How Much Does it Cost to Live as a Digital Nomad in Vietnam?

Most “cost of living in Vietnam” posts online were written before 2023. They quote $500-a-month budgets and visa rules that no longer apply. In 2026, rents in the big cities are higher, e-visas are easier to get, and there is still no official digital nomad visa. This guide covers the real logistics and the real numbers for anyone planning to live and work here for one to six months. Exchange rates below use roughly 26,000 VND = 1 USD.

Visa and Legal Costs: What Staying Legally Costs in 2026

Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad visa. You work from here under a regular visa category, so your visa choice is your first real expense.

Visa-exempt entry

Citizens of several countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea, can enter without a visa for 45 days. It costs nothing, but you must leave when the stamp expires. For a stay of two to six months, it only covers the first part.

E-visa

The e-visa lets most nationalities stay up to 90 days. A single-entry e-visa costs about US$25 (around 650,000 VND), and a multiple-entry one costs about US$50 (around 1,300,000 VND). You apply on the official government portal, and processing usually takes a few working days. Avoid third-party sites that add a “service fee” of $30 to $60 for the same form.

Legally, the e-visa is a tourist visa. Working remotely for a foreign employer or foreign clients is a grey area. Vietnamese law does not clearly address it, and enforcement against remote workers is rare. But you should know your status is “tourist,” not “worker.” If you will work for or earn money from a Vietnamese company, you need the proper paperwork.

Business visa (DN) and work permits

A business visa requires a Vietnamese sponsor, usually a registered company. Agents typically charge 2,500,000–5,000,000 VND ($95–$190) for a three-month multiple-entry visa. Sponsors vary in quality, so choose a licensed agent with references.

Work permits are required for foreigners employed by a Vietnamese entity. A few exemptions exist, such as short-term assignments (under 30 days, up to three times a year) in certain roles. Freelancers serving only overseas clients usually fall outside the work-permit system, but they also have no work-based route to long-term residence.

Temporary Residence Card (TRC)

A TRC lets you stay for up to two years without visa runs. It requires a sponsor: an employer, your own Vietnamese company, an investor connection, or a Vietnamese spouse or family member. Official fees run roughly $145–$200, but with agent and document costs, expect 8,000,000–20,000,000 VND ($300–$770) in total. For stays under six months, a TRC rarely makes sense. For a year or more, it is the cleanest option.

Rules in this area have changed several times since 2024, and the amended entry and residence law is still being implemented. Check the Immigration Department site or a reputable agent before you commit.

Monthly Budget Reality in 2026

These figures cover one person living alone, not including flights or your visa. They assume a mix of local and Western-style spending.

Budget: 15,000,000–20,000,000 VND ($580–$770) per month

• Rent: 6,000,000–9,000,000 VND (a basic studio or room in a shared building)
• Food: 4,000,000–6,000,000 VND (mostly local meals)
• Transport, SIM and utilities: 2,000,000–3,000,000 VND
• Insurance and extras: 1,500,000–2,500,000 VND

Mid-range: 30,000,000–42,000,000 VND ($1,150–$1,600) per month

• Rent: 12,000,000–20,000,000 VND (a modern one-bedroom apartment)
• Food: 8,000,000–12,000,000 VND (local and Western meals, regular café visits)
• Transport, SIM and utilities: 3,500,000–5,000,000 VND
• Insurance, gym and leisure: 5,000,000–8,000,000 VND

Comfortable: 55,000,000–80,000,000 VND ($2,100–$3,100) per month

• Rent: 25,000,000–40,000,000 VND (a serviced apartment with a pool and gym)
• Food: 15,000,000–20,000,000 VND (frequent dining out, imported groceries)
• Transport, utilities and housekeeping: 6,000,000–10,000,000 VND
• Insurance, travel and leisure: 9,000,000–15,000,000 VND

Compared with 2024, rents in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have risen noticeably, often by 10–15% for modern buildings. Street food and local services have risen more slowly.

Long-Term Rent: Deposits, Contracts and City Prices

Housing is your largest expense and the one you control most. How you rent matters as much as where.

