Vietnam Travel Costs: Budget Tips & Planning Guide

Vietnam is an ideal destination for many travelers with its perfect combination of affordable costs and rich experiences. With favorable exchange rates, visitors can enjoy unique culture, diverse cuisine, and stunning landscapes without worrying about your budget. Let’s explore detail about the Vietnam travel cost through the article below to have the memorable trip!

1. How Much Does a Trip to Vietnam Cost?

Budget travelers can explore Vietnam for USD 20 - 30 per day, staying in hostels (USD 5 - 15/night), eating delicious street food (USD 0.50 - 2/meal), and using local transportation. Mid-range travelers should budget USD 50 - 90 daily for private hotel rooms (USD 25 - 50/night) and restaurant dining. To estimate your travel costs in Vietnam, you should consider these key points:

• The destination: Travel costs are usually higher in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, or popular destinations like Ha Long Bay, Da Lat, and Hoi An, compared to other places.
• The season to travel: Prices are higher during busy seasons (summer and Lunar New Year) because more tourists visit. During quieter times, costs are lower.
• The accommodation: You will pay different amounts for hostels, budget hotels, mid-range hotels, and luxury 5-star hotels or resorts. Choose based on what you need and can afford.
• Food and drinks: Street food and local restaurants cost much less than fancy, upscale restaurants.
• Local transportation: Flying between cities costs more than trains or buses. In each city, renting a motorbike is cheaper than taxis, which cost less than private tours.
• Travel insurance: This doesn't cost much but it is very important. Insurance protects you and gives you peace of mind during your trip.
• Paperwork costs: This includes visa fees (if you need one) and any other official fees.

Vietnam is famous as a destination with diverse costs, attractive landscapes and many interesting experiences (Source: Internet)

2. Details of Costs When Traveling to Vietnam

To help travelers get a clearer picture of the budget needed for their trip, here are the main costs when traveling in Vietnam:

2.1. Accommodation Costs in Vietnam

Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses in the travel budget. Vietnam offers many different types of places to stay that fit every budget and personal preference:

• For budget travelers: Visitors can choose hostels or dorms for USD 5 - USD 15 per night. This works well if you want to save money. If you still want privacy, guesthouses or simple homestays cost around USD 10 - USD 25 per night. These places have small, basic rooms that are still clean and safe.
• For mid-range travelers: Visitors can pick 2-3 star hotels or comfortable guest houses for USD20-60 per night. These places have all the basic amenities and are usually located in central areas, making it easy to get around and visit attractions.
• For luxury travelers: This is perfect if you want a high-end, private experience during your trip. You can choose 4-5 star hotels and luxury resorts for USD 80 - USD 500+ per night. Prices vary depending on room type, view, and location.
• For big cities and popular destinations: Hotels in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Da Lat, and Sapa can be more expensive because of high demand and rental costs. In rural areas with fewer tourists, accommodation is usually cheaper at just USD 10 - USD 25 per night.

Five-star hotels and luxury resorts in big cities will cost more than those in the smaller cities and the countryside (Source: Internet)

To save on accommodation costs, visitors can use the following tips:

• Book early: Especially during busy seasons or major holidays, booking a few months ahead can get you better prices and more choices.
• Use booking apps: Often have deals, discounts, and loyalty point programs.
• Think about location: Choose places slightly away from city centers but with good public transport or Grab access. These areas are usually cheaper but you can still easily reach attractions.
• Stay at homestays or guesthouses: If you want to experience local culture and save money, homestays and guesthouses are great options. Hosts can also give you tips about cheap local food and attractions.
• Travel during low season: From May to September (except summer months June-August, which are peak season for domestic beach tourism), room prices usually drop because there are fewer international visitors.
• Read reviews carefully: Before booking, read reviews from previous guests to make sure of quality and avoid bad experiences.

