Cost of Living in Vietnam in 2026: Real Budgets and the Salary You Need

Thinking about moving to Vietnam and wondering how much you really need to live there comfortably, and therefore what salary to aim for? You're right to ask this question up front. The cost of living in Vietnam is one of the main reasons thousands of French expats move to this dynamic Southeast Asian country every year.

Contrary to popular belief and the rough figures you find on some forums, there's no one-size-fits-all answer: the budget you need varies considerably depending on your lifestyle, the city you live in, your family situation and your expectations in terms of comfort. A single person in Da Nang won't live on the same budget as a family of four in Hanoi. In this article, I'll give you real, up-to-date figures for 2026, based on prices checked in Da Nang and feedback from the expat community.

Whether you want to live on a tight budget or enjoy premium comfort, you'll find here a breakdown of every expense category, three sample budgets, the salary to aim for depending on your city and situation, and the traps that blow up a budget.

01Housing Costs in Vietnam: From Local Apartments to Luxury Condos

Housing is generally your biggest monthly expense in Vietnam (25 to 40% of the budget), but prices remain very attractive compared to France. In Da Nang, a fast-developing coastal city, you'll find a wide range of options to suit every budget.

Studios and apartments in the city center:

• Studio (25-35 m²) in a local neighborhood: €150-250/month (4,000,000 - 6,750,000 VND)
• Modern one-bedroom apartment: €300-450/month (8,100,000 - 12,150,000 VND)
• Two-bedroom apartment with a sea view: €500-800/month (13,500,000 - 21,600,000 VND)
• Premium condo with pool and gym: €800-1,500/month (21,600,000 - 40,500,000 VND)

In Ho Chi Minh City, prices are slightly higher (about 20-30% more) in expat neighborhoods like District 2 or Thao Dien. In Hanoi, rents are comparable to Da Nang in the historic center, but the neighborhoods popular with expats (Tay Ho, Hai Ba Trung) run around €600-1,000.

Tip: Long-term leases (6-12 months) let you negotiate a 10-15% discount on monthly rent, especially in the low season (May-September). Always visit in person before signing, and be wary of listings on Facebook that look too good to be true. For your first year, a furnished apartment saves you furnishing costs and leaves you free to change neighborhoods.

Utilities (electricity, water, internet) generally add €50-100/month depending on how much you use the air conditioning. Electricity costs about €0.08/kWh, and air conditioning accounts for 60-70% of your bill during the hot months (April-September).

For an in-depth comparison, see our guide to rent prices in Vietnam. For the paperwork related to housing, read our complete guide to moving to Vietnam.

02Food and Groceries: Between Street Food and Western Supermarkets

Food in Vietnam (15 to 25% of the budget) offers excellent value for money, especially if you adopt local habits. Your food costs can vary by a factor of 1 to 5 depending on your choices.

Restaurants and street food:

• Pho or banh mi on the street: €1-2 (27,000 - 54,000 VND)
• Com tam (broken rice): €1.50-2.50 (40,000 - 67,000 VND)
• Full meal at a local restaurant: €3-5 (81,000 - 135,000 VND)
• Upscale Vietnamese restaurant: €8-15/person (216,000 - 405,000 VND)
• Burger or pizza at a Western restaurant: €6-15 (162,000 - 405,000 VND)
• Main course at a French restaurant: €12-25 (324,000 - 675,000 VND)
• Western or Japanese restaurant: €15-30/person (405,000 - 810,000 VND)
• Vietnamese coffee: €0.80-1.50 (22,000 - 40,000 VND)
• Western-style coffee (Starbucks-type): €3-5 (81,000 - 135,000 VND)

Supermarket groceries (monthly budget for 1 person):

• Local products only: €150-200 (4,050,000 - 5,400,000 VND)
• Mix of local and imported products: €250-350 (6,750,000 - 9,450,000 VND)
• Mostly Western products: €400-600 (10,800,000 - 16,200,000 VND)

Sample supermarket prices (2026):

• 1 kg of rice: €0.80-1.50
• 12 eggs: €1.50-2
• 1 kg of chicken: €3-4
• 1 L of milk: €1.20-2 (imported)
• Baguette: €0.50-1
• French cheese (200 g): €6-10
• Bottle of French wine: €8-20
• Local beer (330 ml can): €0.60-0.80

As a general rule, local products cost 30-40% less than in France, while imported products are 50-100% more expensive.

