Cost of Living: Vietnam vs France

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Vietnam and France.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Vietnam is 59.9% cheaper than France. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 90.1% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in France, you would spend about $40 in Vietnam for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 90.1%

Vietnam is 90.1% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 83.4%

Vietnam is 83.4% cheaper

Mobile and Internet 75.6%

Vietnam is 75.6% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 59.9%

Vietnam is 59.9% cheaper than France

Most Expensive Categories

  • Childcare +2.7%

Is Vietnam cheaper than France?

Yes, Vietnam is cheaper than France

Overall, living costs in Vietnam are 59.9% lower than in France.

Where Vietnam is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 90.1% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 83.4% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 75.6% cheaper

Where Vietnam is more expensive:

  • Childcare 2.7% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Vietnam: 1.93 $ France: 17.07 $
88.7% cheaper in Vietnam

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Vietnam: 363.93 $ France: 875.36 $
58.4% cheaper in Vietnam

Monthly public transport pass

Vietnam: 7.72 $ France: 70.58 $
89.1% cheaper in Vietnam

1 liter of gasoline

Vietnam: 0.89 $ France: 2.04 $
56.4% cheaper in Vietnam

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Vietnam is indeed cheaper than France. You would save approximately 59.9% on living expenses by choosing Vietnam over France. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

59.9%

Vietnam is 59.9% cheaper than France

Restaurants

69.6%

Vietnam is 69.6% cheaper than France in this category

Markets

69.9%

Vietnam is 69.9% cheaper than France in this category

Other Expenses

90.1%

Vietnam is 90.1% cheaper than France in this category

Transportation

5.7%

Vietnam is 5.7% cheaper than France in this category

Household Utilities

66.4%

Vietnam is 66.4% cheaper than France in this category

Mobile and Internet

75.6%

Vietnam is 75.6% cheaper than France in this category

Sports And Leisure

51.5%

Vietnam is 51.5% cheaper than France in this category

Childcare

2.7%

Vietnam is 2.7% more expensive than France in this category

Clothing And Shoes

40.3%

Vietnam is 40.3% cheaper than France in this category

Rent Per Month

57.6%

Vietnam is 57.6% cheaper than France in this category

Property Prices

58.1%

Vietnam is 58.1% cheaper than France in this category

Salaries And Financing

83.4%

Vietnam is 83.4% cheaper than France in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Vietnam France Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 1.93 $ 17.07 $ 88.7%
Vietnam is 88.7% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 21.22 $ 68.30 $ 68.9%
Vietnam is 68.9% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 4.63 $ 12.52 $ 63.0%
Vietnam is 63.0% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 1.70 $ 3.63 $ 53.2%
Vietnam is 53.2% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.48 $ 3.19 $ 85.0%
Vietnam is 85.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.28 $ 2.21 $ 87.3%
Vietnam is 87.3% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.50 $ 0.78 $ 35.9%
Vietnam is 35.9% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.00 $ 3.33 $ 9.9%
Vietnam is 9.9% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.42 $ 1.31 $ 8.4%
Vietnam is 8.4% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.93 $ 2.04 $ 54.4%
Vietnam is 54.4% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 0.93 $ 2.59 $ 64.1%
Vietnam is 64.1% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 1.49 $ 4.29 $ 65.3%
Vietnam is 65.3% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 11.93 $ 20.08 $ 40.6%
Vietnam is 40.6% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 3.71 $ 13.86 $ 73.2%
Vietnam is 73.2% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 9.11 $ 21.30 $ 57.2%
Vietnam is 57.2% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 2.81 $ 3.12 $ 9.9%
Vietnam is 9.9% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.05 $ 2.33 $ 54.9%
Vietnam is 54.9% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 1.37 $ 3.10 $ 55.8%
Vietnam is 55.8% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.09 $ 3.63 $ 70.0%
Vietnam is 70.0% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.14 $ 2.35 $ 51.5%
Vietnam is 51.5% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.15 $ 2.45 $ 53.1%
Vietnam is 53.1% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 0.71 $ 1.57 $ 54.8%
Vietnam is 54.8% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 7.72 $ 70.58 $ 89.1%
Vietnam is 89.1% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 1.35 $ 13.66 $ 90.1%
Vietnam is 90.1% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.31 $ 2.16 $ 85.6%
Vietnam is 85.6% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 0.73 $ 5.46 $ 86.6%
Vietnam is 86.6% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.62 $ 2.28 $ 72.8%
Vietnam is 72.8% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 3.18 $ 37.22 $ 91.5%
Vietnam is 91.5% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 0.89 $ 2.04 $ 56.4%
Vietnam is 56.4% cheaper
New Economy Car 35,888.69 $ 36,876.07 $ 2.7%
Vietnam is 2.7% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 33,027.09 $ 36,162.84 $ 8.7%
Vietnam is 8.7% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 70.78 $ 210.87 $ 66.4%
Vietnam is 66.4% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 5.60 $ 25.59 $ 78.1%
Vietnam is 78.1% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 8.99 $ 34.21 $ 73.7%
Vietnam is 73.7% cheaper
Gym Membership 21.32 $ 37.20 $ 42.7%
Vietnam is 42.7% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 8.45 $ 18.42 $ 54.1%
Vietnam is 54.1% cheaper
Movie Ticket 3.86 $ 13.66 $ 71.7%
Vietnam is 71.7% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 239.08 $ 800.37 $ 70.1%
Vietnam is 70.1% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 12,491.50 $ 11,595.44 $ 7.7%
Vietnam is 7.7% more expensive
1 Pair of Jeans 36.69 $ 102.59 $ 64.2%
Vietnam is 64.2% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 24.64 $ 43.82 $ 43.8%
Vietnam is 43.8% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 89.86 $ 104.20 $ 13.8%
Vietnam is 13.8% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 80.94 $ 138.28 $ 41.5%
Vietnam is 41.5% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 363.93 $ 875.36 $ 58.4%
Vietnam is 58.4% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 247.34 $ 692.40 $ 64.3%
Vietnam is 64.3% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 779.11 $ 1,634.03 $ 52.3%
Vietnam is 52.3% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 515.86 $ 1,289.02 $ 60.0%
Vietnam is 60.0% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 2,943.61 $ 6,484.72 $ 54.6%
Vietnam is 54.6% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,629.40 $ 4,425.62 $ 63.2%
Vietnam is 63.2% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 437.12 $ 2,687.45 $ 83.7%
Vietnam is 83.7% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 9.41 3.66 157.1%
Vietnam is 157.1% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to France. Enter your monthly expenses in Vietnam to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Vietnam and France goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Vietnam vs France

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Vietnam

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.

France

  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Vietnam Cost of living in France

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