2.2. Food & Drink Prices

Vietnamese cuisine offers everything from smoky street food stalls to elegant restaurants. Each option provides a unique experience with costs that fit every traveler's budget:

• For budget travelers: Visitors can enjoy authentic street food paradise at incredibly affordable prices of USD 1 - USD 4 per meal. The popular dishes include beef noodle soup, Vietnamese baguette, kebab rice noodles, broken rice, and various rice dishes available on every street corner. The basic beverages like bottled water (USD 0, 50 - USD 1), complimentary iced tea at local eateries, and sidewalk iced coffee (USD 1 - USD 2) are the ideal option.
• For mid-range travelers: You can explore local restaurants at USD 5 - USD 15 per meal. They serve diverse Vietnamese traditional dishes and some international options with comfortable services. The beverages include café drinks, fresh fruit smoothies, and local beers ranging USD 2 - USD 5 per drink.
• For luxury travelers: Visitors can indulge in upscale restaurants and hotel dining at USD 20 - USD 50+ per meal, with fine-dining establishments in major cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang) potentially reaching hundreds of dollars. Premium beverages including wine and cocktails at luxury bars and 5-star hotels cost USD 10 - USD 25+ per drink.

To save the Vietnam cost travel but still be able to explore the cuisine, visitors can choose to enjoy at the sidewalk restaurant (Source: Internet)

2.3. Transportation Expense

Vietnam has a diverse transportation system including air, rail, and road networks. This gives travelers many options that fit different budgets and preferences.

• Flights: Airfare varies depending on departure point, airline, seat class, booking time, and travel season. For international flights, round-trip tickets usually range from a few hundred to over USD 1,000. Domestic flights range from about USD 30 - USD 300+.
• Trains: Ticket prices differ based on seat type, berth, cabin class, and route. Costs range from USD 10 - USD150+.
• Buses: This is a good option for traveling between provinces. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose regular sleeper buses or luxury limousine buses. Ticket prices range from USD 5 - USD 40.
• Motorbike rental: Prices vary by bike type (manual/automatic scooters, manual bikes, or larger displacement bikes). For scooters or automatic bikes, rental costs are around USD 5 - USD 8 per day. Manual bikes or small displacement motorcycles usually cost USD 8 - USD 15, while premium bikes range from USD 20 - USD 40+ per day.

2.4. Sightseeing & Activities

Vietnam offers countless beautiful destinations and exciting activities waiting for you to explore. Costs for sightseeing are quite flexible, depending on your adventure level and experience preferences. Here are entrance fees for some famous attractions, updated as of June 2025:

• Halong Bay: Around USD 10 - USD 12.
• Cu Chi Tunnels (Ho Chi Minh City): Around USD 5.
• My Son Sanctuary (Quang Nam Province): Around USD 6 (includes shuttle bus and cultural performance).
• Thang Long Imperial Citadel (Hanoi): Around USD 4.
• Temple of Literature - Vietnam's First University (Hanoi): Around USD 1,2.
• Hoi An Ancient Town: Around USD 5.

Guided Tours, Museum Tickets, and Natural Parks:

• Street food tours: Around USD 20 - USD 45 per person for walking or motorbike tours to discover local dishes.
• City/cultural tours (half-day/full-day): Around USD 30 - USD 70 per person, depending on whether you choose group tours or private tours.
• Museum and historical site tickets: Usually range from USD 1 - USD 5. Many major museums in cities cost around USD 1 - USD 2.
• Trekking/eco-tourism tours (Examples: Sapa, Mai Chau): Around USD 90 - USD 200 per person, depending on service quality and group size.

Trekking tours will have price differences depending on the schedule and group of people (Source: Internet)

2.5. SIM Card & Internet

Vietnam offers excellent value for internet connectivity through affordable SIM cards and widespread WiFi availability. Physical SIM cards cost around 50,000 VND (~USD 2.50 for the card itself, with data packages ranging from 150,000-350,000 VND (USD 6 - USD 15) for tourist plans offering 3GB to 30GB of data for 30 days. Viettel offers the best coverage nationwide, with complete tourist packages around 200,000 VND (USD 8 - 9).

For convenience, eSIMs are available starting from USD 4.50 and work immediately upon arrival. Major providers include Viettel (best coverage), Vinaphone, and Mobifone. Besides, you can also use free WiFi in most hotels, restaurants, and some public areas.