Tip: Shop at local markets in the morning for fruit, vegetables and fresh meat (50% cheaper than at the supermarket). Save supermarkets like Lotte Mart or Big C for toiletries and the Western products you can't do without.

An expat couple who cooks at home 5 days a week and eats out on weekends spends an average of €500-700/month on food. For a detailed analysis, read our guide to food prices in Vietnam.

03Transportation: Scooters, Grab and Getting Around Every Day

Transportation in Vietnam (5 to 10% of the budget) is incredibly affordable, especially if you adopt the local lifestyle with a scooter.

Buying and renting a scooter:

• Monthly rental of a semi-automatic scooter: €40-60 (1,080,000 - 1,620,000 VND)
• Buying a used scooter (Honda Wave, Vision): €400-800
• Buying a new scooter: €1,200-2,500
• Monthly gas (daily use): €20-30 (540,000 - 810,000 VND)
• Annual scooter insurance: €15-25

Transportation services:

• Grab Bike ride (5 km): €0.80-1.50 (22,000 - 40,000 VND)
• Grab Car ride (5 km): €2-3 (54,000 - 81,000 VND)
• Monthly Grab budget for regular use: €80-150
• Traditional taxi (10 km): €4-6 (108,000 - 162,000 VND)
• City bus: €0.25-0.40 per ride (7,000 - 11,000 VND)

Car: buying one costs €15,000-40,000, and renting one with a driver €500-800/month. An option for premium budgets and families only.

Tip: Buying a used scooter pays for itself within 4-5 months compared to renting. Go for Japanese brands (Honda, Yamaha) for reliability and resale value. Invest in a good certified helmet (€50-100): not wearing one will cost you a fine of 200,000 VND, or €7.40.

For domestic flights, count on €30-80 for a one-way ticket from Da Nang to Hanoi or Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City with VietJet or Bamboo Airways. Night trains are an economical (€20-40 for a sleeper berth) and scenic alternative.

04Health and Insurance: Don't Neglect This Essential Expense

Health (5 to 12% of the budget) is an expense you absolutely shouldn't underestimate when moving to Vietnam. Although medical care is cheaper than in France, good international insurance is essential.

Consultations and medical care:

• General practitioner visit (local clinic): €10-20 (270,000 - 540,000 VND)
• General practitioner visit (international clinic): €50-80 (1,350,000 - 2,160,000 VND)
• Dentist (cleaning): €20-40 (540,000 - 1,080,000 VND)
• Dentist (filling): €30-60 (810,000 - 1,620,000 VND)
• Full blood work: €30-50 (810,000 - 1,350,000 VND)
• MRI: €150-300 (4,050,000 - 8,100,000 VND)

Health insurance:

• Basic local insurance: €50-100/month (limited coverage)
• Basic international insurance (excluding the USA): €80-150/month
• Comprehensive insurance with repatriation: €150-300/month
• Premium insurance (worldwide coverage): €300-500/month

The main international clinics in Da Nang (Family Medical Practice, Hoan My Hospital) accept international insurance and offer a level of care comparable to Western standards. Without insurance, the bill climbs fast: an emergency hospitalization can cost €5,000-20,000, and a medical repatriation €30,000-50,000.

Tip: Don't count on French Social Security if you're a tax resident in Vietnam. Take out international insurance as soon as you arrive. Insurers like April International, Allianz Care and Cigna Global are popular with expats. To make the right choice, read our guide to health insurance for expats in Vietnam.

Common medications are sold over the counter in pharmacies and cost 50-70% less than in France. Still, plan to bring your specific treatments for the first few months.

