Can You REALLY Live On $1000 A Month In Vietnam? Cost Of Living in Vietnam

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  • čas přidán 14. 05. 2024
  • In this video we talk about the cost of living in Vietnam with a detailed breakdown and many examples of prices in different categories. 📕 Teaching English in Vietnam salary & start-up costs guide: ninjateacher.com/free-guide
    Timestamps:
    0:00 Intro
    0:25 Vietnamese food restaurant prices
    3:49 Grocery shopping
    6:50 Accommodation
    12:26 Transportation
    15:08 Gyms
    15:52 Mobile phone
    16:34 What I spent in a week on food
    23:06 The “Budget” budget
    24:19 International food restaurant prices
    24:57 The “Balanced” budget
    27:01 The “Baller” budget
    29:00 Summary
    ✈️ Start teaching English in Vietnam: ninjateacher.com
    🎓 Vietnam TEFL Program: academy.ninjateacher.com/p/vi...
    💻 Online TEFL Course: ninjateacher.com/online-tefl
    📕 Teaching English in Vietnam salary & start-up costs guide: ninjateacher.com/free-guide
    ✉️ Contact us: ninjateacher.com/contact
    📣 Ninja Teacher social media:
    Instagram: / ninja_teacher
    Facebook: / ninjateacher
    🏥 Nomad insurance: bit.ly/3v0p90S
    Edited by Taylor Olson

Komentáře • 488

  • @AlphaSniperAcademy
    @AlphaSniperAcademy Před měsícem +13

    Having been through the Ninja Teacher process and living in Vietnam, I can safely assure you, no matter what you earn you will NEVER go hungry. The variety of tastes and the affordability of the food is exceptional and to this day, there is no other place in the world I return to more often than Vietnam. Thank you, Alex

  • @drakausdromgatti58
    @drakausdromgatti58 Před 7 měsíci +24

    I lost my wallet in the ocean of Vietnam once... I lived for free for one month. I met a wonderful Viet family took me in that didnt have much. They absolutely refused payment when the time came. If my father didnt get sick with cancer I would have never came back.

    • @samuri2011
      @samuri2011 Před měsícem

      🥺🥺🥺💚💚💚💚

    • @Jack_the_rider
      @Jack_the_rider Před 22 dny

      That must be a once-in-a-lifetime experience❤

    • @ocmanga5685
      @ocmanga5685 Před 10 dny +1

      Luôn có một gia đình chờ bạn trở về. Khi bạn cảm thấy mệt mỏi hay chán nản, hãy đến Việt Nam. Mảnh đất này không phải mảnh đất cho bạn niềm vui, nhưng nó chắc chắn mang lại hạnh phúc, giá trị tinh thần.

  • @guitarist192
    @guitarist192 Před 9 měsíci +79

    Cost of living in HCMC is subjective for locals vs foreigners. You spend more when you make more money.
    a) When I was a student, the living cost in Tan Binh, HCMC for everything was around 3.5M VND ~ $150. I rent a new small room (3x3m) with a small mezzanine in Tay Thanh, HCMC for just $50 a month. Shared internet cost me $1-2. I cooked the food myself. No doctor, no medicine, $2-5 on clothes... Sometimes, I could live on $100 a month ($50 renting, $50 on everything else)
    b) When I was working as a software dev, I rent a very good apartment with 2 bedrooms (3x3.5 m each), 2 toilets, and 1 big master room in Au co street, Tan Binh for 5,5M VND.
    The address was: "QJPV+9V4, Khu Bàu Cát 2 Đường Số 1, Phường 10, Tân Bình, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam"
    - We had 3 people shared the apartment. So, it was 5,5M VND ------ $232/3 = $77 (The renting price now is less than 7M VND ~ $295/3 people = $98)
    - Food / Eating out: 100k * 30 days = 3M VND --------------------------------------------- = $126.76 (If you can cook then it will be way more cheaper)
    - Entertainment: 1M VND ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- = $42.25
    - Drinks: 30K * 26 days = 780k VND ------------------------------------------------------------- = $32.96
    - Shopping (Sometimes): 500k VND ------------------------------------------------------------ = $21.13
    - Gasoline: 300k VND ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- = $12.68
    - Internet FPT 300k VND (1Gbps/s) ---------------------------------------------- $12.68/3 = $4.3
    - See a doctor (Sometimes): 70k ------------------------------------------------------------------ = $2.96
    - Medicine (Sometimes): 180k VND ------------------------------------------------------------- = $7.61
    So, the living cost of office workers in Saigon is around $328. A junior software developer made from $300 - $900 NET in HCMC. A senior software developer made $800 - $3000. Everything is cheaper if you are a Vietnamese :) It could be more expensive for foreigners because they don't know how to bargain when renting a room

    • @goldenhippie1984
      @goldenhippie1984 Před 5 měsíci

      Thank you

    • @tulongvuong6879
      @tulongvuong6879 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Review đỉnh

    • @Just_passing_through23
      @Just_passing_through23 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Plus maybe we foreigners come with money from their country so they don’t have to budget everything, they want a more relaxed lifestyle and they don’t mind paying

    • @user-sf2xd2np5b
      @user-sf2xd2np5b Před 2 měsíci

      Việt Nam mình ham vui ồn ào nên thích thuê ở chung chứ người nước ngoài họ thích riêng tư yên tĩnh nên thuê ở riêng một mình một căn

  • @giaole5532
    @giaole5532 Před 10 měsíci +184

    As a Vietnamese living in the US, I miss Vietnamese food very much. The Vietnamese food in US is not as delicious as the food in VN. I pay 15$ for a bowl of Pho over here but it tastes nothing compared to a 2$ Pho in VN.😮‍💨

    • @TRAN_HOANG_DUY_TAN_1995
      @TRAN_HOANG_DUY_TAN_1995 Před 10 měsíci +3

      Phở 0,8$ đô thôi =20k vnd là giá trung bình thường gặp

    • @kaitlynthaopham4106
      @kaitlynthaopham4106 Před 10 měsíci

      😱

    • @pl640
      @pl640 Před 9 měsíci +4

      @@TRAN_HOANG_DUY_TAN_1995phở ở đâu 20k?

