The REAL Cost of Living in Saigon Vietnam 2023 (its not $500) 🇻🇳

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[@Resmith18SR]

I've been living here in Cuernavaca Morelos Mexico for many years and my rent for a 2 bedroom furnished apartment for about $400 USD with utilities included with a pool within walking distance to the center of the city. No need for AC here or heat 80 during the day and 60 at night with low humidity. Can also get a meal here for 3 or 4 dollars. So it sounds cheaper here and I've been to Pattaya Thailand many times and you can rent a pretty nice place with pool and gym for about $500 USD a month.

[@KhmerMinnesnowta]

We stayed at a 4star hotel in Nha Trang for a month with amazing breakfast and seaview for about $600 with swimming pool and gym. We also spent mostly $500 for our food. We walked a lot along the boardwalks and took city buses. We can retire in Nha Trang easily. There is always an option in life. Be mindful and be happy 🍷

[@fatandbroke]

yep nha trang is a laid back nice lifestyle that is cheaper. rainy season is a bummer there tho

[@KhmerMinnesnowta]

@@fatandbroke We can handle rain but not snow here. Last snowfall just melted away!

[@hannaJardin]

I am planning to visit Nha Trang soon! $600/ month is affordable! Which hotel did you stay?

[@KhmerMinnesnowta]

@@hannaJardin Dendro Gold Hotel. Check it out as they have amazing breakfast, great location, and friendly customer service!

[@ceeIoc]

So $1000 monthly budget for everything enough for one person?

[@tobias193]

I pay 300€ for my Airbnb in District 1 extremely central for one bedroom and I don't go to clubs or western restaurants. So I should be very fine on a tight budget.

[@thomasgilson6206]

Finally a sane comment/ Sick of all these posh expats driving the price up.

[@ericd1084]

Rents have surely went up in the last 12 to 18 months. We rent a really nice furnished 2 bedroom/2bath in a high end building in District 7. Our rent was 13,500,000 on our last lease. Now, it is 16,500,000 on the new lease. That's a pretty big jump. We looked around and tried to find an apartment for a lower price that was equal to what we have now. We couldn't find anything at all that we liked. We've tried living in cheaper districts like D9, but for us the money you save isn't worth the boredom and inconvenience of it. We stayed in District 9 for 3 years btw.

[@NiklasLarssonSeglarfan]

I mean... My apartment in D7 (15 minutes from d1 city center) was about 300 usd all included (internet, parking, electricity, water etc). Sure, it didn't have a gym or pool, but I'm okey with saving that money..

[@Thomas-kw9je]

D7 to far Location is ever thing I’ve tried all, I would prefer to live in D1 in a lover quality apartment

[@NiklasLarssonSeglarfan]

@@Thomas-kw9je yeah, I mean if you're out partying or shopping in d1 every week then I guess it might be too far.. But D7 is big and the northern parts are very close to d1, like 15 minute ride, for me that is worth the extra travel time to just get out of the bad air, high price and super much traffic/people 😂

[@steadylearner1]

Is D7 for the most part a walking distance from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. I'm a bit scared to ride the bike or motorbike around. I can take the bus or train for no more than 15 minutes during peak hours 8-9AM. Thanks.

[@NiklasLarssonSeglarfan]

@@steadylearner1 hmm, seems they have the Uni at two different locations.. Neither is close from d7 unfortunately so it wouldn't be a good place to live if you're working/studying there, my ex lived near one of the locations and it was at least a 40 minute drive during daytime, with bus I would think several connections so probably a few hours 😂.. The other location is very close to D2 though, living in D2 (Thao dien) is very popular with expats, probably a bit higher rent and food cost, but very nice area and less hectic. And I would guess very simple to get a direct bus to the uni with little walking. But, in general Saigon is horrible for walking, would definitely recommend getting a motorbike. It will give you more freedom and save enormous amount of time.. And since sidewalks aren't really a thing it's probably not that much more dangerous than walking 😅

[@barrybolton1396]

@@NiklasLarssonSeglarfan I agree. Vinhomes had 2 pools and I liked the neighbors

[@GetawayAF]

Great to get an updated idea of the prices since economies around the world are so volatile and ever changing! Thank you good sir.

