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
Vietnam has become one of the most popular retirement destinations in Southeast Asia, and for good reason: your money goes much further here than in most Western countries.
In this guide, we break down the real costs of retiring in Vietnam in 2026, from minimum survival budgets to luxury living, and we update these numbers regularly as prices change.
We also cover what you need to know about buying property, visa options, taxes, and healthcare costs for foreign retirees in Vietnam.
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 Vietnam.
How much money do I need to retire in Vietnam right now?
What's the absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Vietnam?
The absolute minimum monthly budget for a single foreign retiree to survive in Vietnam is around 25 million VND, which works out to roughly $1,000 or about 920 euros, though you will need closer to 33 million VND ($1,300 or 1,200 euros) if you want to live in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
At this minimum budget level in Vietnam, you can cover a small apartment in an outer district, basic utilities, local Vietnamese food, essential transportation by motorbike or bus, and a bare-bones health buffer, but not much else.
Living on this minimum budget in Vietnam means accepting significant trade-offs: you will likely need to skip air conditioning during hot months (which can be brutal), eat almost exclusively at local street food stalls, live far from expat-friendly neighborhoods, and have very little cushion for emergencies or visa renewal costs.
What lifestyle do I get with $2,000/month in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $2,000 per month (around 50 million VND or 1,840 euros) in Vietnam gets you a genuinely comfortable middle-class lifestyle where you can live well without constantly watching every expense.
For housing, you can afford a modern one-bedroom apartment for around 15 to 20 million VND ($600 to $800 or 550 to 740 euros) per month in neighborhoods like Binh Thanh or Phu Nhuan in Ho Chi Minh City, or Cau Giay or Ba Dinh in Hanoi, which are convenient but not the most premium expat enclaves.
At this budget level in Vietnam, you can enjoy regular meals at mid-range restaurants several times a week, join a decent gym, take weekend trips to nearby beach towns like Vung Tau or Ha Long Bay, and use Grab rides freely without worrying about the cost.
The main limitation at $2,000 per month in Vietnam is that you will still need to be somewhat selective about housing: you probably cannot afford the fanciest expat towers in Thao Dien or the lakeside apartments in Tay Ho, and heavy air conditioning use during summer will noticeably eat into your budget due to tiered electricity pricing.
What lifestyle do I get with $3,000/month in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $3,000 per month (around 75 million VND or 2,760 euros) in Vietnam puts you in the "easy living" tier where daily life feels genuinely stress-free and you rarely need to compromise on comfort.
For housing at this level in Vietnam, you can rent a well-appointed one or two-bedroom apartment in prime expat neighborhoods for 25 to 35 million VND ($1,000 to $1,400 or 920 to 1,290 euros) per month, think Thao Dien in Thu Duc City, nicer parts of District 7 (Phu My Hung), or the Quang An area of Tay Ho in Hanoi, often in buildings with pools, gyms, and 24-hour security.
At $3,000 per month in Vietnam, you can dine at upscale restaurants like those in the Dong Khoi area, take weekend flights to Da Nang or Phu Quoc without budgeting carefully, hire occasional household help, and build a proper private healthcare fund alongside your insurance.
The key upgrade compared to $2,000 per month is that you can now comfortably run your air conditioning throughout Vietnam's hot season without dreading the electricity bill, and you have real flexibility to choose where you live based on preference rather than just price.
What lifestyle do I get with $5,000/month in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $5,000 per month (around 125 million VND or 4,600 euros) in Vietnam delivers high comfort with premium housing and frequent travel, while $10,000 per month (250 million VND or 9,200 euros) puts you firmly in global-city luxury territory where almost nothing is off-limits.
At $5,000 per month in Vietnam, you can rent a spacious two-bedroom or a beautifully finished one-bedroom in top buildings for 40 to 60 million VND ($1,600 to $2,400 or 1,470 to 2,210 euros), while at $10,000 per month you can access penthouse-style units, serviced apartments in Landmark 81, or high-end villas in the expat compounds of District 2 or Ciputra in Hanoi.
At the $5,000 to $10,000 range in Vietnam, you gain access to private members' clubs, international-standard golf courses like Vietnam Golf and Country Club, premium healthcare at facilities like FV Hospital with no waiting, regular business-class travel around Southeast Asia, and the option to hire full-time domestic staff if desired.
