What Is The Cost Of Living In Vietnam? We Asked Our Teachers

Vietnam is one of those countries where you can feel rich as an EFL teacher.

For Timea, moving to Vietnam wasn’t just financial—it was a total lifestyle upgrade.

Coming from a middle-class family, I could never afford to stay in luxury hotels in Europe or anywhere else in the world. Until… I moved to Vietnam! 

Depending on the currency in your bank account, Vietnam can be a very pleasant surprise when you see how much you can save every month. I wish I could have earned the same, or even close to it, as a marketing manager in the UK.

Having lived in London for almost a decade, I wasn’t keen to move to one of the big cities like Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) or Hanoi.

I wanted a more authentic life in the countryside, where I could immerse myself in the local culture. 

At first, I lived in a village, but perhaps because of the language barrier and the lack of public transport, I felt very tied down. After a month living in Phuc Yen, I moved to Thanh Hoa city, the capital of Thanh Hoa province. It’s about a 3-4 hour drive south of Hanoi and has around 400,000 residents.

It’s important to note that no matter where you live, there are public and private institutions which are quite different. 

Public schools usually run during the day and from September/October to the end of May—you’d teach morning hours there. 

My “centre”, as we call it, is a private school, so it runs differently from a public school. 

My work schedule:

Tuesday to Friday from 5:30 pm to 9 pm

Saturday and Sunday from 8:15 am to 11:30 am, and sometimes in the afternoon or evening.

Days off: One, but with plenty of free time during the week. 

The number of working hours also differs from job to job. 

For example, my contract is for 90 teaching hours a month. Others have contracts for 80 or 100 hours. In Hanoi, I know some offers have as few as 50 hours a month. This can give teachers more flexibility to cover other classes in their free time or travel. 

Read about Timea’s journey in From London to Asia: A Journey Beyond Borders

Let me break it down for you so you can see what the cost of living for TEFL teachers in Vietnam looks like.

Teaching salaries in Vietnam can be roughly between 350,000 VND to 550,000 VND (Vietnamese dong) ($14 – $22) an hour. 

If you’re from a native English-speaking country, like me, your salary is expected to be higher. However, in Vietnam, it’s common for employers to offer a lower salary at first, especially for those with less experience. 

My advice: don’t undersell yourself. Know your worth and negotiate for a higher salary right at the beginning. 

That’s exactly what I did, and I managed to add an extra 3 million VND to my original offer. 

It’s also worth mentioning that salaries in bigger cities like HCMC or Hanoi might be higher, but so is the cost of living. 

In Thanh Hoa, if you’re a native English teacher with some experience, you can earn around 45 million VND (about $1,753) a month. However, some of my friends from non-native speaking countries earn almost half that amount, around 25 million VND (about $978). 

Salaries vary from school to school and centre to centre. 

Read more: Teaching English Salaries in Vietnam

Housing

Some jobs offer free accommodation, like my first one in Phuc Yen—and a motorbike to use. However, bear in mind that these are often shared accommodations.

Apartment prices vary depending on your needs. Two-bedroom apartments are popular in Thanh Hoa, and many of my friends rent them solo. Most don’t include utilities but come fully furnished with kitchenware, bedding, TV, etc., so you can live comfortably. 

• 2-bed apartment: from 5 to 10 million VND ($190 – $385), with an average of around 5.5–6 million VND. 

I live in a studio in a simpler building that costs me 3.7 million VND ($140) a month plus utilities. I chose this because it offered a 6-month contract, which gave me more flexibility than most places that require a year-long lease.

Most employers help you with the basics. However, you’ll need:

• savings to cover accommodation until your first paycheck—if it’s not included in your contract;

• deposit—usually one month’s rent plus one month’s rent in advance, though some apartments ask for three months’ rent upfront.

My total rent comes to around 4,100,000 VND ($160) a month.

Food & groceries

Food in Vietnam is very cheap. 

In Europe, many people save money by not eating out, but here you don’t need to worry about that. You can try as much food as you want without breaking the bank. 