2.6. Travel Insurance & Other Costs

Travel insurance is highly recommended for Vietnam trips due to potential risks including medical emergencies, motorbike accidents (common among tourists), trip cancellations, and lost luggage. Vietnam's healthcare system requires upfront payment and doesn't accept US health insurance, making coverage essential for international visitors.

The average insurance costs:

• Basic coverage: USD 1.50 - 6 per day for standard plans, with medical-only plans averaging USD 3.08 per day
• Comprehensive coverage: USD 9.58 per day on average, or 5 - 7% of total trip cost including adventure activities, motorbike coverage, and higher medical limits
• Key coverage areas: Medical expenses (USD 50,000+ recommended), emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, personal belongings, and motorbike/scooter accidents

Optional expenses:

• Souvenirs: Vietnam offers diverse options from budget-friendly items like spices (USD 0.85 - 6.50), conical hats (USD 1.3 - 6.5), and chopsticks (USD 1 - 9) to mid-range silk products (USD 20 - 100), lacquerware (USD 8.5 - 85), and tailored Ao Dai (USD 30 - 300). Luxury items include fine jewelry, art paintings, and high-quality silk items from USD 50 - 500+.
• Tipping culture: Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam but is appreciated, especially in tourism sectors. Consider tipping USD 2 - 4 per day for tour guides, USD 1 - 2 for service staff, and 5 - 10% in upscale restaurants for exceptional service. Most local restaurants and street vendors don't expect tips, and some may even be confused by the gesture.

Conical hats are one of the souvenirs that many visitors choose to buy (Source: Internet)

3. Spending Level by Trip Day/Month/Year

To keep spending under control, it's important to plan the budget by day, week, or month. Here are average cost estimates for three travel styles: budget, mid-range, and luxury. This will help visitors choose the spending level that works.

3.1. Daily Spending

These are average daily costs including accommodation, food, local transportation, and basic sightseeing activities.

Per Day:

• Budget: USD 20 - 30 per day. With this budget, you can stay in hostels or basic guesthouses (USD 5 - 15/night), enjoy street food (USD 1 - 3/meal), and get around by public transport or motorbike rentals.
• Mid-range: USD 50 - 90 per day. You can stay in 3-star hotels (USD 25 - 50/night), eat at good local restaurants (USD 5 - 10/meal), and use ride booking app.
• Luxury: USD 150 - 300+ per day. You can choose 4 - 5 star hotels or resorts (USD 100-300+/night), enjoy fine dining, and use private transportation services.

Multi-day calculations:

• 2 days: Budget: USD 40 - 60, Mid-range: USD 100 - 180, Luxury: USD 300 - 600+
• 3 days: Budget: USD 60 - 90, Mid-range: USD 150 - 270, Luxury: USD 450 - 900+
• 4 days: Budget: USD 80 - 120, Mid-range: USD 200 - 360, Luxury: USD 600 - 1,200+

3.2. Weekly Spending

If you are planning a longer trip, weekly spending will give you a better overall view of the budget needed.

~1 week (7 days):

• Budget: USD 140 - 210. With this amount, you will stay in hostels or homestays (USD 35-105/week), mainly eat street food, use buses or rent a motorbike (USD 20 - 30/week), and visit low-cost or free attractions.
• Mid-range: USD 350 - 630. You can choose comfortable 3-star hotels, mix local restaurant meals with some fancier dining, and have budget for day tours or activities.
• Luxury: USD 1,050 - 2,100+. This budget lets you experience 4 - 5 star hotels or resorts, enjoy diverse cuisine, use convenient transportation (including domestic flights between major cities if needed), and join premium tours.

For visitors who want to enjoy high-class services, taking a cruise and staying overnight on Ha Long Bay is the ideal experience (Source: Internet)

3.3. Monthly Spending

For travelers planning long-term stays like digital nomads or those who want to explore Vietnam deeply, monthly costs are the most important factor.