[@Hazy_Bubble]

I’m coming to Vietnam to study next year but since it’s all through the web, I’m going to spend most of my time at home and maybe go into the city once a week. District 9 vinhomes is perfect for me.. it’s either that or Vũng tàu close to my girl

[@TheVirginCouple]

I have lived in Vietnam for a long time and finally found a very good apartment for super cheap. It is Vinhomes Grand Park in district 9. It is much BIGGER and nicer than the other vinhomes, IMO. I paid $400 a month for a fully furnished 1 bed room apartment. That price also includes wifi, a/c and parking. That $400 a month was a short term rental, so if I stayed there longer, it would have been even cheaper.. Food for both of us only cost less than $300 (eating at home and organic only). So $700 a month for 2 people.

[@fatandbroke]

location is everything

[@barrybolton1396]

Yeah. Vinhomes. Great place.

[@ozandytravel]

The other VISA card for Australian's is a HSBC global saver account, no foreign transaction fees. I have a studio apartment out in Binh Tan near the Aeon mall, girlfriend lives further out so it suits me fine. 6 million VND a month plus power, fully furnished, wifi, cleaner once a week and parking included. I have got a scooter as I'm out and about alot but if I want to go into district 1 from here its normally 30 minutes and $10 in grab if I'm going to have a few drinks.

[@Disillusioned2022]

I pay 18 million for my 2 bedroom apartment. I wasn't going to leave Sydney for HCMC and live in something for 6 trieu per month lol - that's just silly.

[@ozandytravel]

@@Disillusioned2022 Good for you champ. Not sure how what works of me affects you but I hope you get help for it.

[@Thomas-kw9je]

As some one who, lives on a budget, and have commented on Fb previous cost of living video. He’s is spot on with these prices, the days are gone living in Saigon for a 1000, a month, sure u can do it, but your quality of life is not great. 1500 is needed, plus 500 for investing or putting aside for an emergency fund. 3-4 can have a really good time here.

[@pulppy180]

What's that area in District 1 you mentioned during 7:12 part of the video? I'm looking for areas in D1 to move to. I've been to Saigon 3 times for the past few months but have not come across this area. TIA

[@NigelHyphenJones]

In reality, the current prices in Saigon are still nothing to anyone from a 1st world country who lives in a major city like London, NY or LA…. You won’t get much for $2000 per month in London (where I live) and definitely not near the central /upmarket area of the city…. Can you also imagine the rent on an apartment overlooking Central Park in NY, which would probably be the equivalent of District 1 in Saigon…. 🙀 (edit = typo)

[@drw3043]

I searched but still might have missed it in your other videos, but how do you feel about the air quality in Saigon? I noticed that some days the internet says the air quality is at dangerous levels (like 300+aqi) but then it looks fine in your videos which makes me wonder how accurately it is reported. Is the air quality a major con to you? It seems like Saigon's air is much better than winter in Bangkok or Hanoi. Thank you for your videos - they have me excited for my move to SEA.

[@NiklasLarssonSeglarfan]

South of Saigon has real good air quality, the North part has shitty air.. Wind comes from the south most of the time, so if you're concerned stay in D7 which has far better air than most of the city.

[@sebastiangeorge7714]

also during festive seasons a lot of offerings gets burned, near a street is also worse and in less affluent areas older bike make more Pollution then in a promenade like this.

[@bananaram7611]

Wow. I stay in Thailand and in one bedroom condo with a view. All my expenses come to $850 a month. I don't really drink or date much, so that takes away a lot of the expenses. I eat out most of the time Western and Thai food, which is $15-20 day. If you're lucky enough to find a girl it's not a prostitute, you want to up that budget another $500.

[@elperro3056]

Fact 500 dollar for gf budget 😂

[@johnpallow6697]

If you really want to know the actual cost of living you should do a survey by asking local Vietnamese people how much it costs them

[@fatandbroke]

That has zero to do with a expat moving to Saigon. So that would be pointless.

[@fatandbroke]

@Raul Strassera uh huh

[@txmale5070]

I agree pointless a Vietnamese person going to pay different then an ex pat

[@fatandbroke]

yep their all living under one household usually as well. No expat is living under a entire family's house, doubly not a viets household. unless they are a super brokie and cheap as cheap can be. to each their own but that information is zero to a expat coming over.

