Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Vietnam Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Vietnam Property Pack
Hai Phong is Vietnam's third-largest city and a major industrial port that has become increasingly attractive to expats working in manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain roles.
The city offers a lower cost of living than Hanoi while providing modern housing, international schools, and quality healthcare options that make it a practical choice for foreign residents.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest data on housing costs, visa rules, and day-to-day life in Hai Phong.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Hai Phong.
Is Hai Phong a good place to live in 2026?
Is quality of life getting better or worse in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, quality of life in Hai Phong is on an upward trajectory, driven by sustained foreign direct investment and rapid infrastructure improvements.
The most notable improvement in Hai Phong over the past two to three years has been the expansion of modern residential developments like Vinhomes Imperia and Waterfront City, which have brought international-standard apartments and amenities to a city that previously lacked them.
However, air quality variability and traffic congestion from heavy industrial truck movements remain persistent challenges that Hai Phong residents still deal with on a regular basis, though these are expected to ease as new ring roads and port logistics routes come online.
Are hospitals good in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, hospital quality in Hai Phong is generally good by Vietnamese standards, with private facilities offering care that approaches international benchmarks while public hospitals provide comprehensive services at lower costs.
The hospitals most commonly recommended by expats in Hai Phong are Vinmec Hai Phong International Hospital for its international-style service and transparent pricing, Hai Phong International Hospital as a private alternative, and Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital for public sector care and emergency services.
A standard doctor consultation at Vinmec Hai Phong costs around 690,000 to 1,100,000 VND (approximately 27 to 43 USD or 25 to 40 EUR), depending on the type of visit and specialist involved.
Private health insurance is strongly recommended for expats in Hai Phong, especially if you plan to use private hospitals regularly, because imaging, specialist visits, and emergency room care can add up quickly without coverage.
Are there any good international schools in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, Hai Phong has a small but growing selection of international schools, with around four to five credible options that serve the expanding expat community tied to the city's industrial growth.
The international schools most popular among expat families in Hai Phong are Singapore International School at Le Chan, QSI International School of Haiphong, and the newly opened Shattuck-St. Mary's International School Vietnam, which welcomed its first students in August 2025.
Annual tuition fees at international schools in Hai Phong typically range from 150 million to 450 million VND (approximately 5,900 to 17,600 USD or 5,400 to 16,200 EUR), depending on the grade level and program type.
Waitlists at Hai Phong international schools are generally moderate rather than extremely competitive, though mid-year enrollment and certain popular grades can be tighter, and public schools are rarely a practical option for expat children unless they are already fluent in Vietnamese.
Is Hai Phong a dangerous place in 2026?
As of early 2026, Hai Phong is considered relatively safe for expats and residents, with a lower crime rate than larger Vietnamese cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The most common safety concerns for expats in Hai Phong are petty theft like pickpocketing in crowded markets, motorbike bag snatching in busy areas, and the occasional scam targeting foreigners unfamiliar with local prices.
The neighborhoods generally considered safest for expats in Hai Phong include modern compounds like Vinhomes Imperia in Hong Bang district, Vinhomes Marina near Le Chan, and well-managed apartment buildings in Ngo Quyen district where security services are standard.
Women can generally live alone safely in Hai Phong by choosing buildings with 24/7 security, using ride-hailing apps at night rather than walking on isolated streets, and applying the same urban awareness you would use in any busy port city.
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How much does everyday life cost in Hai Phong in 2026?
What monthly budget do I need to live well in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, a single person can live comfortably in Hai Phong on a monthly budget of around 30 to 45 million VND (approximately 1,150 to 1,750 USD or 1,050 to 1,600 EUR), covering modern housing, good food, and regular outings.
For a more modest but decent lifestyle in Hai Phong, a single person can manage on roughly 20 to 25 million VND per month (around 780 to 980 USD or 720 to 900 EUR) by choosing a local-style apartment and eating primarily at Vietnamese restaurants.
