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Aerial View Of Crowded Residential Houses In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

How Much It Really Costs to Rent a Home in Saigon – Local Insights from a Quiet Life I live in a quiet corner of Saigon now – in a home that’s truly mine. No landlord, no leases. Just the soft creak of wooden floors and the rhythm of daily life unfolding slowly, room by room.But not long ago, I was the one always on the move.From Vĩnh Long to Bangkok, from Singapore to Hanoi. I’ve lived out of suitcases, searched for windows that let in morning light, and helped countless friends – travelers, expats, and digital wanderers – figure out what it truly costs to rent a home in Saigon.Today, I want to share what I’ve seen, what I’ve learned, and what I would choose if I had to start over.&nbsp; 🏠 A City of Contrasts – From Rooftops to Alleyways Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon, as most locals still lovingly call it) is not one uniform place.It’s a city of layers. Towering condos watch over narrow alley homes. Luxury apartments in District 1 sparkle above the noise, while in District 7, Korean families enjoy calm parks and wide roads. And deep inside District 4, where I live, the city hums in quieter, slower ways.That’s why the cost of renting here can stretch from $150 to $2,000 a month, depending on where and how you want to live.&nbsp; 💡 The Essentials – Real Numbers from Real People Though I don’t rent anymore, my job in the travel industry and my circle of international friends constantly bring me stories — and bills — of life on rent in Saigon.Here’s what I’ve gathered over the years:Type of Home&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Monthly Rent (USD)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Typical Area Shared Room in Local House&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$150–250&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Bình Thạnh, District 3, Phú Nhuận Studio or 1BR Apartment (Basic)&nbsp; &nbsp;$300–500&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;District 1, 3, 4, or near Thảo Điền 1BR/2BR in Newer Condo (with amenities) $600–1,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;District 2 (Thảo Điền), District 7 High-End Serviced Apartment&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $1,200–2,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;D1/D3 or expat compounds 📝 Note: These numbers include rent only. Utilities and internet typically add $50–$80/month. What surprised most of my foreign friends was this: You can live well here – with sunlight, safety, and a sense of peace – without spending much. You just need to know where to look.&nbsp; 🌿 What I’d Choose If I Were Renting If I had to rent again, I would look for:- A quiet alley home in District 3 or 4 – where life still moves slowly - A place with natural light and a small kitchen (because I always cook at home) - Somewhere I can walk to a local market in the morning - A neighborhood with sounds of children, birds, and coffee sellers – not trafficI wouldn’t go for the newest, most polished buildings. Not anymore. I’d trade sleek marble floors for wooden ones that creak softly under barefoot mornings.&nbsp; 📍 Things to Know Before You Rent in Saigon If you're considering renting here, here are a few quiet truths I think are worth knowing:- Contracts are flexible. You can often negotiate 6-month or even 3-month terms. - Deposits are common. Usually 1–2 months of rent. - Avoid the noise. Some homes may look nice but sit next to karaoke bars. Always visit at night. - Internet is fast. But ask your landlord which provider they use – some areas are better than others. - You don’t need to rush. Unlike big Western cities, Saigon still allows time. Homes stay available longer than you think. &nbsp; ☕ A Final Thought – Home Is More Than a Place Sometimes people ask me: “What’s the best neighborhood to live in Saigon?”But I think it’s the wrong question.Instead, I ask: “Where will you feel calm at 7am? Where will you feel safe at 8pm?”Because a rented house in Saigon isn't just a roof. It's a rhythm.It’s where the sun filters through yellow curtains. Where the street vendor’s bell marks lunchtime. Where you wake up, slowly, to a city that may be noisy elsewhere but feels soft in your little corner.&nbsp; More stories from quiet Vietnam at<a title=" thekimngan.com " href="https://thekimngan.com/blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog"> thekimngan.com </a> #thekimngan – Travel Quietly. Live Deeply.

