Moving to Singapore from Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam: Expat Guide is about more than changing cities – it is a shift from the buzz of Saigon’s motorbikes and café culture to a highly organised, green, and efficient global hub.
As someone who has lived in both Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Singapore, I have seen many expats make this move for career growth, better schools, and a more predictable regulatory environment, while still staying close to Vietnam travel opportunities and family back home.
This cluster guide sits under Homejourney’s main Singapore expat & property pillar, and focuses specifically on the journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore – from visas and jobs to housing, daily costs, and maintaining your Saigon connections – with a strong emphasis on user safety, transparent information, and verified resources.
Life in Ho Chi Minh City vs Singapore: What Changes?
Ho Chi Minh City (still often called Saigon) offers affordable rents, a relaxed café lifestyle, and an energetic street scene that many expats love.
In popular HCMC expat areas like Thao Dien (District 2), Binh Thanh around Vinhomes Central Park, or District 1, it is still possible in 2025 to rent a comfortable one-bedroom apartment for around US$500–800 per month, while a mid-range three-bedroom outside the centre can be around US$650–1,000.[3]
Singapore, by contrast, is significantly more expensive but offers extremely reliable public transport, low crime, strong rule of law, and highly regulated housing and financial systems – which is why many HCMC professionals and investors consider relocating or diversifying here.
Key similarities include a strong food culture, vibrant expat communities, and a highly international business environment; the main differences are cost of living, urban planning (Singapore is much more structured and green), and the level of regulation around work, visas, and property.
If you are still exploring Saigon Vietnam before relocating, Homejourney’s related travel pieces like the Complete Guide to Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Complete Guide to Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Homejourney and Budget Travel Guide to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Budget Travel Guide to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam | Homejourney are good starting points.
Relocating to Singapore from Ho Chi Minh City: Visas, Jobs & Costs
Visa and work permit options for HCMC expats
Most expats moving from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore come on one of the following passes (administered by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower – MOM):
- Employment Pass (EP) – For professionals, managers, and executives with a job offer in Singapore and a qualifying fixed monthly salary (commonly benchmarked above S$5,000, and higher for older or more senior applicants). Employers must apply, and approval is subject to the COMPASS framework and sector quotas.
- S Pass – For mid‑skilled staff with a lower qualifying salary than EP, but subject to a strict quota and levy. Popular for technical, hospitality, and operations roles.
- EntrePass – For startup founders planning to build an innovative business in Singapore. Criteria are stricter and focused on innovation, funding, and track record.
- Dependent’s Pass & Long-Term Visit Pass – For spouses, children, or certain family members of eligible EP/S Pass holders or Singapore citizens/PRs.
Typically, you should secure a job offer first from Singapore, then enter on a work pass rather than arriving as a tourist and trying to convert later.
Because visa rules change, always verify details directly with MOM or a licensed relocation professional before committing to any move.
Employment opportunities for people from Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam: Expat
Professionals from Ho Chi Minh City often move into these Singapore sectors:
- Technology & product roles – Many regional tech teams cover both Singapore and Vietnam markets from Singapore HQs.
- Banking, fintech & trading – Singapore is a key financial hub, and Vietnamese professionals with regional experience are in demand.
- Logistics, supply chain & manufacturing management – Especially if you have experience from HCMC’s industrial parks and export businesses.
- Hospitality, tourism & F&B – Useful if you come from HCMC’s strong tourism ecosystem and restaurant scene.
Insider tip: Interviews in Singapore tend to be more structured than in Saigon – you will usually go through multiple rounds, and HR will check references thoroughly.
Cost of living: HCMC vs Singapore
If you are used to HCMC prices, Singapore can feel like a shock at first.
As a rough comparison in 2025:
- Rent – A modern one-bedroom apartment in Thao Dien might cost US$600–800; a similar private condo in city-fringe Singapore (e.g. Queenstown, Paya Lebar) can easily be S$3,000–3,800 per month. A room in a shared flat or HDB may start around S$1,000–1,500.
- Transport – In HCMC you likely rely on a motorbike or GrabBike; in Singapore the MRT and buses are very reliable, and most central journeys are S$1–2 per trip with contactless payment.
- Food – Street food in HCMC can be US$2–3 per meal. In Singapore, hawker centres offer dishes around S$4–7, while restaurants range from S$25 per person upwards.
Singapore’s higher costs are partially offset by typically higher salaries, better social infrastructure, and stronger consumer protections.
Homejourney’s focus is to help you evaluate properties within your realistic budget, with transparent pricing and verified listings, so you can transition from Saigon Vietnam to Singapore with confidence.
Property in Singapore for Expats from Ho Chi Minh City
Singapore’s property market is tightly regulated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), which is very different from how many projects in Ho Chi Minh City are marketed and transacted.
What can foreigners buy in Singapore?
As a non‑resident moving from Ho Chi Minh City, you should understand these broad rules (always confirm with URA or a qualified lawyer before purchase):
- Private condominiums & apartments – Generally open to foreigners with no special approval needed.
- Executive Condominiums (ECs) – New ECs are restricted, but foreigners can usually buy ECs in the resale market after their Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) ends.
- HDB flats – Foreigners who are not Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) cannot buy HDB resale flats on their own. Even for PRs, there are strict rules and minimum occupancy periods.
- Landed property – Typically restricted; foreigners need special approval to buy most landed homes.
Because rules are detailed and change over time, Homejourney strongly recommends speaking with a licensed property agent or conveyancing lawyer before signing any Option to Purchase.
ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for foreigners
In addition to normal Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), most non‑resident foreigners pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential property purchases.
ABSD rates have been raised multiple times to cool the market; they differ for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and foreigners, and can also vary by nationality under certain Free Trade Agreements.
Before you commit funds from Ho Chi Minh City, always check IRAS’ latest ABSD schedule and run calculations based on an actual property price; Homejourney’s team can help you model different scenarios and connect you with independent mortgage advisers.
Popular neighbourhoods for HCMC expats in Singapore
If you like the feel of Thao Dien or District 1 in HCMC, you will probably feel at home in these Singapore areas:
- Tiong Bahru & River Valley – Vintage low‑rise blocks mixed with modern condos, cafés, and bakeries; feels like a more polished, quieter version of central Saigon, yet only 5–10 minutes from Orchard Road.
- Robertson Quay & Clarke Quay – Riverside living with restaurants and bars, popular with young professionals used to HCMC’s District 1 lifestyle.
- East Coast (Katong, Joo Chiat) – Colourful shophouses, Peranakan food, and a relaxed seaside vibe that suits families who previously lived in Thao Dien’s villa enclaves.
- Queenstown, Redhill, and Buona Vista – Convenient for those working in tech parks and business hubs, with a good mix of public and private housing.
