Cost of Living in Vietnam for an American (Monthly Budget)

Where these numbers come from

Vietnam is the cheapest country in this set. Numbeo, updated 26 September 2026, lists a one-bedroom at VND 10.6 million in a city centre and VND 7.05 million outside it, or $409 and $271 at 25,970 dong per dollar, the midpoint of Vietcombank's 30 September 2026 transfer buy and sell rates. Prices shown in US dollars. Check current exchange rates. Numbeo estimates $439 a month for one person before rent.

Our budgets for one person are $657 low, $908 mid and $1,332 high. A couple sharing one home needs $925, $1,335 and $2,078. Utilities plus internet are VND 2.18 million ($84), larger than the transport pass at VND 216,196 ($8). Air conditioning is the usual reason bills run high, so a smaller flat helps.

Vietnam has no retirement or income-based residence visa in the sources I opened. The route most Americans use is the e-visa. A fee page reports the government charge as $25 for single entry and $50 for multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days, paid in dong at the time of application. The US is on the eligible list. Longer stays depend on leaving and re-applying or on a work or investor status, which this page does not price.

That shapes the budget. A 90-day e-visa stay at the mid level costs $2,724 for one person, plus the $50 fee for a multiple-entry visa. Staying a year means roughly four visa cycles and border trips, so add flights. Confirm current rules on the official e-visa portal, which I could not open because of a certificate error, and with the nearest Vietnamese embassy.

Health cover has the widest spread of any line here. Expat forum posters quote $250 to $500 a year for local plans, $100 to $150 a month for international ones, and about $349 a month at age 61. International Living adds that specialist visits at major hospitals cost under $30. We use $25, $125 and $350 a month, matching a local plan, a mid international plan and a plan for an older applicant.

Worked example: a remote worker spending $908 a month and paying $125 for health on a 90-day visa lands near $2,724 for the stay. This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Test your savings in the how long will my money last abroad calculator, compare Thailand, or read Thailand vs Vietnam.

Sources

• MyVietnamVisa: e-visa fees (secondary; cites the official portal)
• Numbeo cost of living: Vietnam
• Vietcombank exchange rates, 30 Sep 2026
• International Living: healthcare in Vietnam
• Expat.com forum: health insurance cost in Vietnam (anecdotal)

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

Prices shown in US dollars. Check current exchange rates.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.