    • @hoangphung86
      @hoangphung86 Před 9 měsíci +3

      @@pl640 chắc mua phở gói ăn liền + nửa lạng thịt bò

    • @TRAN_HOANG_DUY_TAN_1995
      @TRAN_HOANG_DUY_TAN_1995 Před 9 měsíci +1

      @@pl640 à chắc tao nhầm phở giá 2 triệu chứ làm gì có phở 20k đâu nhỉ😏😏😏

  • @jennyle9435
    @jennyle9435 Před 9 měsíci +15

    I have a friend who live on USA but he lie ti his boss that he live in USA but working from vietnam for 6 months and get big salary from his company live like a king in vietnam 😊

  • @leigh7507
    @leigh7507 Před 10 měsíci +33

    Very easy to live on around 20 million a month here. The only months where I've spent 30 million is the months when I went eating at western places and drinking more than 3 times a week. Home cooking or eating local will save you an absolute fortune over the course of the year.

  • @namtrng8479
    @namtrng8479 Před 9 měsíci +13

    1000$ ~ 23 mil VND, that's a dream salary for a lot of Vietnamese. Workers take home around 300$ a month is pretty common.

    • @hongdang4630
      @hongdang4630 Před 5 měsíci +1

      Your are absolutely right.

    • @AlphaSniperAcademy
      @AlphaSniperAcademy Před měsícem

      Indeed. My teaching assistants taught me a lot about living like a local. They showed me where they eat and shop. My costs were decreased significantly. However, at times you do feel really guilty when you earn as much as you do as a teacher. I was clearing around 40 million VND or more most months but I would happily give them a "performance bonus" when I worked with them. Hardest working people I have ever met.

  • @udishomer5852
    @udishomer5852 Před 10 měsíci +79

    Great video, very informative.
    A few additional costs not mentioned here:
    1. "Stuff": clothes, shoes, a mobile phone, a laptop, household items, etc.
    For me its ~$800 a year on average (~$70 per month).
    2. Home country/family visits:
    Even if you only go once a year its quite expensive. Roughly $1,000 for me (~$80 per month).
    3. Health insurance:
    If you're young and healthy, maybe $50 per month, if you're in your seventies it may go up to $500 per month, maybe more.
    4. Home internet (fiber/broadband)
    5. Toiletries and cleaning products.
    In my case I also pay someone to clean my apartment once a week.
    6. Cable/Netflix/Disney+/Amazon Video/Spotify etc
    7. Vacations:
    If you ever go on vacations it will add up. You can stay in Vietnam as it will be cheaper, but many people will also want to visit Thailand, Cambodia (Angkor Wat), Korea, Taiwan, maybe even Japan.

    • @fs5775
      @fs5775 Před 10 měsíci +4

      very helpful additional info, thanks

    • @ravenlorans
      @ravenlorans Před 7 měsíci +5

      You Forget that even Your List is Your List.. 1. "Stuff" is As Needed!, 2. Not everyone there has any there. 3. Health Insurance, Not everyone Needs it or it's provided to them by the VA and they pay for it. 4. Agree because I Refuse to Own a Cellphone. 5. As Needed. 6. If you have Internet, ALL Movies are FREE! If you know what you are doing and IS Legal... So NOT Needed. 7. You are On Permanent Vacation. Unless like Him, you bring your work with you.. and Why would you do that?
      His List is for Living in the City, Live Outside the City and these Costs could be Halved and have a Better Life doing so.. I live in Florida on a Budget of $555 a Month because I OWN My Land, Truck, Motorcycle and MY Bills are MY Bills Not my Neighbors who are paying Well Over that and are also Single like me..
      If I live In Town, My Costs Goes Up by a Good $150+ a Month.. No Thank You!

    • @gulfstream7235
      @gulfstream7235 Před 5 měsíci +5

      @@ravenlorans Calm down dear....

    • @user-sf2xd2np5b
      @user-sf2xd2np5b Před 2 měsíci +2

      Hospital costs in Vietnam are cheaper than buying life insurance

  • @linhtaquang4098
    @linhtaquang4098 Před 9 měsíci +13

    street food so healthy here with alot of greens and herbes. You can eat 3 times/day outside for 3S/day 5$ with cold drinks. So 3*30=90$/month for food, no need to cook yourself. You can save that cooking time to enjoy another stuffs.

  • @fs5775
    @fs5775 Před 10 měsíci +17

    Your most valuable video yet !! This is definitely what I needed before my move there. THANK YOU !! Beautifully produced video, too. Very professional production.

  • @livelife1899
    @livelife1899 Před 5 měsíci

    Thanks for this informative video! I just returned to the states after two weeks in Vietnam (and experiencing withdrawals). Loved all of the food & hospitality there!

