Vietnam is one of the most popular countries in Southeast Asia for foreigners who want to live and work abroad. The vibrant culture, friendly people and low cost of living are just some of the reasons people move here. Foreigners living in Vietnam can do a variety of things, but the most common are English teachers, digital nomads, and retirees. The great thing about Vietnam is that there are so many options to choose from when selecting a place to live. The most common is Hanoi, in the north, Ho Chi Minh City, in the south, and of course Da Nang in central Vietnam.
The city you live in has different cost of living for a variety of reasons. By living in a big city you will pay more for things like housing. Jobs in the big cities also pay a little more than those in smaller cities, but because the cost of living is higher, you end up spending more. That’s one of the things most overlooked by foreigners planning to live in Vietnam. The city lifestyle also means participating in more cultural activities, events and nightlife. While a smaller town could have more free activities such as walking and relaxing on the beach. So let’s see what it costs to live in the most popular cities for foreigners in Vietnam.
Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City
The most popular city for foreigners in Vietnam has to be Ho Chi Minh City. The city is often still referred to by its old name, Saigon, and it is the business capital of Vietnam. That’s why English is important here for Vietnamese people, so you can find language centers all over the city. Because of that finding a teaching job in Ho Chi Minh City is not an issue at all. Foreigners choose to live in Vietnam to experience the big city life full of events, nightlife and much more. Ho Chi Minh City is probably the easiest place to live in Vietnam due to its large expat community and how open the locals are to foreigners.
The main costs of living in Ho Chi Minh City are accommodation, transportation, food and entertainment. The cost of accommodation depends on things like location and the number of rooms, but a one-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost you VND 12 million per month. For a 1 bedroom outside the city center the cost would be about 7 million VND per month. For accommodation, you can expect Ho Chi Minh City to be probably the most expensive in Vietnam, but in general the costs are still quite low. If you need a place with more rooms, the cost will also be a little higher. In Saigon, the best ways to get around are by bus, motorbike or taxi. The costs depend on which one you choose. Using taxis to get around can be expensive, while buses are not the most convenient. Most foreigners choose to drive around with their own bicycle or use motorcycle taxis. Ho Cho Minh City has an incredible nightlife and that is one of the things that can make the cost of living here can be high. The average cost of living here is about 12 million VND per month for 1 person excluding rent.
The cost of living in Hanoi
Many people seem to say that Hanoi is one of those places you either love or hate, but foreigners who didn’t like Hanoi originally and stayed longer usually say they fell in love with the city and wouldn’t go anywhere otherwise want to live in Vietnam. Hanoi is a traditional city and the political capital of Vietnam, so you’ll find a great mix of modern and traditional Vietnamese architecture here. The city is known for having some of the most picturesque lakes around the city. Hanoi is also the capital of Vietnam, so many companies are based here. Many foreigners choose to Teaching English in Hanoi to move to this great city
In Hanoi, housing will be the main expense for foreigners living here, but transportation, food and entertainment will also increase the cost of living. Accommodation in Hanoi will cost slightly less than Ho Chi Minh City, so you can expect to pay around 8 million VND per month for an apartment in the city center or 5 million VND per month for a place outside the city. Cyclos and buses would be most locals’ way of getting around the city, but for foreigners living in Hanoi, the Xe Om (motorcycle taxi) is one of the most popular ways to get around, assuming they don’t come with their own riding a motorcycle. The average living costs here are about 11 million VND per month for 1 person excluding rent.
The cost of living in Da Nang
The beautiful coastal city of Da Nang is located in central Vietnam. The town has a long stretch of beach called My Khe Beach and is amazingly clear and beautiful. In addition to beaches, there are mountains like Son Tra and Monkey Mountains, making it one of the best cities in Vietnam for outdoor enthusiasts. Living in Da Nang is a dream come true for many, but finding a job here is not as easy as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as the city is much smaller. The few people who manage to find teaching jobs in Da Nang are often experienced teachers who have been teaching in the big cities for some time and are now looking for a quieter life. But just because Da Nang is a small city, don’t think there’s nothing to do here. The city has many great restaurants and nightlife, and it gets especially busy on weekends.
The cost of living in Da Nang can vary depending on the lifestyle you want to live, but the main costs are likely to go towards housing, food, transportation and entertainment. Living in Da Nang can be incredibly cheap. Accommodation here generally costs about 6 million VND per month. The city does have buses, but because the roads are not that busy, many foreigners choose to drive their own motorbike. If you don’t like driving, just call a motorcycle taxi with Grab. Since the city is a nature lover’s paradise, most of the best things to do are free, so living in Da Nang can be cheap. The average living costs here are about 10 million VND per month for 1 person excluding rent.