Đèn kéo quân tại Chợ hoa Nguyễn Huệ, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh.

Capture of Saigon by France, 18th February 1859.

Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

U.S. Fairchild UC-123B Provider aircraft cropdusting in Vietnam…

Vietnam

Country Information of Vietnam

Vietnam is a vibrant Southeast Asian nation located on the eastern edge of the Indochinese peninsula, bordered by China, Laos, and Cambodia. Stretching approximately 1,650 kilometers along the eastern coastline, the country features a diverse landsca...

Capital

Hanoi

Languages

Vietnamese

UN-Member?

Yes

Major Cities

Ho Chi Minh City,Hanoi,Quy Nhơn,Vinh,Nha Trang,Thủ Dầu Một,Cam Ranh,Pleiku,Ben Tre,Kon Tum

Major Cities

What Expats Say About VietnamBETA

Research in Progress

We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Vietnam. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!

We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.

Demographics in Vietnam

Life Expectancy

76.3

Population

97,338,583

Religions

Currently under research

Ethnic Composition

{{vunblist

N/A

| 85.32% Kinh Vietnamese

N/A

| 14.68% other}

N/A

Climate & Weather in Vietnam

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Safety & Security in Vietnam

Overall Safety Score

Calculated from crime, safety, and healthcare indices

MODERATE

/100

Worldwide Average

Moderate54/100

Asia Average

Moderate57/100

Crime & Safety Metrics

Index

Compare:

Vietnam

Asia Average

Safety Index

Moderate

Safety from Crime

Moderate

Safe Alone (Day)

Good

Safe Alone (Night)

Moderate

Safety from Violent Crime

Moderate

Safety from Property Crime

Moderate

Healthcare & Emergency Response

Index

Healthcare Index

Adequate

Healthcare Quality

Adequate

Emergency Response

Adequate

Emergency Services

• Emergency Number: 113 (Police), 114 (Medical), 115 (Fire)

• Ambulance Response: 10-20 minutes urban, 30-45 minutes rural

• Hospital Coverage: Public healthcare system with provincial hospitals

• Trauma Centers: Major centers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City

• Language Support: Limited English in emergency services

Emergency Numbers:

• Medical: 114

• Police: 113

• Fire: 115

Response Times:

• Urban areas: ~15 minutes

• Rural areas: ~35 minutes

Hospital System:

Predominantly public healthcare system with limited private options, concentrated in major urban centers

Major Trauma Centers:

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang

Language Support:

Emergency services primarily operate in Vietnamese, limited English interpretation

Data Completeness: complete

Entry Restrictions in Vietnam

Summarizing data... just a few seconds

Visa Requirements for Vietnam

Photo Gallery of Vietnam

20 photos • Click any image to view larger

Living Costs in Vietnam

Extremely affordable country with living costs approximately 70% lower than Western European standards, offering very budget-friendly lifestyle for expatriates.

Crime & Safety in Vietnam

Generally safe country with low violent crime rates, though petty theft can occur in urban tourist areas. Most regions considered secure for expatriates.

Safety Index: 59.90 | Crime Level: 40.10

Health System in Vietnam

Mixed public-private healthcare system with improving infrastructure. Public facilities are affordable but may have limited advanced medical technologies.

Quality Rating: 6.5/10

Advantages in Vietnam

Extremely low cost of living compared to Western countries
Rapidly growing economy with increasing job opportunities
Rich cultural heritage and beautiful diverse landscapes
Warm, welcoming local population with strong community values

Disadvantages in Vietnam

Complex bureaucratic processes for foreign residents
Limited English proficiency outside major cities
Challenging infrastructure in rural regions
Potential language barriers for professional integration

Government & Politics in Vietnam

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Economic Overview in Vietnam

Index

GDP

$408.80B

HDI

0.7

Quality of Life

39/100

-4 vs NYC

Purchasing Power

18/100

-24 vs NYC

Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Vietnam. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.

