Cost of Living in Vietnam
The population of Vietnam is 96,208,984. The average cost of living in Vietnam is $1158 and the median after-tax salary is $442.23
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
2.11 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
21.05 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
4.6 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
0.84 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
1.79 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
1.78 $ |
|
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Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
0.51 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
0.31 $ |
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Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.44 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
0.97 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
0.94 $ |
|
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Eggs (regular) (12) |
1.48 $ |
|
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Local Cheese (1 lb) |
12.5 $ |
|
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Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
3.6 $ |
|
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Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
10.51 $ |
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Apples (1 lb) |
2.89 $ |
|
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Banana (1 lb) |
1.05 $ |
|
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Oranges (1 lb) |
1.46 $ |
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Tomato (1 lb) |
0.98 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
1.17 $ |
|
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Onion (1 lb) |
1.21 $ |
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Lettuce (1 head) |
0.82 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
0.54 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
8.42 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
0.8 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
1.48 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
1.26 $ |
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|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.29 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
8.42 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
0.51 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
0.63 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
3.16 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
1.13 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
42110.0 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
35126.48 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
69.37 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
0.07 $ |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
10.58 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
23.5 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
7.16 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
3.79 $ |
|
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
210.58 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
12792.57 $ |
|
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
38.22 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
34.82 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
89.91 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
86.4 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
363.98 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
238.42 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
879.16 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
477.17 $ |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
2774.88 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
1391.37 $ |
|
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
442.23 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
9.81 % |
|
Vietnam
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Vietnam is a relatively safe country to travel to. Its main source of income is tourism, so the tourists' safety is their number one concern. The capital city, Hanoi has 6 million inhabitants, so street crime is more common there.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Means of transport and taxis aren't very safe in Vietnam. Many taxis in Saigon and Hanoi have previously installed rigged meters that charge up to 2 to 8 times more. Your best chance is taking a taxi from reputable companies such as Mai Linh and Vinasun in Saigon. You should consult some guidebooks and travel forums before you travel to Vietnam that will prepare you for petty scams. There is also a very popular scam where the buses break down and the tour operators force people to pay considerable amounts for crummy hotels "while the bus is repaired".
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpocketing and bag snatching is a very common issue in Vietnam, especially on the side of the roads where motorbike snatching may occur. Keep your belongings by your side at all times and try to leave all your valuables in a security deposit box of your hotel.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Natural threats include rare earthquakes and occasional typhoons (from May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta nearly every year. Vietnam is occasionally also devastated by storms and typhoons that can cause millions of dollars of damage. In case of a natural disaster, follow the instructions of local authorities.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
There are some areas where cases of mugging have been reported, it is generally rare, and foreigners are rarely targeted.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There is a low probability of a terrorist attack, however, they should never be ruled out so be vigilant and watch out for suspicious activities.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
There is a number of scams performed on tourists in Vietnam, such as gambling scams where, if you do venture in gambling, there is a great risk you will be scammed or ripped off or karaoke scams: since prostitution is forbidden, you can find prostitutes in various karaoke bars, which are actually one big scam and their clients often get ripped off, drink spiked and robbed. Apart from these scams, you can get overcharged by everyone: street vendors, taxi and bus drivers, hotel owners and worst of all - the police. Double-check every information and pay, or negotiate everything in advance.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Sexual assaults are common in Vietnam, especially in the following cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Sapa, and Cat Ba Island. Avoid overnight trains and buses, and parts of cities that are filled with bars and clubs, since there is a higher chance of running into intoxicated people. Follow basic common sense and avoid walking alone at night and in poorly lit and secluded areas.
Visas
All US citizens wishing to visit Vietnam will need to apply for a tourist visa and no earlier than six months before their planned departure. Your passport should be valid for at least six months past your date of return. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
The Vietnamese Dong is the official currency in Vietnam. We recommend changing your money in post offices, banks or larger hotels. Airports also offer a convenient exchange rate.
Weather
Weather in Vietnam depends on the region you're at. For example, in Hanoi, it is its capital, summers last from May to October, and winters, mostly dry and mild, last from November to April with average temperatures from 17-22°C. In central Vietnam the weather is hot and dry from January to August, reaching temperatures as high as 30°C. The period from September to October is a rainfall season. Southern Vietnam is mostly dry and hot between November and April, and the rainfalls are common from June through August.
Airports
The busiest airport in Vietnam is Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located in Ho Chi Minh and a close second is the Noi Bai International Airport in the country's capital, Hanoi.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Vietnam, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.