  • @CullenTravels
    @CullenTravels Před měsícem

    Your travel tips are invaluable for anyone planning their own journey. Thanks for being such a helpful guide!

  • @jodimuse18
    @jodimuse18 Před 10 měsíci +16

    ❤ after 2 years in, I ate western 5X. 5 regret. I don't eat Vietnamese because of budget. I don't need to. I eat it because it's one of the best cuisines on the globe! I've shopped the markets, I've been blessed by my local friends to show me how to cook it. ❤ I'm back in Canada 🇨🇦 now and I'm dying😂 it's a food desert compared to VN❤❤❤

    • @TrungNguyen-ul8gm
      @TrungNguyen-ul8gm Před 8 měsíci +1

      Me too! But I concluded V food is very good! no need to try world food!

  • @MinhTran-od3dy
    @MinhTran-od3dy Před 8 měsíci

    Wonderful, so informative, lots of research and editing, big thank.

  • @sheepshearer2705
    @sheepshearer2705 Před 5 měsíci

    Great information. Really appreciate your hard work making these videos. ❤🙏👍

  • @John_DaMan
    @John_DaMan Před 10 měsíci +4

    Do more of these types of these videos, also i like the new editing style

    • @fs5775
      @fs5775 Před 10 měsíci +2

      it's super professional

  • @Facts.Are.Straight
    @Facts.Are.Straight Před měsícem

    Very valuable info to encourage one becoming decisive. Thank You!

  • @phuongngo1062
    @phuongngo1062 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Thank you. Very informative indeed. Much, much cheaper than staying with my relatives 🙂.

  • @SelamawitTsegay
    @SelamawitTsegay Před měsícem

    that was amazing job bro... i really needed this video, thanks

  • @mattg9085
    @mattg9085 Před 10 měsíci +3

    This video was exactly what i was looking for. Thank you!

    • @fs5775
      @fs5775 Před 10 měsíci +1

      me too !!

  • @LamNguyen-qb4ic
    @LamNguyen-qb4ic Před 10 měsíci +3

    Thank you Alex. I plan to apply teaching in Vietnam next year.

    • @leehnguyen7427
      @leehnguyen7427 Před 8 měsíci +1

      Seeing that but the truth is not so. The leadership is very bad and dirty, you can prove that the places I go to the cities, the street corners are unhygienic, the food I don't dare to eat because of the food processing toxic chemicals, people who just came to live they don't know but after living there for a long time, now they know..that’s all i can say it is not what i heard.

  • @bookrampage
    @bookrampage Před 8 měsíci

    Amazing video. Very informative.

  • @NathanDuong2023
    @NathanDuong2023 Před 10 měsíci

    Ninja Teacher - Thank you for your video - informative.

  • @apassionfortravelling3280
    @apassionfortravelling3280 Před 9 měsíci

    Fantastic video. Greatly appreciated

  • @charlesstanfa3969
    @charlesstanfa3969 Před 3 měsíci

    Excellent video, I am a new subscriber 😊

  • @davidj7516
    @davidj7516 Před 29 dny

    Thank you for your time and posting.

  • @jeffpope7811
    @jeffpope7811 Před měsícem

    Well done smart & intelligent! ❤

  • @LiftedJourneys
    @LiftedJourneys Před 3 měsíci +1

    Very informative video! Soon, I will also travel to Vietnam and am already curious about the costs of gyms 🤔:)

  • @mikem3789
    @mikem3789 Před měsícem

    Great video! Very informative

  • @cigar401
    @cigar401 Před 9 měsíci

    Thank you. Very informative

  • @georgeschahoud7160
    @georgeschahoud7160 Před 5 měsíci

    Thanks a lot for this wonderful video.

  • @gymrat9072
    @gymrat9072 Před 2 měsíci

    Thanks for the video I enjoyed it.

  • @aaronaround
    @aaronaround Před 10 měsíci +3

    Yes you absolutely can! I did. 👍

  • @granger9967
    @granger9967 Před 9 měsíci

    A good video.Thank Alex😂

  • @George-ux3qd
    @George-ux3qd Před 10 měsíci

    Thank you for that good Video.

  • @xtnguyen7760
    @xtnguyen7760 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Thank you so much for a well informative cost of living nowadays in VN.
    I'm living in the US currently and very much interested in teaching English in Vietnam, please advised me where to started.
    Once again thanks so much and hope to hear from you.

  • @shahzadkheros
    @shahzadkheros Před 10 měsíci +2

    great video!

  • @jonwear9791
    @jonwear9791 Před 2 měsíci

    Living a simple life that is easy, affordable, and stress-free.👍💖

  • @martingarcia3787
    @martingarcia3787 Před 8 dny

    Amazing 👏

  • @vietnammg
    @vietnammg Před 7 měsíci +1

    Some other nice things:
    - Many banks have free overdraft protection, and with no minimum balance
    - Zero fee money transfer for all banks
    - It doesn't cost you to receive messages and phone calls
    - Airport luggage carts are free
    - All utilities are sold by the government (scarcity exists, but there won't be any price hike)

  • @owitYcom
    @owitYcom Před 8 měsíci

    awesome video!!!

  • @dzuyle2000
    @dzuyle2000 Před 8 měsíci

    Wuz upp... great video sign me up Scotty

  • @georgep1358
    @georgep1358 Před 8 měsíci

    Great and informative video Alex. Are there job options in the real estate world there?

  • @justinenglish3660
    @justinenglish3660 Před 10 měsíci +5

    Seriously in-depth professional video - best in class!