How much for a "comfortable" retirement in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, the recommended monthly budget for a comfortable retirement in Vietnam is between 63 and 88 million VND, which translates to $2,500 to $3,500 or roughly 2,300 to 3,220 euros, for a single person who wants to live well without constant financial stress.
You should add a safety buffer of around 25% on top of your normal monthly expenses in Vietnam, which means setting aside an extra 15 to 22 million VND ($600 to $875 or 550 to 800 euros) each month to handle unexpected costs like visa renewals, medical emergencies, or the electricity spikes that come with heavy air conditioning use during hot months.
A comfortable retirement budget in Vietnam covers several expense categories that a basic budget simply cannot: quality private health insurance, the flexibility to live in a well-maintained building with amenities, regular dining at good restaurants, domestic travel a few times per year, and enough cushion that a surprise expense does not derail your finances.
How much for a "luxury" retirement in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, a luxury retirement in Vietnam requires a monthly budget of 150 to 250 million VND, which is $6,000 to $10,000 or approximately 5,520 to 9,200 euros, depending on the city and how internationally you want to live.
A luxury retirement budget in Vietnam covers premium housing in the best buildings (often 50 to 100 million VND or $2,000 to $4,000 per month in rent), full-service private healthcare at international-standard hospitals, a personal driver or unlimited Grab Black usage, fine dining several times weekly, membership at exclusive clubs, and regular international travel.
The most popular neighborhoods for luxury retirees in Vietnam include Thao Dien and An Phu in Thu Duc City (Ho Chi Minh City), the Phu My Hung urban area in District 7, the Tay Ho lakeside district in Hanoi, and beachfront areas along Tran Phu in Nha Trang or the My An and Son Tra districts in Da Nang.
The main advantage of a luxury budget in Vietnam beyond comfort is resilience: you can absorb any surprise, whether it is an emergency medical evacuation, an unexpected visa complication, or a family visit, without needing to adjust your lifestyle or worry about running short.
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.
What are the real monthly expenses for retirees in Vietnam in 2026?
What is a realistic monthly budget breakdown by category in Vietnam?
A realistic monthly budget breakdown for a comfortable retiree (around $3,000 or 2,760 euros per month) in Vietnam typically looks like this: housing takes $650 to $1,400 (600 to 1,290 euros), utilities and internet cost $90 to $180 (83 to 166 euros), food runs $400 to $700 (368 to 644 euros), transportation is $80 to $200 (74 to 184 euros), healthcare and insurance take $200 to $500 (184 to 460 euros), entertainment costs $150 to $400 (138 to 368 euros), and you should keep $300 to $600 (276 to 552 euros) as a buffer.
Housing typically consumes 30% to 45% of a retiree's total monthly budget in Vietnam, with the wide range reflecting the enormous difference between a modest apartment outside the city center (around 8 million VND or $320 or 295 euros) and a modern unit in a prime expat neighborhood (35 million VND or $1,400 or 1,290 euros).
Food and groceries usually take up 15% to 25% of the monthly budget in Vietnam, ranging from around 7.5 million VND ($300 or 276 euros) for someone eating mostly local food to 17.5 million VND ($700 or 644 euros) for those who regularly buy imported groceries and dine at Western restaurants.
The budget category that varies most depending on personal lifestyle choices in Vietnam is healthcare: a healthy retiree with basic coverage might spend just 5 million VND ($200 or 184 euros) per month, while someone with comprehensive international insurance and regular specialist visits could easily spend 12.5 million VND ($500 or 460 euros) or more.
What fees surprise foreigners most after moving to Vietnam?
The top three hidden fees that surprise foreigners in Vietnam are large rental deposits (often two months' rent upfront, which can mean 30 to 70 million VND or $1,200 to $2,800 or 1,100 to 2,580 euros locked up immediately), the sharp electricity cost jumps when you use heavy air conditioning due to Vietnam's tiered pricing system, and the ongoing visa-related expenses including travel, documentation, and renewal fees that can easily reach 25 to 75 million VND ($1,000 to $3,000 or 920 to 2,760 euros) per year depending on your visa pathway.
