Retiring in Vietnam: 2025 Cost-of-Living Guide for Every Budget
Why Vietnam keeps showing up on “best places to retire” lists
Golden-sand beaches, a deep cultural history, and a reputation for friendly locals already make Vietnam appealing, but what really lures retirees is its sheer affordability. According to Numbeo’s 2025 country rankings, Vietnam’s overall Cost-of-Living Index sits at 26.6 with New York City pegged at 100—meaning daily expenses are roughly three-quarters cheaper than in a major U.S. city. (numbeo.com)
Add in a tropical climate, modern telecom infrastructure, and ever-improving private healthcare, and you get a destination where a modest nest egg stretches a very long way.
Snapshot of the numbers (USD)
| Lifestyle Tier | Typical monthly outlay | Annual estimate | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $800 – $1,200 | ≈ $12k | Single retiree in a smaller city or rural area, renting a one-bed outside the center |
| Medium | $1,500 – $2,000 | ≈ $24k | Couple in Danang or Hanoi with a mix of eating out and home cooking |
| High | $3,500 – $4,000 | ≈ $48k | Ho Chi Minh City expat lifestyle: luxury condo, frequent domestic flights, and private clubs |
*Low-tier figures are drawn from Unbiased’s 2024/25 guidance of $800–$1,200 for a comfortable single lifestyle. (unbiased.com)
*High-tier numbers come from International Living’s benchmark that $4,000 per month buys five-star living. (internationalliving.com)
*Medium tier is simply the midpoint retirees report in forums and aggregates.
1 | Housing & Rent
Rent is where you feel the biggest discount versus the West. A one-bed apartment outside the city center averages 6.4 million ₫ ($257) per month, while the same size downtown averages 9.7 million ₫ ($390). (numbeo.com) Even prime new-build “service apartments” with pools rarely exceed $1,100.
Rent Index ≈ 10.4—less than one-ninth of NYC. (numbeo.com)
Tip: Negotiate six- or twelve-month leases; landlords routinely knock 10-15 % off posted rates for upfront payment in USD.
2 | Food costs for every palate
| Expense | Local/Street-Food Budget | Mid-range (mix) | Gourmet (expat haunts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries (single, per mo.) | $125 – $150 | $200 – $250 | $300 + |
| Eating out (per meal) | 30k – 60k ₫ ($1-$2.50) bánh mì, cơm gà | 120k – 200k ₫ ($5-$8) bistro set | 400k ₫ + ($15-$25) Western or hotel dining |
Numbeo lists Vietnam’s Groceries Index ≈ 31.2—about one-third of U.S. prices. (numbeo.com) Staples such as fresh vegetables can be had for pennies (a kilo of rice runs 6,028 ₫, or $0.24). (numbeo.com)
Pro move: farmers’ markets open at dawn; arrive before 7 a.m. for the best seafood and avoid tourist mark-ups.
3 | Utilities & getting around
- Electricity, water, trash (85 m²/915 ft² unit): ~1.85 million ₫ ($73) monthly.
- Mobile + 10 GB data: under 150k ₫ ($6).
- Internet 60 Mbps fiber: ~231k ₫ ($9). (numbeo.com)
Public buses cost 8k ₫ ($0.32) a ride, but most expats grab ride-hailing (Grab/Bee) for $1-$3 across town. A liter of petrol hovers at 23k ₫ ($0.90).
4 | Healthcare: quality and expected out-of-pocket
Vietnam scores 61.3 on Numbeo’s 2025 Health-Care Index—mid-table globally and climbing. (numbeo.com)
Typical private-sector rates (Alea 2025):
- GP visit, public hospital: 200k–500k ₫ ($8-$20)
- Specialist consult, private: 1.5–4 million ₫ ($60-$160)
- Private-hospital stay: 6–20 million ₫ per night ($240-$800)
- Routine expat insurance: $800-$1,200 per year for a 50-year-old. (alea.care)
Pharmacies are plentiful, but brand-name meds can be pricey; keep a travel insurance or international plan that allows direct billing at hospitals like Vinmec or FV.
5 | Building your personal budget
Below is a sample medium-tier monthly budget for a retired couple in Danang:
| Category | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Rent (2-bed near beach) | $600 |
| Groceries & markets | $250 |
| Dining out (8 meals) | $160 |
| Utilities + internet | $90 |
| Transport (Grab + intercity bus) | $80 |
| Entertainment & short trips | $150 |
| Private health insurance | $180 |
| Total | ≈ $1,510 → $18,120 per year |
Plug in your own priorities—more travel? push the entertainment line up; home cooking? shave $100 off food.
6 | Visas & residency in brief
- Tourist e-visas: now 90 days, multiple-entry.
- Five-year visa exemption if you have a Vietnamese spouse/parent.
- Investor & retirement streams exist but require local sponsorship or property ownership (rules still evolving—consult an immigration attorney).
Healthcare insurance proof is usually needed for long-stay visas, reinforcing the wisdom of a global policy.
7 | Quality-of-life intangibles
Rapid fiber internet, an explosion of co-working cafés, and a youthful English-speaking population mean newcomers integrate quickly. Pollution spikes in Hanoi winters can be mitigated by choosing coastal cities (Nha Trang, Quy Nhon).
8 | Putting it all together—how much net worth do you really need?
Using a conservative 4 % withdrawal rate:
- Low-tier $12k/yr → nest egg ~$300k
- Medium-tier $24k/yr → ~$600k
- High-tier $48k/yr → ~$1.2 M
That’s a fraction of what you’d need for coastal Florida or Southern California, yet delivers a warmer climate and arguably richer cultural immersion.
A frugal retiree can live well under $1,200 per month, while a luxe lifestyle with penthouse views and weekend getaways tops out near $4,000. Either way, Vietnam proves you don’t need millionaire status to retire with comfort, adventure, and terrific cuisine. 🍜