Cost of living in Vietnam compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Vietnam is 28% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Vietnam | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 79,351 ₫ (22元) | 41元 | - 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 104,702 ₫ (29元) | 38元 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 50,258 ₫ (14元) | 15元 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 37,012 ₫ (10元) | 14元 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 52,670 ₫ (15元) | 16元 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28,364 ₫ (8元) | 10元 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 232,598 ₫ (64元) | 50元 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 56,357 ₫ (16元) | 16元 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 28,037 ₫ (8元) | 6元 | + 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 14,392 ₫ (3.97元) | 7元 | - 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 259,351 ₫ (72元) | 89元 | - 19% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 28,847 ₫ (8元) | 8元 | - 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 17,237 ₫ (4.76元) | 13元 | - 62% | |
| Housing | - 45% | |||
| Housing in Vietnam is 45% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Vietnam | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,809,300 ₫ (5,746元) | 11,256元 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,647,500 ₫ (3,216元) | 5,248元 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,304,050 ₫ (360元) | 450元 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 9,883,800 ₫ (2,729元) | 6,564元 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,451,720 ₫ (1,781元) | 3,518元 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,226,160 ₫ (339元) | 296元 | + 14% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 257,204 ₫ (71元) | 100元 | - 29% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 7,331,050 ₫ (2,024元) | 1,460元 | + 39% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,137,940 ₫ (866元) | 553元 | + 57% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 143,140 ₫ (40元) | 43元 | - 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 72,420 ₫ (20元) | 50元 | - 60% | |
| Clothes | - 18% | |||
| Clothes in Vietnam is 18% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Vietnam | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,240,820 ₫ (343元) | 418元 | - 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 907,739 ₫ (251元) | 302元 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,926,190 ₫ (532元) | 553元 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,606,060 ₫ (443元) | 705元 | - 37% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in Vietnam is 33% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Vietnam | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 751,050,000 ₫ (207,384元) | 137,169元 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 23,694 ₫ (7元) | 8元 | - 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 170,455 ₫ (47元) | 228元 | - 79% | |
| Personal Care | - 43% | |||
| Personal Care in Vietnam is 43% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Vietnam | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 65,284 ₫ (18元) | 45元 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120,947 ₫ (33元) | 59元 | - 44% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 343,711 ₫ (95元) | 114元 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 75,846 ₫ (21元) | 67元 | - 69% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 92,931 ₫ (26元) | 57元 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 88,810 ₫ (25元) | 25元 | - 2% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 32,359 ₫ (9元) | 6元 | + 45% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 27,921 ₫ (8元) | 15元 | - 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 184,459 ₫ (51元) | 64元 | - 21% | |
| Entertainment | - 40% | |||
| Entertainment in Vietnam is 40% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Vietnam | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 297,305 ₫ (82元) | 169元 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 260,091 ₫ (72元) | 100元 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,048,140 ₫ (289元) | 1,179元 | - 75% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 591,088 ₫ (163元) | 320元 | - 49% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 178,419 ₫ (49元) | 81元 | - 39% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 55,985 ₫ (15元) | 28元 | - 44% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 51,820 ₫ (14元) | 19元 | - 25% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 11,000,500 ₫ (3,038元) | 3,680元 | - 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,583 ₫ (0.44元) | 0.34元 | + 30% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 714,558 ₫ (197元) | 394元 | - 50% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 31,796 ₫ (9元) | 25元 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 35% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,104 prices entered by 154 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 06, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00028
CNY
/
VND
Cost of living in Vietnam is 35% cheaper than in China
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