  • @delfin7461
    @delfin7461 Před 8 měsíci +4

    Alex, is that veggie buffet in Saigon or Da Nang??? Looks great!!!

  • @legitgirlbabe
    @legitgirlbabe Před 9 měsíci +2

    Thank you for laying everything out and categorizing Budget vs Baller so we don’t just question other people’s estimate!

  • @christophersukkar9835
    @christophersukkar9835 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Good video

  • @noj1047
    @noj1047 Před 2 měsíci

    Family and I are moving there in a year or so cant wait.

  • @Eph_2_8-9
    @Eph_2_8-9 Před 10 měsíci +15

    Since this $1k is net, the actual salary will have to be higher to include taxes. So if your employer covers health, life, dental, vision insurance and offers a 401k match; you'd have to make 32M or $1,350/mo to be able to match the balanced budget and cover taxes, 5% savings, 5% 401k and a little for charitable giving. This also doesn't include any room for unexpected expenses, shopping of any kind other than food, trips, etc. Realistically this means the minimum is $1500/mo gross if you just want to live and not save or invest for the future. Long term sustainable living then becomes $2k and up...
    So short term, yes you can live conservatively on $1k/mo as a single person who doesn't care about travel or long term investment.

    • @SportsEntertainment.12
      @SportsEntertainment.12 Před 10 měsíci +5

      health care is cheap, u pay prolly 5 dollars a month. Saving account there is 7 8 %. We dont pay taxes there

    • @nocancelcultureaccepted9316
      @nocancelcultureaccepted9316 Před 10 měsíci +2

      Spending $1K/month in a third world slum country is outrageous.

    • @Eph_2_8-9
      @Eph_2_8-9 Před 10 měsíci +11

      @@nocancelcultureaccepted9316 Lol you must have either really high standards or have never been to HCMC. The quality of life there is substantially higher than in the US in a lot of ways...

    • @nocancelcultureaccepted9316
      @nocancelcultureaccepted9316 Před 10 měsíci

      @@Eph_2_8-9
      Higher than in the US?
      Over 80% of Vietnamese would kill to migrate to anywhere else rather than Vietnam. If you happen to be a foreigner who isn’t familiar with the facts of Vietnamese culture and you live in your own bubble, you may think it’s fine. But the Vietnamese know it sucks to live in their own society because of 2 reasons: garbage and stealing.

    • @thuytruong-do7xr
      @thuytruong-do7xr Před 10 měsíci +5

      @@nocancelcultureaccepted9316 I though you don’t have much time for news.

  • @Steve-O-Resident-Expert
    @Steve-O-Resident-Expert Před 7 měsíci +14

    I was in Danang two weeks in October 2022. The real answer is no; you can not live there on $1,000 per month unless you do not spend money on anything except food and lodging and minor entertainment. There is the VISA problem - it takes at least a one year VISA to escape the expense and disruption caused by having only a 30 day VISA - and to work full time there doesn't make any sense. $1,500 to $1,800 is what it takes or do not go, you will run out of money. I kept detailed records daily, of what I spent and this is reality. Now if you want to live in squalor or in a non modern dwelling - then be my guest, try living there on $1,000 - I give you two months maybe three including 3 VISA runs before you throw in the towel. My advice - do not go without a long term VISA - for starters

    • @KB3TLE
      @KB3TLE Před 6 měsíci +2

      So true - better off in Cambodia next door. Especially over 55 have it made !

    • @machinmon.
      @machinmon. Před 5 měsíci +5

      Now vn has 90 day visas

    • @retiredandhappy9258
      @retiredandhappy9258 Před 5 měsíci +1

      Yes, the ninety day makes it easier 🎉

    • @travellingtascha
      @travellingtascha Před 4 měsíci

      @@machinmon.Still not long enough to get a lease for home. You’ll still be in more expensive Airbnb’s

  • @YourLocalBomber
    @YourLocalBomber Před měsícem

    literally said you would compare food in 3 categories and only did one haha was waiting to take notes

  • @sairamkatam2534
    @sairamkatam2534 Před 10 měsíci +1

    excellent video !

  • @heathmcintyre8900
    @heathmcintyre8900 Před 9 měsíci +2

    Thank you SO SO much for the effort and detail you put into your videos!! Can I ask how good the online shopping is in Vietnam? Like is there a version of takealot?😄 I would hope to buy an Airfryer for example!:)

    • @ninja.teacher
      @ninja.teacher  Před 9 měsíci +1

      Yes! There are several options like Lazada and Tiki that offer online shopping with fast delivery times.

    • @heathmcintyre8900
      @heathmcintyre8900 Před 9 měsíci

      @@ninja.teacher ah amazing thank you so much!!

  • @johnnyray777
    @johnnyray777 Před 6 měsíci

    Nice job

  • @dannyboi7572
    @dannyboi7572 Před 10 měsíci +3

    I am loving your videos so much. They are really helping me make the decision to start teaching and moving over there. I'm from South Africa and this is really the time to make the move. Is there any way I can make contact with you to ask questions.

    • @ninja.teacher
      @ninja.teacher  Před 10 měsíci +1

      Helping people start teaching English in Vietnam is what we do. :) You can check out ninjateacher.com to see the options we offer to assist people with getting started and you can get in touch there too.

