From Singapore to Saigon: Why Expat Families Are Choosing District 7 Over Marina Bay in 2026
- EcoGreen
- May 8
- 9 min read
Updated: May 9
From Singapore to Saigon: Why Expat Families Are Choosing District 7 Over Marina Bay in 2026
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The Honest Cost-of-Living, Lifestyle and Quality-of-Life Comparison Every Expat Should Read Before Deciding
Singapore is extraordinary. It is also, by almost every measurable standard, one of the most expensive places in the world to live.
If you are a family paying SGD 8,000 a month for a three-bedroom apartment in a mid-tier district of Singapore, and someone told you that you could have a larger, newer, better-equipped apartment in a master-planned waterfront development in Ho Chi Minh City for SGD 1,200 a month — you would probably assume something was wrong with the second option.
Nothing is wrong with the second option.
This is what is happening at Eco Green Saigon in District 7, and this is why an increasing number of expat families are making the move from Singapore to Saigon. Here is everything you need to know before making that decision yourself.
Section 1: The Cost Comparison — What Your Money Actually Gets You
Housing: The Most Dramatic Difference
This is where the comparison becomes stark. We are not talking about a 20% difference. We are talking about a 5–7x difference in housing costs for comparable or superior product.
Singapore (Marine Parade / East Coast): 3BR, 1,200–1,400 sqft condo — SGD 7,000–10,000/month (about USD 5,200–7,400)
Singapore (Marina Bay / CBD adjacent): 2BR, 900 sqft — SGD 8,000–12,000/month
Singapore (Holland Village / Bukit Timah expat belt): 4BR landed — SGD 12,000–18,000/month
Eco Green Saigon, District 7: 2BR, 70–80 sqm — 12–16M VND/month (about SGD 640–850 / USD 470–630)
Eco Green Saigon, District 7: 3BR, 95–120 sqm — 18–25M VND/month (about SGD 960–1,330 / USD 710–980)
Eco Green Saigon, District 7: 4BR penthouse, 160 sqm — 35–50M VND/month (about SGD 1,870–2,670)
What you get at Eco Green Saigon for SGD 1,200 a month: a newer building, a larger apartment, rooftop pools, a running track, gyms, landscaped gardens, and a master-planned community developed by one of Vietnam's largest property developers.
Food and Daily Living: The Price Inversion
Singapore is famous for affordable hawker food — and it is genuinely good value by global standards. But outside hawker centres, Singapore costs are equivalent to any major Western city.
Coffee (cafe, Singapore): SGD 6–8
Coffee (Vietnamese ca phe, District 7): SGD 1.50–2.50
Restaurant dinner for two (Singapore, mid-range): SGD 80–120
Restaurant dinner for two (District 7, international, Eco Green Saigon area): SGD 25–45
Grocery shopping for family of 4 per week (Singapore): SGD 200–350
Grocery shopping for family of 4 per week (District 7, mix local + imported): SGD 60–130
Monthly food budget for a family of 4 in Singapore (conservative): SGD 1,800–2,500.
Monthly food budget for a family of 4 in District 7 (similar lifestyle): SGD 600–900.
Transport: Grab vs MRT vs COE
In Singapore, the decision to own a car requires a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) that can cost SGD 80,000–100,000 or more — before the car itself. Most expat families use a combination of MRT, taxis, and car rental.
In District 7, most expat families use Grab for everything. A Grab from Eco Green Saigon to the international schools takes 10–20 minutes and costs SGD 3–6. Monthly transport budget including daily school runs: SGD 150–300.
Equivalent monthly transport spend in Singapore: SGD 500–1,200 (MRT passes, taxis, Grab, occasional car hire).
Total Monthly Cost Comparison: Side by Side
Family of 4, professional expat household, comparable lifestyle:
Singapore: Housing SGD 8,000 + Food SGD 2,200 + Transport SGD 800 + International school SGD 2,500 + Miscellaneous SGD 1,500 = ~SGD 15,000/month
District 7 (Eco Green Saigon): Housing SGD 1,200 + Food SGD 800 + Transport SGD 250 + International school SGD 1,200–1,800 + Miscellaneous SGD 600 = ~SGD 4,050–4,650/month
Approximate annual saving by relocating from Singapore to District 7: SGD 120,000–132,000 (about USD 90,000–98,000).