[@mebesaturday]

this guy has sucked down too many balloons. 2 bed 2 bathrooms fully furnished with a balcony overlooking a park is 9 million split 2 ways, no karaoke, no chickens. electric bill is 900k. ill take all that savings and buy steaks! This guy must be getting paid to say this from real estate agents.

[@barrybolton1396]

lol

[@ue7483]

I was in Saigon just now. I loved staying at Landmark81. Apparently you can rent 40 m2 condos for 800 dollars a month (I stayed in an airbnb) What's your opinion on that compared to the upscale places in district 1 you mentioned (I don't know them)

[@fatandbroke]

a studio goes for about that. but not inside landmark 81 itself in the other apartments around it yeah

[@rumcajs009]

A 2 bed in Birmingham UK costs £700, so that's really expensive I would say.

[@Thegreatestofmann]

@@rumcajs009 Birmingham is a lot more Dangerous tho

[@Sa7biUK]

@@Thegreatestofmann And a dump too

[@hoodhunter3262]

very informative and cost break down of each category. Lucky for me I can work remotely anywhere and can still manage my team across the world. In addition, I'm an active day trader so the time zone for Vietnam is the best for daytraders, especially during the opening of US stock exchanges. I just need to spend the first hour to do a quick hit and run, and call it a day after making $800 avg per day. My one concern is cash withdrawal. What is the daily limit and the fees? I want to see how convenient it is to make cash withdrawal whether daily, weekly, or monthly, with the least fees, and in the most convenient way.

[@mikem8157]

Cash withdrawal is easy if you have a US debit card. HSBC has the highest daily max to my knowledge. Day trading is tough here with the shaky connections. I was active in the US, now only swing. Got burned trying to scalp waiting for fills

[@emilianosintarias7337]

what can i do to make even half of that ($400 per hour)?

[@manaflask8826]

Also depending on if you have a girlfriend, your monthly costs could double, triple or hell even more.

[@fatandbroke]

thats a sugar daddy thing. my monthly cost didn't even go up 15 percent with my wife. and or just being a simp tbh.

[@georgecon1466]

So bringing in $3600 United States dollars a month there I’d be living real good for 1 person versus struggling here in the states?

[@fatandbroke]

Yeah

[@Creees]

SUPER APPRECIATED the Aussie no fee bank option. Exactly the right time i needed to hear that

[@themanftheworld8439]

Are there any quieterr areas of District 1 to stay on holiday ?

[@fatandbroke]

anywhere not by bui vien

[@sebastiangeorge7714]

the area around Bùi Thị Xuân was always a good mix, da kao is relative quiet or D3 is near by

[@mikem8157]

Great video. I've been here about 6 weeks. I got a decent quiet apartment in district 7 for 10 mil VND. I love this area, it's like it's own mini city

[@livelife1899]

This was such a helpful video. Very insightful. Thank you!

[@fergaldownes]

Great channel mate. I'm going back out to Saigon soon having not been there for 10 years. Wanna learn everything I can about the place. I loved it last time.

[@zfouleur]

Why would inmoveto Vietnam to live with the foreigners? 😅😂

[@Drakewind777]

Any info on not apartments, but buying/renting a house with a yard and such in the outer districts or outside of the city?

[@kmartshopper281]

Do you think you could get around on an e-bike? That's my main mode of transportation here on the East Coast (USA)

[@fatandbroke]

sure

[@barrybolton1396]

The driver's license is the trick. Vietnam does not accept the American International DL.

[@Bluepie785]

The only place you showed that I liked is the PLAZA but it’s probably to expensive 😢😅

[@IndependentFreedomHappiness]

Quality of life and stuffs in Saigon is the best in Vietnam. If you think Saigon is not the 1st world, just spend your time to have attentions around Most Luxury and Expensive Apartments to Houses to Buildings and Rich communities in Vietnam. Saigon has almost expensive stuffs in around the world. It has less billionaires, but it has very many (Dollar) Millionaires who live in both Saigon and Hanoi. The cheapest most luxury apartments/houses cost at least $1,000,000 and up to $5,000,000. The rich Vietnamese do not like very big or long cars like Limousine, why? When you live in Vietnam you will have the same feeling like in NYC or Tokyo.

[@Creees]

I slept with the air con on so including when i got home plus cooking breakfast it was 12 hours of air con everyday and i think it got to 4 -5 million. Lesson learnt but does that sound normal or a bit high?

