Comments for Moving To Vietnam

Oct 21, 2011
Rating

Cost of Living Vietnam
by: Mylien

Hi, how it's going. My name is Marilyn and my Vietnamese name is Mylien. I'm a US citizen, born and raised in the US.

Anywho, its been 11 years sinced I've been to vietnam. It was an eye opening experience. And I'm considering to moved back to Vietnam, I'm 21 and my husband is 25. I have no certification for nursing yet but I'm taking classes.

I'm looking for an estimate on rent and utilities. So I can convinced my husband.

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Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

You want an estimate on Rent and Utilities or cost of living in Vietnam? I can't really give you an answer because there are so many variables.

You have not been to Vietnam in 11 years. You will be shocked by the changes to the city and the cost of living increase since Vietnam signed entry into the World Trade Organization (W.T.O).

Do You Speak Vietnamese well enough to pass as a local?

That is an important question. Native Vietnamese people seem to dislike Viet Kieu, especially if they do not speak good Vietnamese. The result will be higher costs for you.

There are some huge Mansions with 6 bedrooms and 5 floors that people share (Mostly all teachers). They pay about $800USD a Month (For a foreigner).

With 4 people in the same house that brings it to $200USD a Month per person. Utilities usually run on average between $35USD - $80USD per Month. Internet will add another $60USD to that total.

This is all highly speculative. If you use your air-conditioner each night then that alone would double your electric bill.

$250USD a Month will get you a nice place in a decent location but I can't give you an exact figure unless you tell me exactly where you plan to live.

Location plays such an immense role.

I could get you a nice 3 bedroom, 2 story house in Go Vap District for around $150USD a Month. The same house in District 3 or District 7 (Phu My Hung) would cost you closer to $450USD a Month with utilities mostly unchanged.

Again, that all depends on how the local people view you.

If you want to live in a nice location and eat out every night then you could spend $2,000USD a month for the 2 of you. Many easily live on $600USD a month if they are not out at the bars and restaurants all night.

If you have any family there and you speak perfect Vietnamese then you should get Local Prices. Utilities and Rent for local Vietnamese is much lower.

A true foreigner or a Viet Kieu with no Vietnamese language skills will pay Foreigner Prices. It has got progressively more expensive in Vietnam since the good old WTO was signed into action.

Sorry, I can't be more help. There are so many factors that go into a calculation of living expenses in Vietnam and I know too little about you.

My most frugal friend tells me that he gets by (With Vietnamese Girlfriend) on $650USD a Month. He earns about $2,200USD a month.

Then again, it took him 4 years to get as well hooked up as he is.

Philip

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