Vietnam ranks among the top 10 most livable countries in the world for retirees.

In the 2026 ranking recently published by the French website "Retraite sans Frontières (Retirement without Borders)", Vietnam has for the first time appeared in the list of the 10 most livable countries in the world for retirees, thanks to reasonable living costs, increasingly improved living conditions, and advanced infrastructure and healthcare systems.

The ranking was compiled in the context of an increasing number of retirees in Europe, including France, considering long-term residency abroad to improve their quality of life, enjoy a favorable climate, and maximize their retirement income. To establish the ranking, Retraite sans Frontières analyzed 12 criteria, with the cost of living accounting for the largest proportion, equivalent to 20% of the total score.

The The Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple is bustling with domestic and international tourists. Photo: Minh Duc – VNA.

According to Paul Delahoutre, the founder of this organization, living abroad can help retirees save 15% to 50% on daily expenses compared to living in France. Other important criteria include climate, quality of healthcare services, safety, access to services, and transportation.

In addition to cost-of-living factors, tax policy is also considered a key leverage point when choosing a retirement destination. Some countries offer attractive tax incentives for pension transfers from overseas, making them significantly more appealing to foreign retirees.

In this year's list, Vietnam ranked 9th, marking its first time in the top 10. According to the assessment, Vietnam scored points for its low cost of living, diverse living environment, and significantly improving healthcare and urban infrastructure. Although the cost of living remains slightly higher than some other Asian destinations, Vietnam is considered a balanced choice between cost, living conditions, and long-term development potential.

Activities during the Hue National Tourism Year attracted a large number of tourists. Photo: Hai Au - VNA.

Portugal continues to lead the rankings, thanks to its cost of living being approximately 15% lower than France, its close geographical proximity, convenient transport network, and well-developed infrastructure. Spain ranks second, notable for its proximity to France, diverse cuisine , and service system comparable to European standards.

The next positions were held by Greece, Thailand, Mauritius, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Indonesia, with Bali (Indonesia) continuing to be highly rated due to its low cost of living and pleasant climate, despite limitations in geographical distance and quality of healthcare services.

Experts recommend that before deciding to permanently relocate after retirement, people should take the time to conduct a thorough survey of the country they intend to choose, in order to fully assess factors such as living conditions, healthcare, security, and the ability to integrate into the community.

Vietnam's first-ever inclusion in Retraite sans Frontières' list of top retirement destinations worldwide is seen as a positive sign, reflecting the growing attractiveness of this Southeast Asian nation to the international community, in the context of the predicted continued expansion of the "cross-border retirement" trend in the coming years.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/viet-nam-lot-top-10-quoc-gia-dang-song-nhat-the-gioi-voi-nguoi-nghi-huu-20260209091308354.htm