[@fatandbroke]

its about right

[@Thomas-kw9je]

You got hustled , my old land lord tried to rip me off, 2mill Max , but realistically you shouldn’t be paying any more then 1mil in a one bed or studio What I can’t stand about the Vietnamese they are always trying to get one over you, out of all the Asian places I’ve lived Vietnam is the worst.

[@thecheekymonkey8785]

No, that's not right at all. I run my AC 18 hours a day and the highest my bill was, was 1,8 million. That was with an old faulty AC unit. When I lived in Vinh city I ran 2 AC units 12hrs+ a day and my average bill was only 1,2mil

[@gumerzambrano]

Wow Vietnam is not as cheap as I thought. Really looking at Mexico since prices are sorta comperable

[@nofood1]

Da Nang way cheaper

[@philippinecowboy]

Cambodia is a good option, pretty cheap there!

[@JORGE-in7uq]

@@philippinecowboy Yeah but not as good as Mexico

[@wrx111]

How is Air Condition charged if its not part of the electricity bill?

[@fatandbroke]

central air is usually on the management fee. if u have a aircon of ur own in apartment its part of elec

[@emilianosintarias7337]

how much should you make working there, starting from lowly ESL around town teacher teacher job and up

[@Jalanjajansonia]

I guess if working on district 9 , stay on district 9 quite Ok We can go to d1 on weekends 😍

[@02106099]

I pay usd 1,800/month for a 2 bedrooms in Sunwah Pearl. Living in HCM is not cheap. Plus if you go out ...

[@tomhiddleston58]

Good information from you ❤👍👌❤️🇻🇳 Great video

[@pimphand1982]

D10. I prefer it. Over D1. 12.5mil dong on a newer western style building with gym and pool and bbq area. Ha Do Centrosa buildings!

[@Creees]

Prices have double since 2013 i believe

[@billyphipps655]

I spent 4.5million Dong in less than 2hrs in Crazy Night on Bui Vien the first night I got there 😂 and I didn’t even take any girls home with me lol. Never went to Bui Vien again 😂 I was there for 3 weeks and squandered £3k but was worth every penny as was a dream holiday for me.

[@KhmerMinnesnowta]

It's a tourist trap but if you have money to burn, enjoy it!

[@fatandbroke]

yeah buddddy. do a Fat and broke tour next time :D

[@billyphipps655]

@@fatandbroke yeah I literally just walked round and bumped into whatever I hit. You was out of the city when I was there last October. Hoping to get back soon to do all the stuff I was meant to do but just sat at a random coffee shop watching the world go by instead lol

[@lmapicas3279]

Wise advice indeed Grasshopper

[@reoun1654]

Its not $500 a mth thats for sure more like a minimum of $2000 + a mth to live in the city!

[@Creees]

Yes i am a size 12 feet and was really hard to find shoes but can confirm chris adidas as have aviet mate who also size 12 and was wearing adidas thongs (flip-floppers)

[@bakismash]

good information. thx 🤙🍺🎉

[@jackle4984]

HOW MUCH CAN AVERAGE PERSON MADE IN VIET NAM?

[@Head173]

Great video dude. Thanks.

[@NessaDotiktoknessahoangdooffic]

Vietnam 🇻🇳 ❤❤❤❤❤🎉

[@learnthrivecompassion422]

What about high quality meat markets, wet markets or butchers selling 100% grass fed beef?

[@sergiosanchez7781]

What about cost of living in D4?

[@gs46]

District 1 1000 dollars a month good enough

[@markholland6657]

lol it's not been $500 in YRS!!! at least $1000 nowadays.. depends where you live and how much you spend on partying... I was in D7, Phu My Hung for a month in Feb/March and it was $1200 but not drinking much at all.. but then thats one of the most expensive areas.. never went into D1 and stayed there quite happily!! if you want a western style apartment with all the amenities then ya will be paying £000's a month but ya might as well be back in the West.. surely the whole point of moving/living in VN is to experience Vietnam??!!! and there is waaaay more to Saigon that just D1!!!

[@markholland6657]

​@@raulstrassera oh yeah, there are still nice apartments for under $1k a month for sure.. I was talking about overall monthly living costs..

[@caribbeanexpat3927]

350k for 1 Tiger 🐅 🍺?? 😮😮.. What they smoking 🚬 F&B?