  • @fallenf1owers
    @fallenf1owers Před 10 měsíci +16

    Living there for that long, any plans for learning to speak the language. I’ve watch many CZcamsrs living there only a couple years and speaking very well, it’s hard at first but you will be amazed how quickly you can learn. Also once you speak the language, you will be surprised how you can blend in with the locals and have a friendly interactions. Cheers

    • @ninja.teacher
      @ninja.teacher  Před 10 měsíci +10

      Yes, I’m taking lessons again recently. I’ve been running our TEFL academy so it hasn’t been my top priority but I agree with your points about the benefits so I’m making an effort again.

  • @tdm1828
    @tdm1828 Před 9 měsíci +12

    Lived and worked there for 25 years. They are many great things, but the toxicity in food, water and air have driven many conscious expat family away.
    Hope the government will start cleaning that up soon to make it one of the most attractive travel destinations in Southeast Asia.
    Look at the reports and stats from the WHO on the health conditions of the people in Vietnam.
    My heart goes out to them. Too many silent killers.

    • @thecheekymonkey8785
      @thecheekymonkey8785 Před 6 měsíci +3

      Air, ground water and noise pollution is just getting worse. The country and its economy is developing at an incredible pace, but at a great cost to the environment. After 7 years I'm leaving as I'm feeling the negative effects on my health. I wouldn't recommend Vietnam to anyone to live long term. It might be cheap to live here, but the negatives far outweigh the positives.

    • @pathkris2984
      @pathkris2984 Před 4 měsíci

      @@thecheekymonkey8785 Where are you moving to? or what alternatives are you considering? Thanks.

    • @thecheekymonkey8785
      @thecheekymonkey8785 Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@pathkris2984 I have a shortlist of countries that I'm considering at the moment. Argentina and Romania are high on the list.

    • @pathkris2984
      @pathkris2984 Před 4 měsíci

      @@thecheekymonkey8785 Thank you for the info. Noticed Romania and Bulgaria are joining Schengen in March 2024. That makes it harder to choose these countries in the future I believe.

    • @user-we6bk8kt1s
      @user-we6bk8kt1s Před 3 měsíci +1

      I have heard many stories about toxic food or how they processed food, cook it....even how they grow veggies (Rau muong for example). Once they had food poison episodes, many people ended up in ER and that is scary.

  • @jimpapasadero4751
    @jimpapasadero4751 Před 7 měsíci +2

    Hey Alex, love your videos. I noticed that when I read your teacher salary and start up costs they are showing for 2018. Obviously, as you stated, prices have risen across the globe since then. You mentioned in 2018 that teacher salaries were between $1,400 up to $2,000 a month. Have salaries increased as well? Just curious. I already have my TEFL/TESOL from ITTT last year. In-class 120 hours.

    • @thecheekymonkey8785
      @thecheekymonkey8785 Před 6 měsíci +1

      ESL teacher salaries are still the same and in fact getting lower, while the cost of living is going up. The industry is stagnant. Every Joe and and his dog is coming out to teach here.

    • @myjseonline4222
      @myjseonline4222 Před 6 měsíci +1

      ​@@thecheekymonkey8785Thank you for your honesty. Are you still working in Vietnam? What are the real salaries if you are still there in 2023? I look forward to your answer and anyone else who is living there currently. 😊

    • @thecheekymonkey8785
      @thecheekymonkey8785 Před 6 měsíci +1

      The hourly rates range between $18-22 in the big cities. Exactly what it was in 2016. Food, gas and rent prices is up with 30-80% from 2016.

    • @thecheekymonkey8785
      @thecheekymonkey8785 Před 6 měsíci +1

      However, it's still possible to live comfortably on an ESL teaching salary. You're just going to find it harder to save much, if anything. 5 to 10 years ago, it was possible to live very well and save a good chunk of cash every month. Now the market is somewhat oversaturated, mostly with non-native teachers who are willing to work for much less than native speakers, driving the wages down. It's also much harder to fill your schedule with enough hours to make $2k, so you're more likely to earn $1200-$1600. It's still a decent wage, although unfortunately that's where it's going stay. Very little to no room for career advancement, unless you are qualified to teach in an international school. In conclusion, teaching ESL in Vietnam is a great option if you're a traveller in your early 20's looking for a gap year. If you're older than that and looking to build a career and a place to settle down, Vietnam is a poor choice. With that said, there are plenty of older teachers here who married local women and settled down, but most of them have a business or side hustle to supplement their income. Some have passive income streams from back home, such as rental income.

  • @coachdms
    @coachdms Před 6 měsíci

    In Vietnam : the high budget would go a a decent /safe areas rental lodging - other than that groceries/local market/street foods are super cheap (the price of McDonald's , Chic fil A , Starbucks ect. would afford you a entire day of food in VN )

  • @HogbergPhotography
    @HogbergPhotography Před měsícem +1

    Me and my partner live on around $1500 TOGETHER in Sweden. In Vietnam you should be able to live a good life on $350-$500 per person easily. Your priorities must be really off if living cheap is the goal..

  • @samuelevawere7136
    @samuelevawere7136 Před 2 měsíci

    Nice video

  • @keilnirby
    @keilnirby Před 9 měsíci +7

    HCM is actually one of the best places in the world to be a foodie because if you want something like Turkish, French (Cocotte), Brazilian, etc. you're basically paying 1/3 of what you would in another big city. Some purists will say well it's not like XYZ back home, but there are definitely places that would be damn close and a fraction of the price you'd pay in London, New York, etc.

