Retire in Vietnam
Your complete guide to financial independence in Vietnam for 2026
Fast-growing economy, safe, and extremely affordable street food culture.
💰
30%
Cost of Living
vs NYC baseline
🏠
$500
Average Rent
per month
📊
0.0%
Capital Gains Tax
on investments
🛡️
8/10
Safety Score
security rating
How Much Do You Need to Retire in Vietnam?
Lean FIRE
₫240,000
For ₫600/mo lifestyle
Moderate
₫360,000
For ₫900/mo lifestyle
Comfortable
₫480,000
For ₫1,200/mo lifestyle
Luxury
₫600,000
For ₫1,500/mo lifestyle
Note: These calculations use the 3.0% safe withdrawal rate and include Vietnam's 0.0% capital gains tax.
Visa & Residency Options
Available Visas
E-Visa (90 days) / Investor Visa
Cost by Location Type
Urban
₫650
30% more
Suburban
₫500
baseline
Rural
₫300
40% less
Cheaper Alternatives to Vietnam
Compare with More Expensive Countries
Frequently Asked Questions about Vietnam
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.
Calculate Your Personal Freedom Date
Use our interactive calculator to see exactly when you can retire in Vietnam based on your current savings and income.
Try the Freedom Calculator →