Some touristy places are pricier since they target foreigners’ wallets, but in Hanoi and bigger cities, authentic Vietnamese cuisine is everywhere and affordable. International food is always going to be more expensive than local food.

• Egg fried rice: 20,000 VND ($0.70)

• Medium pizza from Pizza Hut:  200,000 VND ($7). 

When I first started grocery shopping, I worried about spending 500,000 VND in one trip, thinking it was a lot. Later, I realised it was about £15 ($20) for a full shopping bag. Fruit is especially cheap, particularly seasonal ones.  However, grapes—one of my favourites—are a bit pricier. 

Remember, Vietnam is known for its rich agricultural landscape, so fresh fruit, vegetables, and locally-raised meat are everywhere.

Here’s a breakdown from my last shopping trip:

• Grapes: 78,705 VND ($3)  (495 g)

• Banana: 22,015 VND ($0.85) (595 g)

• Dragon fruit: 28,560 VND ($1.10) (595 g)

• Avocado: 20,000 VND ($0.77) each 

• Bread: 19,000 VND ($0.73) (275 g)

• Eggs: 27,900 VND ($1.08) (10 eggs)

• Pineapple juice: 91,000 VND ($3.51) (2 boxes—buy 1 get 2 sale)

• Milk: 33,000 VND ($1.27) a litre

• Monster energy drink: 27,000 VND ($1.04) (1 can)

If you’re a coffee lover, you’ll adore Vietnam! They have a wide range of coffees that taste like actual coffee, and not water. There are options for those with a sweet tooth and for fans of strong, robust coffee. 

My personal favourite is called “Bạc xỉu,” which is coffee with condensed milk. Sounds simple—basically, coffee with milk—but it’s fantastic! There are also egg coffees, yoghurt coffees, and even salt coffees.

I buy coffee almost every day –  completely worth it! 

• Coffee: usually between 20,000 to 35,000 VND ($0.77-$1.35), depending on the place.

Tea-lovers will appreciate that lemon and ginger tea is made fresh, not from tea bags. They cut the ginger and lemon right in front of you, adding honey if your immune system needs a boost during winter. Again, all for a bargain.

Transportation costs

Travelling by bus can be tricky, but once you figure out the schedule, it’s another great way to get around and explore like a local. Make sure you keep an eye on your fare—once you know the local rates, it’s easy to make sure you’re getting a fair deal like everyone else. 

Don’t even think about NOT renting a motorbike while you’re here. You can get by without one, but it will make your life ten times harder than it needs to be. 

I had no motorbike experience before arriving in Vietnam, but I do have a UK driving license. 

• Bike rental: 750,000 VND ($28.93) a month. 

It’s nothing fancy—just like my apartment—but it does its job and I love it. 

If you want to impress your friends, you can get a superbike, which costs more but is still cheap compared to Western prices. 

Many people buy their own motorbikes. Prices can vary by brand and year, and again, it’s best to bring a local along to avoid paying a “foreigner price.” 

Also, the saying on social media is true: “There is one rule in Vietnam when it comes to driving – it’s that there is no rule.” 

People, especially bus drivers, can be quite aggressive on the road. Honking is their way of saying, “I’m coming,” and they tend to use the honk more often than the brake. It can be alarming at first, but hopefully you get used to it quickly.

Utilities 

Utilities vary depending on your usage. I don’t have a full kitchen, just an electric stove, good AC—very important given the climate—and a TV. 

• Electricity: 250,000 to 350,000 VND ($9.64-$13.50) (January-May). 

Winter months cost a bit less since most apartments don’t have heaters. Don’t be surprised or worried, though, as winter weather is generally okay. Sometimes I wear extra layers to sleep comfortably. If you get cold easily, you can always buy an electric heater to make your stay more pleasant.

I’m more concerned about the upcoming summer months, since I can’t last long without the AC running.

• Water and maintenance:  90,000 VND + 120,000 VND ($3.47+$4.63), totalling 210,000 VND ($8.10) monthly. 

This is a fixed price since washing machines are in a common area. 