    • @delfin7461
      @delfin7461 Před 7 měsíci +3

      I lived in Saigon for 4 years and have been back in Chicago (a really good food city) for 2 years and I have to say that some of the American food I had in Saigon was better than some of the food I have had here -- I have only had Vietnamese food once because I cried about paying $14 for a bowl of mi quang and $6 for ca phe sua da!!!
      Coming back to Da Nang in November and can't wait for my 20k dong banh mi!!!

  • @timpham3200
    @timpham3200 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Thanks, Alex. Very informative. What about health insurance and medications expenses?

    • @giaole5532
      @giaole5532 Před 10 měsíci +2

      In some rich international schools as where I worked in SAIGON, they offer you free accommodation and round tickets every year to visit your home country. Every year you have 2 new year holidays, the TET Vietnamese new year in end of January and the Western new year from the end of Dec to January like in US. I recommend you apply to international schools rather than English Centers because they can offer you good paid, paid holidays, and accommodation included.

    • @thuytruong-do7xr
      @thuytruong-do7xr Před 10 měsíci +1

      If you stayed in VN long enough ( over 6 months ) and your age is under 60 ,you can purchase a VNese health insurance package with cheap price ( 100-150usd for in/out -patient per year) or you can choose international health insurance up to 500usd per year. If you don’t care of health insurance , you can visit doctors with 500k per visit ( 22 usd) , for MRI service it costs 3milks ( 130usd) . It is some basic information to you.

  • @GolfdrillsNet2015
    @GolfdrillsNet2015 Před 10 měsíci

    Great video amigo! How do most people stay legally in the country? Do you have a person to help with long term visas? Or are these apartments all month to month?

  • @matrices3987
    @matrices3987 Před 10 měsíci

    I like your calm and non-American style.

    • @fs5775
      @fs5775 Před 10 měsíci

      🤣🤣

  • @NiklasLarssonSeglarfan
    @NiklasLarssonSeglarfan Před 10 měsíci +14

    Agree with your survey.. I spent about 7,5 mil/month for a studio apartment in D7 (15 minutes from D1), no balcony though. And on average over 9 months i think i spent about 1000usd/month for just about everything. Sure miss being able to get streetfood outside my apartment building for 1 usd..

    • @keilnirby
      @keilnirby Před 9 měsíci +1

      D7 has street food but it's tightly regulated somehow. The street that ends at Paris Baguette, Ku Pho Huong Phuoc 3, or it might be one street over, has the vendors come at after 5 I think.

    • @NiklasLarssonSeglarfan
      @NiklasLarssonSeglarfan Před 9 měsíci

      @@keilnirby well, in some of the more fancy/western areas it might be like that 😅 but large parts of the district is very classic Vietnamese style.. I had plenty of street vendors and 'mom n pop' shops on my street, but yeah, around FV hospital and crescent mall and the Sky Garden area it was much 'cleaner' and empty in that way 😅

    • @leehnguyen7427
      @leehnguyen7427 Před 8 měsíci +1

      Seeing that but the truth is not so. The leadership is very bad and dirty, you can prove that the places I go to the cities, the street corners are unhygienic, the food I don't dare to eat because of the food processing toxic chemicals, people who just came to live they don't know but after living there for a long time, now they know..that’s all i can say it is not what i heard.

    • @NiklasLarssonSeglarfan
      @NiklasLarssonSeglarfan Před 8 měsíci +2

      @@leehnguyen7427 sure there are some dirty places, and sure some bad food too... But literally millions of people eat it daily with no issues...

    • @leehnguyen7427
      @leehnguyen7427 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@NiklasLarssonSeglarfan
      if you go to the hospital called market field ‘Chợ Rẩy’ in District 5 to visit the patients, you will understand what I'm saying.

  • @nickgrace5363
    @nickgrace5363 Před 4 měsíci +1

    $600 total U.S. dollars I think my total cost was for hotels and food everyday . September to October 2023 was for 29 days

  • @OhShunz
    @OhShunz Před 8 měsíci +5

    Very interesting video. Vietnam has been high on my list to immigrate to from the USA to retire early. I liked your breakdown of the three possible lifestyles. I’d like the baller but not the food. I’d prefer to eat local food everyday if it were my choice. Still blows my mind how incredibly affordable when compared to typical western life costs.

    • @JayandSarah
      @JayandSarah Před 5 měsíci

      It's not affordable. It's only affordable because you have foreign money. Not sure why it would be mind blowing. The incomes in western life are 10 times higher. It's probably more expensive to be fair to live in the west income to expense, than almost any other area.

    • @ares9195
      @ares9195 Před 4 měsíci

      @@JayandSarahthat’s why it’s good to live as a Westen guy in Vietnam. I’m living here 6 months and in Europe I spend on average 7000€ a month. In Vietnam I spend maximum 3000€ a month and I eat in restaurant every day

    • @JayandSarah
      @JayandSarah Před 4 měsíci

      @@ares9195 $3000 euro a month in vietnam for 1 person? That is insane. Should be less than half that.

