Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 59% cheaper than in Gwangju (South Korea)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 111 prices entered by 23 different people.
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Food | - 46% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 46% cheaper than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 51,588 ₫ (₩2,834) | ₩9,317 | - 70% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 99,246 ₫ (₩5,452) | ₩6,285 | - 13% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 43,546 ₫ (₩2,392) | ₩4,508 | - 47% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 36,250 ₫ (₩1,991) | ₩2,493 | - 20% | |
12 eggs, large | 31,840 ₫ (₩1,749) | ₩4,277 | - 59% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 31,048 ₫ (₩1,706) | ₩3,000 | - 43% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 127,423 ₫ (₩7,000) | ₩7,161 | - 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 80,273 ₫ (₩4,410) | ₩6,693 | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 33,000 ₫ (₩1,813) | ₩4,487 | - 60% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 21,810 ₫ (₩1,198) | ₩1,756 | - 32% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 200,000 ₫ (₩10,987) | ₩20,000 | - 45% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 21,817 ₫ (₩1,199) | ₩2,398 | - 50% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 29,250 ₫ (₩1,607) | ₩3,008 | - 47% | |
Housing | + 35% | |||
Housing in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 35% more expensive than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 29,954,200 ₫ (₩1,645,549) | ₩598,305 | + 175% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 14,948,500 ₫ (₩821,204) | ₩397,436 | + 107% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,575,120 ₫ (₩86,530) | ₩90,769 | - 5% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 12,023,000 ₫ (₩660,490) | ₩610,204 | + 8% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 7,174,960 ₫ (₩394,160) | ₩400,000 | - 1% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 766,813 ₫ (₩42,125) | ₩50,000 | - 16% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 281,377 ₫ (₩15,458) | ₩25,000 | - 38% | |
40” flat screen tv | 8,671,020 ₫ (₩476,347) | - | - | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,288,680 ₫ (₩180,665) | - | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 197,111 ₫ (₩10,828) | ₩10,513 | + 3% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 72,689 ₫ (₩3,993) | - | - | |
Clothes | + 38% | |||
Clothes in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 38% more expensive than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Gwangju | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,030,560 ₫ (₩56,614) | - | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 877,640 ₫ (₩48,214) | ₩27,832 | + 73% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,189,470 ₫ (₩120,280) | ₩92,308 | + 30% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,346,150 ₫ (₩128,887) | ₩80,000 | + 61% | |
Transportation | - 86% | |||
Transportation in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 86% cheaper than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,040,750,000 ₫ (₩57,174,141) | - | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 27,974 ₫ (₩1,537) | ₩1,446 | + 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 136,918 ₫ (₩7,522) | ₩366,667 | - 98% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 135,604 ₫ (₩7,449) | ₩10,789 | - 31% | |
Personal Care | - 51% | |||
Personal Care in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 51% cheaper than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 43,639 ₫ (₩2,397) | ₩10,000 | - 76% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 122,285 ₫ (₩6,718) | - | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 782,378 ₫ (₩42,980) | ₩50,000 | - 14% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 96,240 ₫ (₩5,287) | - | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 61,999 ₫ (₩3,406) | ₩11,250 | - 70% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 84,163 ₫ (₩4,624) | ₩5,000 | - 8% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 30,291 ₫ (₩1,664) | ₩5,300 | - 69% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 22,724 ₫ (₩1,248) | ₩2,000 | - 38% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 95,691 ₫ (₩5,257) | ₩12,025 | - 56% | |
Entertainment | - 11% | |||
Entertainment in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 11% cheaper than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 474,704 ₫ (₩26,078) | ₩26,164 | - 0% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 182,381 ₫ (₩10,019) | ₩17,828 | - 44% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 604,866 ₫ (₩33,229) | - | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 627,883 ₫ (₩34,493) | ₩40,000 | - 14% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 172,204 ₫ (₩9,460) | ₩7,000 | + 35% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 49,070 ₫ (₩2,696) | ₩4,435 | - 39% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 24,292 ₫ (₩1,335) | ₩3,380 | - 61% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 13,053,100 ₫ (₩717,079) | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,408 ₫ (₩77) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 646,296 ₫ (₩35,505) | ₩42,000 | - 15% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 30,000 ₫ (₩1,648) | ₩3,144 | - 48% | |
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TOTAL | - 59% |

These prices were last updated on March 24, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05494
KRW
/
VND
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ₩1,840,000 in Gwangju you would need to make just about ₩750,729 (13,665,638 ₫) in Ho Chi Minh City.
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