Planning to move to Ho Chi Minh City? As you prepare, you may be trying to create a monthly budget or want to know exactly how much money to save. By knowing the general cost of basic things in the city, I hope this guide can help you prepare financially for your upcoming move.
Don’t forget to read my checklist for moving abroad here!
When I first moved to Ho Chi Minh City, I used my budgeting tracker [download my free travel itinerary and budget tracker here] to track all my expenses for the first 3 months, so that I could break down the cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City for you. Now, I’ve put it all together in one quick and easy place for you. Here’s how much money you need to live in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!
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Accommodation + WiFi & Utilities
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment in Thao Dien (D2) ranges from 7 million VND ($300 USD) on the lower end to 23 million VND ($1,000 USD) on the high end. There are very great options if you have time to look with the right agent for about 12-15 million VND.
Recommendations for sites to look for short and long-term accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City: CoLiving, Agoda, Airbnb, and WorldPackers.
House Cleaner
When living abroad, it’s quite typical to have a house cleaner but the services they provide vary. My house cleaner comes once a week for $50 USD.
Laundry
Most apartments in D1 & D2 (Thao Dien) include a washer and dryer in the unit.
Filtered Water
(1) 5-gallon water jug is 64,000 VND ($2.72 USD). I went through about 8 per month for 512,000 VND ($21.80 USD).
Groceries
I order my groceries through Chopp (read more of the APPs you need for living in HCMC here). It’s easy and convenient when you don’t have a car to have groceries delivered directly to your house. Monthly groceries total about $145 USD.
Eating Out
The food scene in Ho Chi Minh City ranges from extremely cheap street food (.40 cent USD or 10,000 VND for a Banh Mi / $2.40 USD or 60,000 VND for Pho) to fancy dinners ($80 USD or 2,000,000 VND for a 5-course meal) and everything in between. In a typical month, I spend about $200 USD or 4,800,000 VND for eating out including beverages at cafes I work at.
Transportation
The public transportation in Ho Chi Minh City is pretty non-existent as far as a subway system (although they say it’s coming) and buses. But Grab (similar to Uber ride-sharing) cars and bikes are fairly cheap to get around. It’s a fairly walkable city within districts (not between D1 & D2) but it’s very hot and humid most of the year, so most expats and visitors use Grab. On average for a month, I spend about $45 USD on public transportation.
Gym Membership
Most highrise buildings have a gym which is free for residents and this is mostly where I worked out. But there are SO many yoga and fitness studios around the city that it really depends on what you’re looking for.
I occasionally joined F-45 Thao DIen (D2) with a friend because I am familiar with their HIIT workouts and stations from being a member in Shanghai. There are special promotions for classes and monthly members and they offer their 45-day challenge quarterly. The 45-day challenge is $345 USD which not only includes unlimited access to classes but to their APP with weekly meal plans, body scans, a coach and team, free workshops, and exclusive gifts and vouchers from F45’s local sponsors (smoothies, meal plans, etc.)
Hair
For a women’s haircut, it’s $25 USD, a root touch-up is $55 USD, an Olaplex Mask is $18 USD, and highlights start at $70 USD.
Recommendation: Ace London Hair
Nails
There are nail salons all over the city but an average gel manicure and pedicure is $27 USD.
Waxing
Pricing varies between salons and services but here is an estimate. An eyebrow wax is $7 USD, an upper lip $3.50 USD, a Brazilian wax is $20 USD, leg waxing is $16 USD, and underarm waxing is $7.25 USD.
Recommendations: Jessie at Brazilian Specialist, Wax On Wax Off, and Chick Fleek Waxing
Facial
Depending on the type of facial you’re getting, they can range from $8 USD to $45 USD. The spas here offer a wide range of facial treatments for hydration, anti-aging, detoxifying, acne, and brightening.
Recommendation: A’veda Herbal Wellness
Lashes
Lash lifts and lash extensions range between $18 USD to $34 USD.
Recommendation: Mia Beauty
Botox & Fillers
There are probably cheaper beauty clinics in Ho Chi Minh City but Muse Clinic was highly recommended by all the female expat groups I’m in. It’s very high quality but with that comes a little higher cost. It’s not as expensive as it is in the United States but it’s definitely not as cheap as it is in Oaxaca or South Korea. Muse Clinic has promotions all the time, so I’d check their website and/or FB page to get the best deal. Pricing will depend on units and area. I typically get Botox in 3 areas and 1 syringe (1mL) of filler under my eyes and in my lips for $1,000 USD and it was $600 USD at Muse Clinic with promotion and negotiating. 😉
Recommendation: Muse Clinic
Massage
Depending on the type of massage you’re getting, they can range from $17 USD to $45 USD.
Read about my experience getting one of the best massages of my life: a Blind Massage at Noir Spa
Recommendation: Noir Spa and A’veda Herbal Wellness
iPhone or MacBook Repair
The most recommended shop in HCMC for Apple product repairs is iKnowVN. Prices are very reasonable especially compared to what they would cost in the US at an Apple Store. Chat online to get an estimate for your repair. I got my iPhone screen replaced for $50 USD which cost about $300 USD without insurance in the US.
Recommendation: Daniel Vo and iKnowVN
Are there any other expenses you’re curious about in Vietnam? Drop a comment and let me know!