How Much It Really Costs to Rent a Home in Saigon – Local Insights from a Quiet Life

Vietnam 100,000 dong banknote in woman hand on fortress of Van Mieu background, Hanoi, Vietnam

📝 The Real Cost of Living Slowly in Vietnam – My Honest Monthly Budget (By Kim Ngân – thekimngan.com)&nbsp; A Quiet Life Has a Cost Too People often think living in Vietnam is cheap.And yes, on paper, it might be. But what does cheap really mean when you’re trying to live meaningfully?After leaving behind the rush of corporate life and choosing to live more slowly here in Saigon, I’ve realized something: Living simply doesn’t mean living without value. It means living with intention.So today, I’m opening up my monthly budget—not as a way to show off how little I spend, but to share what it actually costs to live slowly, honestly, and peacefully in Vietnam.&nbsp; 1. Home – A Quiet Place We Call Our Own One of the most important parts of our slow life is the place we live in.Unlike many who rent, my husband and I live in our own small house tucked in a quiet corner of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s simple, filled with morning light, and surrounded by the soft noise of birds and neighborhood sounds. There’s a small balcony where I grow herbs, and a kitchen where most of our daily joy begins.There’s no monthly rent, but of course, there are still costs—maintenance, repairs, and the effort it takes to care for a space with love.We set aside around $50/month for home-related upkeep, even if we don’t pay rent.&nbsp; 2. Food – Cooking at Home, Eating Well for Less We rarely eat out—not because we’re trying to save, but because we simply enjoy cooking at home. Each morning starts with warm rice, steamed vegetables, and a pot of green tea. Lunch might be a simple canh chua or a stir-fry with seasonal greens. Dinner, often leftovers and soft conversations.Groceries from the local market usually cost us around $120/month for two people. Everything is fresh, often from the Mekong Delta—my childhood home.&nbsp; 3. Transport – Walking, Buses, and the Occasional Grab We don’t own a motorbike. Living slowly means we walk a lot, and it’s how we notice small things—like how the sunlight plays on the sidewalk or how the smell of bánh mì shifts from one corner to the next.Most days, we walk or take the bus. Occasionally, we use Grab for convenience. On average, we spend about $25/month on transport.&nbsp; 4. Utilities &amp; Internet – Just Enough to Be Comfortable Electricity, water, and internet add up to about $35/month. We don’t use air conditioning all day—just a fan and open windows. The internet is stable enough for remote work and my weekly uploads to YouTube.Simplicity doesn’t mean discomfort—it just means being aware of what you really need.&nbsp; 5. Health &amp; Self-Care – A Little Goes a Long Way We set aside $30/month for basic health needs, including vitamins, herbal teas, and occasional checkups at local clinics. I also keep a small fund for self-care—essential oils, a massage every now and then, or a quiet coffee alone when I need to recharge.Taking care of yourself isn’t about spending more. It’s about listening to your body and honoring what it whispers.&nbsp; 6. Small Luxuries – Books, Cafés, and Meaningful Things Even in a quiet life, small luxuries matter.For me, it’s a beautiful notebook, a new book from the secondhand store, a cup of coffee in a place that smells of wood and rain.These small joys cost around $40/month. But their value can’t be measured.&nbsp; 7. My Honest Monthly Budget – Living on $300–$320 Here’s a breakdown of what we typically spend in a month:Category&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Monthly Cost (USD)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Home Maintenance&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$50 Groceries&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $120 Transport&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $25 Utilities &amp; Internet&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$35 Health &amp; Self-Care&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$30 Small Luxuries&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$40 Total&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$300–$320 This is not a “bare minimum” lifestyle. It’s a conscious one. Every item on this list is a choice—rooted in values, not sacrifice.&nbsp; 💬 “Time is the most generous currency Vietnam gave me.” – Kim Ngân &nbsp; It’s Not About Money. It’s About Meaning. Some people move to Vietnam to save money. I moved to find time again.Time to cook slowly. Time to write again. Time to look out the window and not rush.If you're dreaming of a life where you can spend less and live more—Vietnam, and a quieter way of living, might just be waiting for you too.&nbsp; 📺 Watch the video version of this story here: 👉 “The Real Cost of Living Slowly in Vietnam” – on YouTube🌿 More real-life stories at thekimngan.com #thekimngan – Travel Quietly. Live Deeply.📬 Want to receive stories like this in your inbox? Join my weekly letter on slow living, quiet freedom, and life in Vietnam. 👉 Subscribe here