Economic & Living Costs in Vietnam

Food & Dining Costs

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

30000-100000 ₫

Avg: 65000 ₫

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

340894.48-1311132.61 ₫

Avg: 826013.54 ₫

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

95000-150000 ₫

Avg: 122500 ₫

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

15000-50000 ₫

Avg: 32500 ₫

Housing & Real Estate Costs

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

6000000-16000000 ₫

Avg: 11000000 ₫

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

4000000-11000000 ₫

Avg: 7500000 ₫

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

12000000-35000000 ₫

Avg: 23500000 ₫

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

9000000-24432939.41 ₫

Avg: 16716469.7 ₫

Transportation Costs

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

7000-12000 ₫

Avg: 9500 ₫

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

50000-150000 ₫

Avg: 100000 ₫

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

150000-345000 ₫

Avg: 247500 ₫

Gasoline (1 liter)

21000-26163 ₫

Avg: 23581.5 ₫

Utilities & Communications Costs

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment

1105000-3269230.77 ₫

Avg: 2187115.38 ₫

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

179000-300000 ₫

Avg: 239500 ₫

Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data

90000-250000 ₫

Avg: 170000 ₫

Grocery Costs

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

30000-45000 ₫

Avg: 37500 ₫

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

10000-50000 ₫

Avg: 30000 ₫

Eggs (regular) (12)

24000-51282 ₫

Avg: 37641 ₫

Local Cheese (1kg)

145000-600000 ₫

Avg: 372500 ₫

Entertainment & Sports Costs

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

300000-1100000 ₫

Avg: 700000 ₫

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

120000-300000 ₫

Avg: 210000 ₫

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

79000-150000 ₫

Avg: 114500 ₫

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

3000000-10000000 ₫

Avg: 6500000 ₫

Last updated: 2025-03-30

Education System in Vietnam

Research in progress... please wait a minute

Transportation & Infrastructure in Vietnam

Vietnam's transportation landscape is rapidly evolving with massive infrastructure investments amid a population of 97 million. Key strengths include expanding expressways (targeting 3,000km by 2025), emerging urban metros in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and 90 airports with 21 major ones. Challenges persist in congestion, uneven rural connectivity, and developing high-speed rail. Residents and visitors rely on affordable buses, motorbikes, growing rail, and domestic flights for mobility.

Public Transport

Below Average

Road Infrastructure

Moderate

Public Transport

4.2/10

Basic bus networks cover major cities like Hanoi and HCMC with frequent but crowded services. Emerging metro lines (Hanoi Line 2/3, HCMC Line 1) operational or under construction, limited coverage. Conventional rail connects north-south but slow. Poor mode integration, variable accessibility.

Road Infrastructure

5.8/10

2,000+ km expressways operational, expanding to 3,000km by 2025 and 5,000km by 2030 via North-South Expressway. Urban ring roads (Hanoi 4, HCMC 3) easing congestion. National highways adequate but maintenance varies; rural roads fair-poor. Right-hand driving. ITS deployment starting on highways.

Internet Speed

6.8/10

Solid broadband growth with fiber expanding in urban areas. Mobile internet strong via 4G/5G. Rural-urban gap narrowing through investments.

Avg: 180+ Mbps • Widespread in cities (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang), growing to provincial areas; ~40% national household coverage by 2025

Airport Connectivity

7.2/10

90 airports total, 21 major providing good domestic coverage. Strong regional links via Noi Bai (HAN) and Tan Son Nhat (SGN). Long Thanh International under construction as future hub. Accessible but congested in peaks.

Hubs: Noi Bai (HAN) - Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat (SGN) - Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang (DAD), Cam Ranh (CXR)

Transportation Costs

Metro Pass: 50,000-100,000 VND/month (HCMC/Hanoi buses)
Bus Trip: 7,000-12,000 VND per ride
Taxi: 10,000-15,000 VND start + 12,000-15,000 VND/km (Grab/GoJek similar)
High-speed Train: Not operational; conventional Hanoi-HCMC ~1,000,000 VND (24-30h); HSR planned 2035

Mobile Network

5G Coverage: Major cities (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang) fully covered by Viettel, VNPT, Mobifone; expanding to 60+ provinces by 2026

4G Coverage: 98%+ nationwide, including rural and remote areas

Reliable networks from Viettel (market leader), VNPT, Mobifone. High speeds in urban zones, good rural 4G; minimal outages.