05Leisure, Going Out and Activities: Enjoying Life in Vietnam

Vietnam offers excellent value for leisure and activities (10 to 20% of the budget), making an active lifestyle possible without breaking the bank.

Sports and fitness:

• Basic gym membership: €15-25/month (405,000 - 675,000 VND)
• Premium gym membership (California Fitness): €40-70/month (1,080,000 - 1,890,000 VND)
• Yoga class: €5-10/session (135,000 - 270,000 VND)
• Surfboard rental: €5-8/day (135,000 - 216,000 VND)
• Scuba diving: €30-60 per trip
• Kitesurfing lessons (beginner): €150-250 for 3 days (4,050,000 - 6,750,000 VND)

Going out and entertainment:

• Movie theater (standard ticket): €3-5 (81,000 - 135,000 VND)
• Beer at a local bar: €1-2 (27,000 - 54,000 VND)
• Cocktail at a trendy bar: €4-8 (108,000 - 216,000 VND)
• Nightclub entry: €5-15 (135,000 - 405,000 VND)
• Traditional massage (1 hour): €8-15 (216,000 - 405,000 VND)
• High-end spa (2 hours): €40-80 (1,080,000 - 2,160,000 VND)

Travel and excursions:

• Weekend in Hoi An (accommodation + meals): €80-150
• Trek in the northern mountains (3 days): €100-200
• Ha Long Bay cruise (2 days/1 night): €80-250
• Flight + hotel in Bangkok or Siem Reap (3 days): €200-400

Tip: Expats often get preferential rates at gyms and spas by signing up for annual memberships. Always negotiate, especially if you pay several months in advance.

The cost of leisure makes it possible to keep an excellent work-life balance, one of the big advantages of living in Vietnam.

06Telecom and Services: Internet, Mobile and More

Telecom services in Vietnam are excellent and very affordable, with 4G/5G coverage in all major cities.

Phone and internet:

• Prepaid SIM card with 6 GB/month: €3-5 (81,000 - 135,000 VND)
• Unlimited mobile plan + 30 GB of data: €8-12/month (216,000 - 324,000 VND)
• Home fiber internet (100 Mbps): €8-12/month (216,000 - 324,000 VND)
• Fiber internet (500 Mbps): €15-20/month (405,000 - 540,000 VND)

The main carriers (Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone) offer excellent service quality. 5G has been rolled out in the major cities since 2025.

Other common services:

• Housekeeper (3 hours, twice a week): €60-100/month (1,620,000 - 2,700,000 VND)
• Dry cleaning (shirt): €0.40-0.80 (11,000 - 22,000 VND)
• Men's haircut: €3-8 (81,000 - 216,000 VND)
• Women's cut + color: €20-60 (540,000 - 1,620,000 VND)
• Vietnamese lesson (1 hour, private tutor): €8-15 (216,000 - 405,000 VND)

Tip: Sign up for a combined internet + mobile plan to save 20-30%. Carriers offer special expat plans that include international calls.

07Complete Monthly Budget: 3 Expat Profiles in Vietnam

Here are three sample budgets to help you plan your move based on your lifestyle. These amounts are based on a single person living in Da Nang in 2026.

Profile 1: Frugal Budget (Local Lifestyle)

This budget suits digital nomads, English teachers or young expats who fully embrace the Vietnamese way of life: eating Vietnamese food every day (which is no sacrifice) and limiting outings to Western establishments. You'll live decently, but without luxury.

Profile 2: Comfortable Budget (Local-Western Mix)

This budget matches most salaried expats who want a good level of comfort without excess: eating at quality restaurants several times a week and taking weekend trips to discover the country. For the detailed breakdown, see our guide to a monthly budget in Da Nang.

Profile 3: Premium Budget (Western Comfort)

This budget offers a very comfortable standard of living, equivalent to a senior executive in France, but for a much lower cost.

Tip: Always build in a 20% buffer for unexpected expenses, especially in the first few months (furniture, deposit, equipment). A couple can cut the cost per person by 30-40% thanks to economies of scale on housing and food.

