Viet Nam listed among the top 10 best places in the world for retirement

In the 2026 ranking recently released by the French website Retraite sans Frontieres (Retirement Without Borders), Viet Nam has, for the first time, been included among the world’s top 10 best countries to live in for retirees, thanks to its reasonable cost of living, steadily improving living conditions, and notable progress in infrastructure and healthcare.

The ranking was compiled amid a growing trend of retirees in Europe, including France, considering long-term residence abroad to enhance their quality of life, enjoy a favorable climate, and optimize their retirement income.

To determine the rankings, Retraite sans Frontieres analyzed 12 criteria, with cost of living carrying the greatest weight, accounting for 20% of the total score.

According to Paul Delahoutre, founder of the organization, living abroad can help retirees save between 15% and 50% on daily expenses compared to living in France. Other key criteria include climate, quality of healthcare services, safety, accessibility of services, and transport conditions.

Beyond lifestyle factors, tax policy is also considered a crucial lever when choosing a retirement destination. Some countries offer attractive tax incentives on pensions transferred from abroad, creating significant appeal for foreign retirees.

In this year’s list, Viet Nam ranks ninth, marking its first appearance in the top 10. The country earned recognition for its low cost of living, diverse living environment, and clearly improving healthcare system and urban infrastructure.

Although living costs remain slightly higher than in some other Asian destinations, Viet Nam is regarded as a balanced option in terms of affordability, living conditions, and long-term development potential.

Portugal continues to lead the ranking, thanks to living costs around 15% lower than in France, geographical proximity, convenient transport links, and well-developed infrastructure. Spain follows closely, standing out for its shared border with France, rich cuisine, and services that meet European standards.

The remaining positions are held by Greece, Thailand, Mauritius, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Indonesia. Bali (Indonesia) continues to receive high marks for its low cost of living and pleasant climate, although geographical distance and healthcare quality remain limitations.

Hai Phong News