With over 20,000 islands spreading throughout the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Southeast Asia is a fantastic place packed with varieties of cultures that one shouldn’t miss.
Knowing that Southeast Asia can show you the wonders of the world, having the dream of visiting one of its countries is undoubtedly a perfect candidate to add to one’s bucket list!
Moreover, Southeast Asia is known to be the perfect option when planning for the best vacation that involves the combination of sun, sea, and culture.
As the location of this region in Asia stands on or near the equator, the warmness of the country’s atmosphere remains for the whole year, which makes it ideal for beach trips.
Two of the most notable countries that are worth a visit in Southeast Asia are Malaysia and Vietnam.
Another notable fact about the Asian region, Southeast Asia is considered to be one of the most affordable parts of the world when traveling.
Hence, we will be tackling the comparison of the budget between Malaysia and Vietnam which could guide you, a future SEA visitor, in collecting factors to consider in your decision-making.
Recommended: Is Malaysia Cheaper Than Japan: Cost of living Comparison
Country Profile of Malaysia
Country Profile of MalaysiaIs - Is Malaysia Cheaper than Vietnam?
Malaysia is divided by the South China Sea for around 400 miles into two separated parts which are Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.
At the tip of the Malay Peninsula is where Peninsular Malaysia is located while East Malaysia extends across northern Borneo.
Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital which can be found in the western part of Peninsular Malaysia near Sumatra.
Malaysia is covered with tropical rainforests which serve as habitats for several endangered animals such as the Malayan tigers.
A federal constitutional monarchy is the form of Malaysia’s government which embodies 13 states and 3 federal territories that include Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and the island of Labuan.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which means “paramount ruler,” is the term used for Malaysia’s monarch, a ceremonial head of state.
Rubber, palm oil, and other natural resources have been the most crucial products of the country’s economy; rubber and tin exports however were the driving factor of the economy before the 20th century.
Country Profile of Vietnam
Country Profile of Vietnam - Is Malaysia Cheaper than Vietnam?
Vietnam is an elongated country with a shape resembling that of the letter ‘s,’ not to mention that the area has a total area of 127,123 square miles.
Indochina, the eastern edge of the peninsula, is where Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia wherein China and Cambodia serve as its neighboring countries.
The major rivers of Vietnam, the Mekong and Red Rivers, somehow house the country’s people and give them good-conditioned soil that is good for growing rice and other staple crops.
The people of Vietnam feature ways of life as an inhabitant near the river delta regions found in the north and south, which makes their culture unique from the rest of its neighboring countries.
Vietnamese food gives the taste of a Chinese and Thai combination that usually showcases delicious seafood and homegrown fruits and greens!
The official name of the country is the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and has a Socialist republic as its form of government.
Crude oil, seafood, rice, shoes, wooden products, machinery, electronics, coffee, and clothing, are the most notable exports of Vietnam which are somewhat running the country’s economy.
Although the “Three Teachings” i.e., Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, are what multiple Vietnamese follow, they have the freedom to worship since the country has no official region for it being a communist nation.
Moreover, the capital of Vietnam is Hanoi and the country has a population of approximately around 97 million.
Cost of Living Comparison
Cost of Living Comparison - Is Malaysia Cheaper than Vietnam?
According to MyLifeElsewhere, a community that provides data and statistics, Vietnam is 13.3% more pricey than Malaysia.
A Vietnam resident pays 6.1% more for restaurants than residents of Malaysia.
The average price of meals from fast food chains such as McDonald's in Malaysia and Vietnam costs RM 17.15 ($3.63) and RM 23.20 ($4.91), respectively, making Vietnamese fast food meals 35.3% more costly.
The total average price of Vietnamese restaurants is 6.1% higher than that of Malaysians, however, the basic meal in a cheap Vietnamese restaurant is more affordable than that of Malaysians.
A basic meal, inclusive of a drink, at an inexpensive restaurant in Malaysia and Vietnam is RM 11.15 ($2.36) and RM 9.26 ($1.96), respectively.
This suggests that the cost comparison of the restaurant meals in the two countries also depends on whether you eat basic or fast food meals.
But, as far as the groceries are concerned, you would pay 6.1% more when you’re in Vietnam instead of Malaysia.
Moreover, if we were to talk about transportation, it is claimed that Vietnam residents pay 26.6% more than Malaysian residents.
However, the monthly public transit pass in Vietnam costs only around RM 37.82 ($8.00) while it costs RM 85.14 ($18.01) for that of Malaysia.
Moving on with the housing expenses, Vietnam residents have been paying 6.8% less compared to those living in Malaysia.
Another notable variable to consider in this comparison is the monthly salary tax in the two countries.