08What Salary Do You Need to Live in Vietnam?

These three profiles translate into three monthly income ranges:

The comfortable budget is the ideal balance: it covers a modern apartment, comprehensive international insurance and a variety of leisure activities, and leaves €300-500/month for savings and unexpected expenses.

By City

For a comfortable lifestyle, the recommended monthly budget varies significantly from one city to another:

• Da Nang: €1,400-2,200. The best value for money: modern infrastructure, direct beach access, an active but not overwhelming expat community, and less pollution and traffic than the big cities.
• Hanoi: €1,700-2,600. Authenticity and cultural richness, but pricier restaurants and bars, heavy traffic, pollution, and a cold, damp winter (15-20°C from December to February).
• Ho Chi Minh City: €1,800-2,800. The country's economic hub: the widest choice of international restaurants and the best job opportunities, but chaotic traffic and high rents.
• Secondary cities (Nha Trang, Hoi An, Dalat, Can Tho): €1,000-1,600. Rents of €200-500 for comfortable housing, food at €150-300/month, a more relaxed atmosphere. Ideal for digital nomads and retirees.

To compare with other destinations, read our Da Nang vs. Bali vs. Lisbon analysis.

By Personal Situation

Single or couple without children: €1,200-2,000/month. The most flexible setup: a modern apartment, regular outings, travel, and 30-40% of your income set aside. For first-hand insights, read our guide to living in Vietnam as a couple.

Family with children: €2,500-4,000/month. Schooling often accounts for 40-50% of an expat family's total budget. Local Vietnamese schools are free or cost €50-100/month, but they're not recommended if your children don't speak Vietnamese. You also need to budget for larger housing (+€300-500/month), higher food costs (+€200-400/month), extracurricular activities (€100-300/month per child) and family health insurance (+€150-250/month per child). All the details are in our guide to living in Vietnam with children.

Retirees: €1,200-2,000/month. With an average French pension, you'll live comfortably: quality, affordable healthcare, a pleasant climate (especially in Da Nang), an active French community and a Vietnamese culture that respects its elders. Have an expert check how your pension is taxed: depending on your residence status, it may be taxed in France, in Vietnam, or fall under a tax treaty.

Digital nomads and freelancers: €1,000-2,000/month. With income in euros or dollars and expenses in dong, your purchasing power is multiplied by 2 to 3. The ideal setup: €2,000-3,000 in income, €1,200-1,800 in expenses, and €800-1,200 in savings per month, or €10,000-15,000 set aside in a year. See our guide to being a digital nomad in Vietnam.

Typical Profiles: Income and Spending

A few typical French expat profiles (illustrative examples):

09Comparison With France: Real Savings

The cost of living in Vietnam is about 40-60% of the cost of living in France, depending on your lifestyle. Here's a direct comparison to help you picture it:

Savings by category:

• Housing: -50% to -70% (compared to Paris, Nice, Lyon)
• Local food: -60% to -80%
• Transportation: -70% to -80%
• Leisure and going out: -50% to -70%
• Services (hairdresser, cleaning): -70% to -85%

Concrete example: A couple spending €3,500/month in Lyon (excluding rent) can maintain the same standard of living in Da Nang for €1,800-2,200/month, including housing in a modern apartment. With €2,500/month in income and a comfortable budget of €1,600 in Da Nang, a single person saves €900/month, or €10,800/year, whereas the same salary in France barely lets you set aside more than €200-300/month.

Watch out, though, for the "traps" that can drive up your budget:

• Imported Western products (cheese, wine, cured meats): prices similar to or even higher than in France
• International schools for children: €8,000-20,000/year
• Frequent trips to France: €600-1,200 round-trip ticket

The real financial advantage shows up when you adopt a hybrid lifestyle: comfortable housing, quality local food and a variety of leisure activities.

10Hidden Expenses and Mistakes to Avoid

Beyond the monthly budget, some one-off expenses are often underestimated by new expats.

