Retiring in Vietnam

The Cheapest, Most Underrated Move in Southeast Asia

Vietnam is the best kept secret in Southeast Asian retirement, and it won’t stay secret much longer.

I spent eight years living and working in Vietnam. I ran a language center, built a business, and learned this country the way you can only learn a place when it becomes your actual home. What I found was a country that offers something genuinely rare: a high quality of life at a cost that is almost shockingly low even by Southeast Asian standards.

Here is what you actually need to know.

Why Vietnam?

The cheapest comfortable expat life in Southeast Asia. A couple can live well in Da Nang for $1,000-1,500 per month.

The food culture is extraordinary. Vietnamese cuisine is among the most celebrated in the world and street food costs $1-2 per meal.

The coastline is stunning. Vietnam has over 3,000km of coastline with beaches that rival anywhere in the world.

The people are warm and entrepreneurial. Vietnam has a young, energetic population with genuine curiosity about foreigners.

The cities are different from each other. Hanoi is historic and atmospheric. Ho Chi Minh City is electric and modern. Da Nang is the perfect beach city. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage town.

Real Cost of Living in Vietnam

Let’s be specific. These numbers are based on real expat living in Chiang Mai, which is the most popular base for long-term residents and offers the best value in the country.

Da Nang Monthly Budget
(Most Popular Expat Base)

Expense Monthly Cost (USD)
Rent (1 bed apartment, good area) $300-500
Utilities (electric, water, internet) $40-80
Food (mix of local and Western) $200-400
Transport (scooter or Grab) $30-60
Health insurance $80-150
Entertainment and dining out $150-300
Miscellaneous $80-150
TOTAL (comfortable lifestyle) $880-1,640
Ho Chi Minh City runs approximately 30-40% higher than Da Nang. Hanoi is similar to Da Nang. Hoi An sits slightly below Da Nang in cost.

Visa Options for Vietnam

E-Visa (90 days)

Vietnam’s e-visa is one of the simplest in Southeast Asia. Apply online, receive electronically, enter within 90 days. Multiple entry available. Currently valid for 90 days per entry. Extendable from within Vietnam.
  • Best for: Testing Vietnam before committing long term
  • Cost: approximately $25 USD online
  • Processing: 3 business days

DT Visa
(Digital Nomad / Long Stay)

Vietnam introduced longer stay visa options in recent years. The current framework allows stays of up to 90 days with straightforward renewal processes. Visa rules in Vietnam change periodically so always verify current requirements before travel.
  • Best for: Remote workers, digital nomads, flexible retirees under 50
  • No income requirement, just proof of funds or employment
  • 180 days per entry solves the 90-day shuffle completely

Temporary Residence Card

For serious long-term residents, a Temporary Residence Card (TRC) allows stays of 1-2 years without frequent visa renewals. Typically obtained through employment, business registration, or marriage to a Vietnamese national.

Healthcare in Vietnam

Vietnam’s private hospital system in major cities is modern, affordable, and competent for most expat healthcare needs. FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and Vinmec hospitals nationally are the gold standard for international-quality care.

What Does Healthcare Cost?

  • GP consultation: $15-30
  • Specialist consultation: $30-60
  • Dental cleaning: $15-30
For serious conditions, most long-term expats travel to Bangkok or Singapore. This is worth factoring into your insurance coverage.

Where to Live in Vietnam

Da Nang: The Best All-Round Base

Da Nang consistently ranks as the top expat city in Vietnam. It has a beautiful beach, a modern city center, excellent infrastructure, fast internet, a growing international community, and costs that make it one of the most affordable quality-of-life destinations anywhere in the world.
  • Best for: Retirees, remote workers, anyone wanting beach life without island isolation
  • Downside: Can feel quieter than HCMC for those who want urban energy

Ho Chi Minh City: Urban Energy at Low Cost

Vietnam’s economic capital is a city of relentless energy. The expat community is large and well-established, the restaurant and nightlife scene is world class, and the cost still undercuts most comparable cities globally.
  • Best for: People who want city life, business opportunities, younger expat community
  • Downside: Traffic, noise, heat, and the cost is higher than other Vietnamese cities

Hoi An: The Heritage Town

Hoi An is one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful towns, a UNESCO World Heritage site of lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, ancient temples, and excellent food. It has a growing long-term expat population and costs that are among the lowest in the country.
  • Best for: Artists, writers, retirees who want beauty and calm over urban amenities

Is Vietnam Right for You?

Vietnam is probably right for you if:

  • You want the lowest cost of comfortable expat living in Southeast Asia
  • You love food culture and adventure
  • You want a less touristy, more authentic experience than Thailand
  • You are comfortable with a slightly less developed expat infrastructure

You might consider another country if:

  • You want the retirement visa certainty of Thailand
  • You need English spoken everywhere you go
  • You want to own property (Vietnam has restrictions on foreign ownership)

Ready to Take the Next Step?

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