Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI): Complete Beginner's Guide
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) is a international dividend growth ETF from Vanguard with an expense ratio of 0.15% and $5.5B in assets under management. Our Beginner Suitability Score: 9.5/10 (Great for Beginners). 5-year annualized return: 6.00%.
Last updated: April 2026
Vanguard • International Dividend Growth
Expense Ratio
0.15%
AUM
$5.5B
Dividend Yield
1.90%
Inception
2016
Beginner Score
9.5/10
What is Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF?
VIGI focuses on international companies that have consistently increased their dividends over time. It holds quality businesses outside the U.S. with strong track records of growing shareholder payouts. Beginners who want international exposure through quality dividend growers will appreciate VIGI's blend of income and growth potential.
VIGI is managed by Vanguard and has been available since 2016. With $5.5B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.15%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $15 per year in management fees.
VIGI at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% |
| Total Holdings | 340 |
| P/E Ratio | 20.5 |
| Beta | 0.80 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.90% |
| AUM | $5.5B |
| Inception Year | 2016 |
| Issuer | Vanguard |
Top 10 Holdings in VIGI
VIGI holds 340 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novo Nordisk A/S | NVO | 4.50% |
| 2 | ASML Holding NV | ASML | 3.80% |
| 3 | SAP SE | SAP | 2.80% |
| 4 | Roche Holding AG | ROG.SW | 2.50% |
| 5 | AstraZeneca PLC | AZN | 2.20% |
| 6 | Novartis AG | NVS | 2.00% |
| 7 | Toronto-Dominion Bank | TD | 1.80% |
| 8 | Unilever PLC | UL | 1.60% |
| 9 | Royal Bank of Canada | RY | 1.50% |
| 10 | Infosys Ltd. | INFY | 1.40% |
VIGI's top holding is Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) at 4.50%, followed by ASML Holding NV (ASML) at 3.80% and SAP SE (SAP) at 2.80%. The top 10 holdings account for 24.10% of the fund's 340 total positions.
View data table
| Rank | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novo Nordisk A/S | NVO | 4.50% |
| 2 | ASML Holding NV | ASML | 3.80% |
| 3 | SAP SE | SAP | 2.80% |
| 4 | Roche Holding AG | ROG.SW | 2.50% |
| 5 | AstraZeneca PLC | AZN | 2.20% |
| 6 | Novartis AG | NVS | 2.00% |
| 7 | Toronto-Dominion Bank | TD | 1.80% |
| 8 | Unilever PLC | UL | 1.60% |
| 9 | Royal Bank of Canada | RY | 1.50% |
| 10 | Infosys Ltd. | INFY | 1.40% |
Want the full framework? This 2-hour ETF course teaches you exactly how to pick, buy, and hold profitable ETFs — from zero to confident investor. Under $15.
Ready to invest? Open an IBKR account in 10 minutes and get free stock. $0 commissions on US ETFs • Fractional shares from $1 • 150+ global markets.
VIGI Performance History
Here's how VIGI has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
1.50%
1 Year
11.00%
3 Year
4.00%
5 Year
6.00%
10 Year
0.00%
VIGI has returned 6.00% annualized over 5 years and 0.00% over 10 years. YTD return is 1.50%.
View data table
| Period | Return |
|---|---|
| YTD | 1.50% |
| 1 Year | 11.00% |
| 3 Year | 4.00% |
| 5 Year | 6.00% |
| 10 Year | 0.00% |
Beginner Suitability Score: 9.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
VIGI scores 9.5/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 340 holdings, and has been available since 2016, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy VIGI — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "VIGI" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
VIGI Sector Allocation
Here's how VIGI distributes its investments across different sectors of the economy:
VIGI's largest sector allocation is Health Care at 18.0%, followed by Financials at 16.0% and Industrials at 15.0%.
View data table
| Sector | Weight |
|---|---|
| Health Care | 18.0% |
| Financials | 16.0% |
| Industrials | 15.0% |
| Information Technology | 14.0% |
| Consumer Staples | 12.0% |
| Consumer Discretionary | 8.0% |
| Materials | 6.0% |
| Communication Services | 5.0% |
| Energy | 4.0% |
| Utilities | 2.0% |
Dollar Cost Averaging Into VIGI
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With VIGI's expense ratio of 0.15%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $1,278 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
VIGI's expense ratio of 0.15% costs $1,278 on a $10,000 investment over 20 years (assuming 8% annual return). Without fees, the investment would grow to $46,610 instead of $45,332.
View data table
| Year | Without Fees | With Fees | Fee Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| 5 | $14,693 | $14,592 | $101 |
| 10 | $21,589 | $21,291 | $298 |
| 15 | $31,722 | $31,067 | $655 |
| 20 | $46,610 | $45,332 | $1,278 |
Pros and Cons of VIGI
Pros
- ✓Focuses on quality international companies with growing dividends
- ✓Low expense ratio of 0.15% for a dividend-focused international fund
- ✓Provides international diversification through quality-screened holdings
- ✓Companies that grow dividends consistently tend to be more financially stable
Cons
- ✗Lower current yield than high-dividend international ETFs
- ✗Shorter track record compared to established international ETFs
- ✗May underperform broad international indexes during speculative market rallies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VIGI a good ETF for beginners?▾
VIGI has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of VIGI?▾
VIGI has an expense ratio of 0.15%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $15 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in VIGI?▾
You can invest in VIGI with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does VIGI pay dividends?▾
Yes, VIGI pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.90%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in VIGI?▾
The top holdings in VIGI include Novo Nordisk A/S (4.50%), ASML Holding NV (3.80%), SAP SE (2.80%), and more. The fund holds 340 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.
What sectors does VIGI invest in?▾
VIGI's largest sector allocations are Health Care (18.00%), Financials (16.00%), Industrials (15.00%). This sector distribution shows a focus on health care stocks.
How much do VIGI's fees cost over time?▾
With an expense ratio of 0.15%, a $10,000 investment in VIGI would lose approximately $1,278 to fees over 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns). Consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.