In 2025, Megan MacPherson and her husband Andrew realized that despite increasing income, they struggled to save for a home. The couple decided to move their six children to Vietnam to cut living expenses. Andrew's ability to work remotely and four children being homeschooled made the relocation manageable.

"We saw this as an adventure, without the pressure to stay," Megan said. "If it didn't work out, we could always return home." She mentioned she had traveled abroad once at 16, while Andrew had never left Australia.

The MacPherson family at the airport before leaving Australia for Vietnam. Photo: NVCC

Arriving in Da Nang in 7/2025, the family rented a three-story house with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms for approximately 325 AUD (over 6 million Vietnamese dong) per week. This was nearly half the 600 AUD (over 11 million Vietnamese dong) they would have paid in Brisbane.

Food costs were also significantly lower. A meal of chicken or beef rice with salad for six people cost about 13 AUD (approximately 240,000 Vietnamese dong). A Western-style restaurant meal for the entire family was around 30 AUD (nearly 600,000 Vietnamese dong).

The family incurred additional expenses by needing to leave Vietnam approximately once every three months to renew their visas. However, these trips, such as to Hong Kong, also became opportunities for combined travel.

Megan and her husband at a restaurant in Da Nang. Photo: NVCC

Megan stated that even with hiring local domestic help, the family still achieved substantial savings. After 11 months, they returned to Australia with approximately 50,000 AUD (over 800 million Vietnamese dong) in savings. According to Megan, their spending habits in Australia would not have allowed them to save this amount. The 50,000 AUD provided a strong start for their home purchase plan.

Megan noted that by further reducing expenses and living more frugally in Vietnam, the family could have saved around 150,000 AUD (approximately 2,8 billion Vietnamese dong). However, they chose to maintain a comfortable standard of living during their time abroad.

In March, while still in Vietnam, Megan and her husband, along with her parents and sister, purchased a large house in Ipswich, Queensland, designed for multi-generational living. The saved funds were allocated for home renovations and building a home office.

"We would return to Vietnam immediately if the opportunity arose. It was a wonderful adventure," Megan said.

Tuan Anh (According to Nine News Australia)