“You can live in Vietnam for $1,000 a month… but will you be happy, healthy, and secure doing it?”

Adrie and I are gonna be here again, but in different roles - she’s the host and interviews me. Adrie asks me about the real cost of living in Vietnam after nine years as expats in Ho Chi Minh City. When we first arrived, we thought everything would be dirt cheap — almost free. But as we settled into long-term life, we learned that costs depend entirely on the lifestyle you want to live.

This conversation was a fun mix of stories from our early days, lessons we’ve learned the hard way, and advice I wish someone had told me when we first moved here. It’s not just about whether you can survive on a backpacker budget — it’s about whether you can thrive here long-term with savings, health insurance, and a lifestyle you actually enjoy.

 Key Talking Points

1. First impressions vs. reality – Vietnam feels cheap at first, but costs add up quickly.
2. Wide price ranges – from 10k coffees to 110k Starbucks, lifestyle choices shape your budget.
3. Can you live on $1,000/month? 
4. Long-term essentials – pensions, health insurance, transportation, and gym memberships are often overlooked.
5. Simple but rich lifestyle – Vietnam makes it easier to spend less on consumer goods, but temptations (international food, travel, shopping) are always there.

Chapters

• [00:00] Arriving in Vietnam – first impressions and naïve expectations.
• [07:00] The shock of real rent prices in Ho Chi Minh City.
• [13:00] Street food vs. Western comforts: how your lifestyle changes your budget.
• [19:00] Hidden costs expats forget: pensions, insurance, gyms, and groceries.
• [29:00] Big question: Can you live on $1,000/month in Saigon?

[45:00] Why a simpler life in Vietnam can actually feel richer.

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