📝 The Real Cost of Living Slowly in Vietnam – My Honest Monthly Budget

Aerial view of Ho Chi Minh City skyline at sunset

🌿 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Escaping Burnout – My Honest Expat Story in Vietnam Two years ago, I was crying in a corporate bathroom stall.On paper, my life looked "successful" — a stable job, decent salary, a small apartment in a big city. But inside, I was withering. I wasn’t living. I was just... functioning.So I left.I came home to Vietnam. I didn’t have a big plan — only a small hope that life could feel lighter again. And it did. But not in the way I expected.Here are 5 things I wish I had known before leaving burnout behind.&nbsp; 1. 🌫 You don’t have to hit rock bottom to walk away. I kept waiting for a breakdown big enough to justify quitting. But the truth is: quiet exhaustion is enough.You don’t need a meltdown. You just need to listen to the whisper that says, “This isn’t it.”&nbsp; 2. 💸 Simplicity isn’t sacrifice. It’s liberation. In Vietnam, I live on less than $800/month. And it feels full.I cook meals. I take walks. I read books I used to “not have time for.”Minimalism here isn’t about deprivation. It’s about clearing space for joy.&nbsp; 3. 🧍 You will feel lonely. But it won’t last forever. The first few months were quiet — painfully quiet.I missed the noise of my old life, even the bad parts. But over time, the quiet became peace. And then the peace made room for real connection.&nbsp; 4. 📱 Slowness is uncomfortable at first. I didn’t realize how addicted I was to urgency — to always checking, replying, scrolling.But Vietnam moves differently. Morning markets instead of grocery runs. Coffee with friends instead of Zoom.At first, it felt inefficient. Now, it feels human.&nbsp; 5. 🌱 Healing doesn’t come all at once. But it does come. It started with sleeping through the night.Then laughing again. Then no longer dreading Mondays.Burnout didn’t leave overnight. But slowly, it loosened its grip — the way morning mist fades as the sun rises.&nbsp; 💭 Living in Vietnam – Not a Fix, But a Beginning Moving here didn’t “fix” me. But it gave me a new rhythm, a different mirror, and a softer kind of ambition.I no longer chase productivity for worth. I chase sunlight on old walls. A good bowl of rice. A life that fits.&nbsp; 🔗 More from Living in Vietnam <a title="– What I Spend in a Day Living in Saigon" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/what-i-spend-in-a-day-living-in-saigon---real-life--real-prices" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/what-i-spend-in-a-day-living-in-saigon---real-life--real-prices">– What I Spend in a Day Living in Saigon</a> <a title="– Why Americans Are Leaving Their $75K Jobs for Vietnam" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---why-americans-are-leaving-their--75k-jobs-for-vietnam---the-quiet-escape" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---why-americans-are-leaving-their--75k-jobs-for-vietnam---the-quiet-escape">– Why Americans Are Leaving Their $75K Jobs for Vietnam</a> <a title="– Hoi An at Dawn – A Slow Morning in Vietnam" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---a-slow-morning-in-hoi-an---breathing-with-the-lanterns" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---a-slow-morning-in-hoi-an---breathing-with-the-lanterns">– Hoi An at Dawn – A Slow Morning in Vietnam</a> <a title="– How I Eat Well on $10 a Day in Saigon" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---how-i-eat-well-on--10-a-day-in-saigon---honest-meals--simple-joys" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---how-i-eat-well-on--10-a-day-in-saigon---honest-meals--simple-joys">– How I Eat Well on $10 a Day in Saigon</a> &nbsp; ✨ Ready to slow down, too? Begin here <a title="👉 thekimngan.com/living-in-vietnam" href="https://thekimngan.com/live---work-in-vietnam" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/live---work-in-vietnam">👉 thekimngan.com/living-in-vietnam</a>&nbsp;

🌿 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Escaping Burnout – My Honest Expat Story in Vietnam

Da Nang Bay beach and city skyline, Central Vietnam.

