Can you live on $500 a month in Vietnam?

What is a good monthly salary in Vietnam?

Four to five million VND a month… that’s barely enough, you know? For unskilled labor. It feels… insufficient. Really.

Ten million? That’s more… but still, considering the cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City… it’s not lavish. Not for me. It’s just… enough. Maybe.

I worry. Always worrying. About everything. About money, of course. About my family. It weighs heavy.

My sister, she makes less. Three million. She works so hard. It’s heartbreaking. She deserves better. We all do.

• Minimum wage is a struggle. It’s pathetic.
• Skilled jobs offer better pay, but the competition is fierce.
• Cost of living in cities is high. Especially housing. Rent eats up so much.
• My own salary… it’s closer to seven million. It’s okay. But I could use more. Definitely.

This year, 2024, feels the same as last. Maybe even worse. The pressure is relentless. It’s exhausting. I’m tired. Really tired.

How much money do you need to retire comfortably in Vietnam?

So, Vietnam retirement? Picture this: ditching spreadsheets for spring rolls.

Comfort costs, eh? $800-$1200 a month. Imagine, that’s less than my monthly avocado toast bill. (Okay, slight exaggeration. Maybe.)

• Housing: Think charming Hanoi apartment, not a Malibu mansion.
• Food: Pho is cheaper than therapy… mostly. (Speaking from experience there, ha!)
• Healthcare: Keep those travel insurance deets handy.
• Visa: That long-stay visa, tho! Paperwork, ugh.

It’s a steal, or so they say. Compared to, like, anywhere in California. Don’t expect caviar dreams on a instant noodle budget.

Don’t forget: it’s 2024! Prices creep, even in paradise. Inflation is real. My shoe size keeps increasing, too; weird.

Ultimately, “comfortable” is subjective. Are you bougie or backpacker? I have questions about my own life!

My advice: scout it out. Then, pack light and bring ALL the hot sauce. You’re welcome.

Extra Thoughts:

• Location matters: Big city life jacks up the prices. Rural vibes are easier on the wallet, yeah.
• Lifestyle is Key: Fancy dinners and imported wines? That’ll cost ya.
• Emergencies, duh: Always stash some extra funds. Stuff happens, like losing your passport (been there, UGH).
• Learn the lingo: Haggle like a pro. My Vietnamese is… well, let’s just say charades are involved.
• Socialize: Find your tribe! Expats are everywhere, swapping stories and complaining about the heat. It’s a thing.

What is the cheapest place to live in Vietnam?

Ben Tre… yeah, Ben Tre. It just comes up sometimes.

It is the cheapest, isn’t it? Ben Tre, in the Mekong Delta. I saw that somewhere. 85.93% of Hanoi prices. Less, way less.

That’s the Spatial Cost of Living Index in 2024. It’s not a lot, but enough. Enough to make a change, maybe.

• What makes Ben Tre cheap?

  • Agricultural economy: Rice, coconuts, fruit.
  • Less touristy than other spots. Thank god.
  • Local markets.

• Things I might want:

  • A motorbike.
  • A house overlooking the river, please.
  • Ban Trang cake with coconut.

Maybe…maybe I should just go. I could.

How much is 1 month rent in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam rent. Crazy. I was in Hanoi, 2023, near the Hoan Kiem Lake. Found a tiny, one-bedroom – cute, actually, but cramped – for $500 a month. That was in June, maybe July? Not cheap, but hey, location, location, location. The air conditioning was essential. Hot as hell.

Utilities? Electricity was a killer. Easily $80 a month, sometimes more. Water was cheap, like $10 maybe. Internet, super fast, was only $15 – a steal compared to back home. Cell phone – $5. I remember that so clearly because it’s so different from here!

Key takeaways:

• Hanoi, 2023: $500 for a small 1-bedroom.
• Utilities: $80-100, mostly electricity. Water was dirt cheap.
• Internet/Phone: Amazingly affordable – internet is great, very reliable.

Man, I miss those pho noodles. Seriously delicious and so cheap. But that heat… whew. I still think about my little apartment.

I didn’t include everything from that initial cost breakdown, the $400-$900 range is way too broad. My experience was more specific, and I stick to it. The $500 rent was spot on, I am positive. I paid for it on my credit card, and I still have the statements. Plus, finding an apartment there was super stressful. So many options, and they all looked the same online. I swear I spent days running around. So glad I found that place.

How much does it cost to live comfortably in Vietnam per month?

Okay, so Vietnam, huh? Living comfortably? Forget $500-$1000, that’s way too low, especially in 2024. You’ll need more, way more. Like, at least $1500 a month. Maybe even two thousand, depending on your lifestyle. Seriously.

Rent in Ho Chi Minh City? Insane. A decent apartment, not some dive, easily $800-$1200. Food’s cheaper, thank goodness, but still, eating out all the time adds up. And you’ll want to eat out sometimes, right?

Transportation, I mean, Grab’s cheap but you’ll use it alot. Plus, entertainment, going out, you know. It adds up quickly. And then there are unexpected expenses, like, uh, a new phone case, you know?

Think about it this way:

• Rent: $800-$1200 (easily)
• Food: $400-$600 (depending how much you eat out)
• Transportation: $100-$200 (minimum!)
• Entertainment: $200-$500 (minimum. This is Vietnam!)
• Unexpected: $100 – who knows?

So yeah. $1500 to $2000 a month is a much more realistic figure. Don’t skimp, you’ll regret it. Plus, rent deposits are often two months rent upfront, or even three sometimes. That’s a huge chunk of cash right there. Crazy, right? Plan accordingly.

