Cost Of Living For a Student in Vietnam 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: VND
Average monthly spending for students in Vietnam
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Vietnam?
Students in Vietnam spend around 15M VND per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 2.3M VND or as high as 100M VND. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Vietnam
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 30,000 VND | 60,000 VND | 100,000 VND |
Restaurant meal for one
| 100,000 VND | 150,000 VND | 300,000 VND |
Fine dining meal for one
| 200,000 VND | 300,000 VND | 1.2M VND |
Cappuccino or latte
| 25,000 VND | 40,000 VND | 60,000 VND |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
| 20,000 VND | 24,000 VND | 30,000 VND |
12 eggs
| 15,000 VND | 20,000 VND | 30,000 VND |
Fresh whole chicken
| 34,000 VND | 44,000 VND | 63,000 VND |
Pack of beef
| 40,000 VND | 60,000 VND | 120,000 VND |
Medium bag of rice
| 16,000 VND | 22,000 VND | 31,000 VND |
Bag of tomatos
| 6,000 VND | 8,000 VND | 15,000 VND |
Bag of apples
| 11,000 VND | 14,000 VND | 23,000 VND |
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 25,000 VND | 30,000 VND | 60,000 VND |
Average car full tank
| 150,000 VND | 200,000 VND | 400,000 VND |
Average car 1-day rental
| 150,000 VND | 200,000 VND | 300,000 VND |
Average car price
| 75M VND | 150M VND | 200M VND |
Bus ticket one way
| 5,000 VND | 7,500 VND | 15,000 VND |
Car Service
| 200,000 VND | 300,000 VND | 600,000 VND |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 91,000 VND | 610,000 VND | 4M VND |
Internet and cable
| 150,000 VND | 300,000 VND | 400,000 VND |
Mobile phone charges
| 120,000 VND | 200,000 VND | 600,000 VND |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 75,000 VND | 100,000 VND | 150,000 VND |
One month gym membership
| 240,000 VND | 300,000 VND | 600,000 VND |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 180,000 VND | 250,000 VND | 380,000 VND |
Woman dress
| 170,000 VND | 230,000 VND | 750,000 VND |
Woman shoes
| 160,000 VND | 210,000 VND | 500,000 VND |
Men's shoes
| 140,000 VND | 170,000 VND | 330,000 VND |
Men suit
| 150,000 VND | 190,000 VND | 1,000,000 VND |
Regular t-shirt
| 75,000 VND | 100,000 VND | 300,000 VND |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 2.5M VND | 3.8M VND | 10M VND |
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 500M VND | 750M VND | 1,500M VND |
1-bedroom apartment
| 600M VND | 1,000M VND | 3,800M VND |
2-bedroom apartment
| 1,000M VND | 3,000M VND | 6,000M VND |
| $40,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
Double Bed
Single Bed
Living Room
| 3.3M VND | 4.3M VND | 15M VND |
Dining Table
Sofa or Couch
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
Fridge or Freezer
| 1.8M VND | 2.7M VND | 3.8M VND |
Washing Machine
Stove or Cooker
| 2.1M VND | 2.7M VND | 3.8M VND |
Mobile Phone
Laptop or Computer
How do students spend their money in Vietnam?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $22 550,000 VND |
| AVERAGE | $150 3.6M VND |
| HIGH | $980 24M VND |
| Per Month |
Students in Vietnam typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 3.6M VND with expenditure ranging from 550,000 VND to 24M VND. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $3.7 91,000 VND |
| AVERAGE | $24 610,000 VND |
| HIGH | $160 4M VND |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Vietnam ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 610,000 VND with 91,000 VND and 4M VND being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $6.4 160,000 VND |
| AVERAGE | $43 1.1M VND |
| HIGH | $280 7.1M VND |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 160,000 VND to 7.1M VND in a month on commuting with 1.1M VND being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $18 460,000 VND |
| AVERAGE | $120 3M VND |
| HIGH | $810 20M VND |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Vietnam is 3M VND. The cost of groceries can range between 460,000 VND to 20M VND. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $5.5 140,000 VND |
| AVERAGE | $37 910,000 VND |
| HIGH | $240 6.1M VND |
| Per Month |
Students in Vietnam allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 140,000 VND to 6.1M VND with 910,000 VND being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $4.6 110,000 VND |
| AVERAGE | $31 760,000 VND |
| HIGH | $200 5M VND |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 110,000 VND to 5M VND with 760,000 VND being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $17 430,000 VND |
| AVERAGE | $120 2.9M VND |
| HIGH | $770 19M VND |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 2.9M VND per month with 430,000 VND being the minimum spent amount and 19M VND being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $14 340,000 VND |
| AVERAGE | $92 2.3M VND |
| HIGH | $610 15M VND |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Vietnam
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Vietnam?