🌿 Why Americans Are Leaving Their $75K Jobs for Vietnam Not long ago, a friend from the U.S. texted me: “I’m making $75K a year, but I feel like I’m drowning. You seem… at peace. What’s the difference?”I didn’t know how to explain it in one message. Because it’s not just about money. It’s about space. It’s about breath. It’s about waking up and not feeling like you’re already behind.More and more Americans are choosing to leave behind high-paying, high-stress jobs for a quieter life in places like Vietnam. And they’re not crazy. They’re listening to something we all forget to: ourselves.&nbsp; 🔥 1. The Salary Was High. But the Cost Was Higher. Many of them earned $70K–$100K/year in tech, law, healthcare, or media. But they were also paying:$2,200/month for rent in San Francisco $700/month on insurance 60–80 hours/week at a screen And their sanity. Burnout wasn’t a buzzword. It was Tuesday.&nbsp; 🍃 2. They Didn’t Want More. They Wanted Less—but Better. Vietnam offers something hard to describe in numbers:Mornings without rush Meals that don’t cost $20 but taste like childhood Time to breathe, walk, cook, rest, think In Saigon, Hội An, or Đà Lạt, you don’t need to “hustle harder” to feel alive. You just need to slow down enough to notice you already are.&nbsp; 🧳 3. Real Life Costs Less Here—and Feels Like More Most expats I meet here live on $800–$1,200/month and live well.Expense&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Average Cost (USD) Rent (1-bedroom, central)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $300–$500 Street food / daily meals&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $4–$8 Healthcare (private clinic)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $20–$50 per visit SIM, utilities, transport&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$50–$100 But the real savings? Not needing to numb yourself every weekend just to survive Monday.&nbsp; ✨ 4. They Found Community—Not Just Connection In Vietnam, cafés aren’t just remote offices. They’re living rooms. You don’t network here. You sit. You share. You listen.Whether it’s in a riverside market or a co-working space in Đà Nẵng, people here are often present—and that’s rarer than free Wi-Fi.&nbsp; 💭 So… Why Are Americans Moving to Vietnam? Because burnout culture teaches us to measure success in exhaustion. But Vietnam teaches something gentler:That a $1 coffee shared slowly is richer than a $7 latte in a rush That a small home with time to cook is more abundant than a luxury apartment you never rest in That peace isn’t earned—it’s chosen &nbsp; 🔗 More from Living in Vietnam <a title="– What I Spend in a Day Living in Saigon" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/what-i-spend-in-a-day-living-in-saigon---real-life--real-prices" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/what-i-spend-in-a-day-living-in-saigon---real-life--real-prices">– What I Spend in a Day Living in Saigon</a> <a title="– How I Eat Well on $10 a Day in Saigon" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---how-i-eat-well-on--10-a-day-in-saigon---honest-meals--simple-joys" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---how-i-eat-well-on--10-a-day-in-saigon---honest-meals--simple-joys">– How I Eat Well on $10 a Day in Saigon</a> <a title="– 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Escaping Burnout" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/5-things-that-shocked-me-about-living-in-vietnam---honest-expat-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/5-things-that-shocked-me-about-living-in-vietnam---honest-expat-story">– 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Escaping Burnout</a> <a title="– Hoi An at Dawn – A Slow Morning in Vietnam’s Lantern Town" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---a-slow-morning-in-hoi-an---breathing-with-the-lanterns" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---a-slow-morning-in-hoi-an---breathing-with-the-lanterns">– Hoi An at Dawn – A Slow Morning in Vietnam’s Lantern Town</a> &nbsp; ✨ Thinking of leaving the noise behind? There’s a quieter path waiting here: <a title="👉 thekimngan.com/living-in-vietnam" href="https://thekimngan.com/live---work-in-vietnam" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/live---work-in-vietnam">👉 thekimngan.com/living-in-vietnam</a>&nbsp;