How much do you need to make to live comfortably in Vietnam?

Okay, Vietnam…comfortably… Right.

• Okay, so, living cost in Vietnam…uh…varies. Obvi.
• Location, duh. Hanoi vs. some beach town? HUGE diff.

My friend Trang, she lives there. Said rent in Saigon is insane now. Like, insane.

• Accommodation… Hostel? Luxury apartment? Hello!
• Personal stuff, like, do you need Starbucks every day?Lifestyle choices.

I’d say, ballpark, need $1000 to $2000 a month? Comfortably? Yeah. Not surviving, comfortably.

• Basic expenses…$500? Maybe if you’re super frugal.

Food is cheap, I know that. But like, imported cheese ain’t. Haha. That said, it sounds amazing.

• Really living comfortably…$2000+ maybe?

Travel! Gotta see Ha Long Bay. Don’t forget!

How much money do you need to retire comfortably in Vietnam?

Three thousand dollars a month. That’s what I need. Maybe more. It feels like a fantasy, you know?

Honestly, eight hundred to twelve hundred is laughable. That’s barely enough for rent in a decent area of Hanoi, let alone healthcare and travel.

I’m talking about comfortable retirement. Not scraping by. Not endless worry. I deserve peace.

That means:

• High-quality healthcare: Private hospitals. Good insurance. No chance I’m risking my health for pennies.
• Decent living space: A nice apartment. Not some cramped, dodgy place.
• Travel: Exploring Vietnam. Visiting family in Da Lat. The occasional trip overseas. My sister’s in Australia, and I want to see her.
• Small luxuries: Good food, books, maybe a little bit of gambling.

It’s more than just money. It’s about… freedom. The freedom from stress. From constant worry about next month’s rent.

I calculated this based on 2024 prices, mind you. Everything’s going up. Inflation’s a beast.

What is the cheapest place to live in Vietnam?

Ben Tre, oh Ben Tre, apparently it’s Vietnam’s champion cheapskate as of 2024! Lower cost of living you say? Compared to Hanoi, it struts along at a mere 85.93% on the “Spatial Cost of Living Index.” It’s like Hanoi decided to wear a mink coat, and Ben Tre showed up in… well, something practical.

Is “Spatial Cost of Living Index” even a real thing? Sounds like something I invented after too much coffee.

• Low Cost, High Intrigue: Imagine all the exotic fruits you can buy with the money you save! Bet you didn’t think of that.
• Coconut Kingdom: Ben Tre is famous for its coconuts. Think of all the coconut cocktails! Or don’t. I’m not your bartender.
• River Life: Nestled in the Mekong Delta. Prepare for boat trips and maybe a close encounter with a water buffalo.

Maybe it’s worth trading my firstborn for a life where the cost of living is so low. I bet rent is cheaper than my gym membership. Okay maybe not.

Where is the best place to live in Vietnam for foreigners?

Okay, so you wanna know the best place in Vietnam for expats, huh? Tay Ho in Hanoi and Binh Thanh in Ho Chi Minh City are, like, the places everyone talks about. But honestly? Binh Thanh’s kinda overrated. It’s busy, super crowded, and way too many tourists.

Hanoi’s different. Tay Ho’s got that chilled vibe. More green space, you know? It’s definetly more relaxed. Plus, the food’s amazing, tons of great little restaurants. I mean, you can get pho on every corner, but the quality varies wildly. Finding a gem takes time, though.

However, I lived in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City for a year – and that was awesome. Way less chaotic than Binh Thanh. Beautiful river views, more up and coming, and tons of expats there too, but a more diverse crowd. More international.

Here’s the thing:

• Cost of living: Binh Thanh is pricier. District 2 was more reasonable last year, might be different now. Tay Ho is somewhere in between.
• Nightlife: Binh Thanh wins hands down, if you’re into that club scene thing. District 2 and Tay Ho are more low-key, more local bars. I prefered District 2’s bars.
• Overall vibe: Tay Ho feels more authentic, less of a tourist trap. District 2 is modern and developing rapidly. Binh Thanh is just… loud.

So yeah, it really depends what you’re after. For me? District 2 was the best, last year. But that was 2023, so things could’ve changed. Don’t just blindly follow the hype.

How much money do I need to live well in Vietnam?

Living comfortably in Vietnam in 2024? Think $700-$1500 a month, easily. That’s a solid range, mind you. It really depends.

Location matters big time. Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi? Prepare for higher costs. Smaller cities, smaller budgets. Duh.

Accommodation: A significant chunk goes here. A decent apartment in a good area can easily gobble up half your monthly budget. Shared housing? Cheaper, naturally. But consider location trade-offs.

Food: Street food? Cheap, amazing. Fancy restaurants? Yeah, that’s a different story. I lived off $200 a month on delicious street food, mostly. But I am a frugal person. I even cook at home a bit, which helps a bunch. Budget accordingly.

Transportation: Motorbikes are king. Cheap to rent. Grab (like Uber) is handy too, but pricier. Public transport is surprisingly efficient and budget-friendly.

Entertainment: This is where things get wild. Cheap beers with friends or clubbing? The difference is insane. Figure out what makes you happy. Consider your lifestyle.

Factors:

• Your lifestyle, obviously.
• Travel within Vietnam (domestic flights etc.)
• Specific hobbies (golf, anyone?)
• Health insurance

Overall: $700 will give you a basic but acceptable standard of living. $1500 buys you comfort and a few luxuries. Honestly, I find Vietnam astonishingly affordable for the quality of life it offers. It’s easy to find a balance between indulgence and economy. Life’s a journey!