Around 50% of surveyed students think that living in Vietnam is affordable with proper budgeting while 50% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Vietnam
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options53%
Few low-cost options47%
Based on the survey, 53% of the students living in Vietnam have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 47% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Vietnam whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes45%
No55%
Based on the survey, 55% of the students living in Vietnam said that they don't have an emergency fund while 45% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Vietnam
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy45%
We asked student guardians and parents in Vietnam whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 55% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 45% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Vietnam have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 60% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 40% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance60%
Easily manages finances40%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Vietnam
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Vietnam
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 2.5M VND | 3.8M VND | 10M VND |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
Townhouse monthly rent cost
House monthly rent cost
Villa monthly rent cost
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Vietnam ranges between 2.5M VND and 10M VND, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 3.8M VND to 15M VND. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 5M VND and 20M VND per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 6M VND to 27M VND. The average rent of a townhouse in Vietnam is around 15M VND while house rental costs can be as high as 30M VND per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 15M VND to 60M VND per month.
Apartment and house prices in Vietnam
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 500M VND | 750M VND | 1,500M VND |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 600M VND | 1,000M VND | 3,800M VND |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 1,000M VND | 3,000M VND | 6,000M VND |
| $40,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 3,300M VND | 5,000M VND | 15,000M VND |
| $130,000 | $200,000 | $600,000 |
Townhouse price
| 4,300M VND | 10,000M VND | 38,000M VND |
House price
| 5,000M VND | 30,000M VND | 43,000M VND |
Villa price
| 6,000M VND | 33,000M VND | 50,000M VND |
The average price of a studio apartment in Vietnam can range from 500M VND to 1,500M VND depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 600M VND to 3,800M VND. A villa can cost you 33,000M VND on average with prices ranging from 6,000M VND to 50,000M VND.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Vietnam will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 31 | x88 monthly income | 193 |
Property prices in Vietnam can be x88 to x193 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x88 multiples of the average monthly salary in Vietnam.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Vietnam is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 39% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
27% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 46,000 VND | 590,000 VND | 5.9M VND |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Vietnam
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Vietnam
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 91,000 VND | 610,000 VND | 4M VND |
Internet and cable cost
| 150,000 VND | 300,000 VND | 400,000 VND |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 120,000 VND | 200,000 VND | 600,000 VND |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 610,000 VND. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 150,000 VND to 400,000 VND with 300,000 VND being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 200,000 VND but can range between 120,000 VND and 600,000 VND depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Vietnam is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Vietnam
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Vietnam
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 30,000 VND | 60,000 VND | 100,000 VND |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Vietnam is approximatly 60,000 VND with meal cost ranging from 30,000 VND to 100,000 VND. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 100,000 VND | 150,000 VND | 300,000 VND |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 100,000 VND and 300,000 VND with 150,000 VND being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Vietnam.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 200,000 VND | 300,000 VND | 1.2M VND |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 200,000 VND to 1.2M VND with the average cost being 300,000 VND for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Vietnam.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 25,000 VND | 40,000 VND | 60,000 VND |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Vietnam is around 40,000 VND. Price ranges between 25,000 VND and 60,000 VND depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
| 20,000 VND | 24,000 VND | 30,000 VND |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Vietnam is 24,000 VND. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 30,000 VND and the minimum being 20,000 VND depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
| 15,000 VND | 20,000 VND | 30,000 VND |
A dozen eggs costs around 20,000 VND on average with 15,000 VND and 30,000 VND being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 34,000 VND | 44,000 VND | 63,000 VND |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Vietnam is between 34,000 VND and 63,000 VND depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 44,000 VND.
Pack of beef price
| 40,000 VND | 60,000 VND | 120,000 VND |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 60,000 VND. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
| 16,000 VND | 22,000 VND | 31,000 VND |
A bag of rice in Vietnam costs around 22,000 VND on average with prices rangeing between 16,000 VND and 31,000 VND depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
| 6,000 VND | 8,000 VND | 15,000 VND |
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 6,000 VND to 15,000 VND. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
| 11,000 VND | 14,000 VND | 23,000 VND |
A bag of apples costs 14,000 VND on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Vietnam is around 27%. This means that students spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 460,000 VND to 20M VND with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
