Is District 5 (Chinatown) Expensive?

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

-15% vs Ho Chi Minh City avg

Living in District 5 (Chinatown), Ho Chi Minh City

District 5 (Chinatown) is a relatively affordable area in Ho Chi Minh City, with a cost of living index of 22.4 — that is -15% compared to the Ho Chi Minh City average. At #11 of 19, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around ₫10,625,000/month, compared to a range of ₫9,000,000 in Nha Be to ₫16,250,000 in District 1.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of District 5 (Chinatown), housing takes up roughly 31% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 18%, while transportation costs around 9%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately ₫425,000,000 before tax.

Typical Salaries in District 5 (Chinatown)

Salaries in District 5 (Chinatown) reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 22.4:

After tax and deductions of 26.2% in Vietnam, take-home pay for someone earning ₫425,000,000 would be roughly ₫313,650,000/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

22.4
COLI Index
0.85x
vs City Avg
₫10,625,000
Est. 1BR Rent
#11
of 19 Areas
26.2%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in District 5 (Chinatown)

Estimated annual deductions on a ₫420,000,000 salary in District 5 (Chinatown), Ho Chi Minh City (local employee).

Income Tax
16%
Social + Health + Unemployment
10.5%
Total Deductions: 26.2%
Est. Take-Home: ₫309,900,000/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in District 5 (Chinatown) would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $16,800
London GBP £14,458
Dubai AED AED 84,064

Other Neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
District 1 34.3 1.30x +30%
District 2 (Thao Dien) 32.2 1.22x +22%
District 3 30.4 1.15x +15%
District 7 (Phu My Hung) 29.6 1.12x +12%
Binh Thanh 26.9 1.02x +2%

View all 19 neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in District 5 (Chinatown), Ho Chi Minh City to maintain your lifestyle.

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to District 5 (Chinatown):

Surulere, Lagos Ilupeju, Lagos Ogudu, Lagos Desamparados, San José (CR) Chroy Changvar, Phnom Penh Caballito, Buenos Aires

Frequently Asked Questions

Is District 5 (Chinatown) expensive in Ho Chi Minh City?

District 5 (Chinatown) is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City. It costs about -15% less than the city average, ranking #11 out of 19 neighborhoods.

How does District 5 (Chinatown) compare to the Ho Chi Minh City average?

The cost of living in District 5 (Chinatown) is below the Ho Chi Minh City average. With a multiplier of 0.85x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -15% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.