In a low density residential development in Saigon like this, well-positioned units with good layouts and views tend to be limited — especially for those seeking luxury apartments in District 7 that balance comfort, greenery, and accessibility.
Here is one of the units currently available:
Property Code: ECG-2253
📍 Eco Green Saigon | HR1A Tower, Floor 34
🏠 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms | 65.55㎡
💰 Rent: 14,500,000 VND/month
🛋️ Furnishing: None with curtain, AC and water heater
🌇 Facing: Northwest | Balcony: Southeast
✨ Balanced layout, internal view, suitable for study/child room or home office
These real-life options highlight how the market is evolving — not just in concept, but in practical living choices.
Section 2: International Schools — The Most Important Factor for Families
For most families, the education question is the deciding one. Singapore has exceptional international schools — IB schools, British curriculum, American curriculum, all with decades of track record. This is a genuine strength of Singapore that District 7 is still building toward.
That said, the international school landscape in District 7 has improved significantly.
British Vietnamese International School (BVIS): IB and British National Curriculum — within 10–15 minutes of Eco Green Saigon
International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC): One of Vietnam's most established international schools, all grade levels
Saigon South International School (SSIS): American curriculum, AP courses, within 15 minutes
Renaissance International School Saigon: British curriculum, strong arts and music programme
RMIT Vietnam (tertiary): For older students pursuing Australian university-pathway qualifications
Annual tuition at a top-tier international school in Singapore: SGD 25,000–40,000 per child.
Annual tuition at BVIS or SSIS in District 7: SGD 14,000–22,000 per child.
The savings on education alone can be substantial for families with two or more children.
This level of convenience is not just a concept — it is already reflected in some of the available units within EcoGreen Saigon, one of the most talked-about projects in the Ho Chi Minh City real estate 2026 market. As a true city within a city Saigon, it offers a range of options for those looking for luxury apartments in District 7.
Property Code: ECG-2172
📍 Eco Green Saigon | HR1B Tower, Floor 30
🏠 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms | 64.7㎡
💰 Rent: 17,500,000 VND/month
🛋️ Fully furnished (Modern style)
🌇 Facing: Northwest | Balcony: Southeast
✨ Spacious master bedroom with internal park view
While these units highlight everyday convenience and accessibility, they also reflect a broader shift toward eco-friendly living in HCMC — where comfort is no longer defined by interiors alone, but by space, air quality, and overall well-being. This is especially important for families and tenants searching for pet friendly apartments in District 7 or serviced apartments near international schools.
Section 3: Quality of Life — What Singapore Has and What District 7 Offers Instead
What Singapore Does Better
This is an honest comparison. Singapore genuinely excels in several areas:
Infrastructure reliability: The MRT, the roads, the broadband — everything works, all the time. Vietnam's infrastructure is improving but is not at Singapore's level.
English language: Singapore is fully English-speaking. In District 7, English is widely understood in the expat belt but Vietnamese remains the daily language outside it.
Food safety and regulatory standards: Singapore's food safety standards are among the highest in Asia. Vietnam's are improving but remain inconsistent outside premium establishments.
Healthcare tier: Singapore's private hospitals (Mount Elizabeth, Gleneagles, Raffles) are world-class. HCMC has strong international hospitals (FV, Vinmec, Columbia Asia) but not at Singapore's level for complex procedures.
Rule of law and business environment: Singapore is consistently rated the most business-friendly and legally predictable environment in Southeast Asia.
What District 7 Offers That Singapore Cannot
Space: Apartments in District 7 are genuinely large. 3BR at Eco Green Saigon is 95–120 sqm. The equivalent space in Singapore costs 3–4x more.
Outdoor lifestyle within the development: Eco Green Saigon's rooftop pools, running tracks, and landscaped grounds are impossible to replicate at the price point. You are essentially getting resort amenities included in the rent.
Food adventure: Vietnamese food culture is extraordinary and vastly underrated. The eating options in District 7 are diverse, cheap, and genuinely excellent.
Pace of life: District 7 moves more slowly than Singapore. For families with young children, that is a significant quality-of-life positive.
Financial runway: The money saved on housing and daily costs can fund children's education, investment property, or simply a dramatically improved quality of life.
