Retire in Vietnam vs Philippines: The 2026 Freedom Comparison

Geo-arbitrage is the strategy of earning a strong currency (like USD or EUR) while living in a country with a lower cost of living. In 2026, this is the fastest way to achieve FIRE, allowing you to reduce expenses by 40-60% without lowering your quality of life.

The Freedom Clock calculates your exact 'Freedom Date' based on your savings, income, and the real-time cost of living in your target country. It accounts for 2026 inflation rates and tax laws to give you a precise timeline for early retirement.

Foreigners can buy apartments/condos on a 50-year leasehold, but cannot own land outright.

The 90-day E-visa is common, but those with businesses or investments can apply for longer DT (Investor) visas.

Yes, a single person can live a basic lifestyle for $800 or a luxury lifestyle for $2,000 in cities like Da Nang.

Public hospitals are basic; expats typically use private international clinics like Vinmec or Family Medical Practice.

Vietnam is extremely safe regarding violent crime, though petty theft and traffic accidents are more common concerns.

You need a Vietnamese license or a valid IDP (1968 convention). Riding a motorbike without a license is illegal and common.

Vietnam has excellent fiber connectivity in cities, though international speeds can dip during occasional undersea cable repairs.

For individuals, there is a 0.1% tax on the total sales price of shares or a 20% tax on profits for real estate.

Ho Chi Minh City for business, Da Nang for lifestyle/beach, and Hanoi for culture.

No, it is recommended to drink bottled or filtered water.

The Special Resident Retiree's Visa is a lifetime visa for foreigners aged 50+ with a required deposit (starting at $10k).

Foreigners can own 100% of a condominium unit but cannot own land.

Yes, it is one of the official languages; almost all locals in urban and tourist areas speak it fluently.

Provinces are very cheap ($1k/month), while luxury areas in Manila (BGC/Makati) require $2.5k–$3k/month.

Tourist and expat hubs are generally safe, but certain regions in the south should be avoided due to travel advisories.

Improving rapidly with Starlink and fiber, but still less reliable and more expensive than in Thailand or Vietnam.

BGC (Taguig) for modern urban living, Cebu for a mix of city/beach, and Dumaguete for a quiet retirement.

Private hospitals in Manila are high quality; insurance is recommended as out-of-pocket costs for major issues can add up.

Yes, for up to 90 days after arrival, provided the license is in English.

Foreign pensions and social security benefits are generally exempt from income tax in the Philippines.