A more comfortable or upscale lifestyle in Hai Phong, with a larger modern apartment, frequent Western dining, and gym memberships, typically requires 45 to 70 million VND per month (around 1,750 to 2,700 USD or 1,600 to 2,500 EUR) for a single person or couple without children.
In Hai Phong, housing usually takes the largest share of an expat's monthly budget, especially if you choose newer developments like Vinhomes or Waterfront City, where modern apartments with amenities command premium rents compared to older local housing stock.
What is the average income tax rate in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the effective income tax rate for a typical middle-income expat earning around 40 to 60 million VND per month in Hai Phong is usually between 5% and 13%, depending on applicable deductions.
Vietnam uses a progressive personal income tax system where rates range from 5% on the first taxable income bracket up to 35% on income exceeding 80 million VND per month, though most employed expats fall into the middle brackets after deductions are applied.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Vietnam versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What kind of foreigners actually live in Hai Phong in 2026?
Where do most expats come from in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the largest groups of expats in Hai Phong come from South Korea and Japan, followed by significant communities from Singapore, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Hai Phong does not have precise official counts of foreign residents, but industry estimates suggest several thousand expats live in the city, with the concentration directly tied to the foreign-invested manufacturing facilities and industrial parks that drive the local economy.
The main reason these nationalities dominate is that Korean and Japanese companies lead foreign direct investment in Hai Phong's industrial zones, so their employees naturally form the largest expat clusters.
Unlike tourist-heavy destinations, the expat population in Hai Phong is predominantly working professionals, including engineers, plant managers, quality specialists, and supply chain experts, rather than retirees or digital nomads.
Where do most expats live in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the most popular neighborhoods for expats in Hai Phong are Vinhomes Imperia in Hong Bang district, Vinhomes Marina near Le Chan, the Waterfront City area along the Cau Rao 2 corridor, and parts of Ngo Quyen district near the city center.
These neighborhoods attract expats because they offer modern apartment buildings with amenities like gyms, pools, and security services, combined with relatively easy commutes to the industrial zones where most foreign professionals work.
Thuy Nguyen district, located north of the river, is emerging as an up-and-coming area for expats as new developments expand in that direction and infrastructure connections improve, offering more space and lower prices than established central neighborhoods.
Are expats moving in or leaving Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, Hai Phong is experiencing a net inflow of expats, driven by continued expansion of foreign-invested manufacturing projects and industrial park development.
The main factor drawing expats to Hai Phong right now is the strong pipeline of FDI projects, particularly from Korean and Japanese electronics and automotive parts manufacturers, which require foreign technical and management expertise.
Some expats leave Hai Phong because the city lacks the international dining variety, nightlife options, and cultural events found in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, making it feel limiting for those who prioritize lifestyle over career opportunities.
Compared to similar industrial cities in Vietnam and the region, Hai Phong is growing its expat population faster than most, though it remains much smaller than the established expat hubs in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.
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What paperwork do I need to move to Hai Phong in 2026?
What visa options are popular in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three most popular visa types for expats moving to Hai Phong are the 90-day e-visa for initial entry, the work permit and labor visa (LD2) for employment, and the business visa (DN) for those conducting business activities without direct employment.
The most commonly used path for employed expats requires a job offer from a Vietnamese employer, who then sponsors your work permit application, followed by a labor visa that allows legal employment in Vietnam.
Vietnam does not currently have a dedicated digital nomad visa, though the government has proposed a "Golden Visa" program that could allow stays of up to five or ten years for certain professionals and investors, with details expected to be finalized sometime in 2026.
The standard e-visa is valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry options, and work-based visas are typically issued for one to two years and can be renewed through your sponsoring employer.
How long does it take to get residency in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, obtaining work-based residency documents in Vietnam typically takes one to two months from when your employer starts the process, because work permits and immigration steps must be completed sequentially.
Common factors that can delay the process include incomplete document legalization, translation requirements for foreign qualifications, and processing backlogs at immigration offices, while having a well-organized employer with experience in foreign hires tends to speed things up significantly.
