Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Editor
March 12, 2023
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is an exciting and vibrant destination for digital nomads. With its bustling streets, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine, it is no wonder why so many digital nomads are drawn to this city. According to the World Bank, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, with a population of over 8 million people. It is also the economic hub of the country, with a GDP of over $100 billion. The city is home to a wide variety of industries, including finance, technology, and tourism. Additionally, the cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City is relatively low, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads. The city also offers a wide range of activities and attractions, from the bustling nightlife to the beautiful beaches. With its vibrant culture, delicious food, and low cost of living, Ho Chi Minh City is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to explore a new city and experience a different culture.
Living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
101%
Quality of life -
27%
Cost of living -
82%
Connectivity -
63%
Weather
39
General
| Currency | VND |
| Population (in millions) | 8.9 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 145 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | District 1, District 3 |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 70 |
| Top selling local beer | Saigon |
| Most popular local dish | Pho |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, War Remnants Museum |
| Discount airline | Vietjet |
| Major airline | Vietnam Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Grab |
| Primary train stations | Saigon Railway Station, Binh Trieu Railway Station, Go Vap Railway Station |
| Primary airports | Tan Son Nhat, Can Tho, and Phu Quoc |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 2000000 VND |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Level 2, Vincom Center, 72 Le Thanh Ton, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 20 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A,C |
| Supply voltage | 220V |
| Best electronics store | FPT |
| Best internet carrier | Viettel |
| Primary cellular carrier | Viettel |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 200,000 VND |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Watsons |
| Best restaurant chain | Pho 24 |
| The best grocery store | Co.opmart |
| The most popular fashion brand | Uniqlo |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $3,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $7000 |
| Sales tax rate | 10% |
| Income tax rate | 20% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 30 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 8.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 20000 VND |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Vietcombank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 5-10% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Becoming more common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 115 (general), 113 (police), 114 (ambulance), 112 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 4,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 73 |
| Main religion | Buddhism |
Quality of life
101%
-
47%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
285%
Property to income -
53%
Crime -
60%
Healthcare -
63%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ₫11,338,710 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 9.42% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | ₫6,454,545 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | ₫353,571,429 |
Cost of living
27%
-
Purchasing Power
31%
-
Rent
16%
-
Food
37%
-
Restaurant
20%
-
Workspace
92%
-
Transport
31%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | ₫12,057,692.31 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₫7,265,770.08 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | ₫29,547,310.24 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₫15,270,686.9 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | ₫279,166.67 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | ₫36,633.33 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | ₫29,250 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | ₫37,955.56 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | ₫261,769.23 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | ₫12,565.22 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ₫200,000 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | ₫21,967.53 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₫35,600 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | ₫30,000 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | ₫87,090.91 |
| Apples (1kg) | ₫80,272.73 |
| Oranges (1kg) | ₫34,523.81 |
| Potato (1kg) | ₫32,882.35 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ₫27,416.67 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | ₫22,333.33 |
| Tomato (1kg) | ₫31,047.62 |
| Banana (1kg) | ₫25,090.91 |
| Onion (1kg) | ₫36,000 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | ₫283,611.11 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | ₫50,000 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | ₫600,000 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | ₫100,000 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | ₫25,000 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₫50,000 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | ₫13,428.55 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | ₫7,429.74 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | ₫48,517.69 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | ₫1,688,922.77 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | ₫1,370 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | ₫280,000 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | ₫646,296.3 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | ₫279,166.67 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | ₫90,000 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | ₫7,000 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | ₫167,500 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | ₫27,982.58 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₫1,000,000,000 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₫905,000,000 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | ₫15,000 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | ₫15,500 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | ₫50,000 |