Vietnam on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Vietnam is one of the best countries in the world for budget travel. A realistic minimum is about 650,000₫ (roughly US$25) per person a day: 250,000₫ for a bed, 250,000₫ for food, 100,000₫ for sights and 50,000₫ for local transport, with flights and cruises extra.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | ₫250,000 | ₫700,000 | ₫2,000,000 |
| Food & drink | ₫250,000 | ₫500,000 | ₫1,200,000 |
| Sights & tickets | ₫100,000 | ₫300,000 | ₫800,000 |
| Local transport | ₫50,000 | ₫200,000 | ₫500,000 |
| Per person, per day | ₫650,000 | ₫1,700,000 | ₫4,500,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Vietnam day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, closed to traffic on weekend evenings.
- The 36 streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter.
- Hoi An's Ancient Town streets lit by lanterns after dark (ticket checked for heritage sites).
- An Bang beach near Hoi An.
- The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City.
- The Saigon River at Bach Dang wharf.
Cheap eats
- Pho for breakfast: about 50,000₫.
- Bun cha in Hanoi: about 50,000–70,000₫.
- Banh mi at Banh Mi Phuong in Hoi An: about 30,000₫.
- Com tam (broken rice with grilled pork) in Saigon: about 50,000–80,000₫.
- Ca phe sua da, iced coffee with condensed milk, at a street stall.
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels and guesthouses in Hanoi's Old Quarter, Hoi An homestays and around Pham Ngu Lao or District 1 in Saigon, from about 400,000–800,000₫ a room or less for a dorm bed.
Getting around cheaply
Use Grab in the cities and budget airlines between Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon. Sleeper buses and the Reunification Express train are cheaper than flying but slow. Rent bicycles in Hoi An and Ninh Binh.
A sample budget day
- Morning: pho and the Temple of Literature in Hanoi (about 120,000₫).
- Lunch: bun cha (about 60,000₫).
- Afternoon: walk the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple (about 50,000₫).
- Evening: street food and bia hoi on Ta Hien street (about 120,000₫).
- Total: about 650,000₫ including a 250,000₫ bed share and Grab rides.
More ways to save
- Plan the route north to south with two domestic flights rather than long overland legs.
- Book Ha Long or Lan Ha cruises with reviewed operators to avoid low-quality cheap boats.
- Rent a bike in Hoi An to reach An Bang and the rice fields.
- Carry small notes; street vendors often lack change for large bills.
- Use homestays in Ninh Binh and Hoi An for good value and breakfast included.
- Match the route to the season, as north, centre and south have different rainy periods.
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Common questions
Can you travel Vietnam on a budget?
Easily. Hostels, street food and Grab keep a day to about 650,000₫ before flights and cruises.
Is it cheaper to fly or take the train?
Budget flights are often similar in price and much faster; the train and sleeper buses suit those with more time.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Some nationalities can enter visa-free for a limited stay; others need an e-visa from the official portal. Rules change, so check before you go.