[@miguelcarreiro9823]

brother who spends 150$ to 2000$ a month on partying? Is this an american thing or am I missing something

[@Sa7biUK]

American, Brit, Aussie thing

[@tmorril]

How do you wire money to your account in Vietnam from your account in a US bank? Can you do it online?

[@fatandbroke]

money wire , yes

[@mikem8157]

MoneyGram is good

[@elperro3056]

400000 for beer that 16 dollar really

[@txmale5070]

Did you consider other countries other then Vietnam? Did you get a round of shots before leaving the us and staying in Vietnam?

[@fatandbroke]

yes and no

[@Thomas-kw9je]

If not coming to Vietnam for English teaching or some type of business, and you can work remote, Vietnam is an option but not the best it would be 3 -4 forth down the list now, so many issues here, local are getting more snobby less friendly in my opinion, always trying to rip u off.

[@Thomas-kw9je]

If can work remotely, Philippines Thailand Taiwan Kl, would be better options

[@zfouleur]

You don't need 1000 dollars a month on a place. 😂😅

[@Backup218]

Good video bro

[@Justgoflyaway7]

What's the name of that wide street n beginning of the Vid ??? Great tips God bless enjoy 2024 cheerz Bro😎👌

[@Rockets0003]

Young guys are 45 and younger :(

[@chautiendung]

$300/mth. District 1 if u sleep on the side walks? 😊u live next to a river n swimming is free. Also beer hoi is only $1 for gallons.😊u can catch fish n eat it for free.😊 u can growing ur own rices.😊

[@Resmith18SR]

Yes Chris, Not all of us can be KZbin vloggers and make the big bucks like you. Some of us have to actually work at jobs where we work 9 to 5, at least 40 hours a week.

[@fatandbroke]

i work around 40 hours a week when i do 2 videos a day. maybe even more

[@Hazy_Bubble]

1.Sounds like an excuse to hate. 2. Only the biggest KZbinrs make big bucks, no offense to Chris (probable makes more than me) 3. Like he said, there’s cheaper areas but their not really made with westerners in mind. 4. Have fun staying poor with that mindset

[@Resmith18SR]

@@Hazy_Bubble I unfortunately had to work my ass off at real jobs like my parents did and yours as well, buttercup. You realize KZbin wasn't around back in my parents day so they actually had to get up every day at 5 am for over 30 years and fight traffic and go to a real job where they did something productive like being a nurse or a cop or a cook things that otherwise society wouldn't function at all without, unlike KZbin vloggers who make money making videos of yourselves eating out and giving advice everyone already knows.

[@TheBushRanger.]

What’s wrong with Phattys?

[@SiqFix]

You're living in the most expensive city Saigon of course the cost of living isnt going to be $500 that's like saying $1000 isn't enough for cost of living in Los Angeles lol

[@gumerzambrano]

Hows District 7 treating you? (:

[@nr655321]

D7 (Phy my hung) was hit pretty hard by Covid: it's become kind of gloomy, tons of "for rent" signs, businesses are empty and always waiting for customers to come. Still, rent has increased quite a lot, which doesn't make much sense.

[@Creees]

I agree with Chris. Its going to be $1800 usd minimum and if you ars super green like i was its going to be $3000 but i did sign up to a gym and bave nice place. I didnt party but was invited out and that would be $150 usd per party night and easily more so dont feel bad if you spend $4000 for the month of your entire life.

[@mikestout9588]

Can't live on 1200/month anywhere in the world

[@emilianosintarias7337]

you can in vietnam, and well - just not in Saigon

[@tonym5866]

Is it easy to pick up local girls in Saigon?😃

[@thecheekymonkey8785]

It's a numbers game. The numbers are in your favor, but you still got to have some game, be at least reasonably attractive and not overweight. If you find it hard to attract women back home, you're going to struggle here as well, unless you're willing to throw huge amounts of money at the bar girls or gold diggers.

[@Iammartinnnn]

@@thecheekymonkey8785are you in Vietnam ?

[@Sa7biUK]

@@thecheekymonkey8785 'If you find it hard to attract women back home, you're going to struggle here as well, unless you're' white, unless you're white in which case you'll be just fine. Blacks good luck, Indians you better be the Northern lighter skinned ones, and Latinos should be fine as long as you're not too mestizo

[@rich6157]

👋what’s up man👍

[@sontruong2301]

😎👍