For permanent residency or citizenship, the path is much longer, with most foreigners needing to live continuously in Vietnam for at least five years with stable employment or family ties before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence cards.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Vietnam. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
How hard is it to find a job in Hai Phong in 2026?
Which industries are hiring the most in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the industries hiring the most in Hai Phong are manufacturing (especially electronics and automotive parts), port logistics and shipping, and industrial park services including facilities management, environmental health and safety, and quality assurance.
It is realistic for expats to get hired in Hai Phong without speaking Vietnamese, particularly in foreign-owned factories and multinational supply chain operations where English or Korean or Japanese may be the working language, though Vietnamese skills definitely help for cross-team coordination.
The roles most accessible to foreign job seekers in Hai Phong are plant management positions, production engineering, quality control specialists, supply chain and procurement managers, and technical experts in fields where local talent is still developing.
What salary ranges are common for expats in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical gross salary ranges for expats working in Hai Phong span from 45 million to 160 million VND per month (approximately 1,750 to 6,200 USD or 1,600 to 5,700 EUR), depending heavily on role seniority and industry.
Entry-level and mid-level expat positions in Hai Phong, such as engineers, quality specialists, and supply chain coordinators, typically pay between 45 million and 90 million VND per month (roughly 1,750 to 3,500 USD or 1,600 to 3,200 EUR).
Senior and specialized roles like plant managers, country-function heads, and technical directors in Hai Phong can command salaries from 90 million to 300 million VND per month or more (approximately 3,500 to 11,700 USD or 3,200 to 10,700 EUR), particularly at major FDI manufacturers.
Employers in Hai Phong's FDI manufacturing sector commonly sponsor work visas for foreign hires, because the work permit process is employer-driven and companies need certified foreign expertise for specialized roles that local talent cannot yet fill.
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What's daily life really like for expats in Hai Phong right now?
What do expats love most about living in Hai Phong right now?
Expats in Hai Phong consistently praise the lower housing costs for modern apartments compared to Hanoi, the easy access to coastal weekend getaways like Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay, and the "convenient city" feel where everything is accessible without mega-city traffic stress.
The lifestyle benefit most frequently mentioned is the ability to live in a quality apartment with amenities like a pool and gym while still saving money, something that would require a much higher salary in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
From a practical standpoint, expats appreciate that Hai Phong has good enough infrastructure, including international hospitals, modern malls, and reliable internet, without the overwhelming scale and congestion of Vietnam's largest cities.
Socially, many expats enjoy the friendly and unpretentious local atmosphere, where interactions feel more genuine and less transactional than in heavily touristed areas, even if the international dining and entertainment options are more limited.
What do expats dislike most about life in Hai Phong right now?
The top complaints from expats in Hai Phong are the heavy truck traffic from port and industrial activity, air quality issues during certain seasons, and the limited variety of international restaurants and entertainment compared to larger Vietnamese cities.
The daily inconvenience that frustrates expats most is navigating around large container trucks on main roads, especially during peak hours when industrial shift changes coincide with regular commute times.
The bureaucratic issue causing the most headaches is the relatively limited availability of English-speaking service providers for things like banking, government paperwork, and utilities, which means expats often need Vietnamese-speaking assistance for routine administrative tasks.
Most expats find these frustrations manageable rather than deal-breaking, especially if their primary motivation for being in Hai Phong is career-focused, because the trade-offs (lower costs, shorter commutes, genuine local experience) tend to outweigh the lifestyle limitations.
What are the biggest culture shocks in Hai Phong right now?
The biggest culture shocks for expats moving to Hai Phong are the intense "working port city" energy that differs from tourist-friendly Vietnam, the direct and fast-paced communication style in business settings, and the limited English signage and services outside expat-targeted areas.
The social norm that surprises newcomers most is how quickly business relationships move in industrial Hai Phong, where factory timelines and shipping deadlines create urgency that can feel abrupt compared to the more relaxed pace in other parts of Vietnam.