Genuine community: The Eco Green Saigon expat community is tight-knit in a way that Singapore's more transient expat population rarely achieves.
Section 4: The Practical Realities of Moving from Singapore to District 7
Visa and Residency
Singapore permanent residents and long-term pass holders moving to Vietnam will need to navigate Vietnam's visa structure. The most common options for expat families:
Temporary Residence Card (TRC): Valid for 1–3 years, renewable. Requires a sponsoring employer or property lease agreement.
Business visa (DN): Available for those with business activities in Vietnam.
Retirement / long-stay options: Vietnam does not yet have a formal retirement visa but offers multi-entry tourist visas for shorter stays.
Most long-term expat families in District 7 hold TRCs sponsored by their employer or through a company registration. Immigration consulting services in District 7 can handle the paperwork for SGD 200–400.
Banking and Financial Logistics
Opening a local bank account: Possible for TRC holders at Techcombank, VPBank, BIDV. Takes 1–3 weeks.
International transfers: Singapore banks transfer to Vietnamese accounts easily via SWIFT; fees are moderate.
Singapore accounts: Most families retain their Singapore bank accounts (DBS, OCBC, UOB) for international transactions, investments, and as a financial safety net.
Tax: Vietnam's personal income tax rates are comparable to Singapore's for middle income; tax treaties exist. Consult a tax advisor for specific circumstances.
Finding Your Apartment at Eco Green Saigon
Most families moving from Singapore to District 7 arrange viewings before arrival. The process is straightforward:
Contact the Eco Green Saigon leasing team or a trusted District 7 agent at least 4–6 weeks before planned move
Video tours are available for remote viewing from Singapore
Lease agreements can be signed digitally for non-residents
Typical deposit: 2 months upfront
Furnished options available — most expats arriving from Singapore prefer fully furnished
For those exploring apartments for rent in District 7 or seeking a well-balanced investment in the Ho Chi Minh City real estate 2026 market, here is one final unit in EcoGreen Saigon that stands out for both lifestyle and long-term value.
Property Code: ECG-2502
📍 Eco Green Saigon | HR3 Tower, Floor 26
🏠 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom | 59.6㎡
💰 Rent: 13,000,000 VND/month
🛋️ Furnishing: None with AC and water heater
🌇 Facing: East | Balcony: South
✨ Corner unit, 2 large glass windows with open view toward Phú Mỹ Hưng & Phú Mỹ Bridge
This unit reflects the growing demand for luxury apartments in District 7, especially within a low density residential Saigon development that prioritizes eco-friendly living HCMC and convenience for families looking for serviced apartments near international schools.
Section 5: Who This Move Works For — and Who Should Stay in Singapore
The Move Makes Sense If:
You are working remotely or running a location-independent business and your income is in USD/SGD/AUD
You have children in primary or early secondary school (the international school quality gap narrows significantly at this level)
You value lifestyle, space, and community over pure career positioning
You are willing to trade some infrastructure reliability for a dramatically lower cost of living
You are planning to invest — the capital you save on rent can be redirected into Vietnamese or regional property
You Might Want to Stay in Singapore If:
Your career is deeply tied to Singapore's financial or legal industry, where proximity to the network matters
You have a child in the final two years of an IB Diploma or A-Level programme with strong teacher relationships
You or a family member have complex medical needs that require Singapore-tier specialist care
You place very high value on infrastructure predictability and English as a default language
The Case for District 7
Singapore will always be Singapore — one of the world's great cities, a genuinely excellent place to live if cost is not your primary constraint.
But cost is almost everyone's constraint at some point. And when families run the numbers honestly — housing, food, schooling, transport — the gap between Singapore and District 7 is not incremental. It is transformative.
At Eco Green Saigon, you get a master-planned community with resort-quality amenities, a diverse international neighbourhood, excellent dining within walking distance, good international schools 10–15 minutes away, and a monthly housing cost that is a fraction of what comparable space costs in Singapore.
The families who have made this move are not downsizing. They are upgrading — in space, in community, in financial freedom, and in quality of life.
Considering the move from Singapore? Explore available units at Eco Green Saigon and see what your new neighbourhood looks like.
Are you considering making the move from Singapore? Tell us in the comments what your biggest concern is — we read every one.
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