Cost of Living in Vietnam 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese đồng (VND).
Monthly Living Costs in Vietnam
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €460 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €555 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Vietnam Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 27.7 |
| Rent index | 9.9 |
| Groceries index | 31.8 |
| Restaurant price index | 15.6 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 42.5 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 28.8 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 30.2 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Vietnam from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €10,000 |
| Finance | €9,000 |
| Engineering | €7,000 |
| Healthcare | €5,000 |
| Construction | €5,000 |
| Education | €4,500 |
| Retail | €4,000 |
| Hospitality | €3,000 |
Taxes in Vietnam
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 10.4% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,973 |
| VAT / sales tax | 10% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 35% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,973 per month. After rent and essentials (€460), roughly €5,513 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Vietnam Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | €320 | €80 | €15 | 27.7 |
| Cambodia | €350 | €85 | €25 | 36.7 |
| China | €650 | €180 | €25 | 50.9 |
| Laos | €280 | €80 | €15 | 26.8 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Vietnam:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 13 residence and visa routes for Vietnam — see the full Vietnam visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €400,000 per month — Work Permit (work route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €460 per month to sustain a move to Vietnam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vietnam expensive?
Vietnam has a cost-of-living index of 27.7 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €320 per month and a single person spends about €460 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Vietnam?
About €460 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €555 per month.
What is the average rent in Vietnam?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €320 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €480 per month in Vietnam. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Vietnam?
Typical gross annual salaries in Vietnam range from €3,000 (Hospitality) to €10,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Vietnam?
Among the 13 Vietnam residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €400,000 per month (Work Permit). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Vietnam country profile and the Vietnam emigration guide.
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