Typical 2026 rent for a one-bedroom apartment

• Ho Chi Minh City: 12,000,000–25,000,000 VND ($460–$960)
• Hanoi: 10,000,000–22,000,000 VND ($385–$850)
• Da Nang: 8,000,000–15,000,000 VND ($310–$580)
• Smaller cities such as Da Lat or Hue: 5,000,000–10,000,000 VND ($190–$385)

How leases work

Standard long-term contracts run six or twelve months, and landlords usually ask for a deposit of one to two months’ rent plus the first month in advance. For stays under six months, look at serviced apartments or monthly Airbnb-style bookings. They cost 20–40% more per month but need no deposit, include cleaning and internet, and let you leave without penalty.

If you sign a lease, ask for it in writing in English and Vietnamese, with utilities clearly listed. Electricity is often charged above the state rate in private buildings (about 3,500–4,000 VND per kWh instead of roughly 2,000–3,000), and running air conditioning all day in the hot season can add 1,000,000–2,000,000 VND ($40–$75) to your bill.

Health Insurance and Medical Costs

Health insurance is not required for an e-visa or visa-exempt entry, but going without it is a real gamble. Private clinics in the big cities are good and affordable for routine care. A general consultation costs about 500,000–1,500,000 VND ($20–$58). Serious treatment or evacuation, however, can reach thousands of dollars.

• Basic travel insurance for long stays: about 1,000,000–2,000,000 VND ($40–$75) per month. Check that it covers stays over 30 days.
• Nomad or expat health plans: about 2,500,000–6,500,000 VND ($95–$250) per month, depending on age, cover level and whether outpatient care is included.
• Local private insurance: cheaper in some cases, but often limited to Vietnam and sometimes restricted for foreigners without a TRC.

Dental work and prescriptions are cheaper than in most Western countries. A basic dental cleaning costs around 300,000–600,000 VND ($12–$23). Pharmacies sell many medicines without a prescription, so ask your doctor for the generic names before you travel.

If you apply for a TRC or a business visa through a sponsor, ask whether proof of insurance is required. It is increasingly requested.

Food and Daily Living Costs

Food is where Vietnam still delivers real savings. At a sidewalk stall at dawn, the smell of pho broth drifts across the street and a bowl costs 35,000–60,000 VND ($1.35–$2.30). Later, the sizzle of banh xeo batter hitting a hot pan marks lunch for about 40,000–70,000 VND.

Typical 2026 prices

• Local meal (com tam, bun cha, banh mi plate): 35,000–70,000 VND ($1.35–$2.70)
• Mid-range restaurant meal: 120,000–250,000 VND ($4.60–$9.60)
• Western brunch or Italian dinner: 200,000–450,000 VND ($7.70–$17)
• Vietnamese iced coffee: 20,000–35,000 VND ($0.77–$1.35)
• Specialty coffee: 55,000–90,000 VND ($2.10–$3.50)
• Local beer (bottle or glass): 20,000–40,000 VND ($0.77–$1.55)
• Laundry: 20,000–30,000 VND per kg ($0.77–$1.15)
• Gym membership: 600,000–1,500,000 VND ($23–$58) per month

Cooking at home is not always cheaper. Local produce from wet markets is very cheap, but imported cheese, olive oil, oats and meat can cost as much as in Europe. People who eat mostly Vietnamese food spend far less than those who stick to Western habits. That one choice can change your food budget by 50% or more.

Delivery apps such as Grab and Be run frequent promotions, often cutting 20–40% from the menu price, which makes ordering in cheap on busy work days.

Getting Around, SIM and Internet Costs

You do not need to own a vehicle. Most long-stay residents rely on ride-hailing apps, with Grab and Be offering both cars and motorbike taxis.

• Motorbike taxi (short city ride, 3–5 km): 20,000–45,000 VND ($0.77–$1.75)
• Car ride (same distance): 50,000–100,000 VND ($1.90–$3.85)
• Monthly motorbike rental (semi-automatic or scooter): 1,200,000–2,500,000 VND ($46–$96)
• Petrol: about 1,000,000 VND ($38) per month for typical city use

To ride legally, you need a Vietnamese licence or a valid licence and an International Driving Permit that covers motorbikes. Many insurance policies are void without it. Police checks have become stricter in recent years.