✈️ Why Americans Are Leaving Their $75K Jobs for Vietnam – The Quiet Escape

Paper lanterns on the streets of old Asian town - Hoi An

Living in Vietnam as a Foreigner – A Slow Morning in Hoi An🌿 Hoi An at Dawn – A Slow Morning in Vietnam’s Lantern Town It’s still dark when I wake up, but the air is soft, and the world outside feels like it’s holding its breath. In Hoi An, morning doesn’t begin with alarms. It begins with light — slowly, gently, like the town itself.We’re staying in a small homestay along a quiet canal, just a short bicycle ride from the ancient town. My husband is still asleep. I slip out alone, barefoot and curious.The sky is still the color of ash. But soon, gold will stretch across the river, brushing the rooftops of yellow shophouses and the fishing boats resting under banyan trees.&nbsp; 🚲 A Ride Without Rush Hoi An is small. It invites you to move slowly.I pedal past rows of sleeping lanterns, their silk skins limp in the morning stillness. The road is empty, save for an old man watering his front steps. He nods. I nod back.There are no horns, no schedules, no noise here. Just breath, bamboo, and the occasional rooster.&nbsp; ☕ Morning Market – A Dance of Scent and Steam I reach the market by the riverside — but not the tourist market. This one is for locals. No souvenirs, no bargaining in English. Just piles of herbs, trays of sticky rice, and fish fresh from the sea.I buy a small portion of xôi đậu phộng (sticky rice with peanuts) wrapped in banana leaf for 10,000 VND. The vendor hands it to me with a smile, no words. The steam warms my hands.I sit by the dock and eat slowly. It tastes like home. Even though I didn’t grow up here.&nbsp; 🌞 Hoi An Doesn’t Wake Up All at Once As the sun rises, so do the people. A fisherman unties his net. A grandmother sweeps dried leaves. The town stretches — not in a hurry, but with grace.Hoi An has a way of slowing you down without asking you to stop. It doesn’t beg to be loved. It just is. And that’s enough.&nbsp; 💭 Living in Vietnam – Between Silence and Simplicity When people ask what it’s like to live in Vietnam, I never know how to answer with numbers. I answer with mornings like this.With a bowl of sticky rice. With the hum of a bicycle. With the sound of river water against old stone.Living here isn’t always easy. But it is always real. And sometimes, real is more than enough.&nbsp; 🔗 More from Living in Vietnam <a title="– What I Spend in a Day Living in Saigon" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/what-i-spend-in-a-day-living-in-saigon---real-life--real-prices" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/what-i-spend-in-a-day-living-in-saigon---real-life--real-prices">– What I Spend in a Day Living in Saigon</a> <a title="– How I Eat Well on $10 a Day in Saigon" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---how-i-eat-well-on--10-a-day-in-saigon---honest-meals--simple-joys" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---how-i-eat-well-on--10-a-day-in-saigon---honest-meals--simple-joys">– How I Eat Well on $10 a Day in Saigon</a> <a title="– 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Escaping Burnout" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/5-things-that-shocked-me-about-living-in-vietnam---honest-expat-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/5-things-that-shocked-me-about-living-in-vietnam---honest-expat-story">– 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Escaping Burnout</a> &nbsp; ✨ Looking for more quiet moments like this? Visit <a title="👉 thekimngan.com/living-in-vietnam" href="https://thekimngan.com/live---work-in-vietnam" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/live---work-in-vietnam">👉 thekimngan.com/living-in-vietnam</a>

🌿 A Slow Morning in Hoi An – Breathing with the Lanterns

Authentic Vietnamese Cơm Tấm with Grilled Pork, Fried Egg, and Pickled Vegetables at a Local Eatery