Driving License

IDP requiredConversion needed

International Driving Permit (IDP) required with home license for tourists (up to 3 months). EU/non-VN licenses valid short-term with IDP. Long-stay residents (over 3 months) must convert to Vietnamese license via exam/recognized exchange for some countries. Right-hand drive.

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Work & Business in Vietnam

Vietnam's dynamic work and business environment is fueled by robust GDP growth of over 7% annually, a young population exceeding 97 million, and strategic positioning as a manufacturing and FDI hub. Key strengths include electronics, textiles, and agriculture, with emerging focus on high-tech, digital transformation, and green growth. Workers benefit from high labor force participation and expanding opportunities in services and tech, while entrepreneurs leverage government incentives, streamlined regulations, and a thriving startup scene targeting 10% GDP growth in 2026.[1][2][3]

Employment Rate

72.0%

High employment rate driven by manufacturing and services recovery. Labor force participation around 77%, low unemployment at ~2%, but youth and informal sector challenges persist. Strong job growth in exports, tourism, and tech.[1][3]

Startup Ecosystem

65.0%

Growing ecosystem with VC funding rise, government incentives for SMEs, and hubs in Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City. Focus on digital, green tech; unicorns like VNG, Tiki. Supportive policies for innovation and FDI integration.[2][3][4]

Average Salary Range

₫60,000,000 - ₫360,000,000 annually

Average salaries ~60-360M VND/year (USD 2.4k-14.5k). Higher in tech/manufacturing (100-500M VND); urban-rural gap. Moderate purchasing power; low cost of living offsets lower wages. Tech expats earn more.[3]

Work Visa Requirements

EU Citizens:

EU citizens get 45-day visa-free entry; work permit required for employment. Apply via employer sponsorship through MOLISA; 2-4 weeks processing.

Non-EU Citizens:

Work visa (LD1/LD2) needed; employer-sponsored. Skilled workers qualify for talent visas; digital nomad options limited. Processing 1-3 months.

Strict work permit system via Department of Labor; requires job offer, qualifications proof. Investor/entrepreneur visas available. 2025 reforms streamline for high-tech talent; timelines 2-8 weeks.[2][3]

Business Registration

Timeline:

3-7 business days

Online via National Business Registration Portal (dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn). LLC most common; docs include charter, ID. Low fees (~VND 100k); 2025 reforms cut red tape. Ranked improved in Ease of Doing Business.[2][3][4]

Remote Work Policies

Legal Status:

No specific remote work law; governed by Labor Code 2019. Employers can arrange WFH contracts; digital nomad visa pilots emerging for 2026.

Hybrid models common in tech/IT post-pandemic; co-working spaces abundant in HCMC/Hanoi. Growing acceptance in FDI firms; cross-border remote limited by tax/work permit rules.[1][2]

Key Industries

Electronics & Manufacturing

Textiles & Garments

Agriculture

Tourism

Technology & IT

Renewable Energy

Construction

Job Opportunities by Sector

Electronics & Manufacturing:

High demand for engineers, technicians in FDI factories (Samsung, Intel). Rapid growth; salaries 100-300M VND. Export-driven expansion.[1][3]

Technology & IT:

Software devs, AI specialists needed in HCMC/Hanoi hubs. VC-backed startups hiring; salaries 150-500M VND. Digital economy push.[2][4]

Tourism & Hospitality:

Post-recovery surge; hotel staff, guides in demand. Multilingual roles; seasonal highs, salaries 80-200M VND.[1]

Agriculture & Agrotech:

Green tech roles, processing; rural opportunities. Govt support for sustainable farming; avg 60-150M VND.[5]

Renewable Energy:

Engineers for solar/wind projects; net-zero push. High growth potential, skilled expat hires; 120-400M VND.[3][5]

