Living in Vietnam: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Vietnam

Living in Vietnam

Last updated on Feb 14, 2023

Summary: People often describe life in Vietnam as vibrant, exciting, and full of opportunity. Expats love the friendly people, the delicious food, the beautiful scenery, and the low cost of living. The average cost of living for an expat is around $1,000 to $1,500 per month, depending on lifestyle and location. Vietnam has a population of approximately 97 million people, and the largest cities are Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hai Phong. The cons of living in Vietnam include the language barrier, the lack of infrastructure in some areas, the high levels of air pollution, and the difficulty of obtaining visas. Additionally, the cost of living can be higher in some areas, such as Ho Chi Minh City.

What do I need to know about living in Vietnam?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Vietnam, they said:

"Learn at least some basic Vietnamese so that you can interact with people. Young adults and below usually speak some English but middle age and older rarely do. Check with a resident on what you might need to bring from home that can't be found here. Most things can be bought here or on a quick trip to HCMC but there are always some things that we miss from home," said one expat in Da Nang.

"Learn the Vietnamese language or at least learn the basics because there are few people in vung tau that can speak English," said one expat who made the move to Vung Tau.

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How do I meet people in Vietnam?

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About the Author

Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.