Vietnam offers some of the lowest living costs in Southeast Asia, world-class street food, stunning landscapes, and a buzzing expat scene — but the visa situation requires honest planning before you commit.
⚠️ Vietnam has no retirement visa as of 2026. As a Canadian, you cannot enter Vietnam visa-free and must obtain a 90-day e-visa ($25). When it expires, you must leave Vietnam, apply for a new e-visa from outside the country, and re-enter. This "visa run" is a regular part of expat life in Vietnam. Most retirees make quarterly trips to Cambodia, Thailand or Laos. It's manageable and inexpensive, but it is a real commitment to plan around.
Vietnam is an extraordinary country — the food alone is worth the price of admission, and the cost of living is genuinely jaw-dropping compared to anywhere in the West. A couple can live beautifully in Da Nang for under $1,500 a month. That's not roughing it — that's a nice apartment, eating out every day, and still saving money.
The honest caveat is the visa situation. There's no retirement visa, which means you're perpetually on a 90-day timer. For some expats this is fine — quarterly trips to Bangkok or Siem Reap become mini adventures. For others, the uncertainty and logistics are a deal-breaker. Know which type of person you are before committing. Vietnam rewards the flexible traveller. If you want roots and long-term legal security, Malaysia or Portugal are better fits.
Cost of Living
Vietnam is consistently the most affordable comfortable retirement destination in Southeast Asia — and arguably in all of Asia. At 60–70% cheaper than the US across most categories, the purchasing power of a Canadian or US dollar stretches dramatically further here. A couple can live genuinely well in Da Nang for $1,400–$1,800/month, and in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for $1,600–$2,100/month. The figures below are for Da Nang — Vietnam's most popular expat city and the best value of the major hubs.
| Category | Budget | Comfortable | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (2BR apartment) | $300 | $550 | $1,200+ |
| Food & Dining | $200 | $350 | $700 |
| Transport | $30 | $80 | $200 |
| Utilities & Internet | $40 | $80 | $130 |
| Health Insurance | $60 | $120 | $300 |
| Entertainment & Leisure | $80 | $200 | $500 |
| Visa Runs (quarterly) | $30 | $50 | $100 |
| Miscellaneous | $60 | $100 | $200 |
| Monthly Total (Couple, Da Nang) | ~$800 | ~$1,530 | ~$3,330 |
| City | 2BR Rent | Couple Comfortable | Vs. Da Nang |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏖️ Da Nang | $400–$800 | $1,400–$2,000 | Baseline |
| 🏛️ Hanoi | $400–$700 | $1,500–$2,100 | ~10% more |
| 🌆 Ho Chi Minh City | $500–$900 | $1,600–$2,400 | ~15–20% more |
| 🌊 Hoi An | $300–$600 | $1,200–$1,700 | ~10% less |
💡 The food factor: Vietnam's street food culture meaningfully changes the cost of living calculus. A full local meal of pho, banh mi, or com tam costs $1.50–$3. A couple eating out twice a day at local spots spends less on food monthly than most people spend on groceries in Canada. Even with regular Western restaurant meals mixed in, a couple can eat very well for $300–$400/month.
💡 Internet: Vietnam has some of the fastest and cheapest internet in Southeast Asia — fiber plans with 100+ Mbps speeds cost ~$11–15/month. Mobile data is ~$6/month for unlimited plans. Da Nang is on Forbes' top 8 digital nomad cities list for 2026 partly for this reason.
Visa Options
Vietnam has no dedicated retirement visa as of 2026. The government has discussed introducing a Golden Visa programme for high-value investors and potentially financially independent retirees, but no timeline has been confirmed. In the meantime, retirees use one of the following pathways — each with important trade-offs.
⚠️ Visa run reality: Vietnam's e-visa system requires you to physically leave the country and apply for a new visa from abroad before re-entering. You cannot apply for a new e-visa while inside Vietnam. Most expats fly or take a bus to Cambodia (Phnom Penh from $80 return) or fly to Bangkok ($100–150 return). The trips typically last 1–3 days and double as a mini getaway. That said, visa enforcement is reportedly tightening and rules can change with little notice — always verify current requirements before your trip.
Healthcare
Vietnam's private healthcare system in major cities has improved significantly over the past decade. Vinmec International Hospital (Hanoi and HCMC), Family Medical Practice (multiple cities), and FV Hospital (HCMC) all offer international-standard care with English-speaking doctors. Costs are very affordable — a GP visit runs $10–30 at a local clinic, and $30–60 at a private expat clinic. Private health insurance runs $50–150/month per person depending on age and coverage.
Outside the major cities, healthcare quality drops off significantly. For complex or serious medical situations, many expats travel to Bangkok, which is only a short flight away and has some of Southeast Asia's best hospitals. Planning for medical evacuation coverage in your insurance is worth considering.
💡 Bangkok proximity: Bangkok is just 2 hours by air from Hanoi or HCMC and has world-class hospitals. Many long-term Vietnam expats maintain a relationship with a Bangkok hospital for anything complex — and combine it with their visa run trip.
Where to Live
Vietnam's three main expat hubs offer dramatically different vibes — a beach city, a historic capital, and a buzzing commercial megacity. Da Nang is consistently the top pick for retirees and digital nomads for its combination of value, beaches, and livability.
The sweet spot for retirees — a mid-sized beach city with mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Calmer and cheaper than Hanoi or HCMC, with excellent infrastructure, fast internet, and a growing international community. Forbes' top digital nomad city 2026.
Vietnam's ancient capital — rich in history, French colonial architecture, and some of the country's best food. A more traditional feel than HCMC, with tree-lined streets and beautiful lakes. Tay Ho (West Lake) district is the expat hub.
Vietnam's commercial capital — fast, modern, and electric. The most international city in Vietnam with the best selection of international restaurants, hospitals, and shopping. More expensive, more chaotic, but offers maximum amenities and connectivity.
💡 Hidden gem: Hoi An — just 30km south of Da Nang — is a UNESCO-listed ancient town with some of the most charming streets in all of Asia. Cheaper than Da Nang, pedestrian-friendly, and with a growing expat community. The trade-off: fewer urban amenities and a smaller international medical presence.
Key Facts
Honest Assessment
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