Cost of Living like a local in HCMC

[confusedasheck 21]

I'm trying to make a budget for the future wifey while she's still living in Vietnam that's not going to make me broke.

Would appreciate some input on if the prices are too high or too low for living like a local in HCMC. Based on what I've gathered about prices, I think this is reasonable for one person.

Food (cooking at home, eating out a few times a week) - $75

Clothes - $25

Gas (motorbike)- $30

Utilities (house is shared by 6 people) - $10

Rent -$0. Her mom won't charge for this.

Hygiene : $10

Spending money : $50

[WrightFamily 34]

This may help you for Ho Chi Minh City Edited April 23, 2012 by WrightFamily

[quann 26]

2010 is not the same as 2012. the exchange rate of 100usd~2mil vnd has been constant for a few years...but EVERYTHING costs about 1/3rd less then. inflation has been brutal. trips became more expensive in '08 and '09...but i really felt it in '10 and '11...even in the most rural town.

having said that $200 usd is plenty if you're only supporting her (and not her family) and she doesn't pay rent...that's 125k a day. a good bowl of pho is about 50k. also if you're already worried over a few dollars in vn spending just imagine what it'd cost to feed/clothe/shelter her when she gets over here...

[Dan_P 5]

Inflation has been a lot more on some items. Heck, according to my wife, beef has gone up from 180k to 250k just in about 6 months. Usually, after Tet, things go up, and goes up way more than salary goes up too.

[seattlerain 1]

$200 is pretty good actually. Depending on how a person spend. My fiancee makes about $350 a month and she spent like an average person living in HCMC. She was able to save up quite a bit. If a girl is a high class type of girl, then $200 will not be enough.

[tcTTct 37]

Don't even think of going to any of the bars in Saigon where a bottle of vodka will cost you $100 + mixer + tips.

[Dai Gia 4]

I'm trying to make a budget for the future wifey while she's still living in Vietnam that's not going to make me broke.

Would appreciate some input on if the prices are too high or too low for living like a local in HCMC. Based on what I've gathered about prices, I think this is reasonable for one person.

Food (cooking at home, eating out a few times a week) - $75

Clothes - $25

Gas (motorbike)- $30

Utilities (house is shared by 6 people) - $10

Rent -$0. Her mom won't charge for this.

Hygiene : $10

Spending money : $50

Is this budget per day or month or year?

If per day, wow, you must be a nice VK or foreigner, whatever word fits. I'll be proud to have you as my hubby/wife/whatever word fits!!!!

If per month, shouldn't you start to be concerned where to get the money to fund your return trip right now?

If per year, are you outta your mind? You can't even feed yourself! Who are you trying to kid? the US Consulate? I wish you lots of luck!

Anyway, I was just kidding with all of the above. Just ask your wife, or future wife as you put it, how much does she want monthly? If you can afford her demand, play on. Otherwise, start thinking whether or not she's your type.

If you make about $35K annually, there's no need to waste time shopping at a Beamer dealership. You got my drift?

Edited April 24, 2012 by Dai Gia

[Dai Gia 4]

Let me add one more thing so you can expect things in the future (I don't know when they will happen)

One day in the future, she will call you and let you know one of her family members get really sick and needs $$$ for medical expense. The beauty of this part of the game is she lets you "decide" the amount of $$$ you think "reasonable". If you have to ask us about the "minor" expense right now, I personally think you're NOT ready to play this game yet.

One day in the future, she will call you and let you know her motorbike got stolen and she no longer has a mean of transportation..........................................

Will you fly over there every single time to verify whether or not her story is true?

I'll ask you one more time, Have you thoroughly calculated whether or not you can AFFORD playing this overseas dating game?

[confusedasheck 21]

Thanks for the advice guys, except for Dae Que, it was helpful.

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

Thanks for the advice guys, except for Dae Que, it was helpful.

haha.. No more Dau Que, not is Dai Gia...

[Sayha or bust. 71]

Let me add one more thing so you can expect things in the future (I don't know when they will happen)

One day in the future, she will call you and let you know one of her family members get really sick and needs $$$ for medical expense. The beauty of this part of the game is she lets you "decide" the amount of $$$ you think "reasonable". If you have to ask us about the "minor" expense right now, I personally think you're NOT ready to play this game yet.

One day in the future, she will call you and let you know her motorbike got stolen and she no longer has a mean of transportation..........................................

Will you fly over there every single time to verify whether or not her story is tr

I'll ask you one more time, Have you thoroughly calculated whether or not you can AFFORD playing this overseas dating game?

[/quote

I can't relate to your post. I found proper khmer girl that was hard working and honest. I would send her her a monthly stipend since she quit working her pond so she could learn English. Now thats she here the finacial support continues as long as our bills are paid first

[tcTTct 37]

Dau Que/Dai Gia does have his valid points. Some of us may have gotten lucky with genuine and in some cases country bumpkin girls who are happy with their lot in life but most are not.

It takes a lot of money for all the trips and fees and to take care of your girl when she gets here before she can start contributing.

[Anh map 2,098]

A couple of hundred a month ought to be plenty. Up to this point she's likely been living a modest life. That should be good.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Don't try to budget her money for her. Give her what you can reasonably afford. A few hundred a month will substantially raise her standard of living in VN.

Edited April 25, 2012 by JimVaPhuong

[Anh map 2,098]

Don't try to budget her money for her. Give her what you can reasonably afford. A few hundred a month will substantially raise her standard of living in VN.

Agreed, you don't want to be on a slippery slope toward money conflicts in your relationship.