Average cost of living in Vietnam Ho CHi Minh City?

The cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is very low compared to other places. The overall cost of living is determined using the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across 13 Basket Groups. Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is currently ranked 653 overall out of 780 places (rank 1 is most expensive: rank 780 is least expensive). The cost of living rank for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs are average compared to other places for items such as alcohol at a bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, wine (where alcohol is legally sold) and tobacco related products. There are 356 places that are more expensive, and 423 places that are less expensive for alcohol and or tobacco.

Clothing costs are very low compared to other places for items such as business suits, casual clothing, children's clothing, coats, evening wear, footwear, hats, shoe repairs and underwear. There are 737 places that are more expensive, and 42 places that are less expensive for clothing.

Communication costs are average compared to other places for various communication costs such as call charges, home telephone rental, internet connection, mobile data costs, mobile phone contract and service provider fees. There are 396 places that are more expensive, and 383 places that are less expensive for communication.

Education costs are very low compared to other places for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. There are 647 places that are more expensive, and 132 places that are less expensive for education.

Furniture & Appliance costs are average compared to other places for items such as DVD player, fridge freezer, furniture, household equipment, iron, kettle, light bulbs, microwave, television, toaster, vacuum cleaner and washing machine. There are 394 places that are more expensive, and 385 places that are less expensive for furniture and appliances.

Grocery costs are low compared to other places for items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning materials, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs. There are 574 places that are more expensive, and 205 places that are less expensive for groceries.

Cost Of Living In Vietnam

That is going to depend on how much you are willing to pay for rent. I have friends in Saigon who pay $700 U.S. a month for a small townhouse and I know other people who pay $2500 U.S. a month for a small villa. Throw in another $200 for Electricity, phone/internet, gas, water, garbage collection, TV service etc. That could double or even triple depending on how many air cons you have and how long you have them running. A good housekeeper who speaks English and can cook to your requirements will probably cost upwards of $200 a month. Insist on references and check them out. Like anywhere else you only get what you pay for. Pay peanuts, and you'll get monkeys. Depending on what your tastes are food can be cheap compared to home or more expensive, depending on how much imported stuff you buy. Private schools run by foreigners won't be cheap. A friends son went to a primary school south east of Saigon and that was costing $450 a month from memory. I would suggest a better alternative would be to set yourself up in Vung Tau and commute to Saigon by hydrofoil each day. Much cheaper, cleaner living and your transport costs will be offset by cheaper rent. This of course would depend on what kind of work you do.

Living Costs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

For your information, here are some usefull cost information

House / 3 bedroom : From 1000 USD (Reasonnable house) to 3000 USD (Beautifull Villa)

Costs are quoted in USD.

Are of cost Min. Max. Usual

Restaurants

Main course in Vietnamese restaurant $0.5 $4 $3

Main course in good foreign owned restaurant $3.5 $10 $5

Coffee $0.3 $1.5 $0.6

Coke $0.25 $1.5 $0.8

Beer (33cl. Bottle) $0.6 $2.5 $1.6

Bars and nightclubs

Beer $1.5 $3.50 $1.7

Coke $1 $2 $1.2

Gin and tonic $3 $4 $3.5

Household costs

Maid (cleaning, laundry, etc.) - per month $50

Rent - shared house - per month $150 $350 $225

Rent - room only - per month (inc. elec.) $150 $300 $200

Electricity (inc. air-conditioning) - per month $20 $30 $25

Getting around the city

Taxi - per km $0.8

Motorbike taxi - per ride $0.5

Motorbike rental - per month $70

Shopping

For men

Menís shirts - foreign brand names, made for export $8

Casual trousers - foreign brand names, made for export $15

Trousers - tailor-made $25

Suit - tailor made $80

Shirt - tailor-made $12

Adidas/ Nike sports shoes $25

For women

Skirt/ dress - tailor made (depending on material used) $17

Shirt/ blouse - tailor-made (inc. material) $15

Shoes - hand made $35

Doctor consultations

Local doctorís practice (out-patient; visit/ checkup) $12

Foreign run health clinic (out-patient; visit/ checkup) $45

Pharmaceuticals

Imported pharmaceutical products are very cheap and readily available.

Dentists

Reliable, modern, clean and cheap

General

Practically everything is available in Ho Chi Minh City. Costs vary from with those of the West, but as a general rule of thumb, everyday products are cheaper, especially if produced in Vietnam.

Thanks

MVMTravel.com | behindCity.com

Finding work if you've got a criminal record will all depend on what you did. Basically if you were busted for drugs or sexual offences then it's bad. If not then you may well be ok.

As for cost of living, on a teacher's salary you should be able to live fine and maybe save a bit if you are careful. However, the pay you get will depend on your qualifications.

What are your teaching qualifications?

how is anyone in viet nam going to know about your criminal record ? though i do believe you need teach credentials now ...there are lots of work opportunities for qualified westerners anywhere in the world.....you should be able to get by on less than $30 a day.. i do that living in hotels...

not much at all..