Vietnam

Living in Vietnam: the short version

Vietnam offers one of Asia’s lowest costs of living, fast-growing cities and superb street food. There is no digital nomad visa, so long stays rely on e-visas or employer-sponsored work permits, and Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have very different climates and characters.

Best for: English teachers, professionals with local employers and budget-conscious remote workers.

How to move to Vietnam: main visa and residency routes

Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.

Work permit and temporary residence card

For foreigners employed by a Vietnamese company; the residence card allows multi-year stays.

E-visa

Single or multiple entry for up to 90 days; not for employment.

Investor visa

For foreigners investing in Vietnamese businesses.

Healthcare for newcomers

International clinics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City provide good care at moderate prices; expats generally rely on private insurance.

How Vietnam compares

Calculated from our data for all 55 countries. How we calculate this

Cost of living rank

4th cheapest of 55

Single person, core costs

$535/mo

Family of four, core costs

$1,142/mo

Take-home on $60,000

$41,480/yr

• Renting a one-bedroom home takes about 72% of the average local salary in Vietnam, more than the median of 36% across the countries we cover.
• Core monthly costs for one person (rent, groceries, transport, utilities, internet and eating out) come to about $535, or 128% of the average local monthly salary.
• On a gross salary of $60,000 taxed locally, our estimate leaves $41,480 a year after income tax and employee social security (an effective rate of 31%), the 42nd highest take-home pay of 55 countries. After single-person core costs, that leaves roughly $35,060 a year to save or spend.
• Countries with a similar overall cost of living: Indonesia, Philippines, Morocco.
• Cheaper options in Asia: India.

Estimates for planning, using simplified national tax brackets in US dollars; local taxes, deductions and your own spending will differ. Try your own numbers in the tax calculator or budget planner.

Our guides to Vietnam

• Vietnamese Street Food: Must Try Dishes · Food & Cuisine

Sources and methodology

Figures on this page are estimates in US dollars, compiled from the international datasets below and converted at recent exchange rates. The cost of living index uses New York City as 100. Guidance was last reviewed on September 30, 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.