencies. Personally, I would be more comfortable riding a bike in smaller cities like Da Nang, Da Lat, Hoi An, and Hue, but not in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Hi Viet Tran, thanks for dropping by! If you wish to transfer money out of Vietnam, I recommend using money transfer services like Payoneer and Transferwise. The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. The good news is that if you are here on a working visa, your employer is legally obligated to provide you with public healthcare insurance. He notes that its entirely possible that he could have gotten by on $500-600 per month if needed. Vietnam living cost per month: Revealing daily living costs - Vinpearl The most common visa for Vietnam is a single-entry three-month visa. Western restaurants and imported food stores are easily found throughout Vietnam, but go to them often and youll be adding considerable expenses to your budget. For example, one night on a Halong Bay cruise can cost between US$ 200 - 600. The cost of your first month of accommodation plus a 1-2 month deposit. Consider the following: Before you even start figuring out your anticipated average monthly cost in Vietnam, you need to set aside some money to cover the costs of actually moving there and getting set up in your first month. While you will find expat families living in the city, there are outnumbered by the digital nomads who covet the citys cafes and speedy wifi. Cost of Living in Vietnam (2023) - A Little Adrift Travel Blog You can apply for this visa at your local Vietnamese embassy or online. In general, some of the digital nomad crowd, versus the expats or families, live in the trendier areas and splurge on a few extras. It is also a great way to explore the city. The low cost of living plays a major factor, and the deliciously cheap street food helps as well. Access this information offline along with additional information detailing the questions you should ask when comparing multiple destinations. Isnt that the life? Depending on the room type, a monthly rent of $250 to 350 may apply for a room with a balcony. Cost of Living in Vietnam Moving To Vietnam in 2023, I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. If you are living in an area where youll need to use either an air conditioner or a heater some of the time, your electric bill will run between $75 and $100 per month for a two-bedroom house or apartment. Now in 2018, he is sticking to$1,100 as his monthly budget$600 of that goes to a really nice looking flat (a clear upgrade over the previous one that cost a mere $330), and he spends about $300+ for food every month. Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the In terms of daily transactions, cash is accepted universally. The amount will of course depend on how much the apartments monthly rental rate is. It is not difficult to calculate how much a six-month lease will cost, for this amount you can buy a good car. I doubt you would be comfortable getting on a bike as soon as you arrive, but a great alternative is the public transport system. If working in the country, you should definitely make enough to send money out of Vietnam! He lives in Saigon for the better part of each year, a home base when he is not traveling to other destinations. The bustling city life awaits with all the Western amenities you are used to as well as affordable street food, shopping malls and restaurants. Do you live in Nha Trang? Therental costin Vietnam call fall anywhere between$200-$1000+per month, depending on the type of accommodation, location, and size. Da Nangdeserves a mention as its abeautiful spot that many expats love. Of course, your lifestyle will determine how much you really need to spend. Cost of Living Affordability is a major plus point to living in Vietnam. The plus side is the non-crowded expat community unlike Thailand, which means there are still plenty of employment opportunities if youre considering moving to Vietnam. How Much Do You Need To Live Comfortably In Vietnam 2022 An interesting aspect of the Vietnamese culture is letting the senior person pay, there is no going Dutch. For North Americans or Europeans, you may find it crazy cheap, and it is even slightly cheaper than some other Southeast Asian countries. In smaller cities like Ha Long, the rent is even lower. Vietnamese food is heavily based on rice and rice flour, making it easy for those suffering from celiac to find foods they can enjoy without becoming sick. To summarize it here, some initial costs you need to consider are: Add up all those things, and you are looking at a budget of around $2000 to 3000+ to move to and get set up in Vietnam, PLUS the cost of your flight. Renting a motorbike can cost about$40(1,000,000) and up per month with a deposit of anywhere from$40-200. Taking the bus is one of the cheapest options to go around. Anna works mostly from coffee shops and coworking spaces, and she also eats out for every meal. For a new motorcycle, expect to pay around $1800. Weather Vietnam ishot. To put things in perspective, the average income for local Vietnamese is only $300 per month. The weather in Da Nang is a huge selling point for many as its more temperate that Nha Trang. The cost of living in Vietnam is $643, which is 1.52 times less expensive than the world average. Renting a bike is $ 100-150 per month, and it costs $ 250-300 on the market. Are you willing to live in a small studio apartment or share a room with others? I want to live as frugal and as simple as possible and have no standard for accommodations. The expat population here comes and goes pretty quickly, so it can be hard to forge lasting relationships. Instead of cooking his own meals, he decided to eat out three meals a day. Living in Vietnam as an Expat - What you should know Before you buy one though, remember that Vietnam does not technically allow you to use your international divers license (IDP) here. If youre looking for a job in Vietnam, you can visit expat forums or browse Vietnams top recruiting online platforms like Vietnamworks, CareerBuilder, Mywork and more. This averages living costs across many monthsyou may spend more getting set up, but many expats average $1,000 per month. Although there are some touristy spots, it is far less congested than Hanoi or Saigon, and the tourist-factor ensures that you can find expat amenities. of boneless chicken breast, 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket, Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area, Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area, Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ) for 2 people in 85m2 