Initial setup costs: €2,000-5,000. Rental deposit (2-3 months' rent), agency fees (0 to 1 month's rent), furniture and equipment (€500-1,500), a scooter, and first purchases like dishes and linens (€300-600).

Visa: €300-1,200/year. The 3-month tourist visa costs €25-50, but visa runs (trips to the border) add €100-200 every 3 months. Count on €300-500 for a one-year business visa through an agent, and €500-1,200 for a temporary residence card. Everything is explained in our guide to the Vietnam visa for French citizens.

Trips back to France: most expats go home 1-2 times a year. On top of the ticket, add €300-600 of spending while you're there: budget at least €1,000-2,000/year.

All in all, plan for €5,000-8,000 in exceptional expenses in the first year, on top of your monthly budget. The most costly mistakes:

• Arriving with only 2-3 months of reserves. The first months are always more expensive than planned (setup, exploring and going out, beginner's mistakes). Leave with a cushion of 6 months of expenses, or €7,000-12,000 depending on your target budget.
• Skipping health insurance to "save" €150-300/month. A single hospitalization can wreck your move abroad.
• Recreating your French lifestyle. Eating, drinking and going out French-style means spending as much as in France while missing out on the Vietnamese experience.
• Ignoring taxes. Are you still a French tax resident? Do you need to declare your income in Vietnam? Which tax treaty applies? A consultation with an international tax expert (€200-500) prevents mistakes that run into thousands of euros. See our guide to taxes for expats in Vietnam.
• Relying on a single source of income. A freelancer benefits from having several regular clients, and an employee from developing a side business. See our guide to starting a business abroad.

11Practical Tips to Optimize Your Budget in Vietnam

Here are the best tips for living comfortably while keeping your budget under control.

1. Gradually adopt the local lifestyle Don't try to recreate your French life from the first month. Discover Vietnamese cuisine, local markets and neighborhood cafés. You'll save 40-50% on your food budget while enjoying an authentic cultural experience. A simple rule: 70% of your food and leisure the local way, 30% the Western way to keep some familiar comforts. For example, a Vietnamese breakfast (€1-2), lunch at a local restaurant (€2-4), and 5 local dinners for every 2 Western ones each week: €200-300 in savings per month compared to a 100% Western diet, without feeling deprived.

2. Negotiate your rent and long-term contracts Landlords prefer stable tenants. A 12-month lease lets you negotiate a 10-20% discount. Pay 6 months in advance to get one month free. Bargaining is part of Vietnamese culture: it's also done at markets and in shops without posted prices, for regular services (housekeeper, private lessons) and for monthly scooter rentals. It isn't done in supermarkets, in restaurants with posted prices, or with professionals (doctors, lawyers). A simple "Xin giảm giá được không?" (Can you lower the price?), said with a smile, often makes the difference.

3. Use local apps

• Grab for transportation (cheaper than taxis)
• Shopee, Lazada and Tiki for online shopping (regular promotions)
• Foody or GoFood for food delivery
• Zalo Pay or Momo for mobile payments (frequent cashback)

Between promotions and cashback, the savings can reach €100-200 per month.

4. Open a local bank account Avoid international exchange and withdrawal fees (3-5% per transaction). Vietnamese banks like Vietcombank and Techcombank offer accounts in USD and VND. For transfers from France, Wise keeps fees low.

5. Take advantage of happy hours and promotions Restaurants and bars offer 30-50% discounts between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Gyms run promotions at the start of the year (January-February).

6. Invest in quality for certain expenses

• Health insurance: don't skimp
• Scooter: go for reliable Japanese brands
• Housing: a good mattress and efficient air conditioning are essential

7. Plan for seasonal expenses

• Higher electricity bills from April to September (air conditioning)
• More expensive flights during Tet (Vietnamese New Year, January-February)
• Good deals during the big shopping days (11/11, 12/12)

Tip: Join the Facebook groups for French-speaking expats in Da Nang to get good deals and recommendations, and even to buy second-hand gear (bikes, appliances, furniture).

12FAQ: Your Questions About the Cost of Living in Vietnam