Vietnam is one of the most popular countries for tourists and expats because it is an inexpensive destination, with plenty to see and do. However, the cost of living in Vietnam can keep your finances a bit on edge. This article provides information on the cost of living in Vietnam 2022.
Goods and services are on average cheaper here than in other countries. In general, life in Vietnam may surprise you if you look for something more affordable. Nevertheless, due to inflation and the rising prices of commodities (especially crude oil), it increases the cost of living and budget you need to plan a foreign expat who is going to live in Vietnam.
The question that many people usually ask me is: how expensive is Ho Chi Minh City? How many to live in Vietnam? We are going to discover it on this page, inspired by this updated resource† Don’t miss the video inside which covers 3 other common costs expats should consider while living in Vietnam: entertainment, vacation, food and you the general budget and monthly expenses for life in Vietnam.
1. Rent and housing
Rent in Vietnam is considered quite cheap. With exchange rates just over USD 1 for the Vietnamese dong, this makes it even more feasible.
Renting a decent apartment in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City will cost around USD 650 – USD 1,000 per month (prices vary widely as the location where you live determines the price). A room for two can be had for around USD 400 per month if you live in a local neighborhood like Go Vap or Binh Thanh. In major hubs such as District 1, District 2, District 3, and District 4, rents are higher because these areas are known as downtown Saigon. Foreigners have more options for food and entertainment that are friendlier to expats.
2. Healthcare in Vietnam
Healthcare in Vietnam is not top notch, but not bad for a developing country with a lot of room for improvement either.
And the price of the service here is insanely affordable. For example, brushing your teeth is cheap here. Some places charge about 9 USD, and a few other small dentists charge only about 5 USD.
Plus, it feels like health care in public hospitals is charging you little to nothing for consulting services. I came to a public hospital for an informal health check and it only cost me $5 to fix the problem.
Another point worth mentioning is health insurance in Vietnam. As a foreigner here you need an insurance package to cover your healthcare costs. There is plenty to choose according to your standard. Personally, I opted for a $400 insurance policy that covers my entire year of health care costs.
3. Vietnam Visa Fee
The Visa fee doesn’t seem to be a big deal, but it’s worth keeping in mind.
Visa renewal requires you to fly out of the country. So you have to spend on airfare and visa renewal services. It may not cost much. However, it fits the budget† Make sure you handle it carefully. Including travel costs, airfare and one or two nights in the neighboring country, the total cost of visa extension can be up to USD 300.
4. Transportation:
You don’t get to see the state-of-the-art transportation system in Vietnam, but you do get something unique in return.
The most popular form of transport is the motorcycle. As a foreigner you can rent one or buy one. The prices are pretty good based on your demand. You can easily rent one for 50-100 USD per month, buy a used bike for more or less than 300 USD, and get a brand new premium version for around 1,000 USD.
There are also 3 other expenses you should know so that you can estimate a suitable budget for your moving trip. Be sure to watch the video below and see if you can gather any useful information.
This video illustrates the 7 most common costs that foreigners plan ahead when they want to move to Vietnam. In addition to the 4 expenses discussed in this article, you will learn about entertainment costs, holiday prices, monthly food budget and find out how much does it cost to live in vietnam †
If you have lived in Vietnam, feel free to share in the comment below your monthly living expenses of expats covers all costs for a decent life in Vietnam.