The aspect of daily routines that takes longest to adjust to is the early morning start common in manufacturing environments, with many factories beginning shifts at 7:00 or 7:30 AM, which shapes the rhythm of the entire city and means restaurants and services often close earlier than in nightlife-oriented cities.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Vietnam compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Can I buy a home as a foreigner in Hai Phong in 2026?
Can foreigners legally own property in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreign property ownership in Hai Phong is permitted under Vietnam's Housing Law, but it comes with significant restrictions that make it different from outright ownership in many Western countries.
The main restrictions are that foreigners can only own up to 30% of units in any single apartment building or 10% of landed properties in a defined residential area, and ownership is granted as a 50-year leasehold (renewable) rather than permanent freehold title.
In practice, foreigners in Hai Phong typically buy apartments and condominium units in approved developments rather than land or traditional houses, because the legal framework and market infrastructure make apartment purchases much more straightforward.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the whole property buying process for foreigners in Hai Phong.
What is the average price per m² in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average price per square meter for apartments in Hai Phong is approximately 45 million VND (around 1,750 USD or 1,600 EUR per m²), while landed villas and townhouses average about 49 million VND per m² of land area (roughly 1,900 USD or 1,750 EUR).
Property prices in Hai Phong have risen strongly over the past two to three years, with some market analyses reporting increases of 80% to 120% over five years, driven by sustained FDI inflows, infrastructure improvements, and growing demand from both local buyers and expats.
Also, you'll find our latest property market analysis about Hai Phong here.
Do banks give mortgages to foreigners in Hai Phong in 2026?
As of early 2026, mortgage availability for foreigners in Vietnam, including Hai Phong, is limited but not impossible, with some banks offering products specifically for foreign residents who meet strict eligibility criteria.
Banks known to consider mortgage applications from foreigners include Techcombank, Vietcombank, and HSBC Vietnam, though each has different requirements and approval rates for non-Vietnamese borrowers.
Typical mortgage conditions for foreigners in Vietnam include a down payment of 30% to 50% of the property value, interest rates ranging from 8% to 12% per year, and maximum loan terms of 15 to 25 years depending on the bank and your profile.
To qualify, foreigners usually need to demonstrate legal residency with a valid work permit, provide proof of stable income in Vietnam, and purchase a property in an approved development that meets the bank's collateral requirements.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Vietnam.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Hai Phong, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Savills Vietnam | Major global real estate consultancy with formal research methodology. | We used their Hai Phong price-per-m² benchmarks as ground truth for property pricing. We cross-checked neighborhood expectations against their market data. |
| Ministry of Planning and Investment | National authority tracking FDI, the main driver of Hai Phong's expat jobs. | We used their reports to connect Hai Phong's expat profile to FDI-led manufacturing. We mapped investment data to predict where expats concentrate. |
| Vinmec Hai Phong Hospital | Official hospital source with published 2026 fee schedules. | We used their price list to give concrete doctor visit costs. We based insurance recommendations on actual service fees. |
| Dot Property Vietnam | Large searchable marketplace showing current asking rents. | We used listings to estimate rent bands by building type. We treated it as an asking price reality check for budget estimates. |
| Vietcombank | One of Vietnam's largest banks publishing updated FX rates. | We used their late-January 2026 reference rate for USD/VND conversions. We kept all core budgeting anchored in VND. |
| Vietnam Immigration Department | Official immigration authority for legal visa and residency guidance. | We used it to ground visa guidance in official sources. We avoided agent folklore about what is or isn't allowed. |
| Housing Law via LuatVietnam | Structured English version of the enacted Housing Law. | We used it to summarize foreign ownership rights and constraints. We cross-checked against market practice in Hai Phong developments. |
| QSI International School Haiphong | Official school website with program and admissions information. | We used it to identify credible international school options. We combined it with fee data from multiple school sources. |
| Numbeo | Widely referenced cost of living and safety index platform. | We used their data as directional signals for cost and safety. We translated indices into practical neighborhood advice. |
| Expat Exchange | Community platform with firsthand expat reports and advice. | We used member feedback to validate neighborhood and lifestyle claims. We filtered for recurring themes across multiple contributors. |
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Vietnam. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
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