When first arriving in Vietnam, foreigners should budget for one-time setup costs of approximately 40 to 100 million VND ($1,600 to $4,000 or 1,470 to 3,680 euros), which covers the rental deposit, agent fees, basic furnishings if needed, initial visa processing, translation and notarization of documents, and setting up utilities and internet service.
What's the average rent for a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Vietnam's major cities is around 11 to 16 million VND ($450 to $630 or 415 to 580 euros), while a two-bedroom typically runs 18 to 45 million VND ($700 to $1,800 or 644 to 1,656 euros), with significant variation between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
For a one-bedroom apartment in Vietnam, the realistic rent range spans from about 7.5 million VND ($300 or 276 euros) in outer districts like Binh Tan or Long Bien up to 20 million VND ($800 or 736 euros) or more in prime central locations like District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City or Hoan Kiem in Hanoi.
For a two-bedroom apartment in Vietnam, expect to pay anywhere from 15 million VND ($600 or 552 euros) in more affordable neighborhoods up to 45 million VND ($1,800 or 1,656 euros) in premium expat areas like Thao Dien, Phu My Hung, or the Tay Ho lakeside area in Hanoi.
The neighborhoods offering the best value for retirees seeking affordable rent in Vietnam include Binh Thanh and Go Vap in Ho Chi Minh City, Cau Giay and outer Ba Dinh in Hanoi, and the Son Tra and Ngu Hanh Son districts in Da Nang, all of which offer decent amenities and transport links without the premium pricing of the most famous expat zones.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the latest rent data in Vietnam.
What do utilities cost monthly in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total monthly utilities cost for a typical 85-square-meter retiree apartment in Vietnam runs between 1.75 and 2.55 million VND ($70 to $100 or 64 to 92 euros) under normal usage, though this can climb to 4 to 5 million VND ($160 to $200 or 147 to 184 euros) during hot months with heavy air conditioning.
Breaking down utilities in Vietnam: electricity typically costs 800,000 to 2.5 million VND ($32 to $100 or 29 to 92 euros) depending on air conditioning usage, water runs around 100,000 to 200,000 VND ($4 to $8 or 3.70 to 7.40 euros), and gas for cooking is usually 150,000 to 300,000 VND ($6 to $12 or 5.50 to 11 euros) per month.
Internet service in Vietnam typically costs 200,000 to 350,000 VND ($8 to $14 or 7.40 to 13 euros) per month for reliable fiber connections, while mobile phone plans with generous data run 150,000 to 400,000 VND ($6 to $16 or 5.50 to 15 euros) depending on the carrier and data allowance.
What's the monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, a single person in Vietnam should budget between 9 and 22 million VND ($350 to $900 or 322 to 828 euros) per month combined for food and transportation, with the wide range reflecting the enormous difference between living locally and maintaining a more Western lifestyle.
For groceries when cooking at home in Vietnam, a realistic monthly budget ranges from 4 to 10 million VND ($160 to $400 or 147 to 368 euros), with the lower end covering local markets and Vietnamese staples, and the higher end including imported items, specialty foods, and premium supermarkets like Annam Gourmet.
Dining out regularly in Vietnam can cost anywhere from 3 to 12 million VND ($120 to $480 or 110 to 442 euros) per month: street food and local restaurants might average 50,000 to 100,000 VND ($2 to $4) per meal, while Western restaurants and upscale Vietnamese dining typically run 200,000 to 500,000 VND ($8 to $20) per meal.
Monthly transportation costs in Vietnam range from about 500,000 VND ($20 or 18 euros) if you use public buses, to 1.5 to 3 million VND ($60 to $120 or 55 to 110 euros) relying mainly on Grab, or up to 5 million VND ($200 or 184 euros) if you own and maintain a motorbike including fuel, insurance, and occasional repairs.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Vietnam
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Can I retire in Vietnam if I want to buy property in 2026?
What's the average home price in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average price for a new apartment in Vietnam's major cities that foreigners typically want to buy ranges from 88 to 150 million VND per square meter ($3,500 to $6,000 or 3,220 to 5,520 euros per square meter), which means a 70-square-meter unit costs roughly 6.2 to 10.5 billion VND ($245,000 to $420,000 or 225,400 to 386,400 euros).
