Vietnam Travel Cost Breakdown by Duration and Style
Estimated spending per person based on typical travel routes across North, Central, and South Vietnam. International flights are excluded.
| Trip Duration | Backpacker ($38/day) | Mid Range ($85/day) | Luxury ($240/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Week (7 Days) Northern Loop or Express Route | $245 to $315 approx 6.2M to 8M VND | $525 to $770 approx 13.3M to 19.5M VND | $1,400 to $2,450 approx 35.5M to 62M VND |
| 10 Days Hanoi, Halong, Hoi An & Saigon | $350 to $450 approx 8.9M to 11.4M VND | $750 to $1,100 approx 19M to 28M VND | $2,000 to $3,500 approx 50.8M to 88.9M VND |
| 2 Weeks (14 Days) Classic North to South Itinerary | $490 to $630 approx 12.4M to 16M VND | $1,050 to $1,540 approx 26.6M to 39.1M VND | $2,800 to $4,900 approx 71M to 124.5M VND |
| 3 Weeks (21 Days) Comprehensive Deep Discovery | $735 to $945 approx 18.6M to 24M VND | $1,575 to $2,310 approx 40M to 58.6M VND | $4,200 to $7,350 approx 106.6M to 186.7M VND |
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Accommodation Costs in Vietnam: From Hostels to 5 Star Luxury
Lodging in Vietnam offers phenomenal value. You can secure spotless air conditioned private rooms with swimming pools for the price of a shared dorm in Western Europe.
$6 to $12 / night
approx 150,000 to 300,000 VNDModern social hostels in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hoi An feature privacy curtains, personal reading lights, secure luggage lockers, strong air conditioning, and complimentary rooftop breakfast.
- Hanoi Old Quarter social dorms ($7 to $10)
- Hoi An riverside hostel bunks ($6 to $9)
- Saigon District 1 traveler dorms ($8 to $12)
$25 to $55 / night
approx 630,000 to 1,400,000 VNDVietnam sweet spot. Expect stylish private boutique rooms with balconies, rainfall showers, swimming pools, warm local hospitality, and cooked to order buffet breakfast included.
- Hanoi boutique Old Quarter suites ($35 to $50)
- Hoi An paddy field pool villas ($28 to $45)
- Ninh Binh limestone karst homestays ($22 to $35)
$90 to $250+ / night
approx 2,300,000 to 6,300,000 VNDWorld class heritage luxury. Includes historic French colonial landmarks like Caravelle Saigon, beach resorts in Da Nang, and mountain wellness retreats with infinity pools.
- Saigon District 1 iconic 5 star stays ($110 to $180)
- Da Nang beachfront 5 star resorts ($120 to $260)
- Sapa cloud view luxury retreats ($95 to $190)
Food and Beverage Costs: From 1.50 USD Street Bowls to Rooftop Bars
Vietnam is an undisputed culinary superpower. You can eat three fantastic meals a day on street plastic stools for less than 10 USD, or splurge on Michelin star tasting menus.
$1.50 to $3.50
35,000 to 85,000 VNDClassic Pho Bo noodle soup, Hanoi Bun Cha grilled pork, Banh Mi pate baguettes, and fresh summer rolls.
$1.00 to $2.50
25,000 to 65,000 VNDTraditional Ca Phe Sua Da iced coffee with condensed milk, Hanoi egg coffee, salted coffee, and coconut slush.
$8.00 to $18.00
200,000 to 450,000 VNDAir conditioned heritage restaurants, fresh seafood hotpots, craft breweries like Pasteur Street, and shared family dishes.
$35 to $90+
900,000 to 2,300,000 VNDMulti course Vietnamese fusion tasting menus, Michelin recognized venues, and signature cocktails at rooftop bars.
Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Walking Tour
Overcome language barriers and discover hidden alley stalls with an English speaking local foodie guide. Includes unlimited street tastings, egg coffee, and dessert. Over 1,200 five star reviews.
Domestic Transit Costs: Trains, Limousines, Sleeper Buses & Flights
Navigating Vietnam from North to South is remarkably affordable. Here is what you should expect to pay for each mode of transportation across popular routes.
| Transport Type | Typical Price | Top Routes | Booking Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCar VIP Limousine Van 9 seat leather recliners with USB | $12 to $22 | Hanoi to Sapa • Hanoi to Ninh Binh • Da Nang to Hoi An | Book on 12Go → |
| Reunification Express Train 4 berth soft sleeper with air conditioning | $35 to $55 | Hanoi to Hue • Da Nang to Nha Trang • Hanoi to Dong Hoi | Book on 12Go → |
| Overnight Sleeper Bus Cabin bus with reclining bunk | $10 to $18 | Hanoi to Ha Giang • Saigon to Da Lat • Da Nang to Nha Trang | Book on 12Go → |
| Domestic Flights Vietnam Airlines or Vietjet (one way) | $45 to $95 | Hanoi to Da Nang • Da Nang to Saigon • Hanoi to Phu Quoc | Check on 12Go → |
| City Grab Rides & Taxis Metered GrabCar or GrabBike per ride | $1.50 to $5.00 | Around Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Saigon | Grab App Local |
Tours, Excursions and Sightseeing Admission Tickets
Activity costs depend heavily on whether you choose guided group excursions or DIY independent exploration. Here are the true ticket and tour prices across major destinations.
