Cost of Living in Hanoi:
Accommodation:
Rental prices have come back up since their downward slide of 2008-9, so check the resources listed in the Accommodation Section for the most current prices. As of July 2012 a 3-bedroom apartment or house is $800-2500/month, depending on size, location and quality.
Utility bills:
- Water is a negligible expense, and is often included in the price of rent.
- Gas is used for cooking only, and for a family of 4 runs $10-20/month.
- Electricity costs vary greatly according to season—for a family of 4 it should average less than $75/month, but in summer months air-conditioners may drive the price above $200/month.
Food:
Local produce is extremely cheap, but imported produce and processed foods, including cheeses, sauces and wines, are more expensive than in the West. Here are average prices for a few basic food products:
- Milk–$1/quart
- Butter–$4/pound
- Eggs–$1/dozen
- Bread–$.75 for a whole wheat loaf
- Rice–$.50/pound
- Potatoes–$.30/pound
- Instant Coffee–$4/half-pound
- Apples–$2/pound
- Tomatoes–$.50/pound
- Pasta–$2/pound (imported)
- Cheese–$6/pound for gouda or cheddar
- Beer–$.50/bottle for local beer, up to $4/bottle for imported brands
- Wine–$8 for a low-end European bottle, $20 for mid-range
- Bottled Water–$.50/litre
- Seasonal Fruits–$.25-.50/pound
- Seasonal Vegetables–$.25-.50/pound
Transport:
- An average taxi ride around town will cost $3-5.
- Riding public buses would cost you less than $10/month.
- Petrol goes for about $4/gallon.
Leisure:
- A cinema ticket is $3.
- Opera/ballet is a great value, with international artists performing in the Opera House starting at $5/ticket.
- Gym memberships are about $1000/year for a family in one of the major hotels, like the Sheraton.
- A meal for two in an upmarket restaurant is $20-30 including drinks, and a meal for 4 in a family restaurant is about $30.
Miscellaneous:
- Cable TV is $5-10/month.
- Home internet is $20/month.
- Mobile phone charges are based on calling time, but seldom exceed $50/month, and are usually closer to $20.
- A landline is just a few dollars a month, plus long distance charges.
- Housekeeping and babysitting help can be had for $20/hour for English-speaking staff, less for non-English speakers.
- Dry cleaning is about $.60 for a shirt, a dollar for pants, and about two dollars for sweaters and jackets.
Schools:
Fees vary wildly according to age and institution—UNIS, the United Nations International School, costs over $20,000/year, while the Hanoi American School is $3000-4000/year, and kindergartens are $2000-6000/year.