Home prices in Vietnam vary dramatically by location: more affordable options in developing districts like Binh Tan or outer Thu Duc might start around 50 million VND per square meter ($2,000 or 1,840 euros), while premium properties in central District 1, established Phu My Hung, or lakeside Tay Ho can exceed 150 million VND per square meter ($6,000 or 5,520 euros).
For retirees in Vietnam, apartments in well-managed condominium buildings offer the best value because they come with security, amenities like pools and gyms, and professional maintenance, and importantly, apartments are the main property type that foreigners can legally own under Vietnam's foreign ownership quota system.
Please note that you will find all the information you need in our pack about properties in Vietnam.
What down payment do foreigners usually need in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners buying property in Vietnam should plan for a down payment of at least 30% of the purchase price, which for a typical 70-square-meter apartment means having 1.9 to 3.2 billion VND ($75,000 to $125,000 or 69,000 to 115,000 euros) in cash available upfront.
Foreigners in Vietnam do face higher effective down payment requirements than locals because bank financing for non-residents is limited and often comes with shorter loan terms and stricter conditions, so many foreign buyers end up paying through developer installment schedules or purchasing outright in cash.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the mortgage process in our pack about properties in Vietnam.
What's the all-in monthly cost to own in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, the all-in monthly cost to own a typical apartment in Vietnam (excluding any mortgage payment) runs between 5 and 12 million VND ($200 to $480 or 184 to 442 euros), covering management fees, utilities, maintenance reserves, and basic insurance.
The all-in ownership cost in Vietnam includes: building management and HOA fees of 2 to 6 million VND ($80 to $240 or 74 to 221 euros), utilities of 1.75 to 2.5 million VND ($70 to $100 or 64 to 92 euros), a maintenance and repair reserve of 1 to 3 million VND ($40 to $120 or 37 to 110 euros), and property insurance typically under 500,000 VND ($20 or 18 euros).
Typical monthly property tax in Vietnam is minimal (land use fees are modest), but HOA and building management fees in expat-favored towers can be significant, often running 20,000 to 40,000 VND per square meter ($0.80 to $1.60 or 0.74 to 1.47 euros per square meter), which for a 70-square-meter unit means 1.4 to 2.8 million VND ($56 to $112 or 52 to 103 euros) monthly.
The hidden ownership cost that catches new buyers off guard in Vietnam is the sinking fund contribution for major building repairs, which developers often require upfront (typically 2% of the apartment value) and buildings can later assess additional fees for if the reserve runs low.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees in Vietnam.
Is buying cheaper than renting in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, renting is generally cheaper on a monthly cash-flow basis in Vietnam: a one-bedroom apartment that costs 6 billion VND ($240,000 or 221,000 euros) to buy might rent for only 15 million VND ($600 or 552 euros) per month, meaning the gross rental yield is around 3%, which is below what you could earn keeping that capital invested elsewhere.
The typical break-even point where buying becomes cheaper than renting in Vietnam is often 10 to 15 years or longer, assuming modest property appreciation, though this calculation varies significantly depending on the specific property, your financing terms, and whether Vietnam's real estate market continues its upward trajectory.
For retirees specifically in Vietnam, renting is often the smarter choice for the first year or two because it gives you flexibility to explore different neighborhoods, avoids locking up a large sum in a market with foreign ownership restrictions and a 50-year leasehold limit, and lets you confirm that Vietnam is truly where you want to stay long-term before committing.
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 visas, taxes, and healthcare costs should I plan for in Vietnam in 2026?
What retirement visa options exist in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, Vietnam does not offer a dedicated retirement visa like Thailand or Malaysia, so foreign retirees typically use alternative pathways such as business sponsorship, investor visas, or family-based residence permits, with total annual visa costs ranging from 25 to 75 million VND ($1,000 to $3,000 or 920 to 2,760 euros) depending on the pathway.
The financial requirements to stay long-term in Vietnam depend on your visa category: investor visas require proof of capital investment meeting legal thresholds, business sponsorship requires a legitimate company relationship, and those without either often rely on shorter tourist visas requiring periodic border runs or renewals, which have their own costs.
Annual visa renewal costs in Vietnam vary widely, from around 10 million VND ($400 or 368 euros) for straightforward extensions to 50 million VND ($2,000 or 1,840 euros) or more when you factor in required travel, document translations, notarizations, and agency fees for more complex residence pathways.