  • @chautiendung
    @chautiendung Před 14 dny

    No tipping required.👍😊

  • @vietdang6554
    @vietdang6554 Před 7 měsíci +1

    Hi Ninja I heard the food is great and cheap but would you do a research about GMO & how they feed livestock? I watched investigations about seafood at VN they use a lot of chemicals and antibiotics so how the food safety for your health? I’m just a curious George please make another video about food safety if possible thanks

  • @warmad2596
    @warmad2596 Před 7 měsíci

    Have not watched the video yet but when I was with my ex I was not allowed to do any shopping with the family, nor was I allowed to be around them when looking at stuff to buy until after they bought something so they didn't pay foreigner prices which was noticeable at times. If not all the time. lol

  • @petemorris6475
    @petemorris6475 Před měsícem

    I think the common budget is good but in Baguio we have to buy water which costs me 400 a week for a full tank
    And we use 5 galls of drinking water every other day
    My health insurance is Wrlife that gives me 80k USD hospital cover for 100 bucks a month

  • @SnaOzyrk
    @SnaOzyrk Před 9 měsíci +2

    Hi Alex, I know you have your own company so talking about another program may be a little ridiculous but I really want to ask you this. I'm coming to Vietnam with Aiesec in two months to Ho chi minh city and I would like to know if the place we rent should be in certain areas for security and rent vise and is it difficult to send money back to our home country? I love your videos thank you in advance 😊

    • @ninja.teacher
      @ninja.teacher  Před 9 měsíci +2

      I’d recommend living within 20 minutes from where you work to avoid a long commute and Ho Chi Minh City is safe practically anywhere. You can send money back home if you have a valid word contract to show the bank.

  • @tylerowenfit
    @tylerowenfit Před 10 měsíci +1

    Thanks for posting this Alex. Had my call with Jarred and am awaiting my passport appointment before I make a deposit for the in person program! How common are calisthenic parks with pullup bars and dip bars in Hoo Chi Minh City? Do you see quite a few of them?

    • @ninja.teacher
      @ninja.teacher  Před 10 měsíci +1

      Nice, see you in Vietnam soon then! Some of the parks here have pull-up bars and dip bars if I remember correctly.

    • @tylerowenfit
      @tylerowenfit Před 10 měsíci

      @@ninja.teacher Nice! And yes see you soon sir! Enjoy your day and weekend!

  • @tuannguyenanh7406
    @tuannguyenanh7406 Před měsícem

    My ninja, thank you. I have been thinking about living 5-6 months in VN a year, the rest in europe. I have some saving deposit in vietnamese bank and I can have around 20 mil vnd (800 usd) a month without job. I also have a small appartment near Hanoi (ocean park 1). Acutally I wanted to double that monthly income, but Im too tired of working 24/7. Maybe I can still live the "baller" way in VN . Anyway thanks for the informations, they are very helpful

  • @mCblue79
    @mCblue79 Před 9 měsíci +1

    The rental prices you spoke of; is that weekly or monthly? Great vid 👍

  • @Astar-AoK
    @Astar-AoK Před 7 měsíci

    Hi there, what was the pay like out there? I haven't seen it?

  • @edikoco
    @edikoco Před 10 měsíci +6

    Hi Alex, thanks for the videos on living in Vietnam. What options/costs are there for accomodating a family of 5 (2 adults 3 children)?

    • @SportsEntertainment.12
      @SportsEntertainment.12 Před 10 měsíci +3

      it depends on the city, You can rent a big house for 450 dollars a month. They just no pool and gym, it is a separate house. Food is cheap, shouldnt be a problem

    • @SportsEntertainment.12
      @SportsEntertainment.12 Před 10 měsíci +2

      oh if you kids want to go school there, then it depend, some school is basically free, because you only pay 50 dollars a year.

    • @edikoco
      @edikoco Před 10 měsíci +1

      @@SportsEntertainment.12 thanks. I was looking at Ho Chi Minh City.

    • @ninja.teacher
      @ninja.teacher  Před 10 měsíci +3

      I imagine you’d want a 3 bedroom apartment or small house. Could be anywhere from 15 - 30 million depending on the area and the building.

    • @edikoco
      @edikoco Před 10 měsíci +2

      @@ninja.teacher thanks for the info Alex. I’m just trying to work out logistics of my wife and I, who both have early childhood education degrees, being able to work and live in Ho Chi Minh City. I visited your Ninja Teacher HQ back in 2019 and was impressed with the set up.

  • @heavenlylegaspino7187
    @heavenlylegaspino7187 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Mine is half of that as an expat living in VN

  • @Algorand12345
    @Algorand12345 Před 10 měsíci +12

    Hey Alex, Love your transparency here. Can you clarify if credit cards are widely accepted? I know it may seem petty, but the foreign transaction fees really add up. The 0% foreign transaction fee while earning points really would add up to a significant amount when taken together. I've gone to countries where I am constantly withdrawing from fly-by-night ATMs that charge 10-15% and only let you withdraw, like, 60 bucks. It makes all these 1-3 dollar meals really a lot more overall. Any insight would be helpful!!

    • @ninja.teacher
      @ninja.teacher  Před 10 měsíci +8

      Most family / low cost restaurants won't take card but the higher end ones will. You can look into banks that offer refunds on fees (like Charles Schwab if you're American).

    • @thuymientran6676
      @thuymientran6676 Před 10 měsíci +6

      I have CapitalOne debit card, which has no foreign transaction fees. However, the ATM cash withdrawal fees charged by the local banks here can really add up, so I always take out much cash as the machine would let me. All the convenience store & the grocery stores (not the outdoor markets) will accept visa and Mastercard, as well as the higher end restaurants.

    • @thuytruong-do7xr
      @thuytruong-do7xr Před 10 měsíci +2

      ⁠@@ninja.teacherYou are right about most family/ low cost restaurant don’t take card , now instead of cash you can transfer directly to owner account if you have VN account or you can use many other payment methods like Momo, Zalopay, Vnpay, etc. All is for free.

