Cost of living in Vietnam compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 48% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Vietnam is 48% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Vietnam | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 85,737 ₫ (¥489) | ¥1,035 | - 53% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 100,856 ₫ (¥575) | ¥840 | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 50,085 ₫ (¥285) | ¥618 | - 54% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 38,089 ₫ (¥217) | ¥237 | - 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 54,580 ₫ (¥311) | ¥335 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28,165 ₫ (¥160) | ¥439 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 232,598 ₫ (¥1,325) | ¥1,195 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 56,357 ₫ (¥321) | ¥822 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 28,037 ₫ (¥160) | ¥509 | - 69% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 14,392 ₫ (¥82) | ¥303 | - 73% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 259,351 ₫ (¥1,478) | ¥1,267 | + 17% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 28,847 ₫ (¥164) | ¥276 | - 40% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 17,237 ₫ (¥98) | ¥293 | - 66% | |
| Housing | - 66% | |||
| Housing in Vietnam is 66% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Vietnam | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 19,515,400 ₫ (¥111,201) | ¥365,082 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,981,800 ₫ (¥68,274) | ¥197,136 | - 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,489,540 ₫ (¥8,488) | ¥19,132 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 8,779,600 ₫ (¥50,027) | ¥145,654 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,451,720 ₫ (¥36,763) | ¥102,459 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,226,160 ₫ (¥6,987) | ¥8,349 | - 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 257,204 ₫ (¥1,466) | ¥4,448 | - 67% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 7,331,050 ₫ (¥41,773) | ¥74,559 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,137,940 ₫ (¥17,880) | ¥25,414 | - 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 124,084 ₫ (¥707) | ¥1,338 | - 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 72,420 ₫ (¥413) | ¥2,815 | - 85% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Vietnam is 10% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Vietnam | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,240,820 ₫ (¥7,070) | ¥9,315 | - 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 907,739 ₫ (¥5,172) | ¥5,103 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,926,190 ₫ (¥10,976) | ¥9,892 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,606,060 ₫ (¥9,152) | ¥12,189 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | - 53% | |||
| Transportation in Vietnam is 53% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Vietnam | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 751,050,000 ₫ (¥4,279,577) | ¥3,122,540 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 23,694 ₫ (¥135) | ¥169 | - 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 170,455 ₫ (¥971) | ¥8,198 | - 88% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in Vietnam is 49% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Vietnam | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 65,284 ₫ (¥372) | ¥2,133 | - 83% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120,947 ₫ (¥689) | ¥2,551 | - 73% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 343,711 ₫ (¥1,959) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 75,846 ₫ (¥432) | ¥1,337 | - 68% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 92,931 ₫ (¥530) | ¥930 | - 43% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 88,810 ₫ (¥506) | ¥622 | - 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 32,359 ₫ (¥184) | ¥224 | - 18% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 27,921 ₫ (¥159) | ¥188 | - 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 184,459 ₫ (¥1,051) | ¥4,604 | - 77% | |
| Entertainment | - 59% | |||
| Entertainment in Vietnam is 59% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Vietnam | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 297,305 ₫ (¥1,694) | ¥4,908 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 260,091 ₫ (¥1,482) | ¥3,881 | - 62% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,048,140 ₫ (¥5,972) | ¥7,212 | - 17% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 591,088 ₫ (¥3,368) | ¥8,269 | - 59% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 178,419 ₫ (¥1,017) | ¥1,244 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 55,985 ₫ (¥319) | ¥547 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 51,820 ₫ (¥295) | ¥674 | - 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 11,000,500 ₫ (¥62,682) | ¥51,659 | + 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,583 ₫ (¥9) | ¥52 | - 83% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 714,558 ₫ (¥4,072) | ¥9,530 | - 57% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 33,415 ₫ (¥190) | ¥602 | - 68% | |
| TOTAL | - 55% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 784 prices entered by 137 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 30, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00570
JPY
/
VND
Cost of living in Vietnam is 55% cheaper than in Japan
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