The most common visa mistake foreign retirees make in Vietnam is assuming they can simply stay indefinitely on tourist visa extensions: this approach is unstable, increasingly scrutinized, and means you lack the legal status to do things like open a local bank account or sign a long-term lease in your own name.
Please note that we keep this page updated with the residency pathways in Vietnam.
Do I pay tax on foreign income in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, if you become a tax resident of Vietnam (generally by spending 183 or more days per year in the country), you may owe Vietnamese tax on your worldwide income, including foreign pensions, investment returns, and remote work earnings, with tax rates ranging from 5% to 35% depending on income level.
For foreign income in Vietnam, pensions and retirement account withdrawals are typically taxable if you are a tax resident, investment income like dividends and interest is generally taxable, and while U.S. Social Security has some treaty protections depending on your specific situation, you should not assume any income type is automatically exempt.
Vietnam has tax treaties with over 80 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Germany, which can help prevent double taxation on certain income types, though the specific benefits depend on the treaty terms and your personal circumstances.
The single most important tax rule for foreign retirees to understand before moving to Vietnam is that the 183-day residency threshold triggers potential taxation on worldwide income, so you need to either carefully manage your time in-country or plan to report and potentially pay Vietnamese taxes on all your global earnings.
What health insurance do retirees need in Vietnam in 2026?
As of early 2026, retirees in Vietnam typically need private international health insurance costing between 5 and 12 million VND ($200 to $480 or 184 to 442 euros) per month, with the wide range reflecting age, coverage level, and whether you want access to international-standard facilities.
Foreigners in Vietnam can technically access the public healthcare system, but the language barrier, crowded facilities, and variable quality at public hospitals mean most retirees prefer private clinics and international hospitals like Family Medical Practice, Vinmec, or FV Hospital, which provide English-speaking staff and Western-standard care at higher prices.
A realistic total annual healthcare budget for a retiree in Vietnam, including insurance premiums, out-of-pocket costs, routine check-ups, and medications, is 36 to 84 million VND ($1,500 to $3,500 or 1,380 to 3,220 euros), with older retirees and those with chronic conditions budgeting toward the higher end plus maintaining an emergency reserve of at least 50 million VND ($2,000 or 1,840 euros) for unexpected situations.
Buying real estate in Vietnam can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
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 Vietnam, 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 We Trust It | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Plus (State Bank of Vietnam) | Official daily exchange rate from Vietnam's central bank. | We used it to convert all VND amounts to USD and EUR consistently. This keeps every budget estimate internally consistent for January 2026. |
| Numbeo Ho Chi Minh City | Large, transparent price database with published methodology. | We used it as the ground-level basket for rent, utilities, and everyday costs. We cross-checked housing figures against professional market reports. |
| Numbeo Hanoi | Same transparent methodology, specific to Hanoi's market. | We used it to estimate Hanoi rent and living costs in early 2026. We validated purchase prices against professional residential reports. |
| EVN Vietnam | Official electricity tariff schedule from Vietnam's power utility. | We used it to explain why electricity bills spike with heavy AC use. We anchored realistic utility ranges in Vietnam around this tiered pricing. |
| CBRE Vietnam Hanoi | Global real estate consultancy with consistent survey methods. | We used it to anchor Hanoi average primary asking price per sqm. We treat it as a professional cross-check against crowd-sourced signals. |
| Cushman and Wakefield | Top-tier global property consultancy with standardized research. | We used it for independent HCMC primary pricing estimates. We cross-checked average home price assumptions against their data. |
| Knight Frank Vietnam | Major global brokerage with published reports and indicators. | We used it as a third check on HCMC apartment pricing levels. We bracketed a credible price range rather than relying on one source. |
| PwC Tax Summaries Vietnam | Widely used professional tax reference with clear definitions. | We used it to explain tax residency rules and worldwide income taxation. We highlighted residency triggers foreigners commonly overlook. |
| WHO Global Health Expenditure Database | Primary global collector of national health spending statistics. | We used it to justify why retirees should budget a healthcare buffer. We grounded the reality that out-of-pocket exposure varies by facility. |
| Vietnam Legal Library | Widely used Vietnamese legal database with English translations. | We used it to ground visa categories and long-stay realities. We avoided relying on travel blogs for immigration claims. |
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.
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