Public transport is improving. Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line has been running since late 2024, and Hanoi’s metro network keeps expanding. Single fares are low, around 7,000–20,000 VND ($0.27–$0.77), but coverage is still limited, so most people still depend on apps.

SIM and home internet

Since 2024, SIM registration requires biometric verification with your passport, which you complete at a carrier shop. A monthly data plan from Viettel, Mobifone or Vinaphone costs about 100,000–250,000 VND ($4–$10), with generous data. Home fibre internet costs 200,000–350,000 VND ($7.70–$13.50) per month, often included in serviced apartment rent. Speeds of 100–300 Mbps are standard in the big cities. A backup mobile hotspot is a smart extra, since power and line cuts still happen.

Hidden Costs Most Budgets Miss

The monthly numbers above are the easy part. These costs catch long-stay residents out.

Banking and money transfers

Vietnamese ATMs cap withdrawals at 2,000,000–5,000,000 VND per transaction, and each withdrawal usually carries a fee of 20,000–60,000 VND ($0.77–$2.30), plus any fee from your home bank. Over a month, small withdrawals can quietly add $15–$40. Using larger withdrawals and a card with no foreign-transaction fee helps. Opening a local bank account generally requires a visa of at least three months or a TRC.

Tax residency

Spending 183 days or more in Vietnam within a 12-month period can make you a Vietnamese tax resident. That may bring tax obligations on worldwide income, so talk to a tax adviser before you plan a long stay. This is a legal question, not a budget line, but the consequences can be expensive.

Visa runs and agent fees

If you stay on repeated e-visas, plan for the fee every 90 days, plus occasional exits. Regional flights to Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur cost about 1,800,000–4,500,000 VND ($70–$175) return when booked ahead. Agents who offer “visa extensions” should be checked carefully, and prices that sound too low usually are.

Setup costs

Your first month costs more than the following ones. Budget an extra 3,000,000–10,000,000 VND ($115–$385) for a deposit, a SIM, a desk chair or monitor, bedding, and a first stock of household items. Power adapters, surge protectors and a UPS for your laptop are cheap and worth buying early.

Flights and travel

Round-trip international flights vary widely, from about 15,000,000 VND ($575) from Asia or Australia to 30,000,000 VND ($1,150) or more from Europe or North America. Weekend trips within Vietnam add up too, with domestic flights costing 800,000–2,500,000 VND ($30–$96) each way. A high-speed rail link is still some years away, so flights remain the main way to cover long distances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a digital nomad visa in Vietnam in 2026?

No. Vietnam does not offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Remote workers usually stay on a visa-exempt entry, an e-visa up to 90 days, or a sponsored business visa or temporary residence card. Rules can change, so check official immigration sources before you book a long stay.

How much money do I need per month to live in Vietnam as a digital nomad?

Most nomads spend between 15 and 42 million VND ($580–$1,600) per month. A budget lifestyle with local food and a basic apartment sits at the low end. A modern one-bedroom, regular dining out and good insurance puts you in the mid-range. Flights and visa costs are extra.

Can I work remotely on a tourist e-visa in Vietnam?

The e-visa is legally a tourist visa, and the rules on remote work for foreign clients are unclear. Many people do it, and enforcement is rare. Working for a Vietnamese company requires a work permit or a valid exemption. If you want certainty, a sponsored business visa or TRC is safer.

Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand for digital nomads?

Generally yes, especially for food, local transport and mid-range rent outside the largest cities. Modern apartments in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi now cost close to equivalent places in Thailand. Vietnam’s cost advantage is biggest if you eat locally and avoid imported goods.

Do I need health insurance to live in Vietnam?

It is not required for an e-visa or visa-free entry, but it is strongly recommended. Private hospitals are good but expensive for serious treatment, and evacuation costs can reach thousands of dollars. Some sponsors and visa types request proof of cover, so buy a policy valid for your full stay.

📷 Featured image by moerwijk on Unsplash.