Day Cruise: $45 to $75 • Overnight: $150 to $350
Day cruises include Hanoi limousine pickup, buffet lunch, sea kayaking, and Sung Sot Cave. Overnight cruises feature luxury private oceanview balcony cabins, sunset tea, and squid fishing.
Trek: $30 to $60 • Fansipan Cable Car: $40
Guided 2 day treks through Muong Hoa valley with Hmong homestay, family cooked meals, and village walks. The Sun World Fansipan cable car ticket is booked directly for instant turnstile access.
Boat Ticket: $10 • Full Day Tour: $40 to $65
Trang An or Tam Coc traditional rowboat tickets cost 250,000 VND (approx 10 USD). All inclusive small group day tours from Hanoi include limousine transit, buffet lunch, cycling, and Hang Mua hike.
Cable Car Ticket: $35 to $40
Official entrance and round trip cable car to the Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands, French village, and alpine coaster rides in the mountains behind Da Nang.
Lock In Your Vietnam Travel Essentials
Direct vetted booking portals for verified accommodations, domestic sleeper trains, top rated day excursions, and high speed data.
Hotels
Agoda Best Rates
Lock in verified air conditioned boutique hotels and luxury resorts with free cancellation options across Vietnam.
Transit
12Go Asia Booking
Reserve sleeper berths, DCar limousine VIP vans, and domestic flights in advance with instant ticket confirmation.
Viator
Top Tours on Viator
Book Halong Bay cruises, Sapa mountain treks, and street food walking tours with free 24 hour cancellation protection.
Connectivity
Vietnam 5G eSIM
Fast Viettel 4G and 5G data from 5 USD. Instant email QR code activation before boarding your international flight.
Common Questions About Traveling in Vietnam on a Budget
Detailed answers to the most common financial, currency, and budgeting questions asked by travelers visiting Vietnam.
How much does a typical 2 week trip to Vietnam cost? ▾
A comfortable 2 week trip to Vietnam typically costs between 500 USD and 650 USD for backpackers, 1,050 USD and 1,500 USD for mid range travelers staying in boutique hotels and taking domestic flights, and 2,800 USD to 4,500 USD for luxury travelers booking 5 star resorts and private cruises. International flights to and from Vietnam are excluded.
Is Vietnam cheap for foreign travelers? ▾
Yes, Vietnam remains one of the highest value travel destinations in Southeast Asia. Delicious local meals cost between 1.50 USD and 3.50 USD, private air conditioned boutique hotel rooms cost between 25 USD and 50 USD per night, and clean long distance sleeper buses cost under 18 USD.
What is a realistic daily budget for Vietnam? ▾
A realistic daily budget is 35 USD to 45 USD per day for backpackers staying in dorms, 75 USD to 110 USD per day for mid range travelers enjoying private rooms and guided day tours, and 200 USD to 350 USD per day for luxury travelers staying at 5 star colonial hotels and fine dining restaurants.
How much money should I carry in cash versus credit cards? ▾
Carry around 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 Vietnamese Dong in cash (about 40 to 80 USD) for daily street food stalls, coffee shops, small markets, and entrance tickets. Hotels, convenience stores, modern restaurants, and ride hailing apps like Grab accept Visa and Mastercard without issues, though a 3 percent surcharge is common for card payments at smaller venues.
Which ATMs in Vietnam have zero withdrawal fees? ▾
TPBank and VPBank are popular local banks that frequently offer zero ATM access fees for foreign debit and credit cards. Always decline the ATM dynamic currency conversion prompt and choose to be billed in Vietnamese Dong so your home bank handles the exchange rate fairly.
Is tipping expected in Vietnam? ▾
Tipping is not traditional or mandatory in Vietnam. However, in tourist areas, rounding up the bill on Grab taxi rides or leaving 20,000 to 50,000 VND for helpful luggage porters, local tour guides, and spa therapists is warmly appreciated for attentive service.
How much do domestic flights and trains cost in Vietnam? ▾
Domestic one way flights between Hanoi, Da Nang, and Saigon on Vietnam Airlines or Vietjet typically cost between 45 USD and 95 USD when booked two to four weeks in advance. Overnight sleeper train berths on the Reunification Express cost between 35 USD and 55 USD, while VIP DCar limousine vans for scenic regional routes cost between 12 USD and 22 USD.
Pair Your Budget with Our Tested Itineraries
Explore day by day logistics, recommended transit stops, and curated accommodations across our flagship Vietnam travel routes.
2 Week Itinerary
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and Saigon with full booking links.
Highlights Express10 Day Itinerary
Optimized route for travelers with limited vacation time.
Mountains & Karsts7 Day North Route
Sapa mountain valleys, Tam Coc rowboats, and Halong Bay cruising.
Climate & SeasonsBest Time to Visit
Month by month matrix detailing monsoons and dry sunny beach escapes.