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When i stay in hcmc d7, a family of 3 of us expenditure expenses roughly usd 2 to 2.3k a mth. Which is nothing luxurious. Its just that the fuel, electricity, and things are on the higher side compared to my homeland in Msia. A meal outside cost far higher then self prepared at home. What i meant is to buy convinience in hcmc can be expensive unless trying to diy most of the things. To maintain a vario also not cheap i would say

As for currency exchange / savings issues, park at least some of your spare loot each month in gold, bought from Viet-frequented gold shop, All this govpaper is going down the crapper fast.
-@hamabeo1923

If you mean ALL paper currency around the world, the trend is definitely headed toward digital currency.

IF you are talking about the value of the Việt Nam đồng in relation to other major world currencies, the đồng has been holding its own against many of them, especially (since you are a UK expat) against the GBP (5 year chart):

@Mac68
Also, you have to take into consideration that much of the retail and service that caters to foreigners is priced several times the equivalent for Viets.
-@mitsmaak
Then, don't use such places and get your stuff where the Viets do?

@OP: Unless you're an absolute primadonna then you'll struggle to spend $3k/month disposable here. First few months will be more expensive as you acquire whatever home comforts you need and find the cheaper places and ways of doing things but you'll be fine long term.

As for currency exchange / savings issues, park at least some of your spare loot each month in gold, bought from Viet-frequented gold shop, All this govpaper is going down the crapper fast.
-@hamabeo1923

And,............We built our own home on property we purchased. (Everything is in wife's name, I'm primarily a mentor.

All amenities' including air con in critical areas Lived in cramped hotel for 4 months, 20.00usd / night but worth the wait. Our monthly expenses are no where what you are encountering. Get the heck away from Expat areas, go semi rural. Make good contracting choices. Put a safe in your home, respect what others say about currencies, gold a good partial option too. Viet banks pay high interest, but remember cash is king, keep a safe, safely hidden. USD keep that way . USA bank FDIC insured also.  ( You will need a USA address.)  Our home now done, close to police dept, high school,  local markets. Outdoor fruits and veggies the best. Reasonable in price. Stay away from meats. Go Vegan if you are inclined.   

Best of everything to you and yours

MAc

Viet banks pay high interest, but remember cash is king... -@Mac68

You hear that a lot over here, but I think cash is Queen.

Gold is most definitely 💰🌟King🌟💰

@Mac68
Viet banks pay high interest, but remember cash is king, keep a safe, safely hidden. USD keep that way . USA bank FDIC insured also. ( You will need a USA address.)
-@Mac68

Over the last several years, US bank interest at close to zero was not such a bad deal when you allowed that inflation in dollars was about the same.  Not much better than your mattress but a lot safer. During the same period, Vietnamese interest rates have been deceptive. A 6% CD does not look that good if inflation (plus sometimes currency fluctuation added in) is 8% or more.  Now interest rates are up in US banks to maybe 3% but US inflation is forecast at 6%.  Wherever you decide to keep your excess funds, you have to account for inflation.

Gold actually often but does not always beat inflation.   On Western markets, gold is up 14% from Feb 22 to Feb 23 while inflation was about 6%.   During the previous year, it did a lot worse, dropping behind inflation.   Vietnam and India are two countries where the price of gold follows its own supply/demand curve.  This can be in your favor or decidedly against you, so take everything into consideration.  If you really expect to live out the rest of your days in Vietnam, that's OK, but if you think you will be returning to the West with gold, be careful.

@Mac68
Viet banks pay high interest, but remember cash is king, keep a safe, safely hidden. USD keep that way . USA bank FDIC insured also. ( You will need a USA address.)
-@Mac68
Over the last several years, US bank interest at close to zero was not such a bad deal when you allowed that inflation in dollars was about the same. Not much better than your mattress but a lot safer. During the same period, Vietnamese interest rates have been deceptive. A 6% CD does not look that good if inflation (plus sometimes currency fluctuation added in) is 8% or more. Now interest rates are up in US banks to maybe 3% but US inflation is forecast at 6%. Wherever you decide to keep your excess funds, you have to account for inflation.
-@THIGV

USD 6 month term at CITI Singapore is giving 3.9 %, 1 year term is giving about 3.8. GBP about same, EURO about 2%

Today after FED & BOE usd & GBP should go over 4%

Viet banks pay high interest, but remember cash is king... -@Mac68

You hear that a lot over here, but I think cash is Queen.

Gold is most definitely 💰🌟King🌟💰
-@OceanBeach92107

Right, we've got some of that stuff. However not easy to spend day to day.

MAc

Question for the group, you folks mention buying gold at jewelery stores, are you buying bars or rings or necklaces, etc? Just curious. Can't wait, will be in DaNang in one week.

Thanks all.

Question for the group, you folks mention buying gold at jewelery stores, are you buying bars or rings or necklaces, etc? Just curious. Can't wait, will be in DaNang in one week.
Thanks all.
-@jculpepper22

Everything you see and more...

Ohh, you will need another human for those things. I say go for those 'bar-lettes', tiny flat ones, that is more convenient!..

@OceanBeach92107

Thanks OB...have a great weekend.

Question for the group, you folks mention buying gold at jewelery stores, are you buying bars or rings or necklaces, etc? Just curious. Can't wait, will be in DaNang in one week.
Thanks all.
-@jculpepper22

Everything you see and more...
-@OceanBeach92107

M wife knows to only purchase certified Vietnamese gold bars. From a reputable jewelry store. One that knows they would not be in business w/o a good reputation. Shop wisely, know who to trust.

MAc

@hamabeo1923 My point was regarding things that expats like in areas that cater to expats.

Your advice regarding gold is excellent. Everyone should be doing this. The likelihood of the the SHF is increasing rapidly according to recent data.

If your not familar with commodities you could be losing money as the spot gold price is the price of gold is often volatile over the short term. There are many factors that influence the price of the metal. Because gold is generally dollar-denominated, a stronger U.S. dollar tends to drive gold prices lower, and vice versa. global events gold can drop $100 in a night. so if your buying gold you really need a good entry price

@ChefMinionMark Ditto on that. I also found that in D7 PMH they demand 2-3 months deposit. They will not return your entire deposit. They will come up with something to deduct. In VN, you are not getting all of your money back.

Same thing in the US, normally landlords would try to deduct $ off deposits with all kind of excuses.