Cost of living in Vientiane, Laos vs Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Currency:
Food | + 47% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Vientiane (Laos) is 47% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 56,623 ₭ (138,697 ₫) | 58,249 ₫ | + 138% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 53,792 ₭ (131,762 ₫) | 95,284 ₫ | + 38% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 29,330 ₭ (71,842 ₫) | 35,711 ₫ | + 101% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 19,385 ₭ (47,483 ₫) | 33,970 ₫ | + 40% | |
12 eggs, large | 13,861 ₭ (33,952 ₫) | 31,096 ₫ | + 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10,467 ₭ (25,638 ₫) | 22,632 ₫ | + 13% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 131,120 ₭ (321,174 ₫) | 128,717 ₫ | + 150% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 23,805 ₭ (58,310 ₫) | 59,455 ₫ | - 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 13,169 ₭ (32,256 ₫) | 29,177 ₫ | + 11% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 9,004 ₭ (22,056 ₫) | 21,009 ₫ | + 5% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 119,807 ₭ (293,464 ₫) | 340,806 ₫ | - 14% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 15,722 ₭ (38,511 ₫) | 22,487 ₫ | + 71% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15,527 ₭ (38,033 ₫) | 22,886 ₫ | + 66% | |
Housing | + 5% | |||
Housing in Vientiane (Laos) is 5% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 8,880,620 ₭ (21,752,805 ₫) | 26,139,300 ₫ | - 17% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,092,860 ₭ (14,924,273 ₫) | 18,321,600 ₫ | - 19% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 783,346 ₭ (1,918,782 ₫) | 1,575,120 ₫ | + 22% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 5,520,000 ₭ (13,521,070 ₫) | 12,581,000 ₫ | + 7% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,630,540 ₭ (8,892,896 ₫) | 8,580,190 ₫ | + 4% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 303,140 ₭ (742,532 ₫) | 766,813 ₫ | - 3% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 254,538 ₭ (623,483 ₫) | 262,699 ₫ | + 137% | |
40” flat screen tv | 3,245,970 ₭ (7,950,904 ₫) | 8,671,020 ₫ | - 8% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,323,770 ₭ (3,242,534 ₫) | 2,695,490 ₫ | + 20% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 95,339 ₭ (233,531 ₫) | 197,111 ₫ | + 18% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 17,375 ₭ (42,560 ₫) | 72,689 ₫ | - 41% | |
Clothes | + 4% | |||
Clothes in Vientiane (Laos) is 4% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 566,667 ₭ (1,388,033 ₫) | 993,010 ₫ | + 40% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 307,907 ₭ (754,209 ₫) | 775,181 ₫ | - 3% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,033,330 ₭ (2,531,110 ₫) | 2,365,010 ₫ | + 7% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 437,500 ₭ (1,071,643 ₫) | 1,580,210 ₫ | - 32% | |
Transportation | + 11% | |||
Transportation in Vientiane (Laos) is 11% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 196,540,000 ₭ (481,418,679 ₫) | 1,086,160,000 ₫ | - 56% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9,460 ₭ (23,172 ₫) | 18,630 ₫ | + 24% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 360,000 ₭ (881,809 ₫) | 176,836 ₫ | + 399% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 94,590 ₭ (231,695 ₫) | 127,816 ₫ | + 81% | |
Personal Care | + 2% | |||
Personal Care in Vientiane (Laos) is about the same as in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 18,737 ₭ (45,897 ₫) | 43,639 ₫ | + 5% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 129,807 ₫ | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 384,000 ₭ (940,596 ₫) | 782,378 ₫ | + 20% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 37,787 ₭ (92,557 ₫) | 96,240 ₫ | - 4% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 21,750 ₭ (53,275 ₫) | 61,999 ₫ | - 14% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 36,850 ₭ (90,262 ₫) | 84,163 ₫ | + 7% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 9,079 ₭ (22,238 ₫) | 30,905 ₫ | - 28% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 19,017 ₭ (46,581 ₫) | 22,724 ₫ | + 105% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 44,153 ₭ (108,152 ₫) | 110,450 ₫ | - 2% | |
Entertainment | + 26% | |||
Entertainment in Vientiane (Laos) is 26% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 141,667 ₭ (347,009 ₫) | 474,704 ₫ | - 27% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 145,597 ₭ (356,635 ₫) | 203,024 ₫ | + 76% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 617,907 ₫ | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 504,782 ₭ (1,236,448 ₫) | 618,513 ₫ | + 100% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 51,191 ₭ (125,390 ₫) | 172,578 ₫ | - 27% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 24,259 ₭ (59,422 ₫) | 46,588 ₫ | + 28% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 11,775 ₭ (28,843 ₫) | 35,605 ₫ | - 19% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,200,000 ₭ (7,838,301 ₫) | 11,164,000 ₫ | - 30% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,081 ₭ (2,648 ₫) | 1,751 ₫ | + 51% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 525,000 ₭ (1,285,971 ₫) | 537,583 ₫ | + 139% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 16,259 ₭ (39,826 ₫) | 25,237 ₫ | + 58% | |
TOTAL | + 17% |

These prices were last updated on April 14, 2021.
Exchange rate:
2.449
VND
/
LAK
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Cost of living in Vientiane (Laos) is 17% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
For example, you would need at least 99,294,253 ₫ (40,537,049 ₭) in Vientiane to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 85,000,000 ₫ in Ho Chi Minh City.
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