flat, Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area, Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area, Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio, Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands), 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers), 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands), Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new, Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands), Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes), Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city, Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub, 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats), Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert, 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt. Vietnam is quickly becoming a hotspot fordigital nomads and expats in Southeast Asia. This means you get subsidised access to a large number of hospitals. First, most semi-permanent expats opt for a tourist visa (DL), which lasts for one to three months. Therefore, if a city has a Price Index of 134, that means that living there is 34% more expensive than living in Prague. Though she lists regionally southern foods, its also useful for street food in therest of Vietnam, too. Vietnam has a population of 89,571,130 and a population density of 271.79 people per square kilometre. With a tourist visa, landlords prefer to only let out short-term stays. Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWings setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop. As is common with many metropolises, traffic jams and congestion are a common occurrence here. Always ask for the visa to be attached to your passport as there have been instances where travelers with valid visas have been denied entry to Vietnam. We recommend using 12Go for buying tickets in Vietnam that includes intercity buses, trains, and even domestic flights. Cost of Living in Vietnam. Prices in Vietnam. Updated Jun 2023 - Numbeo Vietnam is emerging as a digital nomad destination, favoured for its low-cost, and offering all the facilities one would need to work remotely. Vietnam is an inexpensive country to live in. Many motorbike repair shops sell secondhand motorbikes. Vietnam has become increasingly popular as an expat destination in recent years, and it is now recognized as a safe place for foreigners to live and work. central reference city (that happens to be Prague). This is a whole meal like fried rice or pho. In general, you can get by with saying chaybefore ordering. Its no surprise that food delivery apps have caught on in Vietnam, and this trend was of course increased due to COVID. See our more detailed guide totransportation in Vietnamfor some ideas on how you can get around the city or in the country, as this is going to depend on various factors. Having learned history from the U.S. point of view, The Girl in the Picture provides a beautiful, haunting look at the war from the Vietnamese perspective. Being a smaller town, however, you will want to check your apartments wifi connection before you rentwhile some have fiber optic connections, it can vary wildly. To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a What draws in expats, and remote workers, are its less-crowded settings and coffee culture. If you stay in a slightly better accommodation, go out more, or live in the big city, this figure can easily go up to around $1000 or more. Navigating the street food scene is overwhelming at first, but this Jodi shares an extensive post covering everything you need to know about eating street food in Saigon. A plus point is the coffee. The first factor would be the lack of convenience. of boneless chicken breast, 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket, Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area, Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area, Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ) for 2 people in 85m2 flat, Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area, Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area, Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio, Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands), 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers), 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands), Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new, Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands), Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes), Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city, Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub, 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats), Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert, 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt. Its in southern Vietnam, so the weather is warm year-round but the coastal position makes it cooler than the city. Depending on the location, a one-bedroom small apartment will cost $230 - 340 a month. And even more, it has alaid-back vibe that locals and expats love. Cost of Living in Vietnam - 2023 prices. - Expatistan You need to provide a copy of your passport (never give your passport as a deposit). Typically, a small studio apartment or one-bedroom apartment in the city centre would cost anywhere between $200-$350 per month. In fact, bia hoi, a low-cost (and sometimes dubious but often surprisingly passable) draught beer that is served at streetside restaurants in Vietnam is insanely cheap. Home to Vietnams largest expat community, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is bustling with diverse experiences, people and employment opportunities. Smaller towns also have internet access, but it can vary a bit more than in the two largest cities. Upgrade to a 3-bedroom apartment in Vietnam and you need to pay VND 20,004,997 (USD 869) on average in Vietnam, while the amount reaches VND 25,167,339 (USD 1,094) in Ho Chi Minh City. The bookCatfish and Mandalais a beautiful memoir of about a Vietnamese-Americans overland bicyclejourney. They report a averaging $1,292 for each month, which is incredibly similar to what the other Hoi An expat founds, so you know that youll likely come in similarly if you value the same lifestyle! But of course, this would depend on other variables such as your line of work and qualifications. The most popular job amongst ex-pats here is teaching English, with rates starting from $1,500 USD. 1 person, per month (without rent) 355.87. You can read our more detailed recommended budget for moving to Vietnam and what to pack for moving to Vietnam. Motorbike rental came in at a reasonable $45 US per month. For my full review policy click here. Is there any chance you can email me a recruiting agency ? Our Cost of LivingGuidesshare extensive resources on all the major expat spots around the world. For those seeking a peaceful, no nonsense life, Ha Long City is a true haven. Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to startteaching English online. But if there is a goal, nevertheless, to stay to live in Vietnam, then transport should be bought. The country offers expats a quality of life that is, in many ways, better than that of neighboring nations. For instance, if the cost of living in Da Nang Vietnam is around $3,500 to $4,500 per month, one can rent a contemporary villa with a private pool, relishing a regal existence while . A monthly budget of around $4,000 provides for top-end luxury, including a large, furnished home with a view of a lake or park, eating at 5-star restaurants, and taking frequent cruises and sightseeing trips throughout Vietnam. SafetyWing offers a monthly healthcare plan which covers digital nomads, expats and long term travellers. If youre looking at living in Hoi An, The Hub is your likely go-to workspace. Most items cost less than half of what you would pay in the West, and anywhere from 5% to 25% less than what they would cost in many other Southeast Asian countries. For example, the tax rate for an income of less than $2,600 USD would be 5% and that of $5800, a 10% rate respectively. Credit cards like Visa, Master Card, JCB, and American Express are accepted in many restaurants, hotels, and shops in Vietnams big cities. Assuming youre not moving to Vietnam to work and stay put in your house, there are a variety of leisure activities that you can take up. SIM cards are very cheap in Vietnam. The cost that each household needs to spend monthly in Hanoi has increased compared to many years ago, but everyone's life is still comfortable. 1 Month In Vietnam Cost Report: How Much Did We Spend? If your landlord is charging you more than this, something is definitely not right. Cost of Living in Vietnam - 2023 prices. - Expatistan Leaving rent out of it just for now, here's how much you can expect to pay in general living expenses in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi: Total living expenses in Ho Chi Minh. If you want a genuinely international school, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets. To put things in perspective, the average income for local Vietnamese is only $300 per month. Motorists ignore the traffic lights most of the time, there arenobike lanes, and the country is famous for its wild traffic. In any of these destinations, a budget of around $800 to $1,100 per month will provide a lovely house or apartment, all utilities, housekeeping, groceries, dining out every day if you choose, and even the occasional massage. So although his monthly expenses during his first two years time in Hanoi came in consistently under $800 per month. The food is diverse and delicious, the cost of living is low, and there are a number of well-paid teaching jobs available. ), 1 min. With this, your company/employer should be able to get you a temporary residence card (TRC) and it is valid for a period of up to 2 years. This cost may be lower if you use public buses. Depending on the length of your stay, a visa on arrival costs between $15 to $30 USD, while a multi-entry visa letter costs from $20 to $70 USD. Another option would be to call taxis for hire, or Grab. I make a small commission on purchases you make through a select few product linksthis never affects my recommendations. If you are looking to live a low-budget lifestyle, you can easily get by on US$500 per month, or even lower if you are extra frugal. Forfancier restaurants, think about $6 and up. However, you must know that riding a bicycle in Vietnam comes with risks. Their total costs for a couple came in at a cost of living of $1,251 per month. One example is his custom-made stand-up desk built for his apartmentvery cool, but not in all expat budgets. Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living? Coffee at fancy cafes will only cost you $2.65. Cost of Living in Vietnam - The Complete Guide - Sapore di Cina However, watch out for scam/unlicensed mototaxis posing as Grab and others to con tourists. A full meal in a cheap restaurant can cost you between $0.80 to $1.70. I will be packing everything own into a backpack and plan on winging it day to day while Im there. List of all the cities available in Expatistan, Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district, Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar), 500 gr (1 lb.) Jimmy is an Australian expat who lived in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City over an 8-month period. Among the best cities to work from are Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Da Nang, with ample co-working spaces for a digital nomad in Vietnam. You cannot transfer money internationally from your Vietnamese bank account unless the recipient is a member of your family. The downside is that you would need to leave the country at the end of the visa period or apply for a visa extension. Your email address will not be published. Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the How much does it cost to live as an expat? Street food is a fact of life in Southeast Asia, and on a Western budget, its very affordable. You can apply for a one month or three months visa with single or multiple entries. Your money stretches further than it would back home. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans), 1 month of gym membership in business district. US citizens can get a one-year tourist visa. They typically cost about $.50 (minimum) and go up depending on how far you want to go and thedemand at the time of booking. From rice fields, old towns, strips of beaches, and the amazing food, there is something for everyone here. Well, Im here to tell you that it is very much achievable, right in Vietnam. We usually go out once a week) - 4,000,000 VND ($179) So, in total we spend $1,155 per month, which gives us around $577 each. A GPs consultation can range from $3.10 to a highly trained specialist at $22. Popular areas for living are Districts 1 and 3. Booze lovers rejoice: beer is extremely cheap in Vietnam. Most digital nomads and entrepreneurs prefer to establish a base in Ho Chi Minh City, while expats and retirees prefer locations like Hanoi and Ho An. Instead of partying they chose to have drinks at the beach, go to a movie, and take cooking classes. If youre planning on making the move to Vietnam with children, the best option is to choose international schools. We also have on this page a list of all the cities available in Expatistan: List of all the cities available in Expatistan. List of all the cities available in Expatistan, Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district, Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar), 500 gr (1 lb.)