Construction & Infrastructure:

Public investment boom; engineers, managers sought. FDI-linked projects; salaries 100-250M VND.[1][4]

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Retirement & Senior Living in Vietnam

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Legal & Administrative in Vietnam

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Environment & Sustainability in Vietnam

Vietnam faces significant environmental challenges due to rapid development and climate vulnerability. Average temperatures have risen faster than global averages, with irregular rainfall and more frequent extreme weather. Current policies are rated critically insufficient for 1.5°C goals, projecting emissions of 686–722 MtCO2e by 2030. Coastal areas experience sea level rise, increasing flood risks. Sustainability efforts include renewable energy expansion and adaptation plans, but air quality remains stable with N/A metrics, and data gaps persist in recycling and renewables.

Air Quality Index

Moderate

5.0/10

Stable trend

Vietnam's air quality trend is stable per database, but urban areas like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City face pollution from industry and traffic. Government initiatives include PDP8 updates for cleaner energy, yet comprehensive AQI data is N/A. Regulations target industrial emissions, but effectiveness is limited amid rising energy use.

Water Quality

Moderate

5.0/10

Water quality in Vietnam varies, with pollution from industry, agriculture, and urban runoff affecting rivers and coastal areas. Access to clean water is improving in urban zones but challenged by climate impacts like saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta. Government monitoring exists, but treatment standards need enhancement for safe drinking.

Many rural areas rely on untreated sources; urban treatment covers major cities but contamination risks persist.

Recycling System

Vietnam's recycling infrastructure is developing, with urban collection systems but low national rates (N/A per database). Focus on plastic waste reduction amid Mekong pollution. No specific types listed in database; efforts target household waste management.

Green Spaces

Vietnam targets 43% forest coverage through sustainable management to achieve 95 MtCO2e sink by 2030. National parks and protected areas support biodiversity amid deforestation pressures from agriculture.

Forest Coverage: 43.0%

National Parks: 30

Efforts include improving forest quality for carbon absorption, critical for net-zero goals.

Environmental Policies

Vietnam's policies include PDP8 amended in 2025 for 73 GW solar/wind by 2030, JETP for methane reduction, and NAP 2021-2030 for adaptation. Paris Agreement commitments updated in NDC 3.0. Emissions trading pilot starts 2025.

Key Policies:

•PDP8 2025 Amendment
•National Adaptation Plan 2021-2030
•Carbon Market Pilot

Renewable Energy: 40-47% wind/solar capacity by 2030; rooftop solar for half of homes/offices.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Vietnam is highly prone to typhoons, floods, and landslides, exacerbated by climate change. Coastal exposure heightens sea level rise risks.

floodstyphoonslandslidesdroughts

Climate Change Impacts: Average temperatures risen faster than global average over past decades. Extreme weather frequency increased: more heavy rainfall events, irregular precipitation, consecutive dry days up to 86 in south at 4°C warming. North Central region sees largest precipitation rises. Sea level rise impacts Mekong Delta with flooding. Recent trends show more intense storms and heatwaves per CMIP6 models.

Sustainability Initiatives

Renewable Energy

PDP8 2025 targets 73 GW solar/wind by 2030, rooftop solar for 50% homes/offices, aiming for net-zero 2050 with solar/wind avoiding 99 MtCO2 this decade.

Emissions Trading

Pilot ETS covers 50% national CO2 emissions starting 2025, supporting carbon market for mitigation.

Adaptation Planning

Updated NAP 2021-2030 addresses temperature rises, irregular rain, extreme events for resilience.

Wildlife & Nature

SaolaCritically Endangered

Tonkin Snub-nosed MonkeyCritically Endangered

Asian ElephantEndangered

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Geography in Vietnam

Coastline

N/A

Highest Point

Fansipan

Lowest Point

South China Sea

National Flag

Quick Facts for Vietnam

Population

97,338,583

Currency

VND

Timezone

UTC+07:00

Calling Code

+84

Week starts on

monday

Gini Coefficient

35.7 (2018)

Drives on the

right side

Location

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.