🌿 How I Eat Well on $10 a Day in Saigon – Honest Meals, Simple Joys I used to believe that good food came with a high price — Michelin stars, tasting menus, imported cheese. But since moving to Saigon, I’ve learned something far more delicious: real food doesn’t need to be expensive. It just needs to be real.I live in Ho Chi Minh City with my husband. We’re both from the Mekong Delta, and we cook most of our meals at home. But even when we eat out, we eat like locals — with simplicity, seasonality, and a lot of nước mắm.Here’s what a typical $10 day of eating looks like for me — not as a traveler, but as someone living here, day by day, bowl by bowl.&nbsp; ☀️ Breakfast – Street Simplicity (20,000 VND / $0.80) If I don’t make breakfast at home, I stop by a tiny stall near the alley. A warm bánh mì trứng (egg sandwich) or a bowl of cháo trắng with pickled radish.It’s quick, cheap, and somehow always comforting. Cost: 15,000–20,000 VND (~$0.60–$0.80)&nbsp; 🍲 Lunch – A Local Bowl of Comfort (35,000 VND / $1.40) Lunch is usually hủ tiếu — a Southern noodle soup with a clear, fragrant broth. I often go to the same vendor under a big tamarind tree. She doesn’t speak English. She doesn’t need to.The broth changes slightly with the season. The price almost never does. Cost: 30,000–35,000 VND (~$1.20–$1.40)&nbsp; ☕ Afternoon Coffee – My Ritual (40,000 VND / $1.60) This is my small indulgence. A quiet café tucked inside a colonial house. No blaring music, just the clinking of spoons and soft laughter in Vietnamese.A cappuccino here costs about 40,000 VND, and I stay for an hour or two to read, reflect, or write.Coffee in Vietnam isn’t just caffeine — it’s culture.&nbsp; 🌙 Dinner – Home-Cooked and Shared (80,000 VND / $3.20) We cook together in the evening — usually rice, a veggie stir-fry, a soup, and grilled fish or tofu. Everything is bought from the local market that morning.For two people, dinner rarely exceeds 70,000–90,000 VND (~$2.80–$3.50), and often includes leftovers for lunch the next day.Sometimes we eat outside on the balcony, listening to the night roll in with the breeze.&nbsp; 🧾 What’s the Total for a Day of Real Eating? Meal&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Cost (VND)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Cost (USD) Breakfast&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;20,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $0.80 Lunch&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;35,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $1.40 Coffee&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 40,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $1.60 Dinner&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 80,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $3.20 Total&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;175,000 VND&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ~$7.00 Even with a generous budget for dinner and café time, I spend well under $10 a day.Some days it’s even less. Some days I skip coffee. Some days we eat leftovers. But every day feels full — not of luxury, but of nourishment.&nbsp; 💭 Eating Like a Local – Not Cheap, Just Real People often ask: “Is food in Vietnam cheap?” I think they mean “Can you live well without spending much?”And the answer is yes — but not because prices are low. It’s because the culture values freshness, community, and balance.I don’t diet. I don’t track macros. I eat like my grandmother did — a bit of rice, some vegetables, a fish cooked with care, and always soup.This isn’t a guide to cutting costs. It’s a reminder that simple food is enough.&nbsp; 🔗 More from Living in Vietnam <a title="– What I Spend in a Day Living in Saigon – Real Life, Real Prices" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/what-i-spend-in-a-day-living-in-saigon---real-life--real-prices" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/what-i-spend-in-a-day-living-in-saigon---real-life--real-prices">– What I Spend in a Day Living in Saigon – Real Life, Real Prices</a> <a title="– Why Americans Are Leaving Their $75K Jobs for Vietnam" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---why-americans-are-leaving-their--75k-jobs-for-vietnam---the-quiet-escape" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/---why-americans-are-leaving-their--75k-jobs-for-vietnam---the-quiet-escape">– Why Americans Are Leaving Their $75K Jobs for Vietnam</a> <a title="– 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Escaping Burnout" href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/5-things-that-shocked-me-about-living-in-vietnam---honest-expat-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/blog/5-things-that-shocked-me-about-living-in-vietnam---honest-expat-story">– 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Escaping Burnout</a> &nbsp; ✨ Curious what life tastes like in Vietnam? More stories here <a title="👉 thekimngan.com/living-in-vietnam" href="https://thekimngan.com/live---work-in-vietnam" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://thekimngan.com/live---work-in-vietnam">👉 thekimngan.com/living-in-vietnam</a>

🍲 How I Eat Well on $10 a Day in Saigon – Honest Meals, Simple Joys

KimNgan

I’m a travel blogger sharing personal travel stories, itineraries, tips, and cultural insights for destinations in Vietnam, Thailand, China, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, United State, Canada, Australia.. and around the world.
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