In comparison with the 2008 list, Hanoi stepped forward by 33 levels and HCM City 31 levels. The two cities’ points of living standards remained lower than 2008. Hanoi only gained 77.7 pts against last year’s 79 pts and HCM City 75 pts against that of last year’s 76.3 pts.

Mercer explained about the considerable change in the ranking list of Hanoi and HCM City that despite the weakness of dong against US dollars, the inflation rate in commodity baskets in Vietnam is higher than in New York.

The changes in forex rate against US dollar of the currency in each country also make considerable changes in the ranking position of countries in the list.

In details, Tokyo (Japan) replaced Moscow (Russia) – the most expensive city in the last consecutive three years. In addition, Japan is the only country that has two most expensive countries in the list with Osaka ranked at the second position.

Moscow, Geneva and Hong Kong ranked at the third, fourth and fifth position. Johannesburg of South Africa is the city with lowest living cost.