Visa & paperwork

Even if you’ve had your documents legalised in your country, it likely doesn’t count here, and you’ll have to redo them at the Vietnamese embassy. 

Here are some of the costs involved:

• Notarised degree (degree + TEFL certification): 4,800,000 VND ($185.17)

• Police check (non-criminal record): 200,000 VND ($7.72)

• Health check (in Thanh Hoa): 1,170,000 VND ($45.13) (can vary by city and hospital)

• Temporary Residency Card (TRC): 3,500,000 VND ($135.02)

I once had to do a visa run. I flew to Thailand, and since I had entered Vietnam twice, I had to pay for the business visa twice. 

• Single-entry business visa: $25
• Multiple-entry visa:  $50. 

You’ll also need an invitation letter, but most companies pay for that. Plus, of course, the cost of my little getaway, which I don’t mind at all! 🙂 

Note that it takes a LOT of time to receive your TRC, so start the process as soon as you arrive, if not before. 

Keep in mind that most paperwork can’t be done before arriving in Vietnam.

Leisure & entertainment Costs

• Gym: 800,000 VND ($30.86) for 3 months 

There are fancier gyms for around 3,000,000 VND ($115.73) for 3 months, but I didn’t see the point in paying for those, although their services and equipment are better. 

Beauty services for women are also pretty cheap. I did laser hair removal and had my eyebrows done recently. Not to mention, I treat myself almost every week with a little massage.

• 30-minute head, neck and shoulder massage: 60,000 VND ($2.31)

If you’re planning to come to Vietnam, don’t overpack, especially when it comes to clothes! You can find everything you need here at low prices. Even if you’re not usually into shopping, you’ll probably come across a few things you just can’t resist adding to your wardrobe.

Big cities like HCMC or Hanoi mean higher rent, more entertainment options, and easier access to Western comforts, but at a higher cost. 

Expect to pay more for housing, eating out, and transport, especially if you’re living near expat hubs or touristy areas. 

In contrast, rural or smaller towns offer a much lower cost of living. Rent, local food and day-to-day expenses are significantly cheaper. However, it means fewer creature comforts, less public transport, and fewer English-speaking locals, making the adjustment trickier. 

• Start your visa/residency paperwork early. Avoid rushed visa runs and duplicate fees by starting the TRC process as soon as possible.
• Negotiate your salary upfront. Employers often start low—don’t be afraid to ask for more.
• Choose housing wisely. Shared or studio apartments can save you 2–5 million VND ($77- $192) a month. Look for short-term leases if you want flexibility.
• Save a portion of each paycheck. Set a target amount—like 5–10 million VND ($192-$385)—to put into savings every month before spending.
• Track your expenses. Keep tabs on what you’re spending weekly on rent, food, and transport—it’s easy to overspend on small things like daily coffee or weekend trips.
• Limit Western food and imported groceries. Eating local dishes and buying seasonal fruits saves a huge amount compared to foreign brands or restaurants.
• Buy a used motorbike instead of renting long-term. Rentals are cheap, but buying second-hand can be more cost-effective if you’re staying longer. 
• Avoid tourist traps. Prices for food, services, and transport can double in touristy areas. Stick to local spots when possible.
• Get a basic gym membership or take advantage of outdoor fitness spaces. Low-cost gyms or public parks help you stay healthy on a budget.
• Use local beauty and wellness services. Haircuts, massages, and even laser treatments are very affordable compared to Western prices.
• Plan weekend trips during off-peak times. Travel mid-week or during off-seasons to save on accommodation and transport.
• Bring essentials with you. Vietnam has most things, but certain Western products (like deodorant or some medicines) are pricier or hard to find.
• Take advantage of free or low-cost social activities. Language exchanges, street festivals, and local meetups are a great way to connect without spending much.

❗ Note: All prices were calculated using the exchange rate at the time of writing and may vary depending on current currency fluctuations.

Vietnam lets you live like a king on a backpacker’s budget. Sure, setting up might involve a bit of red tape and some upfront costs, but once you’re in, it’s smooth sailing. And your Instagram? Living your best life!

Read more: The Best Cities To Teach In Vietnam