    • @MikeHoncho884
      @MikeHoncho884 Před 10 měsíci +1

      Charles Schwab has a monthly reimbursement for ATM fees when traveling abroad. I’m not sure if there’s a maximum if there is it’s probably a couple hundred dollars worth of fees.
      So that way you can use the ATM whenever you want to replenish your pocket cash?
      And maybe do a couple withdrawals to pay rent, depending on what the maximum withdrawal amount is ???

    • @hoodhunter3262
      @hoodhunter3262 Před 10 měsíci +1

      surprised that they limit to only $60. Though the amount may be considered as a lot in VN, but that is quite low for foreigners. Especially if you have multiple purchases and things to do. $120-150 will be the reasonable amount in VN per day.

  • @beachhouses1180
    @beachhouses1180 Před 8 měsíci

    Are there also options to teach French in Vietnam?

  • @Adam-gg7ps
    @Adam-gg7ps Před 10 měsíci +1

    Good vid... These prices seem similar to Nha Trang. Is this budget for HCMC?

  • @jjconnoway5613
    @jjconnoway5613 Před 9 měsíci

    Seems bit low for the baller budget. But thanks for the video now I have some measure to compare to

  • @jaymeez
    @jaymeez Před 9 měsíci +2

    Ballin on a Budget! $1,200 is Great! I can retire now! lol

  • @lanlam879
    @lanlam879 Před 10 měsíci

    I want to live there!

  • @user-vl6xt2rt7p
    @user-vl6xt2rt7p Před 10 měsíci +1

    The cost of living in Vietnam is still low compared to how costs are sky-rocketing in the west

  • @themarinect
    @themarinect Před 10 měsíci +4

    The title of this video is misleading. It should have the words "with foreigner's income". Because the cost of living in Vietnam is definitely not cheap with everyday local people

    • @thuytruong-do7xr
      @thuytruong-do7xr Před 10 měsíci +1

      Thanks for your thoughtful. You know that VNeses don’t eat much Western foods, we like vegetables for our meals, besides we are protected by Government insurance so we are most doing well. If we are sick, we ’d have foods for free in most hospitals , especially in city .They do charity for poor people but foods are quite good.

  • @pauljh6478
    @pauljh6478 Před 2 měsíci

    Can you provide a link for the Vietnamese restaurant at the start of the video please?

  • @softpink6300
    @softpink6300 Před 10 měsíci +2

    With that same amount you can also live comfortably in Manila

  • @Kification
    @Kification Před 15 dny

    Hello Ninja, what about healthcare coverage insurance? You don’t mention…

  • @daklakdigital3691
    @daklakdigital3691 Před 3 měsíci

    My VNese wife & l with two motorscooters, and a 2-bedroom condo in Quan 7, Co-op deli food daily our costs are CAD$1.200/month. We have, but never use, air conditioning. My wife doesn't drink and l have a few beers each month.
    We have a house cleaner for 2 hours on 3 days / week.

  • @dadbod7510
    @dadbod7510 Před 10 dny

    I see loads of videos about how 'amazing the food is in Vietnam, but are there any adventurous activities to do, or is it just food and bars?

  • @jamesquinn771
    @jamesquinn771 Před 2 měsíci

    the guy at the first resteraunt was legit

  • @suzistardust
    @suzistardust Před 4 měsíci +1

    Your friend from the UK is wrong, one Dragon fruit in England costs a little less than £3 in Waitrose supermarket...which is a posh supermarket.

    • @LAHSS1940
      @LAHSS1940 Před 4 měsíci

      😮really?? Here in Australia you can get Dragon fruit for between $27-$30 EACH🤬🤬 the greed in this country (Australia) is out of control!!

  • @GipsyDean
    @GipsyDean Před 10 měsíci +3

    I want to know the rent budget for beach towns like Nha Trang or Da Nang. Living in Hanoi or Saigon is not desirable.

    • @delfin7461
      @delfin7461 Před 8 měsíci +1

      Dá Nang is about 25-30% less for housing than Saigon. Food is about the same cost.

  • @YaseenKhaliiq
    @YaseenKhaliiq Před 9 měsíci

    hi do you prefer saigon or hanoi, can you recommend whats best for 30 days ?

    • @ninja.teacher
      @ninja.teacher  Před 9 měsíci

      I prefer Ho Chi Minh City for living but Hanoi is a great option for travel.

  • @NTQM816
    @NTQM816 Před měsícem

    ❤❤❤

  • @chineduisrael1289
    @chineduisrael1289 Před 8 měsíci

    hello NINJA teacher, your videos are very helpful =, i recently applied for vietnam tourist evisa and i was granted visa from 1-16 of november, however when i tried downloading the approval letter and i kept getting this response- Access Denied!
    Sorry, but you don't have permission to access this file!, please kindly advise way to resolve and download the letter. thanks i appreciate your swift feedback.

    • @humbafloobs8981
      @humbafloobs8981 Před 8 měsíci

      i had a problem downloading also. In my case i was using a VPN so Had to make sure VPN was turned off to gain access.

  • @Superone55
    @Superone55 Před 8 měsíci

    How much is an emergency hospital visit, or a dental procedure. Thank you

  • @Ni1234ckA
    @Ni1234ckA Před 8 měsíci

    IS THERE CHANCE YOU TELL US HOW MUCH IS COKE,PESI AND SO ON AND YESS IRRESPECTIVE OF YOUR TASTE FOR SODA.