Vietnam

Vietnam is consistently ranked the world's most affordable destination for expatriates — first out of 53 economies for personal finances in the InterNations Expat Insider 2024 survey, a position it has held four years running (CNBC, July 2024). Numbeo's 2025 data places Vietnam's Cost of Living Index at 26.6 (New York = 100) and reports living costs roughly 61.5% lower than the United States, with rent about 74% lower (Numbeo, June 2026). A one-bedroom apartment in a city center averages about $422/month ($274 outside the center), basic utilities about $76/month, and 60+ Mbps fiber internet about $9/month; International Living's January 2026 sample budget for two people totals roughly $899–$1,469/month including frequent dining out. Vietnam scores well on safety. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 1 'Exercise Normal Precautions' advisory — its most favorable tier — and the Institute for Economics & Peace's Global Peace Index 2025 ranks Vietnam 38th of 163 countries (score 1.721, up one place year-over-year). Numbeo's crowd-sourced Safety Index for Vietnam is 60.19 (Crime Index 39.81). Healthcare is uneven: Numbeo's Health Care System Index is 62.78, with private and international hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi rated highly while the public system rates only moderate; expats typically carry private cover, where 2024 international individual plans averaged about $4,547/year (~$379/month) per Pacific Prime, though regional plans run far less. English proficiency is improving but still uneven. The EF English Proficiency Index 2025 (released Nov 19, 2025) scored Vietnam 500, ranking it 64th of 123 and lifting it into the 'Moderate' (B1–B2) band — up from a 'Low' score of 498 in 2024. In practice, conversational English is concentrated among urban under-30s and in tourism/hospitality hubs, and is thinner in rural areas. Expat communities are large and active in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. On visas, U.S. citizens can obtain a 90-day e-visa ($25 single / $50 multiple entry, all nationalities eligible since 2023), but Vietnam offers no dedicated retirement or digital-nomad visa; long-term residence runs through an employer-sponsored work permit plus a Temporary Residence Card, or an investor (ĐT) visa. Proposed 5–10 year 'Golden Visa' and 5-year 'Talent Visa' programs were under government review in 2025 but are not yet enacted (Vietnam Briefing, 2025).