Wondering how far your salary goes in Ho Chi Minh City? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
1-bed apartment (center)₫12–20M / mo
Meal, mid-range restaurant₫150–300k
Street-food bowl of phở₫40–60k
Coffee₫35k
Est. single-person monthly₫15M (excl. rent)
Good to know
Population
~9 million (metro)
Official language
Vietnamese
Currency
Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Work week
Monday–Friday (some Sat)
Power plug
Types A/C/D, 220V
Tipping
Not expected; rounding up is kind
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Ho Chi Minh City checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.