It is shown that the monthly salary after tax in Malaysia and Vietnam is around RM 3,701.79 ($783) and RM 2,203.10 ($466), respectively; therefore, Malaysian citizens receive more of that compared to the ones in Vietnam.
If you are wondering which of the two countries is the richer one, let’s take a look at the comparison of their GDP per capita.
According to a crowdsourced database that has a cost of living calculator, the GDP per capita in Malaysia and Vietnam is approximately RM 56,591.05 ($11,972) and $4,164, respectively.
Related: Malaysia Cheap Flights
Child Education Cost Comparison
Child Education Cost Comparison - Is Malaysia Cheaper than Vietnam?
According to MyLifeElsewhere, Vietnam parents pay around RM 1,071.83 ($226.70) monthly for their child’s education at a private preschool while Malaysian parents pay approximately RM 684.59 ($144.8) which is 56.6% cheaper than Vietnam’s.
Moreover, the cost of middle school for a child per month in Vietnam and Malaysia is RM 47,879.90 ($10,132.35) and RM 28,867.15 ($6,108.87), respectively.
This makes the cost of middle school for a child per month in Vietnam 65.9% more pricey than that in Malaysia.
On average, child education in Vietnam costs 61.2% more than that in Malaysia.
Entertainment and Sports Cost Comparison
According to MyLifeElsewhere, when it comes to entertainment and sports, you may consider choosing the side of Vietnam as it was proven to be cheaper compared to that of Malaysia.
For instance, a beer from a local manufacturer costs around RM 16.21 ($3.43) and RM 4.44 ($0.94) in Malaysia and Vietnam, respectively, making the local Vietnamese beers 72.7% cheaper.
Another example is the price comparison of a cappuccino in a mid-range area in which this coffee costs RM 11.62 ($2.46) and RM 8.79 ($1.86) in Malaysia and Vietnam, respectively.
This record shows that one would pay 25.4% less money for a cappuccino in a mid range area when visiting Vietnam compared to choosing Malaysia.
Additionally, if you love prioritizing your health by frequently visiting the gym, you may also opt to have Vietnam as your destination.
Some data proves that the monthly membership at a local gym in Malaysia and Vietnam costs RM 154.07 ($32.59) and RM 118.00 ($24.96), respectively; therefore making the price of that in Vietnam 23.4% cheaper than in Malaysia.
However, the movie ticket to a theater or cinema in Malaysia and Vietnam costs around RM 17.11 ($3.62) and RM 18.24 ($3.86), respectively; hence, making the price of that in Malaysia slightly cheaper than in Vietnam.
On average, people in Vietnam spend 36.4% less money on entertainment and sports compared to those who are staying in Malaysia.
Clothing Cost Comparison
According to MyLifeElsewhere, the regular jeans in Malaysia and Vietnam cost approximately RM 222.59 ($47.09) and RM 159.06 ($33.66), respectively; thus, making the price of that in Vietnam 28.5% cheaper compared to Malaysia.
Additionally, a regular dress in Malaysia costs around RM 114.79 ($24.30) while the price of that in Vietnam is around RM 139.41 ($29.49); therefore, the price of that in Malaysia is 21.4% cheaper compared to Vietnam.
Another notable item to compare when it comes to its price in the two countries is the running shoes.
The average price of running shoes in Malaysia and Vietnam is around RM 294.30 ($62.25) and RM 425.79 ($90.06), respectively; therefore, that is 44.7% pricier in Vietnam compared to Malaysia.
In addition to the samples, let’s take a look into the comparison on the price of leather business shoes in the two countries.
In Malaysia, these sophisticated shoes cost approximately RM 265.94 ($56.25) while those cost RM 501.15 ($106.00) in Vietnam, thus, Vietnamese business shoes are way pricier compared to that of the Malaysians, with being 88.5% pricier compared to the latter country.
On average, people who chose to stay in Vietnam paid 31.5% more for clothing compared to those who chose to have Malaysia as their destination or home.
Economy Comparison
Economy Comparison - Is Malaysia Cheaper than Vietnam?
According to provided statistics by reliable data sources, a worker in Vietnam tends to earn 68.9% less money than in Malaysia.
Additionally, it is said that there is a 19.6% chance for someone who would choose to stay in Vietnam than in Malaysia to live below the poverty line.
Lastly, Vietnamese citizens pay a 25.0% higher top tax rate than the citizens of Malaysia.
Is Malaysia Cheaper than Vietnam?
Southeast Asia houses several countries that feature the wonders of the world through its culture, sun, and ocean.
Malaysia and Vietnam are two countries in Southeast Asia that are considered to be the two of the most ideal countries to visit in the region.
According to multiple databases that provide reliable statistics such as the MyLifeElsewhere, Malaysia is cheaper than Vietnam.
Read more:
