Basic monthly costs for living in Vietnam?

The cost of living for foreigner's in Saigon/HCMCity is expensive and getting more so. Though basic accommodations such as a room in a guest house is fairly reasonable. A nice room with AC, hot water shower, cable TV, phone, with laundry costs me about $300.00 a month You can probably find places in the back packer area of Pham Ngu Lao cheaper but I don't like the grunge factor.

Apartments are expensive, probably an average one is around a thousand dollars US. You normally have to sign a lease and what else I'm not sure. Houses can be rented in about the same range, I think people sometimes share a house.

Food is very cheap, a dollar or so will get you a meal and a special restaurant maybe at six or seven US dollars. A haircut $3.00, beer on the street $.50 in a bar $1.50.

If you leave the City centre or go out into the country side things are much cheaper but its hard getting by if you don't speak Vietnamese.

Vietnam Living Costs

Call their embassy for information. I bet they can help you.