~1 month (30 days):

• Budget: About USD 600 - USD 900. This level works for those who want to live like locals, rent simple shared rooms or basic apartments (USD 200 - USD 300/month), cook some meals themselves, eat primarily at street food stalls, use public transportation or rent a motorbike, and focus on free or low-cost activities. This is a popular budget for many backpackers or digital nomads.
• Mid-range: About USD 800 - USD 1,200. With this budget, visitors can rent furnished studios or small apartments (USD 300 - USD 500/month), eat at both local places and mid-range restaurants, use Grab rides regularly, and join entertainment activities and some tours.
• Luxury: About USD 1,500 - USD 3,000+. This budget is perfect for visitors to enjoy comfortable living with luxury apartments in prime locations (up to USD 900/month), regularly dine at upscale restaurants, travel comfortably by taxi, and join premium entertainment activities and tours.

4. 4 Factors Affecting Vietnam Travel Costs

Depending on a few key factors, the budget can change significantly. Understanding these factors will help visitors have more control over their spending and enjoy the trip:

• Travel season: The peak season between November and April brings 15 - 30% higher prices for flights, hotels, and tours due to increased demand. In contrast, the low season from May to October offers cheaper prices and fewer crowds, though some areas may experience more rain.
• Cities versus countryside: Major tourist cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Ha Long Bay have higher costs due to expensive rent and premium services that cater to tourists. Rural areas or less touristy places (like Ha Giang, Cao Bang) offer much cheaper accommodation, food, and transportation while providing more authentic experiences closer to nature.
• Type of traveler: Backpackers focus on minimizing costs with hostels, street food, and public transport, while digital nomads seek balance with long-term rentals and stable internet. Couples have flexible budgets for private accommodation and romantic experiences, while families need larger spaces and child-friendly activities, leading to higher overall costs.
• Visa fees (e-visa, exemptions, 2025 updates): As of 2025, citizens of 29 countries enjoy visa-free entry, including UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain (45 days), Japan, South Korea (45 days), and others (15-45 days depending on nationality). Citizens from over 80 countries can obtain e-visas for USD 25 (single entry) or USD 50 (multiple entry) valid for 90 days. Processing typically takes 3 - 5 working days. Others require traditional embassy visas with more complex procedures and higher costs.

For foreign visitors, the cost of traveling to Vietnam will incur additional visa fees (Source: Internet)

Let's discover 7 smart tips for having a memorable trip while keeping your wallet happy:

• Best times to visit for deals: Traveling during low season (May-October) can offer lower prices on accommodation and fewer tourists, though this coincides with the rainy season in many parts of the country. Hotels offer great promotions during the Vietnamese low season, and prices are much cheaper than in high season. However, high season runs from October/November to April with the most favorable weather but higher prices and crowds.
• Avoiding tourist traps & scams: Research typical prices and read reviews before visiting attractions or using services to protect your money. Always ask for prices upfront, especially at markets or street food stalls without clear pricing. Use a riding app instead of flagging random motorbike taxis, and carefully read all tour contracts before agreeing.
• Budgeting for spontaneity: Set aside 10 - 15% of your total budget as an emergency fund for unexpected opportunities or costs.
• Carry cash, especially in rural areas: Many places in Vietnam, particularly rural areas, traditional markets, and small eateries, don't accept credit cards or digital payments. Exchange money for Vietnamese Dong (VND) at the airport or reputable gold shops in major cities to get the best exchange rates.
• Bargaining is common practice: Negotiating prices is part of Vietnamese culture, especially in traditional markets, small shops, and when renting motorbikes or bicycles.
• Book accommodation and transport in advance: Planning ahead, especially during peak seasons, helps you secure better rates and avoid sold-out situations. Book flights and hotels 3-6 months early for peak season travel, or take advantage of last-minute deals during low season for even better savings.

Planning your Vietnam adventure doesn't have to break the bank when you understand the real Vietnam travel costs involved. Start planning your cost-effective Vietnam journey today and discover why millions of travelers choose this country for its unbeatable combination of affordability and unforgettable experiences.